2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

[JDLM]

I've an ENGL Standard 4X12 that got for a very good price in almost new condition. The thing is that it comes with Celestions Vintage 60, which are kind custom made for ENGL but have a very tight bass and don't get along very well with my Silver Jubilee.

I want to replace all 4 of them with either 4 Vintage 30's or 2 Vintage 30's+2 Greenbacks. My question is, since the Greenbacks are 25W each and the Vintage 30's are 65W, will the Vintage 30's eat the Greenbacks? Do you think the sound of the greenbacks will be lost?

 

[75lespaul]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

I've never used that mix. I usually do the V30/G12H30. I don't typically like all V30s, but I had a Silver Jubilee 2X12 combo that was absolutely amazing with the two V30s once I did a complete retubing with reissue Mullard power tubes and the Groove Tube Mullard preamp tubes...the GT12AX7M I believe. So from my experience, I'd say go all V30.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

Doesn't the Friedman 4x12 come stock like that? Greens on top, V30s on the bottom?

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

They are probably 65W Creambacks but I may be totally wrong.

Also I may be wrong, I don't intend to display my subjective view as general truth but as far as my ears go, tonally the Creamback is as close to the Greenback as it is humanly and technologically possible. I've been using Greens for ages in all of my 4x12"s and I would not worry about changing them to Creamos. The ony thing I would worry about is the fact that my old Greens are nicely played/worn in.

 

[dave74]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

v30 and creambacks have more matching sensitivities

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

^ I think that would be the bigger issue. V30/ creamback balance out nicely, where IME V30's tend to overpower greenbacks

 

[Darg1911]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

I've run V30's and Greenbacks, but never together. I think, like the others mention, the V's efficiency may just be too much for the G's. Now, I have recently run WGS Veteran 30's with WGS Invaders and it was a good combo. But while the Veterans and Invaders take some inspiration from the Celestions, they are not the same. And, both WGS speakers are closer in sensitivity. Ultimately, I split them up. If determined to go with a Celestion V30 and Greenback mix, I think the suggestion of the Creambacks and V30's is probably the best way to go.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

The G12H Creamback is the same sensitivity as the V30 but the G12M version Creamback is not.

Celestion sensitivity:

Original 70s G12M Green Back and 90s UK resissues:97db
Current reissue G12M25: 98db
Hertiage G12M and G12EVH: 96db
Vintage 30 (60 watts): 100db
G12M Creamback (65 watts): 97db
G12H Creamback (75 watts): 100db
All G12H30 (30 watts): 100db

The wattage handling doesn't matter to the sensitivity or loudness. The 15 watt Alnico Blue is as loud as the 60 watt Vintage 30. However, the power handling is always the lowest rated speaker x the number of speakers. For example, two G12M greenbacks mixed with two V30s will yield 100 watts power handling. The Vintage 30 will be louder so they are mostly what you hear. Put the Greenbacks on top and the V30s on bottom if you use this combination. If you use G12H greenbacks or creambacks, then they are the same loudness as Vintage 30s.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

Doesn't the Friedman 4x12 come stock like that? Greens on top, V30s on the bottom?

Yes, it does. I've never played one ( I want one! ) but lots of folks say it sounds great.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: 2 Vintage 30's + 2 Greenbacks = Good idea?

I used a 4X12 with Greenbacks on top & V-30's on the bottom for a while & absolutely loved it! The only problem I found with this combination was that the louder you turned the amp up the less you could hear the characteristics of the Greenbacks. Having the V-30's on the bottom of the cabinet helped out the bass response tremendously! It could really reach out and kick you in the guts after the swap!!! I definitely liked it a lot better like that than when it was loaded with just the 4 Greenbacks....

That said, given the choice Creamback's and Vintage-30's would certainly be a better way to go!!!

I sold that old Vintage-Greenie 4X12 a while ago & currently use a Creamback/Vintage-30 loaded 2X12 in its place 99% of the time. The Creamback and V-30 are definitely much better partners for one another. Given their power rating, Exc., neither of them overpowers the other so you can actually hear different characteristics from the different speakers. Which is kinda the point of mixing speaker's inside a cabinet in the first place?