What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

[fab.regnaut]

I just ordered 4 of them , and would like an idea of what to expect , compared to the usual G12T75 that I know ?
I read that some Celestion are made in China but not the Guitar speakers ; is it true ?

YOO ! I just saw my new grade of Toneologist !
At last , I have worked hard for it in the tone quest !

Now , after spending a lot of time on Guitar pickups , I am studying the END of the signal chain : speakers .
Thanks everybody .

 

[Skoora]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

All of the guitar speakers except for the heritage reissue series are made in China. I have a Classic Lead (1 of 4 diff speakers in one cab) and I like it. A little smoother in the upper mids than a 75. Very precise, pretty clear all across the frequency spectrum (listening to it at least). Great for hard rock and metal if you want tight but not artificially emphasized like the V30 does (boy, I hate that speaker for a Marshall). I have it in a cab with a G12H30, a greenback and a Mesa celestion 90. I use it miced with a Sennheiser 421 for good tight bass response and mix it in with my G12H30, miced with a Shure 57, which has a ton of midrange snarl.

If I was recording metal and could only use 1 speaker (as in 1 mic available) it would be the Classic Lead 80. Straight up classic rock is going to be more in my 25 and 30 watter's ballpark.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

I dig the speaker a lot. Blends well with V30s with my Bogner Shiva. Tighter, less flubby lowend than the V30, not as much upper mid emphasis like the V30. It seems rather balanced from the lows to the highs and because of it's higher wattage rating, it holds together better than most speakers with high wattage amps. Amps like the 80w Shiva really needs 60w V30s or 80w CL80s to keep it together, so that's all I'll use.

What's also nice is that while they have high wattage handling, they don't sound sterile like EV-12Ls. I've never cared for the G12-75s either, too harsh to my ears, so I think you'll definitely like the Classic Lead 80s a lot more

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

I think of the Classic Lead 80 as sounding a little less crunchy and honky and chonky than a usual Celestion.

Kind of like Celestion made a speaker with 50/50 USA to British tone wise.

It still sounds like a Celestion though!

It's a great speaker...Eric Johnson used them for a time.

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

Thanks guys , I think it will fit the bill , as i dig the 75 but wish it had more mids , but don't like the honky V30 .
The good thing with the 75 is that you can crank your mids and it will sound flutey like Malmsteen tone ( his fav speaker ) but do that with the V30 and it will sound boxy as hell , unnatural .
So they are made in China and you seem to think that the quality is still here .

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

Anymore experiences ? ( about Chinese made Classi Lead ) ?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

The 80 and the Mesa C90 are kinda similar exc I think the C90 is a little browner and looser sounding. That being said - I agree, it's kinda like a soulful EV12L. 12Ls only sound good to me when cranked, and cranked they take over the whole band and eat up the mix - not always a good thing unless you want to make people bleed from the ears.

They are tight and focused, yet soulful. I think they mix well with V30s as well. The C90 sounds better open back than the 80. That being said, the 80 is good in closed backs or nice if you want to add some tighter bottom to your V30 setup.

 

[aleclee]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

The 80 and the Mesa C90 are kinda similar exc I think the C90 is a little browner and looser sounding. That being said - I agree, it's kinda like a soulful EV12L. 12Ls only osund good to me when cranked, and cranked they take over the whole band and eat up the mix - not always a good thing unless you want to make people bleed from the ears.

I'll offer a differing opinion about 12Ls' need to be cranked. I have the Mesa version in a 1x12 and it sounds brilliant hooked up to my 10W Peters.

That said, the CL80 is my favorite speaker of any brand. YMMV of course. I haven't heard any reports that the quality of Chinese Celestions was lacking, just that they didn't sound quite the same as their British predecessors. Whether that sound is preferable to the UK speakers is, as most everything in this vein, a matter of taste.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

Well 12Ls can sound good low as well
I will admit that
but they don't get that brown, kinda cone snapping thing without some volume. They are what? 103db?

All I know is everytime I am in a situation where there are Marshalls and Mesas in the same band, (esp if I am the singer and not playing), I always notice that the 12Ls just take over. I don't feel they lay back in the mix on rhythm. 2x12 12Ls will eat 4x12 v30s and 75s for lunch. That isn't always a good thing. The only noise complaint I ever had at my place was my Mark IIB with a 12L - it slices and dices.

All this Celestion 80 talk is making me want one. I saw 2 for sale - $100 on craig's

 

[JeffB]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

CL80 are prolly the most "neutral" sounding celestions...fairly "modern" sounding. I think they would work best where you dont want the classic celestion breakup, and want your amp to do all the work..high gain/liquid type tone.

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: What do you think of Celestion Classic Lead ?

That's cool JeffB ! but not for my ears ! :laugh2: