Talk to me about speakers

[nbarts]

I remember a recording engineer whose work I dig quote another recording engineer. There are 2 types of speakers for guitar cabinets, V30s & EVM12Ls, everything else can be bypassed.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Splawn has a speaker called the Small Block 25 which is actually a 55w Eminence speaker voiced after a Celestion greenback. Much more affordable than actual greenbacks and alot of guys love them. I've never heard one in person but the Splawn guys rave over them fwiw

 

[glpg80]

Splawn has a speaker called the Small Block 25 which is actually a 55w Eminence speaker voiced after a Celestion greenback. Much more affordable than actual greenbacks and alot of guys love them. I've never heard one in person but the Splawn guys rave over them fwiw

it was voiced after a G12H30

i have played them with my 5150 through a 2x12. i will say its my favorite speaker hands down, i will own 2 4x12 cabinets of splawns loaded with these in the future, i cant explain how well and how solid and mannered they sound

think of it as a clearer sounding greenback with excellent headroom and has just the right amount of highs for metal and classic rock. ive never heard a 5150 sound like a million bucks, but through those splawn small blocks, man it was killer. especially for the price - im not sure how much these celestion golds cost but i am willing to bet the 55's are just as good if not better and also cheaper

 

[Rogue]

I like V30's, and have 2 cabs loaded with them, its the other 4 cabs I hate. I'm probably gonna buy some pairs initially, and work my way through them mixing some till I find exactly what I'm after. You guys have given me some good ideas, I appreciate the help

If you're going for a vintage type sound, the G12Ms work well and mix well with V30s for that type of tone. I used this setup for a long time with my Marshalls.

The CL80s, or I would suggest getting a Egnator Elite 80 (same speaker but with a little more and tighter bottom end), would work well for the modern thing and mix nicely with the V30s. My current setup has the Elite 80 and a V30. Plenty of nice tight bottom end, aggressive mid/high mids, and a detailed but smooth top end. The Elite's top end seems to override the V30s harsh top end and the result is smooth highs but not without presence. I really like this combination. The Elite 80s by themselves aren't bad, but could be called bland. Mixed with a V30 makes for a nice combination.

 

[JTyson]

Thanks guys, I'm seeing a wide range of pricing across the net, where to get celestions for a decent price?

 

[glpg80]

used is the only way i would buy celestions. i would not buy any new ones from celestion. they are outsourcing to china and the basket metal is not as strong as earlier models.

they are saying it affects stability of the magnet and under large loads the speaker does not sound as good.

i dont know the exact year they did this, and there was a topic about this happening a year go here on the forum, but i have never forgotten it. just some words of advice - same price if not more - with worse build quality.

 

[thegame]

Eminences sound like Eminence speakers, no matter what Celestion they're influenced by. A distinct character not heard in Celestions, just like Celestions have a certain something not found in any Eminence.

 

[glpg80]

Eminences sound like Eminence speakers, no matter what Celestion they're influenced by. A distinct character not heard in Celestions, just like Celestions have a certain something not found in any Eminence.

have you played them? because he is hand building them in his shop, and designed them himself. they do not have eminence character at all except in the low end. everything else sounds like a greenback - you would not know the difference unless someone told you.

i thought i was playing real greenback H30's until he said they were small blocks. i was blown away, damn good speaker. one of the best in my books.

 

[blackba]

I like V30's, and have 2 cabs loaded with them, its the other 4 cabs I hate. I'm probably gonna buy some pairs initially, and work my way through them mixing some till I find exactly what I'm after. You guys have given me some good ideas, I appreciate the help

So you have 4 cabs you can work with. I would go with a V30/G12H30 cab, Greenback cab, WGS ET-65 cab, and a V30/CL80 cab.

 

[stephen sawall]

Well there you go JT ..... only about 20 different speakers and 200 combination's. That should simplify matters.

I have been thinking about selling all my cabs and building some 2x12 cabs. For portability and ease of mixing myself.

 

[Ventura]

Thanks guys, I'm seeing a wide range of pricing across the net, where to get celestions for a decent price?

Depends on the actual model - several are still made in Ipswich England. Keep your eyes on the tags and read the fine print.

Peace,
V.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I'm going apeshit with my Celestion Gold's as of late.... I F*CKIN LOVE THEIR TONE!!!!!!!!!!

I know that's an "out there" recommendation.... But they're just absolute CANDY to my ears.

V.

+1 if you've got the money. Have only played the Blue (lower wattage version), but that speaker was unbelievable. Excellent midrange, detailed and complex high end, and - surprisingly - great bass response.

Here's a rundown of the other speakers I have experience with:

G12T-75: Sounds good if you liked scooped. Don't work well live if there's another player with mid-heavy speakers. Need lots of volume for them to sound their best. Can sound great, but not for everything.

V30: Can sound very good. Without enough volume, it sounds like there's a sonic "film" over the speakers cutting out some highs. Mid heavy, and with enough volume, detailed high end. Good bass response. Sound like "plastic" if they're not set up properly.

G12M Greenback: My favorite speakers I've ever heard or played. Nice, complex and aggressive midrange as if nothing is being held back. Very detailed high end and if not bombarded with bass, good bass response. These are my go-to speakers for just about anything because they can sound phenomenal from blues to metal and everywhere in the middle. Only drawback is their 25w rating.

G12H-30: Similar to the G12M but with a different high end. To my ears, a little too much treble, but they can sound excellent. In terms of sound, they're on par with V30s for me, but sound better at low volumes. To the V30's credit, its higher wattage rating makes it more practical in many situations.


@danyeo - Thanks man; that made me crack up!

Your V30 description is spot on. I do find the V30/H30 mix to be a good one though in a 2x12. But i guess overall, Greenbacks are my favorite speaker. I'll eventually try 2 of the Scumback M75's rated at 65 watts. Everyone seems to love those.

 

[Schaf]

No love for the celestion 65's around here. I know I'm in the minority here, but I prefer both the 65's and 75's over the v30's any day. Many people complain about the 75's being scooped, but it depends on the amp. My JCM 800 matches up perfectly. I've heard that those speakers will sound scooped until they are well broken in. But I can't confirm that since the ones I have are already 25 years old. The 65's do have more midrange and smoother highs. Different stroke for different folks!

Schaf

 

[philb]

Interesting topic as always.
I play in a band where the other guitarist uses a Marshall JVM -> Marshall 4X12 with G12T-75 and using
my Mark IV -> Mesa 4X12 V30, I cut through with less volume.

When I got my Electradyne, I wanted another cab.
I had a Randall 2X12 cab with CL80 and they are too smooth, no aggression whatsoever.
I ended up getting a Mesa 2X12 with V30 and I'm really happy and it's a great fit for the Mark IV and Electradyne.

So V30 for me and then Greenback as my next fave speakers.

 

[TP Parter]

G12M-70 is THE worst Celestion I've ever heard.

If you like V30s, get a Hellatone 60L. A tweaked V30 with deeper bass, less breakup, less spike.

The Hellatone is not "tweaked", it's a chemically broken in (cones wiped with mild solvent of some sort) and rebadged V30. That's it, no more no less.

To the OP, the G12H30 goes killer with the V30, you might want to give that a try.

 

[TP Parter]

I'm going apeshit with my Celestion Gold's as of late.... I F*CKIN LOVE THEIR TONE!!!!!!!!!!

I know that's an "out there" recommendation.... But they're just absolute CANDY to my ears.

V.

Nah, high wattage alnicos are yummie. I love my Fanes.

 

[thegame]

G12M-70 is THE worst Celestion I've ever heard.

If you like V30s, get a Hellatone 60L. A tweaked V30 with deeper bass, less breakup, less spike.

The Hellatone is not "tweaked", it's a chemically broken in (cones wiped with mild solvent of some sort) and rebadged V30. That's it, no more no less.

Wrong buddy. The 60L has a different voicecoil (which you cannot see from the outside) and a different dustcap (which looks visibly different than the V30 dustcap).

You are thinking of the Hellatone 60, which is a chemically treated V30.

 

[oldmanmetal]

EV 200, watters are my top choice. I do like the Hellatone 60L speakers, Hellatone 30s, and the G12-65 Celestions. LOTS of good speakers out there now. EV are still my top choice, and mostly all I use.