Scumback H55-65w vs. Celestion/Mesa C90

[radiohead]

hi all.. happy holidays!

ok, i've narrowed down my choices to these two as a possible replacement for the stock Celestion V30 in my Bogner Duende 30. i'd like to know your thoughts on which speaker will be more suited in an open back 1x12 combo before i make the final decision, as i'm having a difficult time making it. i'm looking for deep tight bass, warm yet pronounced mids, and smooth highs that will give me a nice aggresive growl when overdriven. i play a semi-hollow Gibson ES-339 with stock 57 Classic pups, and my playing style ranges from 50's oldies to indie rock to funk to hard rock. i'd like some advice as to:

1) which of these two speakers will be the most versatile to cover the genres mentioned?
2) which would cut through a band mix more and which is louder?
3) which is better for clean, and which one for gain?

i have a pretty good idea of how the H55 sounds from the clips, but not too sure about the C90. i'm a fan of the CL80, and from reading reviews.. some have mentioned that the C90 is a much better version of the CL80. i'd appreciate comparisons of the H55 to the C90. thanks!

 

[Roe]

I recommend the H75, the 55 on its own with a 339 is overkill IMHO

 

[Jimi D]

I haven't heard the H55, but the C90 works in a combo capable of as many diverse tones as the Mesa Mark V, and if there's one thing Mesa amps can do, it's cut through a mix, so I suspect that it would be a good match for what you want...

 

[radiohead]

I recommend the H75, the 55 on its own with a 339 is overkill IMHO

do you think it'll sound too boomy with the H55? i figured in an open back.. it could give me that psuedo closed back deep bass?

I haven't heard the H55, but the C90 works in a combo capable of as many diverse tones as the Mesa Mark V, and if there's one thing Mesa amps can do, it's cut through a mix, so I suspect that it would be a good match for what you want...

is the C90 the stock speaker for the Mark V and Electradyne combos? if so, i thought it sounded great in them. i couldn't find the specs in Mesa's site, but i was wondering if the low end response is 55hz or 75hz? the bass sounded full in the combos i heard, so i'm not sure.

thanks for the responses so far!

 

[merkaba22]

fwiw: I replaced the C90 in the upper open back portion of my MB vintage 2x12 with the H75-8LHDC-XHP 100 watt and have not looked back.

 

[Roe]

...
1) which ...will be the most versatile to cover the genres mentioned?
2) which would cut through a band mix more and which is louder?
3) which is better for clean, and which one for gain?

...

the h75 does 1-3 better than the h55 IMO

 

[Jon Silberman]

Either an H75 or a 90WBS will be tons better than the V30 in my view. Disclaimer: I hate V30s.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

If I am using a single twelve, I ussually go with a Celestion Classic Lead 80 or a Mesa 90 which is pretty much the same speaker. I have not tried Scumbacks, only once in a two twelve cab. The bigger sound of the CL80 type speaker works well in a single 12 configuration IMO.

 

[radiohead]

fwiw: I replaced the C90 in the upper open back portion of my MB vintage 2x12 with the H75-8LHDC-XHP 100 watt and have not looked back.

what type of music do you play? and did you replace both speakers or just one? could you please tell me what you didn't like about the C90?

the h75 does 1-3 better than the h55 IMO

the only thing i'm concerned about with the H75 is that it might not have that deep of a low end response during gig levels

Either an H75 or a 90WBS will be tons better than the V30 in my view. Disclaimer: I hate V30s.

yea i'm not really a fan of the V30 as well. i had previously requested Bogner to put in a CL80 when it was still being built, but unfortunately, they didn't have an 8ohm version at the time, just the 16ohm, and i couldn't wait any longer since it was delayed already. do you think the C90 compares more to the H75? is the C90 a 75hz cone?

If I am using a single twelve, I ussually go with a Celestion Classic Lead 80 or a Mesa 90 which is pretty much the same speaker. I have not tried Scumbacks, only once in a two twelve cab. The bigger sound of the CL80 type speaker works well in a single 12 configuration IMO.

what 1x12 have you tried the C90 in?

thanks again everyone for your input so far!

 

[Roe]

a h75 65w or 100w has excellent bass response

 

[radiohead]

a h75 65w or 100w has excellent bass response

in an open back 1x12?

 

[skipscopscalleywag]

If I am using a single twelve, I ussually go with a Celestion Classic Lead 80 or a Mesa 90 which is pretty much the same speaker. I have not tried Scumbacks, only once in a two twelve cab. The bigger sound of the CL80 type speaker works well in a single 12 configuration IMO.

wgs makes a speaker htat is their take on a cl80. very nice, built like a tank, very affordable.

 

[merkaba22]

a h75 65w or 100w has excellent bass response

Mine came in a Princeton Reverb II (open back) 65 watt version -- I liked it sooo much I upgraded the above 2x12 with the 100 watt version; obviously, both open back. fwiw

 

[3 Mile Stone]

I have tried the CL80, Egnater Elite 80 and Mesa BS 90 in quite a few cabs. But most recently I am using one in a Mojo 1X12. I had a bunch of those Mesa/Theile cabs back in the 80's with BS90's in them. They sound good in anything really.

 

[Roe]

in an open back 1x12?

yes, esp. in a bigger cab. I would go for a 100w since it has better bass and will hold together longer - something which is a good thing in a 1x12. also it is capable of handling 50 watt amps

 

[radiohead]

looks like the Scumback's winning the poll by a small margin so far.. any other input? i'd like to make the decision before Jim's sale is over. which one of the two is more efficient? is the C90 100db sensitivity? Mesa doesn't list any of the specs on their site.. anyone know where i can check that out? thanks again everyone!

 

[Roe]

the mesa is likely to be louder than the scumback although I'm not positive

 

[Rod]

All Scumbacks sound better to my ears than all their Celestion counterparts

 

[merkaba22]

All Scumbacks sound better to my ears than all their Celestion counterparts

+1 and I think they are comparable in perceived volume .... fwiw