Celestion G12M-70...

[cliffenstein]

I just picked up an almost MINT JCM800 cab with the 260 watt badge on the back. I assumed it had the G12M-65 speakers in it. I got home, took off the back panel and, lo and behold, it's loaded with the "dreaded" G12M-70 speakers. I said to myself, "hmmm, way to put the wrong badge on, Marshall."

Undeterred, I hooked up my JCM 2000 DSL100 head and proceeded to play at low volume, moderate volume and gig volume. It sounded fantastic at each level...fanTASTic, I tell ya!

I've read so much online over the past several years, people warning other people to stay away from these speakers at all costs.

Now that I have them, I'm literally dumbfounded by the things I read about these speakers. I now read and go, "what are you TALKING about?!!!!"

Anyway...this is my experience. Take it for what it's worth.

I got the cab for just $200. Thank you, Craigslist!

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

Glad you like them. Although I doubt it was Marshall that put the wrong badge on vs. someone replacing the speakers.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

I'm with you, I love 'em! I think people run them down in order to drive the prices down. That or they base their opinions on bedroom volume.

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[cliffenstein]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

Glad you like them. Although I doubt it was Marshall that put the wrong badge on vs. someone replacing the speakers.

Speakers don't look to be replaced in the least. I've read on countless forums that Marshall just used whatever speakers they had available and as long as the minimum badge rating was met they just moved along to the next cab.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

that sounds about right. marshall wasnt going to stop putting out cabs cause the speakers didnt match the badge

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

I had the 70s in a 4x12 Sonic cab that I paired with an early 50 watt JCM 800. It killed! Talking fairly loud rock gigs.

 

[cliffenstein]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

I had a chance to AB my 800 cab loaded with the 70's against a 900 cab loaded with 75's we own and keep in our rehearsal space. The 70's are midrange voiced which makes the 800 cab seem louder. They also have better tone overall. Granted the 900 cab doesn't have the vintage 75's (all white label) in it, but between these cabs the 800 with the 70's was the clear winner. I tested by myself and in front of the band. We were all in agreement.

I am not changing these speakers.

 

[cliffenstein]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

By the way...these are the all-white label versions of the G12M-70 speakers, not the half white half black label versions. I do not know if there is any appreciable difference between the two the way there is with the G12T-75 speakers.

 

[ant_riv]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

I have a 4104 with the G-12M-65s and one with the G-12M-70s. Both came stock with the speakers.

Yeah, it's a rough life.

Set identical, and using the same guitar, I actually prefer the G-12M-70s because they seem to have a bit more punch. The G-12M-70s seem to have more growl to them.

In English, that means the 70s seem to have more defined upper-mids and the 65s more defined low-mids.
But heck, once the drummer kicks in, I can't tell .....

 

[Demanic]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

It's those upper mids that people tend to describe as ice picky. The same is said about the JB. It's also the reason why both tend to cut through a live mix well.

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[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Celestion G12M-70...

I guess I had too much faith in Marshall being picky back in the day! hah

Never tried a 70...but I do want a 65 loaded cab so bad. Too bad guys around here are asking 1k for them