Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

[misterwhizzy]

So I’ve been looking for the upper mid push of this speaker for quite a while now without realizing it. Vintage 30s are expensive, though. Should I be looking beyond the Governor and the Veteran 30 as options? Which of the two do you prefer?

 

[PS412]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

Eminence cv75.
I do not own them but have played through a fellows 2 12 with the 16ohms in it. They sound good to my ears. Really close to the V30's I figure. Maybe a touch more to the bass on the CV and a little less treble.

 

[Blille]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

WGS vet30


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[misterwhizzy]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

WGS vet30

I already have a 16-ohm Governor and am looking for its mate. Honestly I’m kind of leaning towards the Veteran 30 not because I dislike the Governor but because the WGS has a lower SPL. And I really have enjoyed the Green Beret pair I was using, so I have a high opinion of WGS in general.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

Theres a speaker thread on here that has a You Tube Video where they compare speakers with about 3-4 Vintage 30s in the comparison along with a 65 and at least a dozen 70s and 75s.

Side by side I'm sure you'll come to the rational and logical conclusion that Vintage 30s are the still best. no matter which one you pick.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

So I’ve been looking for the upper mid push of this speaker for quite a while now without realizing it. Vintage 30s are expensive, though. Should I be looking beyond the Governor and the Veteran 30 as options? Which of the two do you prefer?

I'm a WGS fan but not of the Vet 30. I find the Vet to be dull and dark for me. I much prefer the Retro 30 as it's a lot livelier and brighter.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

My favorite in order are:

1. Mesa Vintage 30
2. Marshall MFV30
3. WGS Veteran 30
4. Celestion Vintage 30
5. WGS Retro 30

Based on your requirements, I think the WGS Retro 30 would be the best option. It is more reminiscent of the Celestion V30 than the Veteran 30 is.

I own all the speakers I listed, but I haven't owned a Governor. The many clips I've heard of it have left me unimpressed though.
However, I do personally like the Veteran 30 better than the Retro 30. But that does not mean it is better...

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

Electro Harmonix makes a version at $44

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...ved=0ahUKEwix16aFkc_gAhUr74MKHZydAtkQhC0ICigA

 

[Adieu]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

Just buy used Mesa / UK

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

I own all the speakers I listed, but I haven't owned a Governor. The many clips I've heard of it have left me unimpressed though.

I've played through one, and in the room, they sound alright. Throw a mic in front of one, and it falls apart, though. Fizzy highs, hollow mids, and boomy lows. Even in the room, I'd take a Chinese Vintage 30 over a Governor any day of the week, personally.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

Check the Wizard. governors are more like a g12H75.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

If you want a Vintage 30, get a V30. They pop up used every once in a while for a lot less cash.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

I agree, just hunt v30's until you find one at a good price. They are cloned and copied for a reason.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

I might just buy a new one. It looks like they’re only $25 more than the ripoffs.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

I might just buy a new one. It looks like they’re only $25 more than the ripoffs.

Wouldn't call similar speakers just a rip off. Depends on the cab and amp but I for example prefer the WGS Retro 30 in an open backed cab to a Celestian Vintage 30 in most cases. They have different tones and it's the tone that counts not the name IMO. Let you ears be the judge not a brand name.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

So I’ve been looking for the upper mid push of this speaker for quite a while now without realizing it. Vintage 30s are expensive, though. Should I be looking beyond the Governor and the Veteran 30 as options? Which of the two do you prefer?

The upper mids push of the Celestion versions is what many of the others pull back to a degree, so the Celestion versions may be what you prefer.

I have come back around to liking V30s, but mine all have at least 20 years on them now. Broke in and aged I think they are wonderful speakers. That might be a reason to go with a used set. At least they may have some more hours on them. Avatar sells partially broke in versions they call the Hellatone 60s.

There are subtle differences among the Celestion versions.

The Marshall G12 Vintage is the original version dating to as early as 1986. It is often described as the brightest sounding version. This preceived brightness may be because it has a hint of G12H30 to it. It is UK made.

The Celestion UK version dating back to the early 90s has thicker mids.

The Celestion China version dating from the early 2000s some describe as harsher sounding but some may like the more aggressive tone.

The Mesa version is UK made and retains the thicker mids. (also Mesa usually wires their cabs to be 8 ohms which has slightly less top and bottom compared to 16 ohms.)

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

If you're buying a new one, just be advised that they take a VERY long time to break in. They do not sound as good early on.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

So is there any downside to going with the Avatar Hellatone 60 beside it not saying Celestion on the back of the speaker? It's cheaper and already broken-in. What's the catch?

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

I had a eminence Legend V12 which I'm pretty sure is a slightly budget minded model and it had sort of a stiff sound from not being broken in but it had nice upper mid push and just a little pulled back in the high end, and the bass was pretty tight.
I had it for a while but sold it when I sold the DSL amp I was using it with. It sounded good when it was nice and loud in a 1x12 with the 50W amp giving it the business... But not great.
Never got to play that particular amp with a real v30 for fair comparison but every time I play other amps/cabs with Celestion v30s I hear a touch more treble and a certain raw "interesting character" and complexity so if I could go back I would get a "real one" cuz I like that "untamed" sound I hear

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[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Vintage 30 type speaker recommendation

So is there any downside to going with the Avatar Hellatone 60 beside it not saying Celestion on the back of the speaker? It's cheaper and already broken-in. What's the catch?

No downside that I can think of, unless you want the subtle tonal properties of the Mesa or Marshall versions. It's started down the road to being broke in as I understand it. It will sound better the more it ages, but just getting it to the point where you can like playing it is a big help.