Celestion Alnico Cream vs. Alnico Gold Shoot-Out!

[@christophertaylor1671]

Many thanks for taking the time to create this video, sir. I prefer the Celestron Alnico Gold for it's crisper bite in the highs. I can always roll off the highs with the tone knob and adding some neck pickup blend, but they cannot be added back so naturally. It seems more efficient too, hearing the volume increasing a tad over the cream when switched.

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

I just got the Golds for a 412 cabinet. String to string definition with rhythm and the midrange snarl when pushed for leads I'm loving. I can hear the same in this video. It doesn't sound like the cream opens up as effectively.

[@realtruenorth]

I like them both, but if I had to choose one, it would be the gold, because I would rather take highs away, than add highs. Gold has plenty of upper mids and high yet stays musical and pleasant. The cream sound sounds great also. I bet they would mix well in a 2 x 12 cab.

[@igotcasmell7263]

Great. Could you do a Celestion G10 (gold, vintage and creamback) shoot-out video?

[@SCOTT-ki3ve]

Im friggin addicted to the alnico gold. Its got significant highs, but its all the right highs, so its not piercing but it cuts thru and never sounds muffled. It's in your face and powerful but just mellow enough. Its like an even better vintage 30. With the cream, I'm reaching for the treble knob

[@JohnnyMacaw]

I have a Jensen green p10q8 in my practice Fender super champx2 and I just ordered a Jensen special edition alnico blackbird 100 for my custom deluxe 68

[@christophercloudstrider5877]

They both sound good but I prefer the cream because it delivers the distortion much more smoothly.

[@jimlutz1290]

Gold Wins: a bit brighter - Cream seems to be nipping off the top end tone - Thanks for the video. - Jim

[@salviadivinorum1762]

I love using the gold alnio on Amplitube, esp. clean tones and it has the burnished, warm vintage mid tone and with chiming high end.

[@qualityisrare]

Gold doesn't hide your mistakes. Very honest speaker. It would be my choice of the two for sure.

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

Obviously the Gold in my opinion

[@tonymurray1619]

Luis Hernandez The Gold is much better in every respect.

[@vikingmike8139]

The Cream sounds muffled, the Gold sounds more open and aggressive.

[@salg1386]

Viking Mike That is exactly my experience. Doing a direct side by side comparison, the cream sounds flat. I bought the cream hoping to get the same tone as the gold but with more power handling, but the cream didn't come close. My favorite is the gold, the creamback H ceramic is my 2nd favorite, and that was far better and more versatile than the alnico cream. I was very disappointed in the alnico cream

[@paulmodesitt5504]

I’m here trying to determine tone based on speaker wattage and amp output wattage during tone tests. I have 16 ohm alinco cream back 90 watts for 60 watt amp. I think with amp volume & or antenuation sound & headroom is ok. I’m looking towards alinco 90, or alinco gold for hitting with hard 50 watts. Was leaning towards Ruby Red 35 watt speaker. Ran across alinco gold,& can’t determine tone response due to not knowing test input volume. This test brightened the 50 watt gold, but wasn’t actuating the 90 cream back. I guess for a 25-30 max input I should pass on any 90 watt. Looking like 35 watt Ruby Red, or 50 gold here. Seems without purchase, the playing volume & max power pushing the headroom has yet to be revealed? Just my only thoughts and opinions.

[@mr.k905]

Pro tip: Work on the way you hold your pick. THIS will improve your tone significantly. Pro tip 2: Use those knobs on your amps labeled treble, bass, mids & presence. Different speakers demand different eq adjustments to shine.

[@YourLastChance]

Gold for Clean!! Cream for Distortion!!

[@presentelaw]

Thanks for this video. I saw the longer version and it helped me decide on buying the Gold. I am revisiting your video now to listen to the Cream. And again, it looks (sounds) like I've made the right choice in getting the Gold.

[@stevendobias2960]

Loved the tone of both of these speakers. Very similar clean, but so different dirty. Useful tones in both cases depending upon needs.

[@SuperReverb2]

Woah! Recording for both is way off. I have both. NOT as much difference as suggested by this video. :(

[@jaychen2000metal]

Gold is kinda bright. The alnico cream is clearer than the m and h creamback versions also

[@jacobbockover1628]

I prefer 1 of them but cannot see well enough to know which one is on. I guess id say 1 has more rolled off highs and 1 is brighter

[@bsant7]

"I HAVE A DREAM , A DREAM OF ONE OF EACH INSIDE A MARSHALL 2X12" thanks for the vid !

[@RythmTR]

The gold is 50watts this is why it sound louder than the 90 watts but also more high, the cream seems more balanced, the best would be a mix of both in parallel to get all the sounds.

[@davidwolfe9391]

I like them both, but the gold seems too treble responsive for my taste. IMO, The cream sounds more stable for a blues/rock variety in a (stage volume) band setting... I'm incline to say this because when using lighter weight speakers in live settings one can easily become a 1 trick pony (and 80's sounding) if the rig doesn't have enough headroom to articulate the bottom end (sub) frequencies that are the essence of classic rock and blues guitar tone. I say this, realizing the cabinets and amps are a huge factor, but rigging up for versatility I'd go with the higher wattage speaker of the two selections based on what I'm hearing... Great video!!!! Kindest Regards DW

[@MrDavemiley]

The Gold has a raspy sound on the High gain where the Cream has a smoother high end on the crunch. I liked both but on the dirt sounds I like the Cream better .

[@MrBIGJIMH]

Both sound great - would have liked to hear both at the same time

[@MrTimdcarroll]

I'm deciding on a mix 12" cab or both gold ... looking for a cab for my Boss Tube Amp Expander output (and, there'll be many heads [5 watt to 100 watt] being attenuated by the Expander) ... so I'm looking for versatility and Celestion tone. Thanks for the video, it gave me something to reference. Love the buttery crunch of the Cream and the "Blue" sound of the Gold ... going to have to mix the cab I think.

[@tennesseelondon4623]

Definitely the gold. The cream was very muffled. I had to wonder if you had the amp tone set low on the amp powering the cream. The gold had much better mids and top end whether clean or pushed. Nice rich harmonics also on the gold.

[@kurglekreutzer6344]

Cream for cleans and gold for a bluesy rock session, but for a preamp distortion driven metal the creamy speakers would deliver!

[@dss618]

Gold all the way ! Why ! 1. I use them 2. They cut through every mix. 3. This video proves point #2.

[@funkymonkey2240]

the gold makes me feel like rockin, the cream I would have to go with because it's more versatile, good video tone king

[@drewmcdowell1622]

Gold! Though I mixed my gold with a creamback75 with a AC15 head. So rich with the perfect mix of thick and brittle highs.

[@jeremyknechel7931]

Yup…I like the gold a little better. Thanks for the comparison!

[@nigel900]

Have been planning for a while on replacing both speakers in in my Marshall 1936 Lead cabinet with the Celestion Gold 12". Certainly have a lot more fidelity than the originals, or the Creambacks.

[@Duke_Silver]

Are you sure the gold one wasn`t recorded louder?

[@houstondragna7423]

Jestem Genek it's a lower wattage speaker. Requires less energy to move more air so it ends up being louder if the amp settings are left the same.

[@FiddeBL]

Houston Dragna Power rating of the speaker has nothing to do with it. However, sensitivity/"db-rating" does. These speakers have the same sensitivity, so they should be equally loud. To me it sounds as if they haven't been recorded exactly the same way. A slight difference in mic placement and the fact that one cabinet is standing on top of the other could make a big difference in the tone of recorded sound and some difference in level.

[@jeffmays7192]

FiddeBL exactly!!

[@BrazosP]

Thanks for the video…I like both…perhaps Gold better for some types of lead…and Cream better for rhythm where you want to be in the mix more…. I saw someone say go with Gold, then cut back treble some or compressor if you want to do rhythm….this makes sense. I think either can do about anything.. Gotta focus on what the fingers are doing!

[@Jeronimo.67]

Are both speakers brand new? Playing time makes a huge difference.

[@JimijaymesProductions]

Gold definately has more of that crank of an alnico blue, the cream is almost like a blue but with some of the warmer high end of the green and the lows of a g12h30 but fatter.

[@hammondvoodoo9555]

Interestingly, the Gold seems louder despite the same amp settings. Of course, if the sensitivity rating of both speakers (100 dB) is identical, the frequency response must be very different ... or so I thought. According to the datasheets, there are only minor differences mostly between 3 and 6 kHz. Apparently, the 4 kHz peak of the Gold is slightly more pronounced because the Cream is a little flatter within said range. That might be the reason why I've immediately liked the Gold better - more presence, which benefits the instrument. However, both speakers sound terrific.

[@proteus2103]

I like the gold more for both cleans and dirty, it sounds like it is being pushed harder (which i guess it is) and i like that. The gold also has a brittle top end that i like as well.

[@rendyandrian7149]

I vote for creamback. I always love the smooth sound of CB. Especially with clean or slightly breakup sound. For hi gain, I think CB is a bit too smooth and lack of bite. The gold one is too harsh for my taste.

[@JHS-EC93]

Hi there!! Lovely video!! Would you mind answering me a question? Would they work nicely together in a 100 watt fender frontman 212? I ask because the diferent wattage on both...

[@BryanDenham]

dang it , now i have to go spend almost 300 for a new speaker because i love the sound of Alnico speakers

[@stevehughes1510]

The Cream had a darker tone than the Gold.

[@SeyfiSariaslan]

too many amps but no tuner?

[@MrCmd7572]

gold is a broader spectrum for way more coloring of sounds to bring way more emotion out of your performance.....but all celestions rule....

[@gearsbetweenears]

I have a pair of cream. They roll off the highs alot. My Marshall 1987's arent ice picks anymore.

[@SM-ft2rj]

I like the cream better. Gold sounds louder and brighter, so would be interesting to match the levels better.

[@robcobi]

Love the Cream but it takes off the chime that the blue/gold have IMO. I'd like to see it demoed against the ceramic Creamback (I've got one and it sounds fantastic as well).

[@trushack]

I'm with hawg427...I wonder how they sound mixed in a 2x12. Other than that, I really liked both. I have a 2x12 with Blues, so I might go Cream for a little bit of extra variety.

[@colaboytje]

The gold sounds great clean, but to spikey overdriven. All bass is gone.

[@djefferson5669]

Man, all that gear and the guy can hardly play. Really.

[@hazelstreet1654]

He cant even tune the damn guitar

[@mootsym]

curious.. would it suffice to say that if you turn the tone down on the drive pedal, that the tone coming out of the gold could be mellowed out to sound as smooth as the creamback?

[@chrisgardiner4044]

I like the Gold better because it has more of that vintage 30 appeal and the cream sounds loser not as tight.

[@NHguitar57]

Gold I use 2x12 under my 66 Bassman great tone , awesome speaker ...

[@wherewoodbinetwines]

I thought I would offer an opinion about these side-by-side demo processes in general. Before I say anything else, I wanted to say that I thought this tester did generally the "right" thing in that he let us hear the clean sound of the guitar in part of the demo which is, imho, the ONLY way to test either a guitar or an amp. I never understood guitar or amp demos where effects are used throughout the demo. What is it that you want to hear in an A/B test? Some overdriven or compressed, or reverb enhanced sound tells you nothing about the gear that is being tested. Unless that gear is an OD, compressor, or reverb pedal. I'd like to add though, that an A/B demo like this one has a lot of variables that have not been controlled for: 1. The demonstrator has given us no indication as to what the tone and volume settings of his guitar were. Imo, the volume of the guitar should have been set full up. The tone to a single standard, perhaps centered. 2. He has not told us what his amp settings were. The tone (or EQ) settings of the amp are influential to a test like this, similarly to #1 above. 3. He failed to equalize the volume of the two speakers. The apparent lower efficiency of the Cream made it seem a little "muddy" while the Gold came across as more "sparkly" to the listener. This might not have been the case if the volume of the Cream was brought up to match that of the Gold. 4. I have a Cream in a Princeton Reverb Limited Edition amp. In that experience, I can tell you that it is not at all "muddy", has excellent bass response, and is capable of sparkly highs. I have many different guitars that I've plugged into this amp/speaker combo. In all cases with this combo, I have to reduce the amp's tone control to "3", and I bring down the guitar's T control as well. Granted that these days I'm searching for a warmer "jazz" tone, but suffice it to say that the Cream produces sparkle to spare. In fact, based on this A/B demo, I'd be afraid that the Gold would be far to "ice-picky" in the same amp/speaker setup. My advice fellow guitarists is to be careful in how you interpret non-controlled A/B tests like this one. They can be hugely misleading. Always look to see that all of the other variables are controlled for. As a closing remark let me just remind you of what I wrote in my first paragraph regarding the use of FX in demo-ing guitars, speakers, or amps. It makes little sense.

[@wherewoodbinetwines]

Jon Merlin Seems to me that you didn’t read anything I wrote. I guess that’s why so-called demo testers do shoddy demos like this one. People see what they want to see, not what is.

[@Relayer6a]

I know they are both rated @ 100db but the gold sounds louder.

[@hawg427]

Both sound good, the Gold has more top end to it, more punch and crispness. If you had a darker sounding guitar the Gold would be perfect. The Cream I think would be less fatiguing to your ears if played very loud, especially in a 4x12 cab. If you had a 2x12 cab I'd put one of each it it to see what that sounds like :-)

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

focus on guitar technique/lessons instead of "boutique" gear, good playing makes good gear sound great.

[@TheEchelon]

Yeah we get it. You're saying the exact thing others have said. The guy can do whatever he wants.

[@TheBluesine]

ToneKing's playing makes it really hard too compare anything anyway,, he's not very, how I say without being mean, lets just say not the best.

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

Ok, I'm pretty wowed by the gold, great response for Hard/Vintage rock. The Cream seems better suited to metal and chugging at high volumes. Now I'm wanting a Gold :)

[@HigherPlanes]

I like the Gold best because it's the one I just purchased.

[@michaelstone7514]

Why does the gold sound so much louder if its lower watts? I think the gold sounds much better.

[@adrs2]

30W speaker can be louder than 250W speaker, because the cone will be harder, stiffer, heavier to take 250W. It can have the same dB sensitivity, but has less percieved volume with lower bass and mid content because of cone characteristics. Wattage is only mechanical and electrical resistance to failure. Depending on signal coil or cone can be destroyed. If there is too much signal that speaker can't reproduce it will be transfered to heat and coil can be burnt even at rated wattage. If You go with a bass guitar and put 40hz signal in an open back guitar cab You can blow 30W 75hz-5khz speaker with a lot less power like 5W, because of extreme cone excursion. So the wattage rating is maximal recommended input power under conditions shown in its technical sheet.

[@musicalgear1024]

These two speakers can NOT be set up the same way from an amp. They are different and voiced differently therefore you would need to use the EQ to dial in the tone you want. I love both speakers but this type comparison is one of the biggest problems on youtube. Even the 65 watt and 75 watt creambacks sound different and have to be dialed in. It`s all about the actual hardware used within the speaker. Thank God for the Greenbacks. They make life much simpler.

[@chrisgordon86]

I've owned Blue, Gold, Ruby but not the cream. I've owned Weber Blue, Silver Bell, and Grey Wolf. I've owned Eminence Red Fang and Tone Tubby Red. Out of all those the Grey Wolf is BY FAR far the best. I think the gold is a better color than cream. Now IF they made purple ones they'd win every time...Every....Time...! I think the choice of cream was a poor choice. It sounds more like a very light shade of pooh brown whereas the Gold nails the Blue sound if that even matters. They're all overrated speakers anyway. They should have just kept with the blue and the gold. They made the Ruby which is also a great color, even better than the gold but it sounds even more muffled than the light pooh brown. See Ted Weber always said if you increase the power you get a warmer speaker. So naturally the blue is brightest, then the gold, then the light pooh brown. I'd say something about that amp makes the gold sound louder in this video. The amp puts out something the gold has more of, which is why it's noticeably louder. So the GOLD WINS CLEARLY in this.

[@hammondvoodoo9555]

I've got the same impression. The Gold is louder in this video despite the same amp settings. According to the datesheets, the frequency response of both speakers is very similar (their sensitivity rating is identical) but the Cream is flatter between 3 and 6 kHz, whereas the Gold has a more pronounced 4 kHz peak. I bet that's what you hear.

[@Earlvis]

Put them both in a 2x12 closed back cab and let her eat.

[@tonefingerz2021]

jezz is that gold really that much more organic and powerful wow. oreder1 cuz of you. take ur cut

[@darrelbigdaddywhite]

I choose one of each in a cabinet! It would be full useful tone for all types of work IMO.

[@guitarmedia9171]

Love alnico celestions, just listen to that chime!

[@CallMeDblOSeven]

Forgive me TK, but IMO this vid is not your finest work - and I am a fan of your work. The Gold was noticeably louder, even though Gold and Cream supposedly have the same sensitivity. Yes, I know all Golds are not the same, nor are all Creams the same. Even so, the volume difference plus other Gold/Cream shootouts leave me wondering if the micing or something else in the signal chain was inadvertently not comparable. I don't have a dog in the race either, and for me the question is simple: They're both great speakers. If I want or need the headroom, I go with the Cream. Otherwise I save 50 bucks and take the Gold. Simple. Thanks anyway TK. I do appreciate what you do.

[@wakjob961]

Playing alone, Cream. Jammin' with accompaniment, Gold.

[@johnrichardson1867]

Gold More artitulate and balanced the Cream seemed muffled and blurred in the dirty mode , clean they sound close but still the Gold.

[@larrybird7058]

Gold More raspy and sounds like its trying to vomit up a large chunk of shit out its throat..in other words it sounds like shit..

[@andrebrito3816]

Both!

[@cruisingthethaiway6881]

Gold puts it "if your face"

[@rocker8692]

Gold sounded to much treble to me.

[@TheGuitarRoom]

How can anyone not hear the drastically superior response, dynamic range, volume, breadth, scope, articulation and honesty if the good over the cream. Really. Are we kidding. Too bright, it’s the amplification source it’s being used that is creating the highs. Turn the tree me down. The gold is profoundly a more honest speaker. Someone said safer in clubs. I’m sorry to disagree with you, but that is not the case. What it is is a more honest speaker, I’m more responsive speaker and it will showcase your mistakes more, but you have much more freedom and ability to manipulate sounding dynamics with the speaker. Incidentally I play a Trainwreck amplifier. If you are familiar with them, Ken Fischer made 88 amplifiers. The model I made, he designed for me and only made three others. I also have 12 original pre rola green back 30w celestians and 4 original blue bulldogs and several other speakers including cream and golds. So I have a broad perspective of speakers. The gold is so obviously a better speaker.

[@zumzin3119]

gold has a rich tone in distortion and is more nearer.

[@tonefingerz2021]

creams always sound muffled

[@f.d.t.f.d.t.7310]

lots of gear... technique, not so much... ;-)

[@glueforall]

At least he kept it fairly simple (prob knowing his limits playing wise). That is a plus.

[@philsnetstuff]

Gold- for my Fender amps Cream- for my distortion combo amps

[@joeellis3164]

It's difficult to tell a great deal from videos. Not just this one, but any. I liked what I heard from the Cream a little more, but both sounded really good. The Cream to me sounded a little warmer and tighter. It also sounded a little more balanced. The low end, highs and upper mids were a little more pronounced with the Gold to my ear.

[@MrElmerrocks]

1 each in a 212 cab

[@mikeowens7447]

i like the gold..gold gold..for me..

[@drewliset3182]

Cream for single coil guitars and blue for hum-bucking guitars. No brainer.

[@MistaF]

this was my exact question. I use both so it's never easy to get it "right" all the way around.

[@Deatg-ek8rf]

Blue

[@scottcampbell6839]

Gold

[@RalphKramden-q4t]

Golds need some time to break in. Creams are ready to go out the box.

[@Norton5996]

Been more helpful if you hadn't used such a crappy sounding amp.

[@DarkSim77]

Liking the Cream better..the Gold has too much treble and fizzy angry can o hornets sound.

[@markkinney5030]

the gold

[@bobboitt3126]

Wow completely different. The Gold sounded more efficient (louder) and has more bite. The Cream....more muffled...but "creamy" for sure. I like the Gold.

[@seb.despin]

Bob Boitt

[@soundknight]

cream clean and new red back dirty

[@kosmicwizard]

I vote gold

[@bertverschueren3832]

Well, first of all, tune your guitar...

[@finalredemption3660]

Dude, lern to play guitar or use somebody else to play if your going to make this shoot outs.

[@TheDogPa]

One point here, friend, is that he is a normal guy, not some hot-rodded whacko techno player that makes everything sound good. We all know and love his playing and it makes a fine reference point for this community. Watch a few old ones and join us here for more if you are so inclined. Be well.

[@studiodimanche]

Final Redemption Ouch, telling someone to learn something when you didn’t spell ‘Learn’ the right way. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@xAudiolith]

Please stop using ad hominem if you don't have an actual argument. I can see the sentiment from TheDogpa above that if you know his playing, it still serves as a good reference point. However I would have to agree that this wasn't a very good demo. Both playing wise and not a wide range, or a range at all, of playing.

[@studiodimanche]

xAudiolith I don’t really care about the playing. He’s talking about tones of each speaker, which you can clearly hear the difference. It’s not ‘rate my playing through these 2 speakers’. I actually quite enjoyed this video and referenced it when I purchased a Gold a few months ago. And sorry I offended the ad hominem gods. This guy has 9.7k subscribers, I have 50? You? Clearly, he’s doing something right.

[@xAudiolith]

Just because you liked it doesn't make it a objectively better demo. Yes you can hear the difference that is the basis of this video. It'd have just been nice to hear a bit more reference material. Comparisons are at their best when you get rid of all variables that could affect the outcome. In this case you could have even used a looper pedal or whatever and pre-recorded say a riff, some rythm stuff etc. See my point? Also I'm not sure why you are bringing up subscriber numbers. First I don't know who you are talking about has 9.7k here and I don't know how that affects me since I'm by no means a content creator of any kind on KZbin nor does it validate/invalidate anyones statement.

[@slimturnpike]

Gold sounds brittle. I like the Cream.

[@timreichert9982]

Blue

[@marcadamo6224]

Gold

[@fabiogramani3849]

Gold