For Those Of You Unhappy With The Celestion Vintage 30
Aug 2, 2020 12:30:07 GMT -7
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Post by Seńor Verde on Aug 2, 2020 12:30:07 GMT -7
I see many threads on the interweb regarding the many versions of Vintage 30 speakers and some that talk of this speaker like there is only two version, UK and China. I've tried a few Celestion V30 and a WGS Retro 30, just to see what the real differences are and which sounds best to me with my Therapy and Maz Jr.
I hadn’t used Vintage 30’s since about 2000, when I bought a pair for a Mesa Nomad and a Blue Angel. I had the amps for about a year and sold it, but kept the speakers. Over the years I sold all but one of them, since I wasn’t using amps that V30’s were known for their use. I had forgotten about one that wasn't sold until we moved April 2019.
In 2017, I bought a new Therapy. Word was, the V30 or Celestion Gold were the preferred speakers. I bought a new 2017 V30 at 8 Ohms. This speaker has many gigs on it, probably 200+ hours at gigging volumes. There were things I liked about the 2017 V30, but after a while, the lack of bass and harshness got to me. I tried a Celestion Gold, but it didn’t float my boat.
Several Months ago, I bought a WGS Retro 30. It only has about 40-50 hours on it, so it might not be done breaking in, but It sounds pretty good. A little more bass and harder pick attack than any of the V30’s, a little less sensitive and harmonic content. Right now it doesn’t sound far off from the UK V30 @ 16 Ohms compared to the others.
A few months ago, I borrowed a 2013 V30, 8 Ohm from a friend and it sounded MUCH better than the 2017 V30. A little fuller and more lows. Very clear as well. Not overly full, but clear and fun sounding most of the time. I gigged it a couple times and it is nice.
A few days ago I re-found the UK 16 Ohm speaker and checked it out today. I REALLY like this one. A little fuller than the 2013 but just as clear. I know I can run the 16 Ohm with the Therapy, but none of my other amps takes 16 Ohms and I don’t want to worry about accidentally plugging into a wrong impedance. I like to keep everything 8 Ohms. So, I’m selling the 16 Ohm speaker to my cousin and ordered a Mesa 8 Ohm V30. I’ll report on that when it is broken in.
In the meanwhile, If you’re using one of the more recently manufactured V30’s and find them harsh, thin or otherwise unpleasant, I recommend finding a UK V30, or WGS Retro 30.
I actually like the 2013 best with my mid-2000 Maz Jr's.
Hope this helps anyone considering using a V30.
I hadn’t used Vintage 30’s since about 2000, when I bought a pair for a Mesa Nomad and a Blue Angel. I had the amps for about a year and sold it, but kept the speakers. Over the years I sold all but one of them, since I wasn’t using amps that V30’s were known for their use. I had forgotten about one that wasn't sold until we moved April 2019.
In 2017, I bought a new Therapy. Word was, the V30 or Celestion Gold were the preferred speakers. I bought a new 2017 V30 at 8 Ohms. This speaker has many gigs on it, probably 200+ hours at gigging volumes. There were things I liked about the 2017 V30, but after a while, the lack of bass and harshness got to me. I tried a Celestion Gold, but it didn’t float my boat.
Several Months ago, I bought a WGS Retro 30. It only has about 40-50 hours on it, so it might not be done breaking in, but It sounds pretty good. A little more bass and harder pick attack than any of the V30’s, a little less sensitive and harmonic content. Right now it doesn’t sound far off from the UK V30 @ 16 Ohms compared to the others.
A few months ago, I borrowed a 2013 V30, 8 Ohm from a friend and it sounded MUCH better than the 2017 V30. A little fuller and more lows. Very clear as well. Not overly full, but clear and fun sounding most of the time. I gigged it a couple times and it is nice.
A few days ago I re-found the UK 16 Ohm speaker and checked it out today. I REALLY like this one. A little fuller than the 2013 but just as clear. I know I can run the 16 Ohm with the Therapy, but none of my other amps takes 16 Ohms and I don’t want to worry about accidentally plugging into a wrong impedance. I like to keep everything 8 Ohms. So, I’m selling the 16 Ohm speaker to my cousin and ordered a Mesa 8 Ohm V30. I’ll report on that when it is broken in.
In the meanwhile, If you’re using one of the more recently manufactured V30’s and find them harsh, thin or otherwise unpleasant, I recommend finding a UK V30, or WGS Retro 30.
I actually like the 2013 best with my mid-2000 Maz Jr's.
Hope this helps anyone considering using a V30.
