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Post by John on Sept 5, 2006 10:21:16 GMT -7
I'm considering a Ghia head. But I'd match it with a closed back 1x12 Celestion V30.
Any comments as to whether this a good or bad combination?
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Post by billyguitar on Sept 5, 2006 12:51:17 GMT -7
i can't imagine any cab not sounding good with a Ghia, just different.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Sept 5, 2006 17:47:52 GMT -7
Ditto what Billyguitar says. I'd say that is a good combo. I tried a ghia head w/ a closed back Z-1x12 that had a CA Webber. Also, my Ghia combo sounds sweet going into my Z-Best.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Sept 6, 2006 0:40:13 GMT -7
I started a thread a while ago asking peoples views on V-30's as I was about to get a closed back hardwood cab (www.mongotone.co.uk) loaded with one. The consensus was evenly split with people loving them or hating them in equal measure. I have had the V-30 cab for while but only recently had the chance to do a comparison using the CG and Z-28 between the V-30 and my Mesa cab with a Celestion 90w black shadow (derivative of the G12-80?).
Short answer? I love the V-30. When you get over the closed back thing of not feeling the speaker so much when standing beside the cab, out front it was sweet and punchy with a focussed bass. The sound inproved noticeably after it was played in (20 hrs or so) - softened out the mids. It sounded best withe Z-28 set for clean, but on the edge of hairy (if you know what I mean) - just a fabulous sound. It was wonderful with the CG, particularly at when played clean but when cranked I felt the CG through the V-28 was a tad too creamy, and ended up preferring the edgier Black Shadow. Still a great sound, just personal preference. Compared to the Mesa/Black Shadow the Closed back V-30 had a more natural uncoloured sound that suited being overdriven by the Z-28 more than the CG. The Black Shadow has a definite 'colour' to the sound when played clean and sounded best when driven hard by either amp.
I have used the two amp rig a few times at gigs and hadn't really come to a conclusion as to which head suited which cab - but having retubed the Z-28 its goiing to be the Z-28 with the V-30 closed back for the cleaner jangly stuff and the CG through the Mesa open back for bluesier/rockier stuff/solos. I dont have an AB-Y box yet but VERY interested to hear both rigs at once!!! Billyguitar is spot on - it all sounds great, but different....
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Sept 6, 2006 11:07:16 GMT -7
V30 in a closed back or ported 1x12 is a PHENOMENAL speaker for a Ghia... The Ghia's tone control voicing simply wraps itself around that setup perfectly.
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Post by John on Sept 6, 2006 13:02:56 GMT -7
Yeah Dave, I have a Black Shadow 90 watt speaker. I originally had that in my closed back 1x12. I recorded it. (cheap boom box) Then installed the V-30 and re-recorded it. The V-30 has much more upper midrange presence to it. So it won.
I use the 1x12 closed back with the Route 66...great combination. But if I get a Ghia head, the only cabinet I have is the 1x12 w/ v-30. I'd rather not get another cabinet just to use with the Ghia.
I suppose I could plug in the speakers from my Maz combo...but why bother.
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Post by tjstrat on Sept 6, 2006 15:38:46 GMT -7
I used the Ghia for awhile with a closed back Nau cab with a small front port and a Celestion 85 watt speaker... and YEAH, it sounded phenomenal!
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Post by myles on Sept 8, 2006 10:27:03 GMT -7
Billyguitar hit the nail on the head. The Carmen Ghia may be the most forgiving amp with any speaker or cab that I have ever seen. I have not found a cab that the amp does not like.
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Post by myles on Sept 8, 2006 10:44:43 GMT -7
Ditto what Billyguitar says. I'd say that is a good combo. I tried a ghia head w/ a closed back Z-1x12 that had a CA Webber. Also, my Ghia combo sounds sweet going into my Z-Best. A Ghia and Z-Best may be my personal favorite setup of all time. I forgot how great this sounded when an actual great player was at the controls rather than me. A few weeks ago I got to hear Buddy Whittington play during soundcheck before a John Mayall's Bluesbreakers gig. He was set up his usual MAZ 38 / Z-Best setup that was bright in from outside but he did have his Carmen Ghia head in his car. Plugged it in ... cranked it up ... and it was wonderful. It sounded quite a bit different than the same rig does at my house. Later on the MAZ Sr / Z-Best sounded totally different than it does at my house and that was my amp. It sounded more articulate, more dynamic, bigger, smoother, and just better in every single way. Guess it must have something to do with the player?
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Post by Don on Oct 1, 2006 12:13:09 GMT -7
Keep in mind that a closed-back cab will send a more directional and focused signal into the audience, while an open-back cabinet will surround the amp and immediate area more.
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