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Post by tylerfromeverett on Jan 14, 2019 17:43:26 GMT -7
Hi,
I've always had stock Z-Best Cabs but I am selling them and moving to 1x12s now (quieter band, less muscle, more gigs). Can anyone explain in simple terms the biggest difference between a creamback and an alnico gold? Trying to decide what to order and I've narrowed it down to both. I run my Maz Jr. pretty clean and like a lot of chime and note clarity, but I like a nice tight low end you can feel (chuckle). I use pretty low gain overdrives (like an Em Drive or Timmy) and a ProAnalog Mkiii Fuzz for my dirtier stuff (cleans up nice with my volume). Always almost running some delay/reverb during my set. My band is TELLERS (on Spotify) if you wanted to hear what I play.
I eventually want to get a Z-28 when I see one pop up. Ideally, I'd use the same speaker for Maz Jr and Z-28
Thanks! I've really enjoyed the forum. Not sure why I didn't sign up years ago.
Tyler from Everett
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jan 14, 2019 18:49:11 GMT -7
Hard to describe in words the difference between alnico and ceramic speakers. In my experience, ceramics hold up better with higher gain, while alnico’s are really nice for clean to medium gain.
From what you described, I think the Gold would be the better choice for your Maz. However, not sure you will find one speaker that would be ideal for both Maz and the Z28. I would search the Z28 folder for what guys recommend there and see what the consensus is on the Gold.
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Post by John on Jan 15, 2019 11:29:02 GMT -7
From my experience: 1) The gold will have a little crispier high end 2) The gold will have a little more upper mid push 3) The creamback will have more low end 4) At higher volumes, the alnico vs ceramic magnets will act/respond differently. (This is a subtle difference...the alnico is supposed to compress a little in a very musical way..but some like the punch of ceramic) 5) The gold will be significantly louder than the creamback for the same amount of power. Some people like this, some don't. If you want clean headroom, the gold would be better. But if you like overdrive, the creamback is less efficient and will allow you to crank up the amp more to get the same overall volume. Both are really great speakers. In the world of guitar speaker offerings, the gold and creamback aren't that far off from each other.
But if you want chime, get the gold. (it comes from #1 & #2 above)
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Post by GuitarZ on Jan 15, 2019 17:38:34 GMT -7
Can't offer much on the speakers, but your music sounds good on Spotify. It has a good raw energy. Nice!
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Post by zman on Jan 15, 2019 21:55:30 GMT -7
From my experience: 1) The gold will have a little crispier high end 2) The gold will have a little more upper mid push 3) The creamback will have more low end 4) At higher volumes, the alnico vs ceramic magnets will act/respond differently. (This is a subtle difference...the alnico is supposed to compress a little in a very musical way..but some like the punch of ceramic) 5) The gold will be significantly louder than the creamback for the same amount of power. Some people like this, some don't. If you want clean headroom, the gold would be better. But if you like overdrive, the creamback is less efficient and will allow you to crank up the amp more to get the same overall volume. Both are really great speakers. In the world of guitar speaker offerings, the gold and creamback aren't that far off from each other.
But if you want chime, get the gold. (it comes from #1 & #2 above)
Hi John, Do you feel the celestion alnico Gold speakers sound equally well in both open and closed back cabinets? I'm somewhat a newbie when it comes to speaker swaps. My style of music is Hot honky-tonk country and smoky blues. I just picked up a closed back cab and would like to put a gold in it only because that's the only speaker I have to try at the moment. Thanks
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Post by 2Cents on Jan 15, 2019 23:38:04 GMT -7
From my experience: 1) The gold will have a little crispier high end 2) The gold will have a little more upper mid push 3) The creamback will have more low end 4) At higher volumes, the alnico vs ceramic magnets will act/respond differently. (This is a subtle difference...the alnico is supposed to compress a little in a very musical way..but some like the punch of ceramic) 5) The gold will be significantly louder than the creamback for the same amount of power. Some people like this, some don't. If you want clean headroom, the gold would be better. But if you like overdrive, the creamback is less efficient and will allow you to crank up the amp more to get the same overall volume. Both are really great speakers. In the world of guitar speaker offerings, the gold and creamback aren't that far off from each other.
But if you want chime, get the gold. (it comes from #1 & #2 above)
Hi John, Do you feel the celestion alnico Gold speakers sound equally well in both open and closed back cabinets? I'm somewhat a newbie when it comes to speaker swaps. My style of music is Hot honky-tonk country and smoky blues. I just picked up a closed back cab and would like to put a gold in it only because that's the only speaker I have to try at the moment. Thanks Here’s a suggestion ‘zman’. You be the judge. If ya already got the gold, and the cab, and a screwdriver—get crankin’—play thru it with ‘n’ without the back. What is bliss to one ear can be torture to another.
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Post by John on Jan 16, 2019 5:11:41 GMT -7
Your ears are the best judge. However, there's a view to some that it's not best to put alnico speakers (like a gold) in closed back cabinets. But I think you should give it a try.
And honky tonk country? I'd choose an open back for that. If you're playing on small honky tonk stages, you'll be able to hear yourself better with an open back, because the sound also goes out the back of the cabinet, hit's the wall and bounces all over the stage. A closed back cabinet only sends sound out the front. So if you're on a small stage with the cabinet 10 inches behind your feet, the sound goes straight out into the audience, and your ears won't really hear much. (but your ankles will be blown away! ha ha)
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Post by zman on Jan 16, 2019 7:16:00 GMT -7
I agree John and I will give it a try with the gold speaker. However, I sure wish I had a greenback to compare against the gold in a closed back cab. I will only be using this cab at home. The price is sure better on a green compared to the gold.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jan 16, 2019 8:31:49 GMT -7
After hating the Greenback tone for years (I was young and silly), I just ventured into those waters about a year or so ago. I actually love it. The best I can describe the Greenback is like a ceramic counterpart to the Celestion Blue. Same sonic territory but all ceramic voice. They sound good open or closed back. I’d go closed for classic rock. I’d definitely go open for the alnico. Ive never heard anyone say they like alnicos more in a closed back.
Greenies can be had for cheap too. Plenty used to go around. Or sign up to get on the email list for Nusiciansfreind or Guitar Center. They regularly send out 15% coupons. Gets you just about to $100 even for a Chinese Reissue Greenback.
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Post by zman on Jan 16, 2019 12:47:48 GMT -7
I'm looking to purchase a greenback. I figure it's a good speaker to have around regardless. I will have to wait for delivery to compare it with the gold I already have. I wish I could do a side by side a/b comparison when I have both speakers on hand. I'm sure 1 speaker will stand out to me more then the other when I do the swap. I looked on YouTube for the greenback and gold being compared but had no luck.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jan 16, 2019 13:19:52 GMT -7
Greenie is a classic. Won’t regret having one on hand. One notable spec difference is the speaker efficiency (sometimes called sensitivity). The Gold is 100db. The Greenback reissue is 98db. You’ll notice a bit of a volume boost in the Gold. And the opposite in the Greenback. This means the Greenback could work to your advantage if you are wanting to get closer to bedroom levels or lesser stage volume. The 20w heritage Greenback is even quieter, at 96db. It is more pricey though. If you want the quieter heritage Greenback at a cheaper price, you can get the EVH signature Celestion. Same speaker just branded with an EVH sticker and sold for less. I guess Eddie’s glory days are behind him
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Post by zman on Jan 16, 2019 14:43:19 GMT -7
Greenie is a classic. Won’t regret having one on hand. One notable spec difference is the speaker efficiency (sometimes called sensitivity). The Gold is 100db. The Greenback reissue is 98db. You’ll notice a bit of a volume boost in the Gold. And the opposite in the Greenback. This means the Greenback could work to your advantage if you are wanting to get closer to bedroom levels or lesser stage volume. The 20w heritage Greenback is even quieter, at 96db. It is more pricey though. If you want the quieter heritage Greenback at a cheaper price, you can get the EVH signature Celestion. Same speaker just branded with an EVH sticker and sold for less. I guess Eddie’s glory days are behind him Thanks Jordan! Your description of the different type of Greenbacks and the volume level for each Greenback speaker available was Very HELPFUL! I'm definitely looking to use this speaker in a smaller home studio and at lower volumes. I think the 20w heritage Greenback is my ticket... Do you feel it's possible to blow the 20w heritage Greenback with a 20 watt head? I guess the power handling and amp are even. I plan to use this speaker with my latest 2-channel Marshall DSL 20H head and Marshall 1x12 cab. The stock Seventy 80 speaker that came with the cab just seemed a little thin sounding. Thanks for the info...
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Post by limenine on Jan 19, 2019 8:50:21 GMT -7
I wouldn't worry about a 20w speaker for a 20w amp. A lot of greenbacks have been pushed hard by a lot of marshalls over the years
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