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Post by DRZ on Dec 20, 2017 8:50:21 GMT -7
Guy I have to admit the Z Plus sounds very good with a G-12-M 65 Creamback . I never really tried it , through the Blue and the Z 12 were nice combinations for the amp , and they are, but a Creamback surprised me. We have had some orders with them loaded that way , so I got a chance to hear it that way and compared to a Z 12. The clean was remarkably good sounding, and the drive sound was very nice. The Cream does roll off some of the highs so the amp sounds a bit warmer.
So I would say: Celestion Alnico Blue = Exquisite Clean and wonderful Chime and Brilliance and an added dimension. Z-12 = Great Fender like balanced response, smooth with nice break-up quality Celestion Creamback = Rich and warm, nice clear clean , with a wonderful break-up , slight roll off top end.
Z
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2017 9:00:29 GMT -7
You read my mind, Doc! I'm using a Creamback M65 with my Therapy once again, going to throw that speaker in the Z Plus when it arrives and sit the Therapy on top of it.
After burning through a number of speakers over the last few years, I really have discovered a new love for the M65. The cleans are beautiful, and the crunch is even better. I gave up on the last one too early.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Dec 20, 2017 9:43:07 GMT -7
I have a Creamback in a Z 1x12 shorty cab and it is my 1st choice for my Remedy, Z28, and Maz 8. My Gold, G12h, Greenback, and Jupiter 10's are fun, but I reach for the "Cream" 1st.
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Post by digs57 on Dec 20, 2017 9:50:20 GMT -7
This sounds like it would be my (creamback) speaker choice...I have never had a blue though...a friend of mine plays/maz 18 with blue and he sound great...so it goes.
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Post by detuned on Dec 20, 2017 10:09:36 GMT -7
Doc, is the Creamback an upcharge over the Z12?
Asking for a friend...
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Post by DRZ on Dec 20, 2017 10:21:41 GMT -7
Doc, is the Creamback an upcharge over the Z12? Asking for a friend... No same cost Cream/Z 12. Z
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Post by Maddog on Dec 20, 2017 12:06:43 GMT -7
Tho I'm a great fan of the Creamback, I'd be really hard-pressed to forgo the Z-12, Doc....I have fallen in love with the Z-12....esp w the Z-Lux....
For years, I've been a fan of the Gold in my Low-powered amps and the Cream in my higher powered amps, so using a Creamback in a low powered amp (Z-Plus) goes against my M.O. But, you ARE the Doc.....the guy with the "ears." So, I will give this a whirl!
Thanks for the heads-up, Doc.... Merry Christmas, brother!!!
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Dec 20, 2017 12:14:06 GMT -7
Oh, you don't say. I have a Z cab loaded with the M 65 Creamback for my Maz-18 which I love. I'll be playing my Z-plus through it tomorrow! Thanks for the tip Doc!
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Dec 20, 2017 12:23:18 GMT -7
It sounds like you can’t go wrong with any speaker and the Z Plus!
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Post by nicholas on Dec 20, 2017 13:31:59 GMT -7
Guy I have to admit the Z Plus sounds very good with a G-12-M 65 Creamback ..... We have had some orders with them loaded that way , so I got a chance to hear it...... Celestion Creamback = Rich and warm, nice clear clean , with a wonderful break-up , slight roll off top end. Z This is good news. I have a studio combo Z-Plus on order with the Creamback. Can't wait.
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Post by doctorice on Dec 20, 2017 15:16:52 GMT -7
I'm enjoying the Blue, but I have a cab with Creamback. I'll give it a try. Might make a nice little stack
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Post by purpletele on Dec 21, 2017 1:17:02 GMT -7
You read my mind, Doc! I'm using a Creamback M65 with my Therapy once again, going to throw that speaker in the Z Plus when it arrives and sit the Therapy on top of it. After burning through a number of speakers over the last few years, I really have discovered a new love for the M65. The cleans are beautiful, and the crunch is even better. I gave up on the last one too early. Yeah, and you talked me into selling my M65 out of my Maz 8. I think I got a good price for it but I would like to try that speaker again. No harm, just teasing, your advice has been spot on for years now.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2017 9:18:30 GMT -7
You read my mind, Doc! I'm using a Creamback M65 with my Therapy once again, going to throw that speaker in the Z Plus when it arrives and sit the Therapy on top of it. After burning through a number of speakers over the last few years, I really have discovered a new love for the M65. The cleans are beautiful, and the crunch is even better. I gave up on the last one too early. Yeah, and you talked me into selling my M65 out of my Maz 8. I think I got a good price for it but I would like to try that speaker again. No harm, just teasing, your advice has been spot on for years now. I bet the Alnico Cream is better with the Maz than the M65. Just saying...
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Dec 25, 2017 18:35:01 GMT -7
I'm glad I saw this, because I had gone cold with Creambacks. And now I understand why: I've been pairing them with darker sounding amps like the Therapy and I thought they were dull sounding. I went back to the Celestion Vintage 30 and I'm liking that combo way better (Doc's pick for that amp, wonder why it sounds so good?!). Right now I've got a ET-65 in my Maz 18NR that I really dig. But I may try the Creamback in that amp and see what the difference is. I sure like it as it is though...the ET-65 is a great match with that Maz 18NR. Really matches up with the amp's natural voicing, to my ear anyway.
EDIT: Frank, do you have to jack the Treble control up on the Therapy with the M65? If memory serves, I sure did.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2017 19:41:48 GMT -7
EDIT: Frank, do you have to jack the Treble control up on the Therapy with the M65? If memory serves, I sure did. Depends. Right now, I have 6V6's in it and the treble is way up, about 2pm. The bass really starts to rumble and the noise floor picks up once the master is past 2pm, too. Bass is almost off. I do find myself fidgeting with knobs more when I have 6V6's in it, but the further volume reduction on top of the 97dB Creamback sure is nice. With KT77's, I'd usually have the treble and mids around 1pm depending on the guitar. I can creep the bass and master up a little bit more with the KT77's. The amp is dead quiet. Never longing for more highs with these tubes. Loud, too! It's been so long since I had 6L6's in there. I do usually run the treble even higher when I pair the amp with the Alnico Cream.
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Post by detuned on Dec 26, 2017 7:54:58 GMT -7
Speaker gurus: Which one of these three options is likely to stay cleaner louder? I play a lot of funk-style rhythms with a strat and need everything to stay squeaky clean until I hit it with the dirt pedal.
I'm assuming not the Blue...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2017 9:22:35 GMT -7
Speaker gurus: Which one of these three options is likely to stay cleaner louder? I play a lot of funk-style rhythms with a strat and need everything to stay squeaky clean until I hit it with the dirt pedal. I'm assuming not the Blue... My vote would be for the Z12. If you want a Blue that stays cleaner longer, try the Alnico Cream.
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Dec 26, 2017 16:11:21 GMT -7
Speaker gurus: Which one of these three options is likely to stay cleaner louder? I play a lot of funk-style rhythms with a strat and need everything to stay squeaky clean until I hit it with the dirt pedal. I'm assuming not the Blue... Even with the blue you can always swap out the V1-12AX7 for a 12AT7 for a cleaner sound at higher levels. It works great for me. I'm not much of a "tube roller" but per Doc's suggestion I've been playing with V1 options. I really like both tubes. The 12AX7 gives it a little more "feel" or "girth", 3-D like, while the 12AT7 gives the amp a little more "glassy clean" sound even at higher volumes. I've said before that the amp in not just a one trick pony. The drive in this amp is really cool. Much more than I thought it would have and more than my MAZ18. I really like the Plus set up real clean but, the Plus with a light to medium amount of grit that you get when the volume is up about 11-1 o'clock is magic! Even for a clean pedal platform I like my Plus Volume up no lower than say 10 o'clock. (Pushing that front end) I found the same to be true when playing the Cure. The amp kinda "comes alive" when the Volume is up. I found this to be especially true when the Master is turned up as well. I had time over the past few days to try the Plus with my creamback 65M. I was really blown away! I'm really not sure which speaker I like best. Blue vs 65M? They both sound really great with the Z-Plus. I'm sure the Z-plus sounds great with a Z-12 as well. The Plus is one of Doc's amps that sound great pushing a number of different speakers!
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Post by aaronblues on Jan 6, 2018 9:47:36 GMT -7
My z-Plus has a Blue, but I'm leaning towards switching out to a Cream, or something else to tame the highs a touch. Have always loved my Maz with a Blue, but I'm probably overdue to try other speakers with that amp also...
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Post by JumpMarine on Jan 16, 2018 19:10:30 GMT -7
I'm loving the Z12, but just can't help myself and ordered a Creamback today to try.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 26, 2019 9:23:14 GMT -7
I got mine with a Z-12 too, it's one of my favorite speakers. Glad you revived this thread, it got me off the couch and swapping speakers today. I put a Creamback M-65 in it and it really does sound good. Warmed it up a lot and it's a great match for the Z-Plus. Doc's description as usual is spot-on. Really good crunch tone too!
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Post by justjoshinya on Jan 26, 2019 16:57:25 GMT -7
It really is a great combination!!!
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Post by vanceen on Mar 17, 2019 15:51:28 GMT -7
Guy I have to admit the Z Plus sounds very good with a G-12-M 65 Creamback . I never really tried it , through the Blue and the Z 12 were nice combinations for the amp , and they are, but a Creamback surprised me. We have had some orders with them loaded that way , so I got a chance to hear it that way and compared to a Z 12. The clean was remarkably good sounding, and the drive sound was very nice. The Cream does roll off some of the highs so the amp sounds a bit warmer. So I would say: Celestion Alnico Blue = Exquisite Clean and wonderful Chime and Brilliance and an added dimension. Z-12 = Great Fender like balanced response, smooth with nice break-up quality Celestion Creamback = Rich and warm, nice clear clean , with a wonderful break-up , slight roll off top end. Z Thanks, Dr. I tried my Z Plus with a closed-back cabinet I have with two Creambacks (been using it with my Remedy). It does indeed sound great. I confess I like it better than the Z12. Another speaker I've tried is a single Weber 12A125 in a small closed-back cabinet. That sounds great too, in a slightly different way. The Weber is supposed to be voiced for a Tweed Deluxe, so as you might expect it's a bit brighter. Maybe one reason it sounds so good is that it's working harder than the Creamback (it's a 30 W speaker). Anyway, this one is brand new, I'm anxious to hear it broken in.
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Post by jmg on Mar 24, 2019 17:54:19 GMT -7
The Z-12 is a darned good speaker. Very woody, yet balanced. I understand it's based on an Oxford, so makes sense.
I'm sure the Creamback is nice too. But I'd love to try an Alnico in my Z Plus that warms it up just a slight bit. I have my eye on the Scumback Scumnico.
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Post by lucasa20 on Mar 30, 2019 3:50:47 GMT -7
Speaker gurus: Which one of these three options is likely to stay cleaner louder? I play a lot of funk-style rhythms with a strat and need everything to stay squeaky clean until I hit it with the dirt pedal. I'm assuming not the Blue... My vote would be for the Z12. If you want a Blue that stays cleaner longer, try the Alnico Cream.
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Post by lucasa20 on Mar 30, 2019 4:10:56 GMT -7
I wanted to “chime in” on this topic. First post ever so take it easy on me .. I swapped out the Z12 speaker for a Celestion Alnico Cream and it really shines in the Z plus. The Z12 is an amazing speaker but the Alnico Cream , in my opinion, sounds better for what I need the amp for. The chime is really amazing while still retaining the awesome American overdrive when cranked. With my Les Paul its reminds me of the ultimate classic rock Black Crowes type tone but with an amazing british based chime. Did I say chime again? Haha! BTW , My Z plus is a LT not a studio. Anyway, my vote for the best speaker amongst the newer designed 12” varities.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 30, 2019 6:42:40 GMT -7
I wanted to “chime in” on this topic. First post ever so take it easy on me .. I swapped out the Z12 speaker for a Celestion Alnico Cream and it really shines in the Z plus. The Z12 is an amazing speaker but the Alnico Cream , in my opinion, sounds better for what I need the amp for. The chime is really amazing while still retaining the awesome American overdrive when cranked. With my Les Paul its reminds me of the ultimate classic rock Black Crowes type tone but with an amazing british based chime. Did I say chime again? Haha! BTW , My Z plus is a LT not a studio. Anyway, my vote for the best speaker amongst the newer designed 12” varities. Welcome to the Forum! A lot of great people and information here. The Z-Plus is a great amp. Mine has a Celestion Blue in it - also gets that chime sound.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Apr 28, 2019 13:08:50 GMT -7
reviving this thread with a question for those running a 1x12 extension cab with the ZPlus ... my ZPlus has the Celestion Blue, and I love it's tone. I don't find it too bright, and I love the chime. But I'm also a big fan of running 2x12's. So if running an external cab with the ZPlus/Blue, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the Creamback and Z12 in that kind of configuration. I was leaning toward the Z12 for the Fender/Oxford balance to go nicely alongside the Blue, but the Creamback sounds like it might be a good mate as well.
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Post by ajteleman on Oct 18, 2019 20:48:02 GMT -7
Re: Z-Plus with a creamback. With teles, the Z12 was a bit shrill. The creamback smoothed out the top end, enriched the lows. I recently did a speaker shootout with the Plus driving the Z12 (in my Z-Lux), the G12H30 (in my Nova), and the Creamback in the Plus. The Plus sounded great with all 3, but I want each of these fine amps to sound unique and different from one another. Creamback stays in the Plus.
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Post by barrymw on Nov 7, 2019 13:38:18 GMT -7
Wondering if anyone has tried a Celestion Neo Creamback in the Z-Plus? It would drop around 4 pounds of weight compared to the G12M-65 Creamback or (roughly) the Z12--which is always nice--and from what I've read/viewed on videos it seems to be similar to the G12M-65 Creamback, although not identical. Of course online video is not a great substitute for listening directly to the real thing in a room, so I'm wondering if anyone has had the chance to try it?
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