Celestion speakers

[Gino]

Okay, I have made myself this 1 x12 open back cabinet (solid pinewood, stained and laquered with wicker cane front) just about the size of my Mesa 1 x 12 Mav. Currently there's an old Fender speaker in there out of an 80's Deluxe Reverb II. Prob is that this speaker is way too inefficient to hold up to the Mav's Celestion C 90.

Now I'm wondering what would be a good speaker to go into my cab. I know there's legion of nice US speakers (Weber, Tonetubby etc.) but to get them to Germany will be REALLY expensive. Celestions are easily available, but I have no idea what to expect soundwise - in the 1 x 12 open back config, that is (4x12s are another story!).

Powerwise the Vintage 30 looks right, but I read too many bad stories about that speaker. Also, another mid-spike is what the Mav really doesn't need as she got tons of midrange. So I'm considering the G-12s.

What do they sound like? Would I kill a 25 Watts G12M / 30 Watts G12H with the 35 Watts rated Mav (in conjunction with the combo's bulit-in speaker)? What's the difference between the G12 Heritages and the regular G12s other than almost twice the price?

Do you have other, maybe better suggestions in the 100-150 Dollar price range?

I know, lots of questions. But I know you guys have proven to be a patient bunch

Blessings

Gino

[Scooter]

If you need to tame a mid-heavy amp, I would try a G12T-75. They have a naturally scooped sound, with lots of bass and highs.

The G12 Heritage is really popular with folks, but I had one and wasn't impressed. If bluesy grind is what you want, then this is a great speaker, but it wasn't right for me. Plus it's really mid-heavy as well in my opinion. (I wouldn't worry about overpowering it.)

Of course, my favorite will always be the V30.

[ZR]

Ditto what scooter said. I thought the g12t75 might be harsh or brittle sounding after reading some descriptions of it, but it is paired up w/ a V30 in my Zinky 2x12 and the comination is great.

[El Kabong]

Celestion black backs are my favorite. They have more bass than a green back and a good upper mid punch tahn sounds more like fat mids in a green back, IMO.It's a vintqge tone with more articulation. This choice is also the favorite speaker of choice for Eric Johnson and Steve Stevens.

[Disturber]

Celestion black backs are my favorite. They have more bass than a green back and a good upper mid punch tahn sounds more like fat mids in a green back, IMO.It's a vintqge tone with more articulation. This choice is also the favorite speaker of choice for Eric Johnson and Steve Stevens.

Right now my favourites are the old G12-65's in my 2104 combo. They kick ass, like super greenbacks. I'm thinking of trying two G12K-85's in my 4140 combo, can't decide if I should buy them or not....

I used to play a 4x12 with two greenbacks, one pre-rola, and two blackbacks. The three 70's Celestions sounded the same, the pre-rola a little different. This is what Celestion say:

" Although the standard colour for G12M rear covers was green ('field green' it was called originally), G12M and G12H speakers were also made with black, as well as grey, beige and cream rear covers at various times. This was probably due to a shortage of the correct colour plastic to make them from (e.g. late delivery of the raw material). The different colour covers were only a cosmetic change not affecting the acoustic performance of the speakers in any way. Black, grey, cream, beige or green, they're all 'Greenbacks'"

[Wally Gator]

Gino, I tried out a Mav. with my Tele and found it to be quite dark, just as you described. Because of this I think you are limited in the Celestion field to Scooter's advice - 75's and V30's. G30H's and even Blues are mid-thick even after a lengthy break-in, in my experiences. If you have the scratch, I'd try a Fane. That combined with your Boogie 90 might produce some tighter, brighter tones.

[Monacosis]

Hey Gino,

I am in the same boat with my Mav. I have been trying various speakers in 2 different 1-12 cabs; a Bogner cube and a homemade open-back (which sounds great!). My favorite all-around set-up is an old EVM 12L in the Cube. Next I like the G12H (non-Heritage) in the open-back cab: nicer top and a bit less mids than the V30. My least favorite is the V30 - although it works OK in the Cube.

My current gigging project is pretty low-gain and low-volume so I don't worry much about the G12H - although when I have opened it up in the past the Mav can def. push the G12H too far.

Mike