Celestion Lead 80

barbarianbrute

barbarianbrute

New member
what are your thoughts on this speaker? is it good, does it suck, or can i benefit from upgrading it? i've been heavily considering the governor. there are other awesome sounding eminence speakers, but the description of it seems to fit what i'm looking for quite well.

what do you guys think?
 
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Re: Celestion Lead 80

It's my favorite Celestion. Big and full sounding, plenty of push, stays clean (I don't like breakup from the speakers, some do). IMO it's underrated and under appreciated.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

Ask Dave Murray. I believe he used it in his cabs in the 80's. ;) LOL I know someone who will know for sure. Uli Jon Roth is another one who used them from a quick Google search. Scott Ian is listed as an endorser on the Celestion site as is Greg Howe.

In the cabs I played it through, it was perfect to my ears. Sadly, I couldn't afford the cab they were in but I got to play through it every day while it was still for sale in the shop.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

They're nice, but I think I prefer a little more breakup from my speakers (to my ears, any kind of overdrive just doesn't sound as good as it should if the speakers aren't clipping along with it. At high volumes, they do hold together well and it's high power handling makes it a no brainer for high wattage amps in a 1x12'' cabinet or combo. I happen to use one in a 1x12'' open back Mojo cabinet with my Bogner Shiva and its nice for practice for when dragging around a 100 lb. 4x12'' just isn't practical.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

Isn't that trhe same speaker that Bogner uses in the Shiva combo? I think it is. I have a Bogner EL34 80W combo and this speaker sounds great. Clean with mild breakup and it handles the dirt channel quite well.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

I did upgrade a Marshall cab with 4 Classic leads instead ot the G12 75w , and it is everything I wanted :
* more power
*more mids
*more clarity
*less harsh highs
*percussive basses

I considered also the Vintage 30 but I thought it had too much mids , and a softer feel , less punch .
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

i am a long time fan of the 80. i have my boogie rectifier 2x12 loaded with a v30 and an 80. I LOVE the combo even though the wattage matching isn't textbook. I went thrugh 2 v30's a v30 and an evm12l, the evm 12l and the 80, and settled on the v30 with the 80, sounds SICK with my tremoverb... my shiva likes 2 v30's best... so the oversize bogner 2x12 should be in in a couple of weeks!
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

pixelpusher said:
i am a long time fan of the 80. i have my boogie rectifier 2x12 loaded with a v30 and an 80. I LOVE the combo even though the wattage matching isn't textbook. I went thrugh 2 v30's a v30 and an evm12l, the evm 12l and the 80, and settled on the v30 with the 80, sounds SICK with my tremoverb... my shiva likes 2 v30's best... so the oversize bogner 2x12 should be in in a couple of weeks!
Click to expand...

You won't regret sticking with V30s with the Shiva (atleast in a multiple speaker cabinet). The best tone I've gotten out of mine was a Bogner straight 4x12'' with V30s.

I think the CL80 is the perfect way to have a lightweight high wattage setup. It stays together, has a powerful lowend and is very punchy which I think anybody who loves clarity in their setup will really like.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

I've just sold a 4x12 with four G12-80s in - the old name for the Classic Lead 80. They are great speakers - big bottom end, lots of projection, very clear on the top end. They really cut through the mix without sounding harsh or nasal. As Erik says, they don't really break up - if that's what you want, they're the ones to get.

Now I'm wondering why I sold 'em :boggled:
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

fab.regnaut said:
I did upgrade a Marshall cab with 4 Classic leads instead ot the G12 75w , and it is everything I wanted :
* more power
*more mids
*more clarity
*less harsh highs
*percussive basses

I considered also the Vintage 30 but I thought it had too much mids , and a softer feel , less punch .
Click to expand...
Wow, I have a JCM900 with those 75 that just torment me, and you list of improvements really is what I am looking for ..... Can you people tell me how would a 4 Lead 80s sound comparing to a X pattern of Emi's Swamp thing and the Wizard ? Thanks
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

joelap said:
I've always contemplated a 4x12 with 2 Classic Lead 80's and 2 Greenbacks... a bit of speaker breakup, and a bit of clarity/punch. On paper, it sounds awesome. One day I'll get around to trying that.
Click to expand...

It's definitely a unique sound. It's almost like you have a clean and an overdrive going on in stereo if that makes sense. From two speakers you've got crunchy breakup and from the other two its a cleaner, clearer, sound and you can definitely make out the distinction easily. I wasn't a big fan, so that's why I either a) stick with the CL80 in a 1x12'' or b) stick with 4-V30s in my 4X12''. It comes down to a more even response - less different sounds going on.
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

i dunno how they'd work for metal

they lack some lows & have a butt load of highs. They also get REAL thick, not the best articulation

all that said, i still love them

but for what you're wanting, gov would just be... better
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

drew_half_empty said:
i dunno how they'd work for metal

they lack some lows & have a butt load of highs. They also get REAL thick, not the best articulation

all that said, i still love them

but for what you're wanting, gov would just be... better
Click to expand...

governor + laney sounds like a good idea?
 
Re: Celestion Lead 80

Dr.Mavashi said:
Wow, I have a JCM900 with those 75 that just torment me, and you list of improvements really is what I am looking for ..... Can you people tell me how would a 4 Lead 80s sound comparing to a X pattern of Emi's Swamp thing and the Wizard ? Thanks
Click to expand...


i'm telling you dude, either 4 wizards or 2 swamps & 2 govs

the swamps are DARK in the mids, and the wizards are recessed but complex in the mids, which would easily get muddied up by the swamps

govs & swamps are just... meant to be
 
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