Best speaker shootout on youtube hands down! Celestion Blue is the best Celestion speaker in my opinion. The GreenBack sounds like the ceramic version of the Blue speaker.
Thanks for this. I'm wondering how much the tones would change once the speakers were broken in. I keep reading how that is vital. I was most surprised by two things here: The blue sounded best dirty (always thought the green would), but I'm not sure if my brain is equating what seemed like more volume on the distorted tones which we can sometimes equate that to 'better' sound, or if the perceived higher volume was just the more pronounced mid push of the speaker. Also, I didn't expect the greens to sound as good as the blues on clean. I always thought that's the blue's domain. Vintage sounded like I thought it would, and the creambacks were slightly more disappointing than anticipated
This is the best guitar speaker comparison I've yet seen. Excellent work. Thank you very much indeed. I hear things in each speaker that I like, and I know a lot of this is personal taste. The Alnico always sounds the most present to me, like it's speaking right into my ear, but it also sounds rounder than all the rest. It makes me want a speaker with all the body and presence of the Alnico but with the more extended high-end response of the Creamback or Vintage 30 - which also sounded a bit more distant and small to me but had a lovely top definition. I wonder how much different each speaker would sound with a Sennheiser 421 or a condenser? I also reckon a lot of this would change just by moving the mic an inch or so towards or away from the center, or by moving it back a couple of inches . . . so many variables! But as a comparison to show the basic overall inherent characteristics of each speaker, this is top work. Thank you again!
You are welcome, I'm super happy that you like the video!!! Thank you also for sharing your findings! Yes, I do agree...mic positioning is very important and also a 421 would have an impact in the tone...but at least I hope (as you said) that this video provide a general idea of the character of each speaker. Thank you so much!!!
Great video Leo. I especially like how you did each speaker against each of the others. This was really helpful. For my own situation, I have typically been using greenbacks. I want a cab with blues so I have both options. This solidified that I will proceed to get blues (but still hold onto my greenback cabs). Thank you.
Thank You for the comparisons between each speaker, I am in the market for a speaker for a small cab I'm building. I've been all over youtube listening to speakers and until now I was undecided, though now the clear choice for me and my budget is the greenback, Thank You for your effort in bringing this to light.
Cream is sweet and a good mix of Blue and Green in a way. It sings more like a blue at louder settings but all this is vague and subjective to hearing, amp and guitar as we all know. The real joy comes from mixing them for me. Two speakers I don’t like as much V30 and g75t actually sound great together but not as much on their own.
Amazing comparison! Here's what I thought: Distorted: 1. Greenback - Full, with clear top end 2. Blue - Full, but somewhat lacking in the top end with a "hollow" sound 3. Cream - Full, but muddled top end 4. Vintage 30 - Very thin, bleh. Clean: 1. Blue - Full in mid range, a bit of a hollow sound, super clear top end and bottom! Awesome! 2. Greenback - Top end is there but it lacks fullness 3. Cream - Full-ish, but missing some of the "hollowness" and character of the blue 4. Vintage 30 - Thin again. Also bleh
Thank you and thank you also for sharing your opinion with us!!! your description is very cleaver! Actually I also would use the Green for overdriven tones and the Blue for clean...
Never really liked V30's but it took me decades to figure that out. Hearing celestions in a comparison like this makes me realize I put up with not liking my sound and blaming the guitar all this time. What happens when you assume kids ?!?!
@@RG-yz8ov you just have to put a little more into the V30. I think it has the most neutral sound, which means the amp, guitar and yourself make the tone. I used an Englad made V30 in 1x12, and it works great with all 3 of my small tube amps VOX, Blackstar and Ampeg. Just my opinion
I came here wanting a good comparison and I was blown away! No need to waste money on the blue when greens and v30s are perfect. I know there are plenty of play styles but I just can't get over that perfect sound of the v30s. Cheers!
Thanks so much for doing this. Instantly removes the vintage, which I was about to buy, from contention and leaves me torn between the blue and green. The clearest comparison video I've seen.
This is the best speaker comparison i have ever seen, and i've been watching alot lately, because im looking for some upgrade to celestion seventy 80 in my Ibanez TSA15 combo. Im torn between greenback, vintage 30 and v-type, i want a nie strat quack on clean and the least fizz possible with drives.
Hi, thank you so much, I'm happy that you like the video! Finally, I'm typically using the Greenback for clean or comping parts and the V30 for soloing...but the speakers are the things I have changed a lot over the years...It's an ever ending research... :) Thank you!
Wonderful job - thanks so much. A question: did you burn in the speakers before doing these comparisons? Also just a note to point out that these speakers will sound different in an open back or ported cab and different depending on whether they are wired in series or parallel (damping). Would be cool if you could do a video highlighting these differences too. That would be a ton of work though!
Hi Gerry, thank you, I'm happy that you like the video! May I ask you what you mean with "burn in" the speakers? Yes, the comparison you are suggesting is cool! As you said...it would take a lot of time... Thank you once more!
@@LeoGibsonGtr Hi Leo - yeah I was referring to the break or burn in of new speakers. Basically speakers change their tonal properties with time - mechanical wear on the “flange” where cone meets the surround, makes the speaker less “stiff”. In practice this can remove shrillness and harshness from the top end and also boost bass extension. It may also lessen a speaker’s tendency to sound nasal. I guess there’s a general consensus that speakers sound more musical with playing time. The amount of time required is the subject of much debate: some speakers reportedly require a long time (months, years), but many people say that hard playing for a few hours (or letting amplified music or loops blast the speaker whilst one goes elsewhere), is enough to make an audible change for the better. Cheers, gerry
Excellent comparison. I thought for me the Alnico Blue had slightly more bloom to the overall sound than the Greenback on the clean but not enough to justify the price difference. Overall both clean and distorted they all sound good. My preference if I am paying for them would be 1. Green 2. Cream 3. Vintage 30 4. Blue(Simply for its cost). If I had a Great 30 watt or smaller wattage amp that I loved, then I would spring for the Blue.
Audio gear is often like that - the differences are subtle and people get very passionate about comparitivly small differences in tone! I try not to get sucked in to it all, but as my ears get better, the difference become more noticeable...
Excellent work! My intitial impressions: No surprises, usual issues. Blue has very pleasing crystal chimey highs, mids won’t be scoop friendly. Cream has some nice low-mid extension, interesting, yet it also sounds a bit colored/phasey. V30 sounds round with some nice highs, presence. Green compresses the right ‘hard rock’ way, but very slightly dull (smoother?) relative to others. I find you can always subtract specific frequencies with a precise eq post-mic to get to a specific desired sound, but harder to add frequencies/dynamics it’s lacking to begin with, unless your that person who uses sim amps and speakers. Tho they can sound good and are very convenient, I’ve yet to hear a sim speaker IR that sounded like a real celestion, including celestion ones, which is great news for celestion. A guitarist (who’s achieved proficiency) really does need several different real speakers pushing as much air as the gf or neighbors will tolerate imho. ~Hey Celestion: make an alnico blue that retains the beautiful 3d clarity, but compresses in the mids just like a low watt green when pushed, with some 9-16k presence hair on top and a little low chunk from the v30; since this is a wish list also add a dial to tune resonance 50-80hz. I suggest you make the speakers lower wattage and more pick dynamic above 5k, use lighter cones. Lower wattage, sensitive speakers ‘usually’ sound more alive; plus if people blow them you will sell more.
Hi David, first of all thank you for your really interesting message! Well, actually I agree with you. Each speaker has different quality and characteristics...in fact at end I prefer to mix different speakers then record the same speaker with different mics ... actually my favorite couple is the Alnico with the Greenback...I have to find the time to make a part 2 of this video...mixing speakers...thank you once more!
Thank you Normand... you are right, in fact I'm thinking about other videos comparing the speakers in a fully produced song or combining them... for instance a greenback with a vintage 30 or a greenback with an Alnico Blue.. Thank you once more...I've really put a lot of energy and passion into this video...and I enjoyed it!
Amazing job! And everything you did made it easier to compare. I never thought that the drive tunes would be where I'd notice the better the differences.
what a great video, especially for a guy with an old 4/12 just begging for new speakers haha! Thanks you!! I tell ya, Im really impressed with the alnico. The clean sounds beautiful, and I feel the distorted tones have great dynamics. Thanks!
:) ... yes, I agree...the Alnico sounds great...I also like to combine the Alnico with the greenback for overdriven tones...I find that they complete each other pretty well! Thank you for your message!!!
bravo eccellente come sempre, ho fatto anche io un test simile ma con coni diversi , il century , il century vintage , in leo cream back , and in neo vtype ... su una 4x12 engl...
excellent... looks like there are a few amps there to choose from :) noticed the Marshall head was on @ 8:10. Is that what was used? Also I may have missed it, did you wire them up in a conventional series-parallel configuration?
Hi Albert, the amp I'm using is a Marshall SC20 (basically a JCM 800), I've not change the wiring of the original Blackstar cab, I've just changed the speakers. Thank you for your question!
Appreciate the work you put into this. Unfortunately critical listening over mobile devices just gives you somewhat of an idea of what being heard. Between my phone, phone with earbuds, and then my desktop system with Focal over-ears, each one I have a different favorite amongst the 4 speakers. In real life I prefer Alnico Blues. Thanks again for the hard work.
Great video gentlemen, really compared the character of each speaker very well. For me in order of most preferred to least preferred it would be 1. Alnico Blue 2. Greenback 3. Creamback and 4. Vintage 30. I think the Alnico gives the best overall sound, best for cleaner tones and retains that "chime" tone with a good strat. The Greenback comes in a close 2nd, ideal for a crunchier 412 cab tone. Creamback had a good tonal response. The Vintage 30 had the least expressive tone for me.
Thank you for sharing! The way you orchestrated the "each speaker against the others" is brilliant! Which speaker did you prefer in the room? Cheers! PS Subbed!
Very good comparison video. Clear, detailed, technical. Could be good, to have the comparison double track left and right. And in a mix with bass and drums, as it changes a lot the sound.
Thank you, really appreciated! Actually, I had in mind to do a second part of this video doing basically what you are saying, trying the speaker in a real mixed song and also paring two different cabs together, but I never found the time to do it...hope in the future I will... thank you for your message and your interest in my channel!!!!
Loved the video. Thanks. This reaffirmed my love for Greenbacks. It is also the cheapest of the whole bunch! The voice of Rock n'Roll. I can hear the "sound" of the cab, minimising the differences between speakers. Is the cab birch ply?
I'm amazed how much the GB sounds like the Blue for clean tones. The Blue was the most "open" sounding, almost like there was more depth and space in the sound spectrum. The GB was very much like the Blue but less "airy" or slightly more "damped". I'm not sure how much that slight difference would translate in a live situation, so I'm wondering if I can get away with the cheaper GB and get the sound of a Blue that I like. The distorted tones are where the GB sounds different from the Blue. The Blue remained open with slightly more bass and slightly crispier highs. Since I already have a G12EVH (Heritage Greenback), I'm thinking I'll try the Blue next. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you! Well, I'm currently gravitating towards a solution that combines two different speakers: for comping (clean or distorted) I'm combining Blue and Green (mixed left and right) and for soloing it depends...I'm still not sure...once I finish evaluating I'm gonna posting a video... Nevertheless, nowadays everybody combines different mics with the same speaker: in order to obtain a more original tone, I would like to combine different speakers in different situations (lead or comping)..because I think that they are complementing each other pretty amazingly... It's just an idea...and I've used this approach in this video: ruclips.net/video/hLjuVqix1nw/видео.html. I would like to know your opinion also ... if you will... thank you once more!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr So, I've been mixing two speaker types in my 2x12 cabinets for the past year now. I'm doing this for live situations and I'm going for what sounds best to my ears. I'm transitioning over to the Vox MV50 amps because they fit on my pedal board. One amp for clean/overdrive and another amp for overdrive/distorted tones, each with its own 2x12 (easier to carry than 4x12). I mixed a G12EVH with a Peavey Scorpion, and that combination was nice with the Vox "Rock" amp. I mixed a G12H Anniversary with a Peavey Scorpion for the Vox "AC" amp, and that combination worked well also, but I'm still trying different things. When mixing speakers, I noticed that to my ear the ones that sounded nice for clean didn't sound nice for distortion and vice versa. I saw that they were selling certain combinations online, and I decided to try what they did. Right now I've combined the G12EVH and G12H Anniversary (recommended mix for blues/overdrive) with the Vox "Rock" amp, and it's much louder (100dB SPL) and a good combo. I also have combined the G12T75 and G12V30 (recommended mix for hard rock/distortion) with the Vox "AC" amp, and it's also much louder (100dB SPL) and nice for clean tones. I'm considering the Alnico Blue to replace the V30 because it's always seemed a bit harsh in the mid-range. I'm hoping the Blue will be smoother in the mid-range while also staying loud (100dB SPL). So far, the most versatile and pleasing in most situations has been the G12EVH. The V30 only sounds good in recordings. The G12T75 has been versatile also, it can do anything acceptably, but not excel, even in my 4x12. That's one thing people say also, that nothing compares to a 4x12, no matter what speaker it is. What is your opinion of V30 vs. Blue in live a situation? Thanks for the great video!
Great video, a hard work well done! I have a 50 watts Gurus Cicognani monoclean head, with Preamp tubes 2x12AX7/ECC83 and Power tubes 2x5881/6L6GC; I would like to match it with a 2x12 open back cabinet for more airy sound. I play in a band with another guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, a singer, and our music genre goes from rock-pop to mid-gain rock. I'm so undecided among 2 Vintage 30, 2 Greenbacks G12M 25 or 2 Creambacks M65, and I have only the possibility to purchase them online without trying them first: I'd like a good sound that cut through the mix without being too trebly or harsh in a band sound. In your experience, and taking in consideration all the particulars written above, which speakers do you suggest among those three? P.s. At the moment I can't do a mix of different speakers in the same cab, maybe in the future
Hi, thank you for your message and your interest in my channel! This is a pretty hard question to answer. I've changed mind and opinions many times: there was a time when I was all in for Vintage 30, then Greenbacks, than vintage 30 again....I can tell you that currently I've come to this set up: Greenbacks for distorted sounds and Jensen for clean tones. And I think that the Vintage 30 is a good compromise between the two if you cannot bring with you two different types of cabs...so tipically for live use. Please take into consideration that I can change my mind in future...as I already did many times...:) even becaouse it also dipends by the amp you I'm using. Thank you once more for your question and please, if you want, let me know you final choiche!
@@LeoGibsonGtr Thanks for the kind and detailed answer! Maybe there is only one thing to do: the famous German site allows to try music gear and return them if you are not satisfied, I should take a cab with Greenbacks and a cab with V30, and then decide. For Creambacks of mixing speakers, I will give them a try in the future...
I really don t like the V30s.....Like all the others. I wanted to buy a orange ppc212 cabinet, but they come with v30s.....Shit mannnnn. We should be able to specify the speakers we want when buying a cabinet from them. No way i m getting V30s. Great test as usual Leo. Thanks mate !
Cream back sounded the worse to me, followed by the vintage 30. The greenback sounded the most balanced but I thought the alnico blue had the best clean tone out of all, awesome video man! I’m going green back!
Thank you Killian! Another option is to combine them...for instance an Alnico Blue with a Greenback... I'm currently experimenting with different combinations... with a lot of fun...😊
Hi Mark, there is not a specific reason why I put each speacker in each position...you can place where you want. Yes...I should do a part 2 with combination of speacker... I need to find the time...thank you for your message!
It's weird that V30s are highly regarded and a lot of players use them, but I preferred them second to last, personally. 1. Blue 2. Green 3. V30s 4. Cream
Very Well Made Video. This is Personal and although I think the Greenback, the blues and the V30 each have something special to give the CreambackM has some kind of Congestioned Mids through MY ears. Maybe a H magnet either a Greenback 30h or the CreamBack75h (that I actually prefer to the GreenbackH30) would have something different to the others (very open sounding, tight bass, pristine highs. Slightly less mids buts gives great fullness to the sound. Others that I have curiosity to hear someday compared is the Original Creamback the g12 65 (www.thomann.de/pt/celestion_g12_65_8_ohm.htm)
Hi... well, you can gig...but in my opinion all 4 together are not the best solution: for instance I like the Greenback pared with the Alnico, but other combination does not sound so good in my opinion. On the other hand this cab is.a valuable solution for recording...still in my opinion. Thank you for your message!!!
This is exactly the type of extremely precise, anal comparison i love. This was clearly a ton of work but it helped me decide which celestion i like, and which one i like and can afford. That blue is sweeeet though. Had a feeling v30s had that butt rock mesa thing i dislike as standard, and this comparo confirmed im more of a greenback guy.
The best comparative video! Congratulations!
Thank you Fernando, appreciated!
They all sound great and I would be happy with any one or combination of them. You can't lose!
Thank you for sharing!
Best speaker shootout on youtube hands down! Celestion Blue is the best Celestion speaker in my opinion. The GreenBack sounds like the ceramic version of the Blue speaker.
Thank you, really appreciated!
Thank you also for sharing your opinion!!!
Surprisingly the blue and green complement each other nicely combined
Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Very well done my ear preferred the cream and the green
Thank you, really appreciated! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
This is the best comparison video I’ve ever seen. Great job!
Hi, thank you for this great compliment that really makes me happy!!!
You always have the best comparison videos Leo. Thanks!
Thank you for such an amazing compliment! Really super appreciated!!!
Amazing review, Leo! Unfortunately my favorites, (gold and cream) were not reviewed... Thanks a lot, i loved this review
Thank you so much, I'm super happy that you like the video!!!
Thanks for this. I'm wondering how much the tones would change once the speakers were broken in. I keep reading how that is vital. I was most surprised by two things here: The blue sounded best dirty (always thought the green would), but I'm not sure if my brain is equating what seemed like more volume on the distorted tones which we can sometimes equate that to 'better' sound, or if the perceived higher volume was just the more pronounced mid push of the speaker. Also, I didn't expect the greens to sound as good as the blues on clean. I always thought that's the blue's domain. Vintage sounded like I thought it would, and the creambacks were slightly more disappointing than anticipated
You are welcome and thank you so much for sharing your findings!!!
This is the best guitar speaker comparison I've yet seen. Excellent work. Thank you very much indeed. I hear things in each speaker that I like, and I know a lot of this is personal taste. The Alnico always sounds the most present to me, like it's speaking right into my ear, but it also sounds rounder than all the rest. It makes me want a speaker with all the body and presence of the Alnico but with the more extended high-end response of the Creamback or Vintage 30 - which also sounded a bit more distant and small to me but had a lovely top definition.
I wonder how much different each speaker would sound with a Sennheiser 421 or a condenser? I also reckon a lot of this would change just by moving the mic an inch or so towards or away from the center, or by moving it back a couple of inches . . . so many variables! But as a comparison to show the basic overall inherent characteristics of each speaker, this is top work. Thank you again!
You are welcome, I'm super happy that you like the video!!!
Thank you also for sharing your findings! Yes, I do agree...mic positioning is very important and also a 421 would have an impact in the tone...but at least I hope (as you said) that this video provide a general idea of the character of each speaker.
Thank you so much!!!
Thanks!
The best comparison!
Very very informative!
Thank you soooo much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!!
Great video Leo. I especially like how you did each speaker against each of the others. This was really helpful. For my own situation, I have typically been using greenbacks. I want a cab with blues so I have both options. This solidified that I will proceed to get blues (but still hold onto my greenback cabs). Thank you.
Your are welcome!!! Thank you for you comment and your interest in my channel!
What a great comparison job, man! Pretty organized. Thanks for do it for us.
Thank you Thiago!!!
Thank You for the comparisons between each speaker, I am in the market for a speaker for a small cab I'm building. I've been all over youtube listening to speakers and until now I was undecided, though now the clear choice for me and my budget is the greenback, Thank You for your effort in bringing this to light.
Hi Dennis, you are welcome, and I'm happy to have been of some help!
Cream is sweet and a good mix of Blue and Green in a way. It sings more like a blue at louder settings but all this is vague and subjective to hearing, amp and guitar as we all know. The real joy comes from mixing them for me. Two speakers I don’t like as much V30 and g75t actually sound great together but not as much on their own.
Hi Frank, I do agree...when you mix these speakers you can obtain pretty great tones!
Thank you for your message!!!
Amazing comparison! Here's what I thought:
Distorted:
1. Greenback - Full, with clear top end
2. Blue - Full, but somewhat lacking in the top end with a "hollow" sound
3. Cream - Full, but muddled top end
4. Vintage 30 - Very thin, bleh.
Clean:
1. Blue - Full in mid range, a bit of a hollow sound, super clear top end and bottom! Awesome!
2. Greenback - Top end is there but it lacks fullness
3. Cream - Full-ish, but missing some of the "hollowness" and character of the blue
4. Vintage 30 - Thin again. Also bleh
Thank you and thank you also for sharing your opinion with us!!! your description is very cleaver! Actually I also would use the Green for overdriven tones and the Blue for clean...
Never really liked V30's but it took me decades to figure that out.
Hearing celestions in a comparison like this makes me realize I put up with not liking my sound and blaming the guitar all this time.
What happens when you assume kids ?!?!
@@decimusrex92 I agree! Blue and green were so much better than the v30. I want to mix the blue with green in 2 x 12 wish the db's were the same
@@RG-yz8ov you just have to put a little more into the V30. I think it has the most neutral sound, which means the amp, guitar and yourself make the tone. I used an Englad made V30 in 1x12, and it works great with all 3 of my small tube amps VOX, Blackstar and Ampeg. Just my opinion
@@decimusrex92 Slash only uses V 30 for what’s it’s worth…
Thanks a lot Leo for helping your subscribers choose their speakers. Very important and helpful.
You are welcome and I'm super happy to have been of some help!!!
This was great, Leo. Excellent. Thank you.
Thank you Bobby, I'm happy you like the video!!!
I came here wanting a good comparison and I was blown away! No need to waste money on the blue when greens and v30s are perfect. I know there are plenty of play styles but I just can't get over that perfect sound of the v30s. Cheers!
Thank you!
Great video - well done guys. I'm loving that Alnico...
Thank you Joe, really appreciated!!!
Expensive taste.
Wow! Great work here! You just made me decide to build a 2X12 cabinet with one Greenback and one Alnico Blues speaker in it. :)
Thank you, I'm happy to have been of some help!
Incredibly helpful video. Thank you!
You are welcome, I'm happy to have been of some help!
Thanks so much for doing this. Instantly removes the vintage, which I was about to buy, from contention and leaves me torn between the blue and green. The clearest comparison video I've seen.
Thank you, I'm super happy that you like the video!
best comparison video ever
Thank you sooo much, really appreciated!!!
Great comparison! Thank you for this.
You are welcome, I'm happy that you like it!
Very well executed comparison! Greenback is my favourite here, with Creamback as 2:nd.
Thank you Mats!!! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Really excellent, would love to hear the G12EVH vs Greenback vs M65 Creamback vs H65 Creamback
Thank you, I'm really happy that you like the video.
Thank you also for sharing your suggestions!
The best video comparision, excellent and thanks
you are welcome, I’m super happy that you like the video!!!
The Blue and M greenback is one of my favourite mixes of speaker in the same cab. Great video
Thank you!
Well done sir, thank you.
You are welcome and I'm happy that you appreciate the video!!!
Such a useful video, thank you!
Thank you sooooo much, I'm really happy that you appreciate the video!!!
This is the best speaker comparison i have ever seen, and i've been watching alot lately, because im looking for some upgrade to celestion seventy 80 in my Ibanez TSA15 combo. Im torn between greenback, vintage 30 and v-type, i want a nie strat quack on clean and the least fizz possible with drives.
Hi, thank you so much, I'm happy that you like the video!
Finally, I'm typically using the Greenback for clean or comping parts and the V30 for soloing...but the speakers are the things I have changed a lot over the years...It's an ever ending research... :)
Thank you!
This is as good as a comparison video gets.
Thank you John, really appreciated!
great video but which celestion greeback was exactely used? there are different ones.
Hi, thank you, it's a Celestion G12M-25 Greenback 16 Ohm
Wonderful job - thanks so much. A question: did you burn in the speakers before doing these comparisons? Also just a note to point out that these speakers will sound different in an open back or ported cab and different depending on whether they are wired in series or parallel (damping). Would be cool if you could do a video highlighting these differences too. That would be a ton of work though!
Hi Gerry, thank you, I'm happy that you like the video!
May I ask you what you mean with "burn in" the speakers?
Yes, the comparison you are suggesting is cool! As you said...it would take a lot of time...
Thank you once more!
@@LeoGibsonGtr Hi Leo - yeah I was referring to the break or burn in of new speakers. Basically speakers change their tonal properties with time - mechanical wear on the “flange” where cone meets the surround, makes the speaker less “stiff”. In practice this can remove shrillness and harshness from the top end and also boost bass extension. It may also lessen a speaker’s tendency to sound nasal. I guess there’s a general consensus that speakers sound more musical with playing time. The amount of time required is the subject of much debate: some speakers reportedly require a long time (months, years), but many people say that hard playing for a few hours (or letting amplified music or loops blast the speaker whilst one goes elsewhere), is enough to make an audible change for the better. Cheers, gerry
Great job! Thanks for that comparison!
Thank you Maciek! Really appreciated!
Awesome! Extensive comparative and with great audio quality. Thanks a lot!
Thank you Luis!!!
Excellent comparison. I thought for me the Alnico Blue had slightly more bloom to the overall sound than the Greenback on the clean but not enough to justify the price difference. Overall both clean and distorted they all sound good. My preference if I am paying for them would be 1. Green 2. Cream 3. Vintage 30 4. Blue(Simply for its cost). If I had a Great 30 watt or smaller wattage amp that I loved, then I would spring for the Blue.
Thank you James, I'm happy you like the video!!!
Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Excellent video Leo!!! Listening to this comparison I preferred the Creamback.
Thank you, really appreciated!
Don't know if already done, but I'd like to hear a comparison with the G12H 30 anniversary ;)
Hi, you made such a great video! Thanks man! you're great!
Thank you so much! really appreciated!!!
Great comparison, but they all sound pretty much the same to me. I’d buy anyone a drink or two who could tell which is which with your eyes closed
I love the green back and creamback :-)
Hi, thank you for sharing your opinion!!!
Great video. I honestly imagined the difference between speakers would be bigger - not sure I would be able to tell the difference in a blind test..
Hi Peter, thank you for sharing your opinion with us and for your message!
Audio gear is often like that - the differences are subtle and people get very passionate about comparitivly small differences in tone! I try not to get sucked in to it all, but as my ears get better, the difference become more noticeable...
Great test Leo, I always follow your channel, undoubtedly one of the best on RUclips today, when it comes to guitar equipment!
Thank you Lucas, this is really a great compliment! thank you once more!
You’re a great player and this is a great video brother!!!
These are great compliments!!! Thank you so much!
Superb comparison! Thanks! All elements have their strenghts. Maybe Greenback is the best compromise.
Thank you, really appreciated!!! Thank you also for sharing your opinion!
Excellent work! My intitial impressions: No surprises, usual issues. Blue has very pleasing crystal chimey highs, mids won’t be scoop friendly. Cream has some nice low-mid extension, interesting, yet it also sounds a bit colored/phasey. V30 sounds round with some nice highs, presence. Green compresses the right ‘hard rock’ way, but very slightly dull (smoother?) relative to others. I find you can always subtract specific frequencies with a precise eq post-mic to get to a specific desired sound, but harder to add frequencies/dynamics it’s lacking to begin with, unless your that person who uses sim amps and speakers. Tho they can sound good and are very convenient, I’ve yet to hear a sim speaker IR that sounded like a real celestion, including celestion ones, which is great news for celestion. A guitarist (who’s achieved proficiency) really does need several different real speakers pushing as much air as the gf or neighbors will tolerate imho.
~Hey Celestion: make an alnico blue that retains the beautiful 3d clarity, but compresses in the mids just like a low watt green when pushed, with some 9-16k presence hair on top and a little low chunk from the v30; since this is a wish list also add a dial to tune resonance 50-80hz. I suggest you make the speakers lower wattage and more pick dynamic above 5k, use lighter cones. Lower wattage, sensitive speakers ‘usually’ sound more alive; plus if people blow them you will sell more.
Hi David, first of all thank you for your really interesting message! Well, actually I agree with you. Each speaker has different quality and characteristics...in fact at end I prefer to mix different speakers then record the same speaker with different mics ... actually my favorite couple is the Alnico with the Greenback...I have to find the time to make a part 2 of this video...mixing speakers...thank you once more!
An amazing job wow. Lots of work! The question needs to be which speaker sounds best in a mix? Your music and guitar playing is beautiful.
Thank you Normand... you are right, in fact I'm thinking about other videos comparing the speakers in a fully produced song or combining them... for instance a greenback with a vintage 30 or a greenback with an Alnico Blue..
Thank you once more...I've really put a lot of energy and passion into this video...and I enjoyed it!
Just subscribed! Great job on the video!
Thank you Dennis, really appreciated!
This is an amazing comparison. Thanks for making this.
Thank you Paul, really appreciated!
Very well done.
Thank you Evan, really appreciated!
Great comparative Leo. Congratulations
Thank you Javier, I'm happy that you enjoyed the video!!!
What an amazing demo. Thank you for spending the time to do such great work. The blue and green sounded best to my old ears.
Thank you, your appreciation is really important for me! Thank you also for sharing you preferences with us!!!
Excellent work! Thank you!
Thank you Paul! really appreciated!
great comparison and some really great playing. P.S. Vintage 30's for me.
Thank you, really appreciated!
Amazing work, thank you very much for sharing that!
Thank you! Appreciated!!
Amazing job! And everything you did made it easier to compare.
I never thought that the drive tunes would be where I'd notice the better the differences.
Than you, I'm happy that you like the video!
Thank you also for sharing your findings!
Creambackkkk
Hi, thank you for sharing your opinion!
what a great video, especially for a guy with an old 4/12 just begging for new speakers haha! Thanks you!! I tell ya, Im really impressed with the alnico. The clean sounds beautiful, and I feel the distorted tones have great dynamics. Thanks!
:) ... yes, I agree...the Alnico sounds great...I also like to combine the Alnico with the greenback for overdriven tones...I find that they complete each other pretty well! Thank you for your message!!!
bravo eccellente come sempre, ho fatto anche io un test simile ma con coni diversi , il century , il century vintage , in leo cream back , and in neo vtype ... su una 4x12 engl...
Graze! Interessante e grazie per aver condiviso!!!
So who wins ?
The one you like the most...😀
Amazing video!
I'm a V30 and Alnico Blue guy. I can't seem to like greenbacks as they sound dull to me.
Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you like the video!
Thank you also for sharing your findings!!!
excellent... looks like there are a few amps there to choose from :) noticed the Marshall head was on @ 8:10. Is that what was used? Also I may have missed it, did you wire them up in a conventional series-parallel configuration?
Hi Albert, the amp I'm using is a Marshall SC20 (basically a JCM 800), I've not change the wiring of the original Blackstar cab, I've just changed the speakers. Thank you for your question!
Here’s an idea, put one mic on a blue for cleans, and a mic on the ceramic for distorted, and an a/b/y for both!
👍
Thanks by excellent video
You are welcome!!! I'm super happy that you like the video!!
Hard to tell from my side but from ur side wonder witch one u found more versatile or the one with most midrange?
Maybe the more versatile and mid raingy is the Greenback. I tipically use greenbacks for comping and V30 for solo...
Thank you for your message!
@@LeoGibsonGtr thanks brother ✌
You are welcome!
Absolut great job, thank you
Thank you for your comment and your interest in my channel!!!
Appreciate the work you put into this. Unfortunately critical listening over mobile devices just gives you somewhat of an idea of what being heard. Between my phone, phone with earbuds, and then my desktop system with Focal over-ears, each one I have a different favorite amongst the 4 speakers. In real life I prefer Alnico Blues. Thanks again for the hard work.
Thank you for the compliments and for sharing your opinion!!!
Thank you Leo, nice video like always....Alnico for me
Thank you for the compliments and for sharing your opinion!
Great playing and nice song man. Great comparison. I love the greenbacks the most.
Thank you Andrei, really appreciated!!!!
Great video gentlemen, really compared the character of each speaker very well. For me in order of most preferred to least preferred it would be 1. Alnico Blue 2. Greenback 3. Creamback and 4. Vintage 30. I think the Alnico gives the best overall sound, best for cleaner tones and retains that "chime" tone with a good strat. The Greenback comes in a close 2nd, ideal for a crunchier 412 cab tone. Creamback had a good tonal response. The Vintage 30 had the least expressive tone for me.
Hi, thank you so much, I'm really happy that you like the video!!! Really appreciated!
Thank you also for sharing your findings!!
My takeaway? Get a quality Celestion and you’ll be in good shape. Nice video!
Thank you! Appreciated!!!
Thank you for sharing! The way you orchestrated the "each speaker against the others" is brilliant! Which speaker did you prefer in the room? Cheers!
PS Subbed!
Hi Chris, thank you very much for your interest in my channel and for subs!!! In the room I prefer the greenback, if I had to choose only 1.
Green for Distortion
Blue for Clean
Very good comparison video. Clear, detailed, technical.
Could be good, to have the comparison double track left and right. And in a mix with bass and drums, as it changes a lot the sound.
Thank you, really appreciated! Actually, I had in mind to do a second part of this video doing basically what you are saying, trying the speaker in a real mixed song and also paring two different cabs together, but I never found the time to do it...hope in the future I will... thank you for your message and your interest in my channel!!!!
Lovely video, Leo. This solidifies it, there really is no need to upgrade the good old Greenback.
Thank you Al, both for your message and your interest in my channel!!!
Extremely well done video.
Thank you John, really appreciated!
Loved the video. Thanks. This reaffirmed my love for Greenbacks. It is also the cheapest of the whole bunch! The voice of Rock n'Roll.
I can hear the "sound" of the cab, minimising the differences between speakers. Is the cab birch ply?
Well done and very informative video!
Thank you!
Most appreciated effort.
Thank you Chris!!!
I love how detailed your videos are #science
Thank you, really appreciated!!!
Leo, has fet una fantástica feina. Et felicito!
Thank you so much, I'm really happy that you like the video!!!
Very inspiring video! I will build a Frankenstein cab with 10" speakers. Celestion is launching a 10" Creamback soon!
Thank you Marco!!! Let us know about your Frankenstein cab!
What's the best colour for playing early Metallica songs ?
Hi, among the 4 of this video, I would say V30...but I'm not sure
Thank you for your question!
Great video
Thank you Chad, really appreciated!
I'm amazed how much the GB sounds like the Blue for clean tones. The Blue was the most "open" sounding, almost like there was more depth and space in the sound spectrum. The GB was very much like the Blue but less "airy" or slightly more "damped". I'm not sure how much that slight difference would translate in a live situation, so I'm wondering if I can get away with the cheaper GB and get the sound of a Blue that I like. The distorted tones are where the GB sounds different from the Blue. The Blue remained open with slightly more bass and slightly crispier highs. Since I already have a G12EVH (Heritage Greenback), I'm thinking I'll try the Blue next. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you! Well, I'm currently gravitating towards a solution that combines two different speakers: for comping (clean or distorted) I'm combining Blue and Green (mixed left and right) and for soloing it depends...I'm still not sure...once I finish evaluating I'm gonna posting a video... Nevertheless, nowadays everybody combines different mics with the same speaker: in order to obtain a more original tone, I would like to combine different speakers in different situations (lead or comping)..because I think that they are complementing each other pretty amazingly... It's just an idea...and I've used this approach in this video: ruclips.net/video/hLjuVqix1nw/видео.html. I would like to know your opinion also ... if you will... thank you once more!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr So, I've been mixing two speaker types in my 2x12 cabinets for the past year now. I'm doing this for live situations and I'm going for what sounds best to my ears. I'm transitioning over to the Vox MV50 amps because they fit on my pedal board. One amp for clean/overdrive and another amp for overdrive/distorted tones, each with its own 2x12 (easier to carry than 4x12). I mixed a G12EVH with a Peavey Scorpion, and that combination was nice with the Vox "Rock" amp. I mixed a G12H Anniversary with a Peavey Scorpion for the Vox "AC" amp, and that combination worked well also, but I'm still trying different things. When mixing speakers, I noticed that to my ear the ones that sounded nice for clean didn't sound nice for distortion and vice versa. I saw that they were selling certain combinations online, and I decided to try what they did. Right now I've combined the G12EVH and G12H Anniversary (recommended mix for blues/overdrive) with the Vox "Rock" amp, and it's much louder (100dB SPL) and a good combo. I also have combined the G12T75 and G12V30 (recommended mix for hard rock/distortion) with the Vox "AC" amp, and it's also much louder (100dB SPL) and nice for clean tones. I'm considering the Alnico Blue to replace the V30 because it's always seemed a bit harsh in the mid-range. I'm hoping the Blue will be smoother in the mid-range while also staying loud (100dB SPL). So far, the most versatile and pleasing in most situations has been the G12EVH. The V30 only sounds good in recordings. The G12T75 has been versatile also, it can do anything acceptably, but not excel, even in my 4x12. That's one thing people say also, that nothing compares to a 4x12, no matter what speaker it is. What is your opinion of V30 vs. Blue in live a situation? Thanks for the great video!
Great video, a hard work well done!
I have a 50 watts Gurus Cicognani monoclean head, with Preamp tubes 2x12AX7/ECC83 and
Power tubes 2x5881/6L6GC; I would like to match it with a 2x12 open back cabinet for more airy sound.
I play in a band with another guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, a singer, and our music genre goes from rock-pop to mid-gain rock.
I'm so undecided among 2 Vintage 30, 2 Greenbacks G12M 25 or 2 Creambacks M65, and I have only the possibility to purchase them online without trying them first: I'd like a good sound that cut through the mix without being too trebly or harsh in a band sound.
In your experience, and taking in consideration all the particulars written above, which speakers do you suggest among those three?
P.s. At the moment I can't do a mix of different speakers in the same cab, maybe in the future
Hi, thank you for your message and your interest in my channel! This is a pretty hard question to answer. I've changed mind and opinions many times: there was a time when I was all in for Vintage 30, then Greenbacks, than vintage 30 again....I can tell you that currently I've come to this set up: Greenbacks for distorted sounds and Jensen for clean tones. And I think that the Vintage 30 is a good compromise between the two if you cannot bring with you two different types of cabs...so tipically for live use. Please take into consideration that I can change my mind in future...as I already did many times...:) even becaouse it also dipends by the amp you I'm using.
Thank you once more for your question and please, if you want, let me know you final choiche!
@@LeoGibsonGtr Thanks for the kind and detailed answer! Maybe there is only one thing to do: the famous German site allows to try music gear and return them if you are not satisfied, I should take a cab with Greenbacks and a cab with V30, and then decide. For Creambacks of mixing speakers, I will give them a try in the future...
That's a good idea...I'm pretty curious to know your final decision...so, if you want, please share it with us! Thank you once more!
I really don t like the V30s.....Like all the others. I wanted to buy a orange ppc212 cabinet, but they come with v30s.....Shit mannnnn. We should be able to specify the speakers we want when buying a cabinet from them. No way i m getting V30s. Great test as usual Leo. Thanks mate !
You are welcome! I'm happy to have been of some help!
Cream back sounded the worse to me, followed by the vintage 30. The greenback sounded the most balanced but I thought the alnico blue had the best clean tone out of all, awesome video man! I’m going green back!
Thank you Killian! Another option is to combine them...for instance an Alnico Blue with a Greenback... I'm currently experimenting with different combinations... with a lot of fun...😊
Always employ G12T-75s from Ipswich. Can’t go wrong with ‘em.
I wanted to hear them all together! And why did you choose to place each speaker where you did?
Hi Mark, there is not a specific reason why I put each speacker in each position...you can place where you want. Yes...I should do a part 2 with combination of speacker... I need to find the time...thank you for your message!
I have all celestion speakers the blue 15ohm is the best
Hi, thank you for sharing your opinion and experience!
Huh. I thought I was a V30 guy but the greenbacks are speaking to me here.
HI thank you for sharing!!!
Yes....I do agree with you....actually, like you, I was a V30 guy...but then I discovered I like a lot Greens....😀
It's weird that V30s are highly regarded and a lot of players use them, but I preferred them second to last, personally.
1. Blue
2. Green
3. V30s
4. Cream
Hi, thank you for sharing your opinion with us!
Greenie and Blue for the win….
Hi, thank you for sharing!
Very Well Made Video. This is Personal and although I think the Greenback, the blues and the V30 each have something special to give the CreambackM has some kind of Congestioned Mids through MY ears. Maybe a H magnet either a Greenback 30h or the CreamBack75h (that I actually prefer to the GreenbackH30) would have something different to the others (very open sounding, tight bass, pristine highs. Slightly less mids buts gives great fullness to the sound. Others that I have curiosity to hear someday compared is the Original Creamback the g12 65 (www.thomann.de/pt/celestion_g12_65_8_ohm.htm)
sei un grande
Grazie!!!
I am interested to hear what they all sounded like together! could you gig with a cab like that?
Hi... well, you can gig...but in my opinion all 4 together are not the best solution: for instance I like the Greenback pared with the Alnico, but other combination does not sound so good in my opinion. On the other hand this cab is.a valuable solution for recording...still in my opinion. Thank you for your message!!!
@@LeoGibsonGtr no, thank you for the very well thought out video and your reply! If you were building a 2x12 would you mix speakers or stick to one?
Hi Dave, I would mix...also in a 4x12 cab, but at max with two speakers types, for instance two Alnico and two Greenback.
Great playing bro
Thank you, when you like my playing...I'm happy!!!
Is it me or V30 and blue are very close?
Hi, in my opinion the difference is not night to day, but subtle
Thank you for your message!
The V30 was designed to behave like an alnico speaker apparently? I notice results vary.
This is exactly the type of extremely precise, anal comparison i love. This was clearly a ton of work but it helped me decide which celestion i like, and which one i like and can afford. That blue is sweeeet though. Had a feeling v30s had that butt rock mesa thing i dislike as standard, and this comparo confirmed im more of a greenback guy.
Hi, thank you, I'm happy that you like the video!!!
Lately I'm also using more and more greenbacks...
Thank you for your message!