Has Celestion Changed the Construction of Mesa Vintage 30s?

[CrystalSky]

I hear V30, I send people to this guy @the other John Browne

 

[Luca79]

FWIW George Lynch said he prefers 8 ohm speakers…

I have a Marshall cab with 8 ohm V30, and is really close to the Mesa OS of my friend; mine is straight his Mesa is slant. Lynch not use his signature speakers?

 

[the other John Browne]

I agree that running at 8 or 16 ohm will sound different.

My post is in reference to these models which are "Old original spec - now Mesa OEM"

The newer made Mesa speakers are no longer this spec as shown in the photo of the OP.

@the other John Browne

Have you tested these new Mesa versions?

Completely missed this. Sorry. No, I have not had any Mesa V30s younger than 2020.

 

[anomaly]

There's pretty big variances in the same batch, let alone years and ohm rating. I've got a buddy who's running through speakers, finding the best out of year groupings and then comparing them. The difference is pretty massive. Even if you get some "Golden Era" 2000-2004 speakers, they will all sound different.

That being said, most of the modern speakers are worse than the older speakers to my ears.. Especially the Chinese made ones. I had an Orange 412 solid plywood with Chinese V30s from 2021 that was way honkier and brighter than my other cabs. I picked up a Marshall Mode Four Straight 412 that had Chinese 2022 V30s swapped into it, it also sounded honky and too bright. I swapped 2 2002 V30s in the Marshall MF412 and it it sounds much better. My other Marshall MF412 Slant has Celestion Vintage 30MF and it sounds a bit warmer and much tamer than "normal" V30s. These are all 16 ohm, though.

My 2021 Chinese V30's are very balanced sounding and they most definitely have that 5-6k rolloff. I got a couple from 2024 as well and they are much brighter and fizzy in the top end. None of them sound honky though, especially in my 4x12's.

 

[cardinal]

I've not read through the thread (sorry) but I have V30s from 1991 to 2020 or so. The magnet use to be thicker and the cone was visibly different, changing around the time production moved out of England. How that affects the sound I dunno.

I love the sound of the 1991 quad but also love my 2020 1960AV once the speakers broke in (it sounded dreadfully thin and harsh new out of the box).

 

[Greazygeo]

I have an early 90’s Mesa oversize with stock v30’s which sound good. Its my recording cab. I was very surprised.

Bought a new 8 ohm v30 a year or so ago. It sounds good.

The others Ive used, Marshall Orange etc 16 ohms always sound terrible to me. Either really thin or totally dull /dead sounding.

 

[Bad Brain]

Bought a new 8 ohm v30 a year or so ago. It sounds good.

Chinese?

 

[Greazygeo]

Chinese?

Not really sure. Never paid any attention.

 

[paulyc]

I have a Marshall cab with 8 ohm V30, and is really close to the Mesa OS of my friend; mine is straight his Mesa is slant. Lynch not use his signature speakers?

The Lynchbacks were 8 ohm. I think he just prefers 8 ohm speakers, whatever they are. Even his Eminence Super Vs were 8 ohm.

 

[dave74]

Why did they stop the Lynchbacks? Did he get another deal and Celestion lost rights?

I've never read anyone who has played them say anything other than great things. Still wish I would have got a new pair when they were fresh and cheap.