CLIPS: Celestion Greenback, Classic Lead 80, Vintage 30, G12H30

[BrentSP]

Heres another old post I did a while back of speaker comparisons. All speakers were in Bogner 412 cabs. Same mic, mic placement, guitar and amp. Amp is a Bogner 101B and its the same riff I did with the amp comparison thread, so you guys will probably get tired of this riff.

Unfortunately I don't think this will be a blind test because I think I labeled each file by the speakers model. :cool:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=412645
(http://www.soundclick.com/util/downloadSong.cfm?ID=5061505&key=F02B2386-A)

[the_Chris]

Wow, great thread! You did a great job of showcasing the differences between the Celestion speakers! Being a V30, G12H30 and CL80 owner, I can attest to the accuracy of the clips. Very, very well done :BEER

[BrentSP]

Thanks. On a side note here.........I don't understand Soundclick, I don't know why I can't post a direct link to the clips.....its retarded.

[JubileeMan 2555]

I almost crapped my pants. Thats fantastic. Its amazing how each speaker seems to let go and react to the sound just a little different... my personal ears hear the greenback as my favorite. (which is odd since I was a avid V30 user for years)

...is it only me, or are the greenbacks the only ones that the solo doesn't sound annoyingly whiny?(not player comment...comparison comment!:)

[BrentSP]

I almost crapped my pants. Thats fantastic. Its amazing how each speaker seems to let go and react to the sound just a little different... my personal ears hear the greenback as my favorite. (which is odd since I was a avid V30 user for years)

...is it only me, or are the greenbacks the only ones that the solo doesn't sound annoyingly whiny?(not player comment...comparison comment!:)


I agree and the greenie happens to be my favorite out of these clips to.

[Myxolidian]

Thanks for doing these clips. I'm currently using RI Greenbacks and I've been thinking that the G12H30 would be a nice addition. I think your clips sealed the deal.

[sabreplayre]

Thanks so much for posting these! You rock!

[BrentSP]

I think the only problem with these clips is the fact that they are showing what the speaker sounds like with high gain only. Back when I did these clips a couple of years ago, I was all about the gain and fluidness etc. These days I'm finding myself plugging into single channel low gain amps, rootsy style of playing instead of the heavy menacing chunk.

[michael.e]

What I have always said to myself still rings true. V-30's record incredibly well. They mic up well and sound fantastic at seriously pushed volumes as well. They are neck and neck with my favorite tone, the Greenies. The only reason Greenies win for me is due to the fact that they sound better at lower [moderate] volumes in a live situation to me.

Thanks for posting that set of clips.


M.E.

[1973Marshall]

I think these are pretty accurate regardless of settings

and as always - I find the G12H30 to be the winner in terms of classic tone, fullness, and being easy to mix. I love the sweetness of the greenbacks, but the G12H30 is something I can imagine easily pushing up the faders to a sweet spot in a band mix

This is VERY ironic because in actuality I probably use V30s the most.

[gronk62]

Thanks. On a side note here.........I don't understand Soundclick, I don't know why I can't post a direct link to the clips.....its retarded.
Try this site. I find it much more user friendly. esnips (http://www.esnips.com/signin/index.jsp)
And ya can upload and share any type of file ya want.

[gooma]

thats a great comparison clip there Brent.

I too liked the Gb`s the best, it`s suprising how good the V30`s sounded tho, i`ve tried v30`s in my cabs and allways ended up selling them.
One thing i`ve learned over the last year or so is that changing speakers can be like having a totally new amp.

Brad

[Tonemeister69]

What can I say? Thanks so much for posting those comparison clips! Its stuff like this that makes this place what it is so thank you!


Tim

EDIT: And for what its worth, I liked the Greenies most with the V30's in second. I think 2 of each in a 412 would be the stuff!

[Troy T. Blues]

Excellent!!! Thanks Brent! :)

[BrentSP]

No problem guys, I love doing comparison clips....fun stuff.

[mesanatic]

I like them in the exact order you have them listed in your thread title.
GB, CL 80, V30, and G12H.
Thanks for making a side by side comparison with the speakers as the only variable. Much easier to hear which "speaker" I actually prefer.

[lastwinj]

g12h30 then the greenback. least fave was the v30, but i know they record very well.

[Figher53]

Wow, somebody tell Celestion about these clips. VERY informative and helpful in making a decision. THANK YOU!!

[BrentSP]

Wow, somebody tell Celestion about these clips. VERY informative and helpful in making a decision. THANK YOU!!


Rick Skillman is the west coast rep for them but I believe he's heard these clips.
:BEER

[harryjmic]

After having a Wizard and Governor in my Guytron cab I tried 2 V30s which came out of the Dr.Z I just traded. I was really surprised how good the speakers sounded. Earlier I had a V30 and CL80 in the cabinet but it always sounded harsh. Any reason why these V30s would be sweeter?

The speakers from the Z are 7 years old and 8 ohms, while the original V30 was probably 3 years old and 16 ohms. Does the same brand and type of speaker sound the same be it a 8 ohm or 16 ohm?

[Tramp]

GL12H30 to my ears (and taste). Good thing too, since that's what I'm running. Thanks for the first post in ages that didn't give me GAS! ;)

[auburn-grad]

...thanks for the posting....I wish there were more side by side comparisons of speakers/amps, etc.......

[saurudi]

why is the greenback louder than the others ?

[BrentSP]

After having a Wizard and Governor in my Guytron cab I tried 2 V30s which came out of the Dr.Z I just traded. I was really surprised how good the speakers sounded. Earlier I had a V30 and CL80 in the cabinet but it always sounded harsh. Any reason why these V30s would be sweeter?

The speakers from the Z are 7 years old and 8 ohms, while the original V30 was probably 3 years old and 16 ohms. Does the same brand and type of speaker sound the same be it a 8 ohm or 16 ohm?


Not sure, could be the AKG mic or mic placment but every clip had the same exact placment and mic.

[BrentSP]

why is the greenback louder than the others ?


I don't hear a volume difference :cool:

[waxnsteel]

Very excellent.

[JPenn]

I liked the GB's the best, they sounded more natural to me. The H30 seemed a bit fizzy. The V30 sounded good, but you start getting that notched midrange honk. The 80 was my least favorite.

[Broken]

The G12H and Greenback where my favourites followed by the V30.

The CL80 was very hard on the ears for me, harsh sounding

[VanR]

Is there a higher wattage version of the Greenback? I've always loved the sound of them, but my amp is a 50 watt 1-12" combo so the 25 watt GB does me no good. Maybe Eminence or Weber have something Greenbackish in the 70-80 watt range. I already know that a V30 doesn't sound very good in my open back combo. Got a G12T-75 in there now.

[jcmusic]

Thanks Brent!

[spindlergallery]

greenbacks sounded best to me....

[R.D.]

I listened to both Brent's and Ed DeGenero's clips and for my taste, I'd have to rank them as follows:

1.) Greenbacks
2.) V-30's
3.) Classic Lead 80's
4.) Anything else ...!
.
.
.
.
.
10.) G12H30's

I just didn't like the G12H30's at all .... BTW - Can anyone throw the G12T-75 into that mix, I always thought I liked that speaker better than the Classic Lead 80 - ? But I'd like to hear them side by side ....

Thanks to both Brent and Ed for taking the time !

[Hacksaw]

I liked the h30 , seemed the most balanced to me.

I see why now I have cabs with these speakers in them! lol.. I like them all!


I also didnt like the Classic 80.

[m3g]

G12H30's get my vote. Great comparison, thanks Brent!

[Hackubus]

Thank you Brent!

I liked 'em in this order:

GBs
V30s
CL80s
H30s

[fakeox]

Great tone! nicely done. all sounded cool, GBs were best for me too.

[lukeII]

Thanks for the clips

I liked the greenbacks, then the V30's and then H30. I have a friend who has H-30s in Bogner Shiva and the tone is exactly like in your clip. I am not a big fan of the H-30 sound to hard rock for me. The greenbacks on the other hand really do it for me. Has any body got clips of the heritage 20 watt greenbacks. I heard some clips of prerola 20's and they were awesome.

[JamesHealey]

For me it was V30, Greenback, CL80, G12H30..

and guess whats in my cab? 2 Vintage 30s! :o shock horror ;)

The Greenies were a close 2nd though!

[planetal]

I also liked the greenbacks best, then the v30's. I didn't care for the cl80 and the g12h30 sounds like every g12h30 I've ever owned (good for some stuff and amps, just not good for me)..

It's funny though, I have a Germino Lead55 that sounds best with greenbacks, but I also own a THD Flexi and a couple of Rivera's that sound best with V30's (actually the Rivera's sound best with Emi Governors.) Amps really do seem to mate best with different speakers..

[papa taco]

Greenbacks by a mile. Damn, why did I sell mine a few years ago? Very tempted to get the Avatar 4x12 with chinese greenies.

[bdab_rock]

awesome thanks alot man definatly loved the Greenback sound the best big ups bro.

[fuzzyguitars]

another vote for the greenbacks here.

I dont care about clips of clean sounds!!!:RoCkIn :RoCkIn :RoCkIn

[photios]

you've done a great service to us gear whores...BTW, I like the CL 80's best...anybody got some?

[BrentSP]

you've done a great service to us gear whores...BTW, I like the CL 80's best...anybody got some?

yeah I actually have two brand new CL80s for sale.

[tennisplayer]

G12H30, I loved the classic rock sound of these speakers. Funny, I found them fuller sounding than the Greenbacks, and I found the V30 buzzy. Gosh we all have different ears!

[TheAmpNerd]

For any of this stuff you can really only judge it by playing your
own gear live, etc.

There are so many variables from recording clips to listening
them on your computers speakers etc.

As some of you have described, while you use x speaker,
in this instance, y speakers sounds best.

[BrentSP]

For any of this stuff you can really only judge it by playing your
own gear live, etc.

There are so many variables from recording clips to listening
them on your computers speakers etc.

As some of you have described, while you use x speaker,
in this instance, y speakers sounds best.


Hey you have any artsy pics you can post? :D j/j

[TheAmpNerd]

Hey you have any artsy pics you can post? :D j/j

Hardy har har.

That is kinda like going shopping...

...you know the ol' bait and switch!

I'm not falling for it, NOPE not at all.

[RyanPitch]

Wow, thank you so much for putting these up.

I like the CL80s and the Vintage 30s the best. Can't decide between the two.

G12H30s were my least favorite. Great clips.

[rjpilot]

Yeah Greenies!!!


Nice clip.

[alex315]

Great Job Brent!!

[BrentSP]

thanks guys

[fps_dean]

I found this thread 3 years later but I don't feel bad reviving it either...

The clips do the speakers here justice. I use Classic Leads in my primary cabinet and I've actually recorded a clip that sounds nearly identical. These speakers are extremely full in mids, which isn't the best fit for the riff being played here if you ask me. As a result they can be a little fussy with your EQ settings, but with the gain up they can also give you the best end result.

The v30 clip actually sounds like g12t75s with more mids... but the lows really sounds more g2t75s than v30s to me, thats the only one of the Celestions I wouldn't have got in a blind listening test.

[burner]

Nice job!
This only reinforces my position that the Celestion Greenback is an awesome sounding speaker...

[harryjmic]

Here's my take after listening -

CL80 #1 - plenty of everything it just wails
V30 #2 - a little too much snarl, but it could be cool
Anniversay #3 - like the CL80 but seemed some what congested
Greenback #4 - seemed weak, especially in the bass, lacked balls

[Tonefish]

Great thread!!

Amazing how much speakers affect tone.

All sounded great, just different, but I liked the CL80 best.

[MRscratch]

very nice. all sound really good. nice mix of relatively clean/dirty sound.
i like the greenbacks. i am however surprised how much the v 30 and the greenbacks sound alike. i know they were supposed to, but they have that same mid, and smooth top end sound. the g12h are kinda spiky, as are the 80,s. but to me all are that same classic celestion sound. do you have have a heritage g12h-30 55hz to add to that line up? i know they sound a lot different then a g12h-30 anny. just never really heard them side by side, even though i own both. one was in a maz sr 1/12, the other in a HW marshall "B" cab

[rockon1]

Nicely done!

I dont usually give clips much credance but these sound more as I hear them than most.

My faves are the G12H-30 and CL80. My G12H-30's have more warmthin in person but its in the ballpark. They are MIE and finally fully broken in so that might be a factor. The CL80 sounds like my G12K-100's which I dig for more neutral but in your face tones. Bob

[jlagrassa]

Nice demo of those speakers, I like the V30 and Greenback tones the best the CL80 was the worst of the bunch for me!

[GTRJohnny]

I find myself picking the Greenbacks more and more in these sort of posts. Cool comparison.

[jamison162]

Greenbacks sound the most balanced and have the best texture to my ears. I remember this clip/thread from 3 yrs ago. My preference has not changed a bit, guess that's why I have a pair of Scumback M75's in my Stoneage 2x12C.

[samjbrowne]

Thanks for this excellent clip, I have reposted elsewhere. Pretty much the definitive speaker comparison for rock dudes thinking about different speakers I'd say! Sealed the deal on what I already thought - greenies kill all other speakers!

[Guitar_Dude]

Which G12H-30 is that? Is it the UK Heritage or the 70th anniversary?

[jamison162]

Which G12H-30 is that? Is it the UK Heritage or the 70th anniversary?

Pretty sure the standard issue. Heritage may have been out then but definitely would have been mentioned. Sounds like a 70th to me.

[shooto]

nice...and thanks

[relic_elite]

thanks for those sound clip !!

just one question :
how does it sound with the 4 differents speaker in the 4x12 cab at the same time (mix g12m,g12h30;v30 and cl80 ) does it "mix" well ?

[12guitdown]

Great Demo! This helps a lot.

Thanks!

[RSRD]

Bumpin for a great thread.

[wolfpack]

Yeah, this clip is what recently put me on a quest to find a 101B & a 4x12 w/Greenbacks

[11justin22]

like the cl80's best, sounds really full sounding to my ears, greenies second, love that growl, v30's third kinda thin sounding to me.... maybe its just the boosted upper mids. 12h30 last...ughhh sounds harsh and thin to me.

[RSRD]

like the cl80's best, sounds really full sounding to my ears, greenies second, love that growl, v30's third kinda thin sounding to me.... maybe its just the boosted upper mids. 12h30 last...ughhh sounds harsh and thin to me.


You know I come back and listen every now and then and compare to my own cabs with some of the same speakers and Im starting to lean towards the CL80s for some reason. They definitely sound different.

The 101b is such an awesome amp BTW. Finally got to own one and couldnt say enough great comments about it.