jla
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Post by jla on Sept 7, 2023 16:57:26 GMT -7
I've had the pleasure of owning a Ghia for the past 15 years and thought I'd share my experience with various speakers and cabinets.
At the recommendation of the sales rep at the now defunct Rock Block in Nashville (who recommended either the 1x12 combo with a Celestion Blue or a head), I purchased a 1x12" combo with a Blue. The Blue was great, and as others on this forum have suggested, the Blue may be the "true" voice of the Ghia. But after a couple of years, the Blue blew. After a brief stint with a Lead 80 (which was fine but meh) , another Blue went in, and after lasting for a another several years, it also eventually failed.
I have since had that speaker re-coned to 50W which sounds almost as good and is holding steady.
In the time between reconing the Blue to 50W, I acquired an Avatar oval back 2x12" with a WGS Green Beret and Reaper. This was also a great combo and brought out the Marshall side of the amp and had a ton of low end.
I had a 12" Eminence Canis Major in the combo for a while, which was solid with great low end but lacking the shimmering highs of the Blue.
Recently, I bought a Mojotone 12" Anthem for the combo, which has a ton of low end and really brings out the tweed side of the Ghia. I also played some speaker musical chairs with the 2x12" and put the 50W Blue and Canis Major together which is also really cool.
Recommendation:
If I had to do it all over again, I would probably get the head and as many cabinets as space and budget allowed.
To me the Ghia is a big glass tweed amp disguised as a "18W" EL-84 amp, which is why I think you get 15 different amps when you ask 10 guitarists what amp a Ghia sounds like. Because the tone control is so useful, the Ghia can mimic smaller power combos as well as larger rigs.
If space or budget allowed, I think a 4x12" cabinet with Blues would be killer. One Blue at 15W is not enough power handling for this amp unfortunately.
If I was forced to pick a new speaker for a 1x12" combo now, I would probably pick a Celestion Gold, followed closely by the Mojotone Anthem, with the V30 as an honorable mention (to me the high watt ceramic version of the Blue based on online shootouts).
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Post by "Z" Steve on Sept 7, 2023 19:12:38 GMT -7
I did the 4 separate cabs for quite a while when I had a Z28 head, Maz 18 Head, a Remedy head, and an Rx Jr (bought at Rock Block Way on a visit to Nashville about 15 years ago). I had a Z 2x10 cab with Z 10's as well as Jupiter 10's, and a Weber Blue Dog & Silver Bell mix. The 12 cabs went with an assortment of Greenbacks, V30's, C Gold, Creamback, ET65, G12h, Cannabis Rex, a Helletone 30, and a few others I can't remember. That was a fun journey combining different cabs, accompanied by tube swapping, and if I were still playing a lot I would still go with the head and cab options. Keep enjoying your journey, and welcome to the forum!
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jla
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Post by jla on Sept 7, 2023 21:50:31 GMT -7
... Z 2x10 cab with Z 10's as well as Jupiter 10's, and a Weber Blue Dog & Silver Bell mix...! all on my short list of speakers to try. I think the Jupiters would be another likely good fit for the Ghia.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 7, 2023 22:24:36 GMT -7
I really loved mine with a 2x10 cab with Eminence Legend 1058 speakers. It’s such a fine amp to own…so straight forward to play. It really is a Legend of its own.
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jla
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Post by jla on Sept 7, 2023 22:35:18 GMT -7
I really loved mine with a 2x10 cab with Eminence Legend 1058 speakers. It’s such a fine amp to own…so straight forward to play. It really is a Legend of its own. Sadly I’ve never tried a 10”inch speakers! Jupiters (10”s and 12”s), Jensen p10r and eminence legend 1058 (assuming those are the same as the blue alnicos in the 90s bassman RIs) are also on my shortlist. Would be cool to also try running the ghia through a 4x10 bassman style cab.
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Post by John on Sept 8, 2023 5:17:05 GMT -7
I really loved mine with a 2x10 cab with Eminence Legend 1058 speakers. It’s such a fine amp to own…so straight forward to play. It really is a Legend of its own. Sadly I’ve never tried a 10”inch speakers! Jupiters (10”s and 12”s), Jensen p10r and eminence legend 1058 (assuming those are the same as the blue alnicos in the 90s bassman RIs) are also on my shortlist. Would be cool to also try running the ghia through a 4x10 bassman style cab.
10" gold!!!
I had a 1x10 Ghia combo, it came with the Red Fang. The RF was not to my liking, and I replaced it with a 10" gold. (I was going for new-country tones) What an incredible club gigging amp. Celestion did a great job with the 10" gold and it really sounds close to the 12" blue/gold tone.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 8, 2023 6:48:54 GMT -7
+ 1 for the 10” Gold as John stated. I’ve used the Ghia, which I purchased as a head with a variety of 12”’s and 2x10”’s. At the moment my Holy Grail is in a 1x10” combo cab as John describes. It sounds big and bold, has all the necessary chime, and can rock to your hearts content. It makes all my guitars sound great through it. Then there’s the portability factor which is so convenient. As an added bonus: those that are unfamiliar may scoff upon seeing its diminutive profile, but when you fire that sucker up, heads turn.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 8, 2023 6:51:30 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum, great first post!
One thing about the Ghia that's so special is it's ability to make the most out of whatever speaker (or tube) you throw at it.
I've been running a 1x10 Greenback combo, and just yesterday I hooked up to my 2x10 open back Z cab loaded with Eminence Red Fang 10s. That's a very cool tone, it really brings out the snarl...It really does sound like a big bottle amp with that cab. I liked it way better than a 1x10 Red Fang, it's much smoother.
Another great combination is an open back 1x15" Altec Lansing 418b.
Come to think of it, talking about speakers and the Carmen Ghia might be easier if we mentioned speakers that DON'T sound good with it.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 8, 2023 8:25:27 GMT -7
I've personally always felt that the Ghia is/would be best as a stand-alone head. Since the amp has minimal built-in EQ ability (but still sounds GREAT) this would best allow you to steer the amp into whatever sonic direction you want.
Having said that, I fully support the guys around here who have and love their Ghia 1x10 combo's, especially with a G10 Gold speaker in there. It might not be as "flexible" as a head, but that would be a KILLER amp, too.
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wally
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Post by wally on Sept 8, 2023 8:46:59 GMT -7
Sadly I’ve never tried a 10”inch speakers! Jupiters (10”s and 12”s), Jensen p10r and eminence legend 1058 (assuming those are the same as the blue alnicos in the 90s bassman RIs) are also on my shortlist. Would be cool to also try running the ghia through a 4x10 bassman style cab. The Eminence Legend 1058 is not the same speaker as the blue frame Eminence Alnicos used in the early Bassman 4x10 RI. Those blue frames were a take on the Eminence ALP 1028, which was a 20 watt Alnico speaker with a paper former Alnico. eminence used a Kaptonmformer with that Alnico magnet to build the ALk1028, which is a 35 watt speaker. I have been using the ALK 1028 for over 30 years…imho it is a great speaker.
The Legend 1058 is a 75 watt ceramic speaker that Emi claims yields tones similar to the ALK 1028 but with more muscle. I like the 1058 a lot. I have heard it a number of different amps, and it performs well with all of them. The Ghia was GREAT through a 4x10 open back loaded with Emi Legend 1058 type speakers. I have a Shorty 2x10 cab that I run under my Carmen Ghia. I have a pair of EV Force 10s in there right now. Great sonics. I am toying with the idea of buying a pair of ALK1028s or a pair of Legend 1058s for that Shorty cab since I have a small 2x10 Openback Deluxe cab with OEM EVI Force speakers that was built for the Twin,Reverb II heads during the Rivera years of 1982-1985 at Fender. I like the Eminence Ramrod, too. It is a dead ringer for the English-built Celestion G10s that came in the Fender zero Sonic. Fwiw, the Weber Blue Pup Ceramic 10” cops that same G10 sonic..side by side A/B test. so… yes…a lot of cabs is a good thing, ime.
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wally
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Posts: 27
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Post by wally on Sept 8, 2023 8:50:20 GMT -7
I've personally always felt that the Ghia is/would be best as a stand-alone head. Since the amp has minimal built-in EQ ability (but still sounds GREAT) this would best allow you to steer the amp into whatever sonic direction you want. Having said that, I fully support the guys around here who have and love their Ghia 1x10 combo's, especially with a G10 Gold speaker in there. It might not be as "flexible" as a head, but that would be a KILLER amp, too. I installed a 10” Gold in a custom tweed type cab for a fellow. When He came to pick it up, I A/B’d it against an Eminence ALK1028. He picked up his phone and order an ALK immediately. The Gold did not have the low end, the articulation, or the smooth yet sparkling high end that the ALK did.
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Post by gfreak on Sept 8, 2023 9:16:54 GMT -7
There is a 12' Blue in mine and it sounds so good. Never thought about trying anything else.
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Post by MattHays on Sept 8, 2023 13:38:48 GMT -7
I love the blue sound with my Ghia. I get around the wattage problem by using a 30 watt Weber Blue Dog Alnico.
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Zed
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Post by Zed on Sept 8, 2023 18:02:25 GMT -7
I’m using a 2x12 open back with Weber blue dog and silver bell albino. Sounds great! I want to plug into my z-28 mk2 combo cab for giggles. With the cream back. My guess is that will be a big sound
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jla
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Post by jla on Sept 8, 2023 21:48:46 GMT -7
Seems like Blue-style speakers and 10” fender style speakers have strong support.
Might be more interesting to discuss what speakers don’t work as well.
I liked my 2x12 with the WGS green beret and reaper and disliked each one of those speakers individually with the Ghia.
Oddly enough, there are multiple YouTube videos of the ghia I actually don’t like and probably wouldn’t have bought the amp based on.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Oct 4, 2023 15:39:42 GMT -7
Oddly enough, there are multiple YouTube videos of the ghia I actually don’t like and probably wouldn’t have bought the amp based on. Those were probably mine. i'm glad you didn't let my shoddy playing dissuade you from buying one. LOL
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Post by adam on Oct 4, 2023 16:12:13 GMT -7
Oddly enough, there are multiple YouTube videos of the ghia I actually don’t like and probably wouldn’t have bought the amp based on. Those were probably mine. i'm glad you didn't let my shoddy playing dissuade you from buying one. LOL So not true! They were mine!
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Post by purpletele on Oct 4, 2023 19:21:31 GMT -7
Those were probably mine. i'm glad you didn't let my shoddy playing dissuade you from buying one. LOL So not true! They were mine! What is with the self-deprecation? You guys both have great videos and are seasoned professionals, the question is? which of you had the best plants this year?
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Post by adam on Oct 5, 2023 15:27:38 GMT -7
You guys both have great videos and are seasoned professionals, the question is? which of you had the best plants this year? I'm going to say me. We (wifey) planted a new garden this year, in an area that has full sun and it went crazy. In particular, we had 8 tomato plants of larger tomatoes and we couldn't figure out what to with all of it. They probably produced 300+ pounds of tomatoes.Maybe 500, who knows. Another couple cherry tomato plants, we just couldn't keep up with eating them. Even yesterday there was probably 100 sitting on there ready to eat. Same thing with strawberries and various pepper plants. That area had a 16'x8' shed on it that we moved, and I don't know if that had something to do with it, but we tilled in a bunch of compost and put the chicken crap (literally) on top and it just went nuts.
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Post by MattHays on Oct 7, 2023 15:47:05 GMT -7
I love the blue sound with my Ghia. I get around the wattage problem by using a 30 watt Weber Blue Dog Alnico. Since then I've gone to the V30, stock speaker. Even better than the blue. The Doc knows what's best.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Oct 9, 2023 9:42:40 GMT -7
I enjoy the Ghia through just about any reasonable cab and speaker combination, and it’s definitely my favorite amp to just plug into any random cab to see what I can get out of it. Certainly some pairings work better than others for a given application, but between the deceptively versatile, highly-efficient controls of the Ghia, combined with utilizing the guitar controls, there is practically always a way to find satisfaction or better with minimum fuss. Certainly the highest ‘just plug-in-and-play factor’ of any amp I’ve ever played. Much love for Carmen Ghia!
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Post by richiez on Oct 11, 2023 20:23:50 GMT -7
My 1x10 came with a Mojotone Anthem that the seller just bought and installed to replace a damaged speaker. Since it was a Jenson style speaker, didn't seem to be a good fit on paper(more fender)... but it still sounded great. I went ahead and threw a Greenback in it anyway and, yeah, still sounds great. Not sure it's better... but I left it that way and sold the Anthem. May try others down the road but, unlike other amps I've had, I don't find myself looking for a speaker to tame any bad frequencies. It just sounds great and that unique tone knob does wonders to fit any guitar or genre.
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jla
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Posts: 16
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Post by jla on Oct 11, 2023 22:37:49 GMT -7
My 1x10 came with a Mojotone Anthem that the seller just bought and installed to replace a damaged speaker. Since it was a Jenson style speaker, didn't seem to be a good fit on paper(more fender)... but it still sounded great. I went ahead and threw a Greenback in it anyway and, yeah, still sounds great. Not sure it's better... but I left it that way and sold the Anthem. May try others down the road but, unlike other amps I've had, I don't find myself looking for a speaker to tame any bad frequencies. It just sounds great and that unique tone knob does wonders to fit any guitar or genre. Interesting. I just put the 12” inch Anthem in my 1x12 and it sounds awesome. The second “ American” style speaker I’ve tried. Definitely more tweed like with both of those speakers. Someone needs to shootout a tweed bassman and ghia thorough the bassman 4x10.
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Zed
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Posts: 183
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Post by Zed on Oct 18, 2023 4:30:12 GMT -7
My 1x10 came with a Mojotone Anthem that the seller just bought and installed to replace a damaged speaker. Since it was a Jenson style speaker, didn't seem to be a good fit on paper(more fender)... but it still sounded great. I went ahead and threw a Greenback in it anyway and, yeah, still sounds great. Not sure it's better... but I left it that way and sold the Anthem. May try others down the road but, unlike other amps I've had, I don't find myself looking for a speaker to tame any bad frequencies. It just sounds great and that unique tone knob does wonders to fit any guitar or genre. Interesting. I just put the 12” inch Anthem in my 1x12 and it sounds awesome. The second “ American” style speaker I’ve tried. Definitely more tweed like with both of those speakers. Someone needs to shootout a tweed bassman and ghia thorough the bassman 4x10. I second this! Lol
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