Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

[Kam]

Because I'm starting to get deja vu for how I felt when I first decided to swap pickups in a guitar and had no idea what I was looking at.

Looking for a 12", 16 ohm speaker to put in a 1x12" cab, which will be used with an 18 watt amp.

I'm currently running the amp through the Celestion G12M-70 in my AOR combo. I'm looking for more warmth, fullness and smoothness from the tone, but without going too dark. A fat tone that can still sound sweet and sparkle a little when used for clean arpeggios and the like.

I play a lot of different styles and use a lot of different tones, so it can be tricky to pin down what I want from gear. I need a speaker that will compliment the Fender-y clean tones I'm getting but that won't neuter overdriven tones. I sometimes use quite a lot of dirt, but I'm more of a punk player then a metalhead, so I don't need super-tight low end. I do, however, want something with good bass response, that won't fart out when using a lot of gain and can maintain clarity when playing heavier styles.

So far, I'm pretty interested in the Eminence Cannabis Rex, but I'll happily admit that I have no idea what I'm doing.

What say you, oh wise tone-sages of the SDUG?

 

[CTN]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Celestion G12-65 or one of its variants:
WGS ET-65
Eminence Tonespotter
Weber 1265

I have Celestion 65's in my cab and I really like them. Nice punchy but articulate midrange, warm and full low end without being flabby or muddy, smooth high end that sparkles a little. Very articulate, but retains a musical warmth. One of the most evenly EQ'd and most balanced sounding speakers I've played.

Sounds really nice with cleans (clear and smooth), overdriven tones (warm and smoky), and even high gain stuff (especially if you're using a brit-style amp or a dry sounding highgainer like a VHT - it tempers the brightness and brashness just a touch but lets the midrange shine through, while controlling the bass without castrating it completely). Doesn't handle uber Recto brootz too well though. Those kinda amps need brighter speakers like V30s IMO.

 

[Kam]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Thanks for the recommendation, man. That's one that I hadn't really looked at, actually. It sounds pretty damn close to what I'm looking for.

Uber Recto Brootz is not something I'm worried about.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Okay, I haven't tried a ton of different speakers in my life, but it seems to me that you will get what you are after with the C-Rex. I play through a C-Rex and believe it is a great speaker for a variety of music. It's smooth, but not muddy. Great clean tones...doesn't break up too much. When I put it in my amp, I was surprised at how much of the overdrive tone had been coming from the speaker.

Anyway, unless your amp is overly dark, the C-Rex should be a good choice.

 

[SteveAlysis]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Im REALLY diggin my Hellatone 30(G12H30) right now. Cleans are warm yet sparkly, and my dirty tones are warm and punchy with a nice fat low end. Mic'd a live practice last night, ill try to post a clip of it to give an idea.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

I put a Cannabis Rex in my 2x12 (mixed with a hemp cone V30) and I freaking love it. Seriously, I think you should seriously consider it. The only problem I could see would be if you wanted speaker breakup - you won't get that with a 18W amp.

Other than that though, go for the C Rex.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

the c rex and the g12-65 are both good options for you. some of my favorite speakers, very balanced, warm and musical. the rex is significantly louder

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Yep, 12-65.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

What do you think about G12H30-style speakers? When I read your description, I immediately thought of the Eminence Wizard, but I don't know for sure if that will fit the bill. I think it's great and would be perfect, but I've never run it on its own. It's always been paired with a Governor in my cabinet. And it may not be the smoothest speaker out there, but I think the tone knob will solve that problem.

For fullness, maybe think about a Swamp Thang? On second thought, I can't recommend the Swamp Thang, because I've never played one, but GuitarDoc might be along here shortly to say it's perfect for you.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

i love my g12h-30 but they arent very smooth. thick and aggressive for sure but not very smooth

 

[uOpt]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

G12-65.

I also have a couple WGS ET-65 and haven't compared them 1:1 but they didn't stick out as sucky.

 

[Kam]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

I freakin' love you guys. Thanks for chipping in everyone. Your opinions are apreciated. :beerchug:

Im REALLY diggin my Hellatone 30(G12H30) right now. Cleans are warm yet sparkly, and my dirty tones are warm and punchy with a nice fat low end. Mic'd a live practice last night, ill try to post a clip of it to give an idea.

Thanks. That's another one that I hadn't really checked out. I'll definitely look into it more now. I know enough about your tastes to know that if you dig it, chances are that I will too.

I put a Cannabis Rex in my 2x12 (mixed with a hemp cone V30) and I freaking love it. Seriously, I think you should seriously consider it. The only problem I could see would be if you wanted speaker breakup - you won't get that with a 18W amp.

Other than that though, go for the C Rex.

I wouldn't worry about that. I wasn't really expecting much speaker breakup from an 18 watt amp that rarely gets run full bore. It's not at all high on my priority list. In fact, I think I'd rather avoid it at the minute.

What do you think about G12H30-style speakers? When I read your description, I immediately thought of the Eminence Wizard, but I don't know for sure if that will fit the bill. I think it's great and would be perfect, but I've never run it on its own. It's always been paired with a Governor in my cabinet. And it may not be the smoothest speaker out there, but I think the tone knob will solve that problem.

Is the Wizard the Eminence version of the G12H30?

I'm really not sure what I think of them, to be honest. As far as I know, I've never played one. This is what I mean about the deja vu thing; lots of familiar sounding names and brands but no real clue what to expect from most of them.

i love my g12h-30 but they arent very smooth. thick and aggressive for sure but not very smooth

To be fair, I don't need it to be ultra-smooth. I do play a lot of punk and hard rock. I just want it to be fatter and smoother than the G12m-70 I'm currently playing through...and from what I've read about them, that isn't too hard.

 

[GregJr]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Eminence / Celestion Speaker Cross Comparison Chart.

Eminence Celestion
Private Jack Greenback
Governor Vintage 30
Red Fang Alnico Blue
Wizard G12H30
Red Rider (disc.) Classic Lead 80
Tone Spotter G1265
Man O War G12T75
Tonker Fane / HiWatt

 

[Kam]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Eminence / Celestion Speaker Cross Comparison Chart.

Eminence Celestion
Private Jack Greenback
Governor Vintage 30
Red Fang Alnico Blue
Wizard G12H30
Red Rider (disc.) Classic Lead 80
Tone Spotter G1265
Man O War G12T75
Tonker Fane / HiWatt

I was seriously just about to google this. You're a hero. :beerchug:

Weird that the Tone Spotter isn't available in 16 ohm. Anyone tried the WGS version? All these recommendations for the G12-65 are getting me interested, but that's a kinda pricey speaker right there.

 

[John E Rokker]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

G12M-65 Creamback

http://celestion.com/product/123/g12m65_creamback/

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

It sucks you live on the other side of the pond, I'd send you one to try out.

 

[GregJr]

Re: Screw it, I'm Doing a Speaker Recommendation Thread

Eminence web retailer in the UK.
Can't live without my Swamp Thang.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/eminence_guitar_amp_speakers.html?sid=aea16cb93e07ce3a4820f258fd229cb0

 

[Kam]

Eminence web retailer in the UK.
Can't live without my Swamp Thang.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/eminence_guitar_amp_speakers.html?sid=aea16cb93e07ce3a4820f258fd229cb0

Thanks for that. I'm aware of Thomann, but I've mostly been looking at lean-business.co.uk. They seem to have pretty good prices and their shipping times are quicker than Thomann.

 

[Kam]

Sorry for all the questions, by the way.

Could anyone give me a quick comparison of the 12-65 and the Cannabis Rex? They seem to be the front-runners here, and I'm curious about how they differ.

Thanks.

 

[Kam]

the c rex and the g12-65 are both good options for you. some of my favorite speakers, very balanced, warm and musical. the rex is significantly louder

How much louder are we talking here? Like, yeah you'll notice a bit more volume, or yeah you'll need to get an attenuator?