celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

[esandes]

i am very familiar with the GB and G12T-75 speakers in marshall 4x12 cabs. how would you describe the sound of the V30 compared to those two speakers?

i'm contemplating a v30 loaded cab again. i can't seem to dial out too much upper mids and treble with the GB and 75 speakers. i'm thinking the v30s may help to get the sound i'm looking for. i'd prefer a 4x12 for better projection.

 

[JeffB]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I have had all of them.

If there is too much treble and high mids, going the v30 route will not solve your issue. It is very clear/good presence and has a high mid spike that is awesome with some rigs and horrendous with others.

You might try the anniversary h30, it has less high mids than a GB, more low end and about the same treble/presence.

 

[jeremy]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

yeah the v30 is strong in the upper mid region. less bright over all than the g12t75 which is a little scooped sounding to me. the g12m has a good amount of upper mids but they are much woodier sounding than the v30. the 75 has a bright open top end which suits some amps and styles.

the g12h-30 is one of my favorite speakers. i have a g12-h30 55hz coming soonish that i cant wait to try

 

[esandes]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

thanks for the feedback guys. the problem with the g12h is the low wattage. i think my current GBs are clipping too much when my uber-loud 1959RR is around 1-2.

my JCM 800 is the one that is sounding too trebly through the GB and 75 cabs. more so with the 75s.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

No matter what is said about Vintage 30's. they're the one speaker that's guaranteed to push your tone up front in the mix.....in the same way the Duncan JB does. There's a reason both of those two pieces of gear are the best aftermarket replacement items out there. The guys who argue this don't get it. On a mixing board, the way to make a guitar pop out of the mix is to make it rich in upper mids. The JB and V30 are two things that do this.

That said, there's dozens of great speakers and great pickups. And now, the hair splitting begins....

I admit I'm much more experienced in guitars, pickups, and amps than I am speakers.

But as someone who's ears are most in tune with V30's, since most of the best amps I've had were run through them, I'm in the process of learning a lot more about speakers these days.

I've talked to speaker gurus who actually discourage the idea of mixing speakers so that they all fill in the sonic gaps. They tend to be of the opinion that choosing the best speaker and using only THAT one in a cab is the best idea. And then there's the internet wisdom of always mixing two that compliment each other.....then you've got the conundrum of choosing which to mic. At that point you've got to choose. One is better than the other, so why not just go with that one all around?

I've tried a bunch of combinations, and will probably spend the next few years figuring it out for myself.
I love all V30's. I love a combination of G12-75T/V30. I love the H30-75th Ann/V30. In my Pro Reverb, I love the Jensen P12N/Emi Swamp Thang.

But now my mind is focused on a few speakers to throw into the mix. Celestion Creamback 65's and 75's may turn out to be the ultimate Celestion. I dunno, but I'm going there. Celestion Gold......I'm going to get one of these into my Matchless or Pro Reverb. WGS Retro 30.....a tone buddy of mine keeps telling me to buy one.
Those are the 3 I'm seeking out right now. Scumback too, although I'm pretty focused on the Creamback 75 at the moment.

I'm hoping to figure out what is the absolute best speaker all around, but will settle for finding ones that kick ass for heavy tones, and ones that rule for cleans. I know what I know, but plan on knowing a lot more a year from now.

 

[J.C.R.W]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

thanks for the feedback guys. the problem with the g12h is the low wattage. i think my current GBs are clipping too much when my uber-loud 1959RR is around 1-2.

my JCM 800 is the one that is sounding too trebly through the GB and 75 cabs. more so with the 75s.

If you are worried about the low wattage of the g12h you can look at the Celestion Creamback G12H-75 that just came out.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I have had the V30 in a few amps... they always sounded good or great for me...

 

[RobSoundtrack]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

Bah delete
Was just going to say something someone already said

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

you want meaty? G12K100 (formerly g12H100).

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I have had all of them.

If there is too much treble and high mids, going the v30 route will not solve your issue. It is very clear/good presence and has a high mid spike that is awesome with some rigs and horrendous with others.

You might try the anniversary h30, it has less high mids than a GB, more low end and about the same treble/presence.

+1 the V30 is not the solution here

 

[p4vl]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I had v30's and absolutely hated them. I sort-of understand the concept: a speaker that specializes in pushing certain frequencies so that other instruments won't bury your tone. Your horrible, icepicky, nasal tone that you want everyone to hear.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I had v30's and absolutely hated them. I sort-of understand the concept: a speaker that specializes in pushing certain frequencies so that other instruments won't bury your tone. Your horrible, icepicky, nasal tone that you want everyone to hear.

It's only horrible when it's by itself. It's even worse when no one can hear it. That, of course, depends on the player.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I'm not sure what amp makes a Vintage 30 horrible, ice picky, and nasal.

Think of how many amp companies/builders have gone through every Celestion, only to choose the V30.
Nearly every amp that comes with a high quality speaker has a V30, or a licensed version of it.
I will say that V30's tend to sound better in closed back cabs though.......and with British styled amps.
But heck, even Fender throws a V30 into an amp when they want to upgrade it from their licensed Emi's or cheap Jensens.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

my JCM 800 is the one that is sounding too trebly through the GB and 75 cabs. more so with the 75s.

Have you clipped the bright cap yet?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I'm not sure what amp makes a Vintage 30 horrible, ice picky, and nasal.

Think of how many amp companies/builders have gone through every Celestion, only to choose the V30.
Nearly every amp that comes with a high quality speaker has a V30, or a licensed version of it.
I will say that V30's tend to sound better in closed back cabs though.......and with British styled amps.
But heck, even Fender throws a V30 into an amp when they want to upgrade it from their licensed Emi's or cheap Jensens.

I like the v30 in closed back cabs . . . I don't like them at all in open back combos. In an open back, the worst of the high frequencies seems to come out. That's just my 2 cents though. This problem is exacerbated if you play very clean without any breakup.

The v30 is a decent speaker, and it's popular . . . but it's far from the best choice all of the time.

 

[scorch]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

Have you clipped the bright cap yet?

Yeah, the JCM 800 is a very bright amp. Teaming it up with bright speakers would run me out of the room. I've had all three and I got rid of the V30 and GT-75 quickly. The G's sounded great but pushed really hard would start to give up.

Maybe a mod to the amp would be a better solution. Fix the source of the problem instead of the symptom?

 

[esandes]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

Have you clipped the bright cap yet?

call me an idiot but it's against my constitution to modify amps. the thing is, i had a 2204 from 1981 and i ran it through a 1936 w/ T-75s (from the 90s) and it sounded perfect. not harsh at all. now this 2203x sounds great at low volumes but gets harsh at higher volumes.

would the tubes contribute to this? it has stock tubes. from clips i've seen on youtube the v30 seems a tad "darker" than the greenbacks. is that right?

 

[toneryder]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

Have you clipped the bright cap yet????


Please explain.
Thank You,
Mark

 

[p4vl]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

I'm not sure what amp makes a Vintage 30 horrible, ice picky, and nasal.

Think of how many amp companies/builders have gone through every Celestion, only to choose the V30.
Nearly every amp that comes with a high quality speaker has a V30, or a licensed version of it.
I will say that V30's tend to sound better in closed back cabs though.......and with British styled amps.
But heck, even Fender throws a V30 into an amp when they want to upgrade it from their licensed Emi's or cheap Jensens.

Peavey XXX w/JJ E34L's & Lopo 2x12. I lucked out, in that the guys at my local shop gave me a deal; $60 per Eminence v128, $20 for installation: www.audiolight.com/

Even at bedroom volume the fizz, excess upper mids/highs and general ice pick were gone immediately.

Why are V30's so popular? Because they come stock in a lot of very nice cabs and speakers seem to be the last tweak that most guitar players will consider making to their rigs. Don't underestimate the historical factor, either. How many famous rock stars from the 60's, 70's and 80's used Celestion is a huge selling point, for better or worse.

For anyone that thinks that amp and cab makers put v30's or t75's in their cabs because they are the best speakers for their amps, I'd point to the legions of threads on as many forums complaining about the quality of stock tubes (both type and brand of tubes) and less-than-zero bias settings that it seems a lot of popular amps leave the factory with. There might be a fire under all that smoke.

 

[ninerd7]

Re: celestion speaker comparisons - any experience with V30, G12M (GB) and G12T-75?

i have a stock marshall cab with t75's and have used v30, different indeed. I'm also looking for something more tone wise and comparing others.