I went trough a lot of speakers over the years. I've had pre-ROLA 20's, 25's, 30's and Silver Dogs. Celestion black backs, cream backs etc. I also endured listening to a current production Celestion G12H - it now serves as a paper weight. The Scumback SA12-75 and the SA12M are the best Celestion type speakers I've ever played through. The SA12-75 is modeled after a pre-Rola G12H - I've had a few of those myself, but prefer the Scumback. It's got a very forward midrange and is bright in a musical way, not like the current production G12H harsh ice pick action. It's got a modest bass response, which will make your bass player happy. As you turn up, the speaker starts breaking up in a controlled way and can get pretty aggressive. And of course, speaker breakup can be an essential part of the tones we've come to love and persue. Now the SA12M - if I could have only one speaker, this would be the one. man, I'm so jaded and impossible to please, but I couldn't stop playing. The M is not as bright and forward as the H but breaks up a lot quicker - Strats and Teles love it, so do I. Both speakers a very lively and have an awesome bounce to them as you play. This test was done with a '64 strat, '59 Tele, Div. by 13 9/15 and a Blockhead '63 JTM 45. The speakers were wired with Cardas Crosslink wire. And no, I don't get free Scumbacks from Jim.
Makes sense because my experience with the H was that it stays very clean with lots of great headroom .. but that is because it is the 60 W version.
i tried the weber g12h30 clone and thought it wa a great speaker but a little to dark for me.i like it a little brighter!how much highes does ted greenback clone stan
I didn't think the SA12M -75 to be dull at all... i thought it had tons of sparkle and high end, just not the screechy high end that the RI GB's have. Now the SA12M-55's are another story. Love the SA12M -75's, and i'm not really a Celestion guy!
Stan, good luck with your speaker choice. Just for sh*ts and grins, here's the LP thru the 65 Amps "London" with the Scumback SA12M and the Celestion Heritage 20w G12M. I'm not sure the SA12M sounds that much "darker" than the SA12H, although in AK1's setup it might. Turn up your computer speakers, and decide for yourself. Clip 18 is the Scumback SA12M http://scumbagamps.com/stf/18scumclip.mp3 Clip 15 is the Heritage 20W G12M http://scumbagamps.com/stf/15scumclip.mp3 Clip 13 is the Scumback SA12H http://scumbagamps.com/stf/13scumclip.mp3
i would say the sa12m is a little warmer than the h model.i have a heritage g12m coming so im going to see what i think of it and go from there.thanks for the advice guys..
Wow, great clips for a comparison Jim. I like both of the Scumbacks waaay better than the Celestion. The M model does sound a bit darker. I love the way the low end sounds on both compared to the Heritage. The Scumbacks sound like the old rock records to me!
Hi, I just wanted to chime in with my thoughts on the Scumbag speakers. I have a mixture of 12M's with a 12H's in a Splawn 4X12 (a very well built cab) and they sound "real". All Scumbags are the 75Hz models, I compared them directly to my '69 Marshall cab and they have the same organic woody quality of the old Celestions. I was kind of surprised that right out of the box they would come that close. Do they sound identical to the Pre Rola's? No, but very close. After 36 years the PR's are well broken in and have a mellowness that probably only plenty of use can produce. I know they will break in more and more over time so they will only get better. I play through Marshalls and I find they have a very nice tonal balance with these amps. For me, they are the finest Celestion style speaker available today, hands down. I would just like to congratulate Jim on developing some very fine speakers wiith Mr. Weber. Plus, he is a great guy to work with and quick to answer all my neurotic tone questions.
the Scumback SA12M -75's are IT. Perfect! Better all round than a PR. Tried the SA12M 55's, and thought they wouldn't work for me (too dark) but am having second thoughts , as they had a great "thump' or " kick" , even at moderate volume. Not as versatile,more of a feel speaker. The SA12-55 is more what i thought the SA12M was going to be . Chocolatey, lots of character, zingy in the low mids. Likes being beaten. Probably would be the perfect complement to an bright mid 70's Marshall or Hiwatt. Haven't tried the other SB's. Probably should try the SA12 -75 at least, but the SA12M75 is so good it's tough to get off them.
