Re: celestion vintage 30
Drew, they are close enough that at one point I had 1 V30 and one V12 in the cab. I miked each one and recorded some clips, and the V12's won the test. To my ears they seem a little smoother, the highs are slightly softer, the mids are eq'd ever so slightly differently, but aht's really about it. Also, in all fairness, the V12's I bought from Kevlar, and they were already many hours into their break-in period. The V30 I bought new, and probably only have 4-5 hours on it with any kind of volume....that could play a part.
The reason that I feel they are better over all is threefold. One, the sound is so similar as to not make a difference for a guy like me, who only records at home, jams with buddies occasionally and annoy's the neighbors when I want tube distortion. Two, they are half the cost of the V30's. Three, they're made in America, and I get to help keep money in the US economy, helping US workers feed their families with my hard earned money.
To me, there isn't enough difference to justify paying twice as much.