macg1 wrote:treywanvig wrote:So, I’ve had my 2555X Silver Jubilee Reissue for about 6 months now and I really think it’s a great amp. However, I’ve been messing with my tone with the matching 2551V with the Marshall/Celestion G12 Vintage’s but I’m not digging them. I’m looking for a 4x12 (doesn’t have to be Marshall, but would be nice) with Celestion G12-65s to see how they are with the Jubilee. Yes, I know that I could just go out and buy a new set of the Celestion 65s but I’m not looking to drop $500+ on speakers. Anyone have any leads or tips?
What about the current speakers you don't like? What makes you think that a G12-65 would "fix"?
I would start actually by buying two WGS ET-65. It is my favorite speaker other than the EVH Celestion. Much cheaper, great quality, sounds excellent. Put them in an X pattern. Mixing speakers is a great way to fill out the tone.
Of course, if you are going for a classic JB tone from back in the Jubilee days, you would be dropping a bunch more dough on speakers by going with EV12Ls.
First, I will address what I don’t like about the current speakers, then I will go into why I think the G12-65s might help. To my ears, the G12 Vintages seem very harsh, bright, and what I would call “barky” or “growly.” Now, if I was playing some harder rock stuff or metal, those speakers would be a perfect fit. However, I am looking for a very smooth, warm tone ala Joe Live at RAH or Eric Johnson. I have watched many YouTube videos comparing greenbacks, vintage 30s, G12-65s, and many other celestions (and EV12Ls), and it seems like the 65s always come out on top. Now onto why I think the G12-65s might help my situation. Well, two reasons. One, I have a Marshall JVM 212C 2x12 100 Watt Combo and it is loaded with two different speakers, the Marshall G12 Vintage (same speakers as the matching Jube cab) and the Marshall G12 Heritage. Now, I’ve done some research on that G12 Heritage speaker and what other people think about it and from what I can tell, it is a Celestion G12-65. Between the two speakers in that combo, I much prefer the sound of the G12 Heritage (G12-65). Second, when researching this topic on the forum and elsewhere on the internet, I have found many people enjoy the tones they get out of their Jubilees with the 65s. I have also found that Joe has talked a bit about speakers around here and he said that if you don’t want to get EV12Ls (way too heavy and expensive for me) then to take a look at the 65s or Pre-Rola Greenbacks. Now, back to your suggestion of the Warehouse ET-65s. I have researched those and definitely taken those into consideration; however, when watching demos and comparisons between the G12-65s and other clones I found the ET65s to be somewhat bright and not as smooth as the Celestions. It might just be how the amps were set in the demos but I found the tone of the G12-65s to be much more pleasing to my ears.