Most versatile Celestion speaker?

[duaneallen]

I have a 1x12 cab that needs a speaker. This cab is an all purpose cab and is used with a Tweaker head, a Fargen Blackbird head, and a Germino Lead 55. In other words it needs to sound good with loud hard rock, blues, and jazz. Which Celestion do you guys recommend that can sound great in all of these settings. I was thinking about a G12H-30? Any other ideas? Doesn't have to be a Celestion, but not too expensive if a different brand.

[ianb]

Not quite sure the G12H-30 is up for the job, it's only a 30w speaker, and it sounds to me like you're going to be running higher wattages through it. If so, bad idea.

To me, the most versatile Celestions are the higher powered ones such as the 1265 or the CL80, all depending on your tastes and the sound you're after. Some of the WGS offerings might also suit you, such as the 50w Reaper or 75w Retro (which is pretty versatile by the way). Nice prices too.

I for one much prefer the higher powered Scumbacks to Celestions any day, but you do pay for the difference.

[Primakurtz]

The Mesa-labeled Celestion MC-90 (90 watts) might do the job. You can find them used on eBay for around $70.

[axuality.com]

If you can beat the Celestion G12K 100 I'll kiss your butt , and I do not want to do that. It is 100 watts of Celestion POW-ER. Clean and cement.

[908SSP]

I'd go with the 65 watt Scumback with the M magnet 75 Hz speaker and large dust cap.

[roknfnrol]

I recommend Mojotone's British Vintage series. For a 1x12 I would go with the BV-30V (60watts).

[solitaire]

I would look into the Fane AXA12s actually - or if those are out of your budget the ceramic Weber Axis. The definition for hard rock, the attitude for blues and the feel for jazz all in one, basically.

[duaneallen]

Great recommendations. This cab is an older Boogie 1x12 and I still have the Mesa labeled Celestion speaker for it. Should I just use that one, since its 90 watts? I just figured that I would try something different. I haven't used that speaker in a while, so I don't remember the exact sound for it.

[Gnarlly]

+1 for the CL80

[VanR]

+1 for the CL80

Yep Classic Lead 80. A do-it-all speaker.

[MGSchindel]

Great recommendations. This cab is an older Boogie 1x12 and I still have the Mesa labeled Celestion speaker for it. Should I just use that one, since its 90 watts? I just figured that I would try something different. I haven't used that speaker in a while, so I don't remember the exact sound for it.

Yes this. Also, the 90W Mesa Black Shadow is essentially like a Classic Lead 80, roughly the same tone and some of the same components. I believe the voice coil is vented thru the magnet for the higher wattage rating. Give it a try! Very neutral full range speaker that does a lot of things well, clean or gain.

[duaneallen]

How about the Eminence Tonespotter? I have been told that this is a good speaker, based on the Classic Lead 80?

[ianb]

How about the Eminence Tonespotter? I have been told that this is a good speaker, based on the Classic Lead 80?

Nope, it's the Emi version of the G12-65, but I've had both, and it sounded different, a little sharper, not as sweet. But I'm no fan of the 1265 either, too me, kind of bland. Scumback M75 is better than either of them, imo. Sweeter and more detailed.

If you have a CL-80 or Mesa 90. give that a try first, see how it sounds, and take it from there. If you then decide you want more mids, or less highs, or more bass, whatever, you'll know much better in which direction you need to go.

[wreckboy]

Celestion Anniversary G12H
or
Celestion CL80

[rockon1]

If you can beat the Celestion G12K 100 I'll kiss your butt , and I do not want to do that. It is 100 watts of Celestion POW-ER. Clean and cement.

+1 -butt kissin aside. lol! This is the "dark horse" of the Celestion line. Lost amongst the 'classics'. Tight strong low end,punchy mids and highs that arent too bright. Takes a bit of a pounding to loosen up but after that is a great all around high power handling speaker.

[Deaj]

The Mesa-labeled Celestion MC-90 (90 watts) might do the job. You can find them used on eBay for around $70.

This.

[rocketeer]

Yes MC-90 and Fane AXA 12 - both will do it.

[blackba]

The Mesa-labeled Celestion MC-90 (90 watts) might do the job. You can find them used on eBay for around $70.

The MC-90 or Celestion CL80 are both very versatile speakers. The MC-90 is a little warmer, the CL80 has a little more bite.

[jamison162]

I like the Heritage G12-65 best out of the Celestions.

[john guay]

Has anyone compared the Celestion G12 65 to a Scumback M75 65 watter?

[Joe Porto]

Another vote for the Celestion CL-80. Good power handling, and fairly neutral coloration, but will tame fizzy highs.

[harryjmic]

Yep Classic Lead 80. A do-it-all speaker.


+2 Puts out what it's given, you hear your amp, not some speaker coloration. This can be either good or bad but at least it's honest.

[psychodave]

Celestion... Go with a G12-80.

Since the cab is boogie, I suggest an Eminence MS-12. It is like an EVM12L, but has the treble notched out. One of the clearest speakers around....they are hard to find and a lot of people have never heard them.

[Dave_C]

I have a 1x12 cab that needs a speaker. This cab is an all purpose cab and is used with a Tweaker head, a Fargen Blackbird head, and a Germino Lead 55. In other words it needs to sound good with loud hard rock, blues, and jazz. Which Celestion do you guys recommend that can sound great in all of these settings. I was thinking about a G12H-30? Any other ideas? Doesn't have to be a Celestion, but not too expensive if a different brand.

I'd say G12-65 or Classic Lead 80. BUT, the most versatile speaker of all time, IMO, is the EVM-12L. I've tried every Celestion and a boatload of other speaker brands and found the EVM-12L Classic to give me more of everything I like. They make all my amps, pedals, guitars sound better.

[jamison162]

Has anyone compared the Celestion G12 65 to a Scumback M75 65 watter?

Yes....G12-65 is tighter, more modern if you will. I like it better than the V30's for sure. M75 is very organic and spongy more "vintage" in texture.

[ROKY]

+1 -butt kissin aside. lol! This is the "dark horse" of the Celestion line. Lost amongst the 'classics'. Tight strong low end,punchy mids and highs that arent too bright. Takes a bit of a pounding to loosen up but after that is a great all around high power handling speaker.

I'll have to try these, soon - thanks for the reco' .