Speakers....Greenbacks

Jeff_H

Dean Hardtail Fanologist
I want to put a pair of Greenbacks in my Marshall 4x12, in an X pattern with my G12T-75's, which I actually like quite a bit. I want some of that warm, early cone breakup that I don't get with the 75's.

There is the G12M, The G12H and The Heritage G12M, all listed as greenbacks. I know the H stands for heavy magnet, but which one is the realy greenback?

Also I know there are Eminence Speakers meant to sound like the Greenback. Which one is it, is it close, and is the savings worth it vs just getting the real thing?

Thanks in advance.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

The G12M is the actual Greenback speaker that everyone means when they use the term "Greenback". Both the standard and the heritage ones...I'd imagine the heritage version would just be voiced more like an old speaker or something.

The G12H is the speaker more commonly known as the G12H30, although I think both types actually came with a green magnet cover at one stage...but that may have been the pre-rola version ;)

I think at some stage the G12M "Greenbacks" even came with black magnet covers, and even silver ones, and hence were called G12M "Silverbacks" and "Blackbacks"...but when anyone says "Greenback" they are referring to a G12M 25watt speaker.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

Jeff, I'd go with the Eminence Speakers. I have a Private Jack in my 2x12 and I love it!. I believe the Private Jack is close to the GB? (Check the Vault, Lew has the speakers cross referenced) IMO the Redcoat line gets a + across the board. There a much better value than the Celestions ,The PJ handles 50 watts opposed to the GB's 25 watts, Made here in the U.S.A.:usa1:
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

The other difference between the 12M Heritage and the regular 12M is wattage, 12M Her=20w and standard 12M is 25w.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

I'm not opposed to the Eminence line at all. My main question is this. The Greenback is known for it's breakup, partial because it handles 25w...right? How will the Private Jack compare tonally at 50w? Won't the tonal response be completely different?

I'm off to look in the vault.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

^ I was wondering the same thing myself. Cause when I get my Metroamp clone back, I want to get a 4x12 of greenbacks or the eminence equivalent.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

I'm just going to chime and give a thumbs up to the new eminence line of speakers as well. I can totally understand where you would want to get the celestion, but these new emi speakers sound great, cost less, and are made in USA (which may or may not matter to you). I did alot of research on the new eminence lines, and yes, the private jack is the closest equivalent to a greenback. I would guess there would be slightly less speaker breakup considering its 50 watts, but the private jack still manages to sound quite a bit like a greenback in my experience, as well as in many reviews that i've read.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

Yup....I've just been doing a lot of research on the Private Jack, and it seems to be the clear favorite from the Eminence line when looking for that Greenback tone...but maybe slightly smoother.

I believe that is what I'll try...unless I get a screaming deal on some original English GB's.
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

Mojo Musical Supply has a fantastic clone of all the cool Celestions. They have a greenback clone that is 25 watts like the original and should sound equally as good as the much higher priced Celestion. My G12H30 and Vintage 30 clones from Mojo are spot on perfect if not superior to the modern production Celestions.

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/cgi-bin/mojotone/9911201.html

Here's what you need my friend. PM me for some details.
 
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Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

The Emm's sound alot like Celestions but don't nail it. I like real Celestions and those are the only 12's I'll use. I think the G12M-25 is a great speaker and if you compare it to most "stock" speakers the G12M-25 will usually be "better". But the G12H-30 is even better, IMO. Unless you're looking mostly for crunchy honky distortion...then the G12M might be the ticket. It has a lot of what I call "CHONK"...kind of a cross between a CHUNKY CRUNCH and a HONK. But the G12M-25 does not have the low end of a G12H-30...more bottem from the G12H-30. Lew
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

Jeff, I'd go with the Eminence Speakers. I have a Private Jack in my 2x12 and I love it!. I believe the Private Jack is close to the GB? (Check the Vault, Lew has the speakers cross referenced) IMO the Redcoat line gets a + across the board. There a much better value than the Celestions ,The PJ handles 50 watts opposed to the GB's 25 watts, Made here in the U.S.A.:usa1:

I couldn't find this thread in the vault. Can anyone help a bruthuh out?
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

So the G12H-30 is an even better all around speaker than the G12M-25? It will be used with either a Marshall amp, or Marshall type amp...EL34's most likely....MAYBE KT66's.

I'm going to check out Mojo too. Edit....Mojo is more expensive than I thought. I can get the real deal for that price...not the Heritage edition, but the standard G12M or G12H.

The Hellatone G12H-30 is $79 plus ship...and that's a real h30 aged and broken in...maybe that's the way to go.

I have to get whichever new amp I'm going to go with squared away, but I'd like to have my cab in order once it gets here.
 
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Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

I've tried all the Mojo's & they are excellent....but I think word got out & the price has climbed :dunno:

My 4x12 has 4 G12M-25 & it sounds fantastic....I've also used a G12M/H30 combo in a 2x12, but currently have a V30/H30 combo.

I think the H30 is the most versatile of the bunch, but I'm really liking the G12-65s I just threw in a 2x12 yesterday.

Brand new, I'd say go either Emi or Weber....I was eyeballing the Weber 1265s last night, thinking of mixing in an alnico 1265 in with a ceramic Celestion G12-65. The alnicos are pricey though, so maybe down the line if I stumble upon 1, but I'm wary of buying used speakers :dunno:
 
Re: Speakers....Greenbacks

Don't forget Scumback speakers, which are excellent clones of the original.

To hear clips of Greenbacks, H30s, vintage, new, clone, etc., take a look at this thread.

Here are some more clips comparing Greenbacks, H30sm Vintage 30s, T75, and Lead 80s all through the same amp (middle of page).

BTW: the early VH albums were greenbacks.
 
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