UberMetalDood
New member
What's your take on this speaker? Have you ever compared it to a Seventy 80?
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Celestion Classic Lead
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
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mwalluk
New member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
Never compared to a 70/80 but the cl80 is a better speaker. Price alone, this sucker is worth it. Very clear, does not saturate or color your tone. It allows your guitar and amp's natural tone come though. It's versatile enough that it should be able to respond well with ANY amp. Unlike a V30, where it sounds like @$$ in some amps, the CL80 shines. I have it in a 212 cab mixed with a V30.
Never compared to a 70/80 but the cl80 is a better speaker. Price alone, this sucker is worth it. Very clear, does not saturate or color your tone. It allows your guitar and amp's natural tone come though. It's versatile enough that it should be able to respond well with ANY amp. Unlike a V30, where it sounds like @$$ in some amps, the CL80 shines. I have it in a 212 cab mixed with a V30.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I have one in my combo and realy like it. It's much more "broad" sound that a lot of Celestions. I A/Bd it against a G12H30 one time, and liked the CL80 better - the H30 sounded somewhat muted and nasal by comparision. Back in the day, I played Marshalls through EVM12Ls; I've always had a thing for clean, clear speakers.
My only complaint is that's it's maybe a bit too accurate. In my 18 Watter, there's sometimes a harsh point in the upper mids or treble that I don't like. I'm starting to think a speaker with less high-end might keep the amp from being shrill.
But overall, the CL80 is big win, and certainly a big upgrade from a 70 80.
I have one in my combo and realy like it. It's much more "broad" sound that a lot of Celestions. I A/Bd it against a G12H30 one time, and liked the CL80 better - the H30 sounded somewhat muted and nasal by comparision. Back in the day, I played Marshalls through EVM12Ls; I've always had a thing for clean, clear speakers.
My only complaint is that's it's maybe a bit too accurate. In my 18 Watter, there's sometimes a harsh point in the upper mids or treble that I don't like. I'm starting to think a speaker with less high-end might keep the amp from being shrill.
But overall, the CL80 is big win, and certainly a big upgrade from a 70 80.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I run a pair in an Avatar 2x12 with my Marshall MkIII head. Awesome speakers. I like clear speakers with little to no breakup. The CL80 is the right choice for that. My bandmate runs the same model Avatar 2x12 with a V30/G12H30 combo also using a Marshall head (diff model though) and you can clearly hear the difference between them. The CL80's have a bigger, fuller sound.
I run a pair in an Avatar 2x12 with my Marshall MkIII head. Awesome speakers. I like clear speakers with little to no breakup. The CL80 is the right choice for that. My bandmate runs the same model Avatar 2x12 with a V30/G12H30 combo also using a Marshall head (diff model though) and you can clearly hear the difference between them. The CL80's have a bigger, fuller sound.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I'm thinking about putting one in my Engl Screamer combo, but I just got an Eminence Private Jack for my Rivera and am loving Eminence speakers the most now. If I don't go the Eminence route, the Classic Lead is my top choice. It sounds like it's a good choice since I don't need speaker breakup in a high gain amp like that.
Right now with the V30 there is a lot of concentration in the lower mids and I'd like to see how it sounds if I shift that a little more towards the upper mids.
I'm thinking about putting one in my Engl Screamer combo, but I just got an Eminence Private Jack for my Rivera and am loving Eminence speakers the most now. If I don't go the Eminence route, the Classic Lead is my top choice. It sounds like it's a good choice since I don't need speaker breakup in a high gain amp like that.
Right now with the V30 there is a lot of concentration in the lower mids and I'd like to see how it sounds if I shift that a little more towards the upper mids.
mwalluk
New member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
If you have the opportunity, see if you can get a 212 cab w/ the Vintage 30 and the CL80. Awesome mix.
If you have the opportunity, see if you can get a 212 cab w/ the Vintage 30 and the CL80. Awesome mix.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I don't think the 70/80 is all that bad, it's kind of a middleground between the T75, CL80 and V30, having some of the characteristics of each, so utterly meh, or ugh, or a nice space filler. It mixes well, I've got 2 paired with 2 Vox/Whafedales in an Avatar cab, and it sounds pretty good, believe it or not.
On it's own, the 70/80 is ewww.
The CL is kinda the same way, even though they don't sound alike. The CL is just evenly EQ'd, doesn't break up early, and doesn't push any specific frequency. So people who are used to greenbacks or V30's usually think they sound meh.
I wouldn't say the CL is that huge of an upgrade, some people really like 70/80's.
I don't think the 70/80 is all that bad, it's kind of a middleground between the T75, CL80 and V30, having some of the characteristics of each, so utterly meh, or ugh, or a nice space filler. It mixes well, I've got 2 paired with 2 Vox/Whafedales in an Avatar cab, and it sounds pretty good, believe it or not.
On it's own, the 70/80 is ewww.
The CL is kinda the same way, even though they don't sound alike. The CL is just evenly EQ'd, doesn't break up early, and doesn't push any specific frequency. So people who are used to greenbacks or V30's usually think they sound meh.
I wouldn't say the CL is that huge of an upgrade, some people really like 70/80's.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I agree. In fact, I stated before that I think it's a good speaker if paired with another. I actually like the snarly top end of it but it's too fizzy, thin and nasally. I tried to pick a speaker that was very similar because I actually kind of liked it, so I went with the Private Jack. I wish I would have considered the Classic Lead, but I'm happy with the Private Jack now so.
I agree. In fact, I stated before that I think it's a good speaker if paired with another. I actually like the snarly top end of it but it's too fizzy, thin and nasally. I tried to pick a speaker that was very similar because I actually kind of liked it, so I went with the Private Jack. I wish I would have considered the Classic Lead, but I'm happy with the Private Jack now so.
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I also have a MKIII but mines a combo. I run it thru a 2x12 Avatar with CL80s also.
Killer tone. Tight bottom, punchy mids, fat highs with no shrill.
I also have a JCM800 combo that has a CL80. Just Killer.
CL80s are my favorite speaker.
I also have a MKIII but mines a combo. I run it thru a 2x12 Avatar with CL80s also.
Killer tone. Tight bottom, punchy mids, fat highs with no shrill.
I also have a JCM800 combo that has a CL80. Just Killer.
CL80s are my favorite speaker.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
Good stuff- I had a cab with them..20 years ago..yeesh. I'm old.
They are very different than a typical Celestion- kinda "hi-fi". As mentioned, more neutral, no overbearing frequency, and they don't distort easily at all. Not really my thing anymore for an actual guitar amp, but I think would pair very well with a Modeller.
Dave Murray used them BITD (maybe still does?)
Good stuff- I had a cab with them..20 years ago..yeesh. I'm old.
They are very different than a typical Celestion- kinda "hi-fi". As mentioned, more neutral, no overbearing frequency, and they don't distort easily at all. Not really my thing anymore for an actual guitar amp, but I think would pair very well with a Modeller.
Dave Murray used them BITD (maybe still does?)
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I have a few cabs loaded with the Mesa C90, which is similar but not identical to the CL80 and I don't remember the differences.
Meh would be my description of it. It's a nice lead speaker, articulate with good presence... but for rock/metal rhythm I find it too harsh and stiff/flat. I prefer V30s or G12M-25s.
I have a few cabs loaded with the Mesa C90, which is similar but not identical to the CL80 and I don't remember the differences.
Meh would be my description of it. It's a nice lead speaker, articulate with good presence... but for rock/metal rhythm I find it too harsh and stiff/flat. I prefer V30s or G12M-25s.
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
This is EXACTLY why I like them.
I want the distortion to come from my amp, not my speaker.
When I need the amp to clean up I can rely on it being clean without any added fuzz from the speaker.
This is EXACTLY why I like them.
I want the distortion to come from my amp, not my speaker.
When I need the amp to clean up I can rely on it being clean without any added fuzz from the speaker.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
Have you heard an EV12L? Would you liken it to that speaker?
Just off the top if my head I'd be more inclined to use the Lemmy G12K85/100.
Have you heard an EV12L? Would you liken it to that speaker?
Just off the top if my head I'd be more inclined to use the Lemmy G12K85/100.
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ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Celestion Classic Lead
I have no personal experience with the EV12L so cannot say for sure what it's like to the CL80.
I have no personal experience with the EV12L so cannot say for sure what it's like to the CL80.
