Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
- Thread starter some_dude
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James Rock
Active member
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
Are both speakers in the same cab? The first sounds warmer (chunkier mids) the second more aggressive
Are both speakers in the same cab? The first sounds warmer (chunkier mids) the second more aggressive
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
The Mesa V30 is in the black cab 1x12 and the Celestion V30 is in the tan combo's cab. Both are basically the same cab (the black is an extension cab), only the combo is slightly taller to make room for the amp chassis. Both cabs are open back with their back panels off to try to eliminate as many differences as possible.
The Mesa has a stiffer response and a fuller midrange, including a lot more low midrange.
The Celestion has a softer response and less mids, which gives more emphasis to the upper mids.
The recording was done at a fairly moderate volume (loud, but not too loud) to avoid overdriving the camera's mic. Lower volumes favour the Celestion where the softer response and upper midrange "sparkle" sound a little more musical than the Mesa's stiff, kind a dull sound. However, as the volume goes up the Mesa becomes a lot clearer, stays tighter, and starts to produce and aggressive midrange crunch that the Celestion totally lacks.
The video kind of captured the middle volume area where neither speaker was really disadvantaged, but it wasn't loud enough for the Mesa V30 to really shine.
The Mesa V30 is in the black cab 1x12 and the Celestion V30 is in the tan combo's cab. Both are basically the same cab (the black is an extension cab), only the combo is slightly taller to make room for the amp chassis. Both cabs are open back with their back panels off to try to eliminate as many differences as possible.
The Mesa has a stiffer response and a fuller midrange, including a lot more low midrange.
The Celestion has a softer response and less mids, which gives more emphasis to the upper mids.
The recording was done at a fairly moderate volume (loud, but not too loud) to avoid overdriving the camera's mic. Lower volumes favour the Celestion where the softer response and upper midrange "sparkle" sound a little more musical than the Mesa's stiff, kind a dull sound. However, as the volume goes up the Mesa becomes a lot clearer, stays tighter, and starts to produce and aggressive midrange crunch that the Celestion totally lacks.
The video kind of captured the middle volume area where neither speaker was really disadvantaged, but it wasn't loud enough for the Mesa V30 to really shine.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
What I can tell you from a visual comparison is that the Mesa uses different glue and that the pole piece is machined rather than rough cast. The top and back plate also appears to be made out of a different alloy and is cast differently.
The cone, surround, basket, dust cap, spider and what I could see of the former all appear to be the same.
It's a totally subjective evaluation but it's the best I can do.
Mesa also uses some proprietary spray on the cone that's applied at the Mesa factory. It's supposed to help them break in faster.
What I can tell you from a visual comparison is that the Mesa uses different glue and that the pole piece is machined rather than rough cast. The top and back plate also appears to be made out of a different alloy and is cast differently.
The cone, surround, basket, dust cap, spider and what I could see of the former all appear to be the same.
It's a totally subjective evaluation but it's the best I can do.
Mesa also uses some proprietary spray on the cone that's applied at the Mesa factory. It's supposed to help them break in faster.
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some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
Alright... lets try this again. Close mic'd with an SM57.
Mesa - http://www.netmusicians.org/files/78-V30 Comparison, Mesa V30.mp3
Celestion - http://www.netmusicians.org/files/14-V30 Comparison, Celestion V30.mp3
Alright... lets try this again. Close mic'd with an SM57.
Mesa - http://www.netmusicians.org/files/78-V30 Comparison, Mesa V30.mp3
Celestion - http://www.netmusicians.org/files/14-V30 Comparison, Celestion V30.mp3
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
I had both in my cab before. I didn't like the Mesa Boogie speaker. Celestion v30 was better. In your video and sound samples, I still prefer the v30. To me the Mesa Boogie speaker sounds bassier, less aggressive mids, and more compressed.
I had both in my cab before. I didn't like the Mesa Boogie speaker. Celestion v30 was better. In your video and sound samples, I still prefer the v30. To me the Mesa Boogie speaker sounds bassier, less aggressive mids, and more compressed.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
Yeah... this little exercise has given me a whole new appreciation for the regular Celestion V30. It's funny though as I really don't like the way the Celestion V30s sound/feel when I play through them, yet they do sound really good when recorded.
Yeah... this little exercise has given me a whole new appreciation for the regular Celestion V30. It's funny though as I really don't like the way the Celestion V30s sound/feel when I play through them, yet they do sound really good when recorded.
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
I think that is the conclusion most people come to.
I think its just the combination of Eq's: the speaker, and then *usually* a SM57. Somehow those EQ curves just sound good together.
I think that is the conclusion most people come to.
I think its just the combination of Eq's: the speaker, and then *usually* a SM57. Somehow those EQ curves just sound good together.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
I agree. In nearly every speaker comparison I've heard the V30 usually comes out on top for me. It just seems to sound right with minimal post-production.
I was thinking it's odd that the Celestion seems to be performing better when the Recto 4x12 is arguably the most recorded cab in metal... but when I think about it one of the more highly regarded cabs in rock is the Bogner and it's loaded with regular V30s. Maybe next time I'll use a thrashier riff.
I agree. In nearly every speaker comparison I've heard the V30 usually comes out on top for me. It just seems to sound right with minimal post-production.
I was thinking it's odd that the Celestion seems to be performing better when the Recto 4x12 is arguably the most recorded cab in metal... but when I think about it one of the more highly regarded cabs in rock is the Bogner and it's loaded with regular V30s. Maybe next time I'll use a thrashier riff.
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Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
Well, I guess I'm the minority here. I like the fuller sound of the Mesa...especially the lower mids.
The Celestion sounds tinny to me.
But maybe that's what you want for more clarity when playing metal/distortion. Since I play mainly cleans and crunch, I like the fuller sound of the Mesa.
Well, I guess I'm the minority here. I like the fuller sound of the Mesa...especially the lower mids.
The Celestion sounds tinny to me.
But maybe that's what you want for more clarity when playing metal/distortion. Since I play mainly cleans and crunch, I like the fuller sound of the Mesa.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
Here's the last kick at this riff as I'm getting really tired of it.
This track starts with the Celestion then moves to the Mesa. I've added drum and bass loops to help fill in the mix a little.
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/90-V30 Comparison 2.mp3
The thing about single guitar tracks is they only tell part of the story, so I've included a couple of double tracked mixes...
Panned left (Celestion) and right (Mesa).
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/94-V30 Comparison 2, Both V30s.mp3
Mesa left and Mesa right
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/21-V30 Comparison 2, Mesa Only.mp3
Celestion Left and Right
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/94-V30 Comparison 2, Both V30s.mp3
As a single track the Mesa sounds kind of dull, but I think the double track clip demonstrates where it sits in the mix better... particularly if you're looking for that low, meaty guitar tone.
If anyone cares,
Roadster, Channel 4 (Modern)
Gain 11:30
Treb 1:00
Mids 11:00
Bass 10:00
Pres 1:00
50w, diode with the loop bypassed and the volume around 10 or 10:30.
The speakers were loaded in Mesa Widebody 1x12s (open back).
Some day I'll get around to doing a closed back demo.... but I need to write a couple of new riffs first.
Here's the last kick at this riff as I'm getting really tired of it.
This track starts with the Celestion then moves to the Mesa. I've added drum and bass loops to help fill in the mix a little.
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/90-V30 Comparison 2.mp3
The thing about single guitar tracks is they only tell part of the story, so I've included a couple of double tracked mixes...
Panned left (Celestion) and right (Mesa).
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/94-V30 Comparison 2, Both V30s.mp3
Mesa left and Mesa right
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/21-V30 Comparison 2, Mesa Only.mp3
Celestion Left and Right
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/94-V30 Comparison 2, Both V30s.mp3
As a single track the Mesa sounds kind of dull, but I think the double track clip demonstrates where it sits in the mix better... particularly if you're looking for that low, meaty guitar tone.
If anyone cares,
Roadster, Channel 4 (Modern)
Gain 11:30
Treb 1:00
Mids 11:00
Bass 10:00
Pres 1:00
50w, diode with the loop bypassed and the volume around 10 or 10:30.
The speakers were loaded in Mesa Widebody 1x12s (open back).
Some day I'll get around to doing a closed back demo.... but I need to write a couple of new riffs first.
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James Rock
Active member
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
After hearing all the clips I like the Mesa better especially double track, the V30 hurts my ears a little and sounds a bit to nasty for chugging rhythms maybe for lead the regular has an advantage or in a closed back 2x12 or 4x12 it may be totally different.
After hearing all the clips I like the Mesa better especially double track, the V30 hurts my ears a little and sounds a bit to nasty for chugging rhythms maybe for lead the regular has an advantage or in a closed back 2x12 or 4x12 it may be totally different.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
I agree.
Although I do like the recorded sound of the Celestion V30 I know from experience that they get on my nerves in a very big way when I have to stand in front of them.
I did these earlier to compare the Mesa V30 in open vs closed back cabs.... I never did it with the Celestion but I can tell you from experience that it's basically the same idea... open back tends to dull the highs and bring out the mids while closed back tends bring out the highs and slow lows (gives it that "bigger" sound)
That said, it's not exactly a night and day difference... they still sound basically the same.
Roadster, Modern, 50w into a Mesa Widebody 1x12 open back cab with Mesa V30
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/21-V30 Comparison 2, Mesa Only.mp3
Roadster, Modern, 100w into Mesa Recto 4x12 with Mesa V30s.
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/95-V30 Comparison 3, Recto 4x12.mp3
I agree.
Although I do like the recorded sound of the Celestion V30 I know from experience that they get on my nerves in a very big way when I have to stand in front of them.
I did these earlier to compare the Mesa V30 in open vs closed back cabs.... I never did it with the Celestion but I can tell you from experience that it's basically the same idea... open back tends to dull the highs and bring out the mids while closed back tends bring out the highs and slow lows (gives it that "bigger" sound)
That said, it's not exactly a night and day difference... they still sound basically the same.
Roadster, Modern, 50w into a Mesa Widebody 1x12 open back cab with Mesa V30
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/21-V30 Comparison 2, Mesa Only.mp3
Roadster, Modern, 100w into Mesa Recto 4x12 with Mesa V30s.
http://www.netmusicians.org/files/95-V30 Comparison 3, Recto 4x12.mp3
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Mesa OEM V30 vs generic V30
I prefer the sound of the Mesa V30....
I prefer the sound of the Mesa V30....
