Celestion Alnico Gold shootout, vs 21 speakers

In this shootout video we look at the Celestion Alnico Gold. In this shootout we show how it sounds against 21 other speakers and also mixed with the same speakers in a low gain setting.
The Celestion Alnico Gold was brought out in the mid 2000s as a high powered alternative to the Blue but does have quite different tonal characteristics which we hope to illustrate in this video.
One thing to note is that mixing two speakers in a low gain situation doesn't allow for as much contrast as you may think, which is why at the start of the video we have set the blue against the individual speakers.
As always we love to hear what you think, so if you have any experience with these speakers, any preferences or any suggestions please let us know.
www.zillacabs.com/
Gear Used.
Zilla Fatbaby 1x12
Fender EC Strat
Laney VC15

[@MarkB.Guitar]

After watching your speaker shootout video with the WGS Invader 50, I sold my 1x12 cab and picked up an open back 2x12 cab and loaded it with a Alnico Gold and an Invader 50. I couldn't be happier! It absolutely nails everything I'm looking for, from punk/post-hardcore to rich, jangly cleans - thanks so much for putting these videos together, they're so helpful!

[@ZillaCabs]

That's awesome Mark, I'm glad you found it useful! Always good to hear that the videos are useful for people and that they translate well.

[@mattwarren7734]

Great to see a low gain comparison for the gold :D It was an option I considered for my custom cab but ultimately decided to go for M creambacks as I felt my rig needed the midrange emphasis. In future I may consider trying some golds however - perhaps in an open backed cab.

i loooove the alico gold, i just bought one and for meit is a must have, honestly. Bright but no fizz, not harsh ... an incredible speaker imo

[@ZillaCabs]

Yeah its a great speaker, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@loganeklund]

I’ve been running an Alnico gold and an Alnico cream together in a 212 primarily playing an AC30 and now a Matchless HC-30. Works beautifully for me! Thinking of getting a Zilla Super Fatboy built and loading it with with a Gold/Ruby combo or a Cream/Ruby combo.

[@ruthlesscutthroat4030]

the playing is awesome

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks, Joe is a great player for sure.

[@nicklee8755]

To my ears the V-Type held up incredibly well to the 3x more expensive Alnico Gold. I was really surprised. Both that and the Invader were probably the best sounding ceramics in the shootout, along with the Redback closely behind. All subjective of course.

[@ZillaCabs]

The V type got a lot of love on these videos for sure, it's not normally my go to speaker but there is a lot of love for it, there's no denying it. Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found it useful,

[@AlexanderSchwend]

5:57 V-Type 3:39 G12H 30th anniversary 1:29 V-Type

[@SCOTT-ki3ve]

The gold is the best. All chime no fizz

[@ZillaCabs]

It's one of those speakers that if you love it, you really do love it. Just a shame it wasn't cheaper ;)

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@ZillaCabs Are Celestion Gold more midrangey than Celestion G12V-70?

[@scottdavidson6066]

I’d love for you to do this kind of shoutout pairing the G12H30 70th Anniversary with 21 speakers!!

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks Scott, I'm sure we've got one somewhere, I'll try and dig it out.

[@kasakka]

Nice comparison, with some speakers you only kind of hear the trailing notes so it doesn't work too well. I think it would be easier to hear the difference with some simple chord rhythm playing, even if that's a bit monotonous.

[@ZillaCabs]

I get that, we did do some like that but people complained about a lack of single notes.... when we recorded these we initially didn't intend on doing the videos with so many speakers but next time we'll get both chords and lead work in there for sure. Thanks for the feedback.

[@aylentrees]

@@ZillaCabs that would be amazing, please!

[@Viepeo22]

Hey! I'm looking to replace the speakers in my 2x12 open back vox cab (greenbacks). I use it with a Deluxe Reverb style amp and the sound it a big muddy. I know it's most probably because of the open back, but do you think putting a blue or gold alnico would reduce the boominess and muddyness?

[@PaulProvosty]

6:39 5:58 5:50 7:04 6:55 7:28

[@BaroqueBlues]

0:41 2:18 1:32 3:42 2:50 1:00

[@padgreen]

Hi, interesting, the differences are more subtle than I'd expect. Standout speakers, for me, are the Alnico's, Greenback and Creamback's but the Gold mixes pretty well with all of the other speakers, giving slightly different flavours of a similar thing. I expect you'd hear more difference in the room than listening via KZbin? However, if I was going for an Alnico and wanted an 2x12 I'd probably just have two golds.

[@ZillaCabs]

Differences are more subtle when there isn't as much gain being used. Two golds does sound really cool.

[@albylizhard]

Hello, nice comparison. I have a custom made 1X12 cabinet with a WGS Invader 50 in it, but I find it a little harsh to my years. I recently played a Deluxe with a Celestion Fender Alnico Gold in it and it was heaven! Rounded, perfect treble when pushed never fuzzy. Would you consider an upgrade compare to my WGS? Thank you

[@MrRizoable]

I want to buy a speaker which has a fingernail deep notch in the rubber sorrounding. Will it affect the speaker negatively or can more problems occure ? Thanks in advance!

[@stepheno889]

2 holds in a hp twin, heaven!

[@ZillaCabs]

I like them in a twin too, good call.

[@aylentrees]

Gold w/ Ruby sounds super good.

[@ZillaCabs]

The Ruby is best mixed I think. I tend to find that is when I like it best.

[@realtruenorth]

​@@ZillaCabshow about a Gold mixed with an alnico creamback? In a 2 x 12?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Are Celestion Gold more midrangey than Celestion G12V-70?

[@bojackhorseman5367]

You forgot to include the alnico blue in the first part of the comparison ;)

[@ZillaCabs]

oh really? sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming with so many speakers, we should have concentrated more.

[@bojackhorseman5367]

@@ZillaCabs think of it as an observation rather than a complaint/criticism :D I figured that to compare the gold to the blue I could just look at the low gain alnico blue shootout instead.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

0:40

[@rockzilla5150]

5:49 Alnico Cream 6:06 Heritage H55 6:14 CL80 6:30 Heritage H75 7:11 G12m Heritage 7:36 Ruby