Celestion Vintage 30 vs. G12H-75 Creamback - Victory V40 Amp and Harley Benton G112 Vintage Cabinet

G12H-75 Creamback: thmn.to/thoprod/315344?offid=...
G12 Vintage 30: thmn.to/thoprod/156782?offid=...
Celestion speaker shoot-out using a V30 and a H Creamback with a Victory V40 "The Duchess" amp played through a Harley Benton G112 Vintage Cab.
Timestamps:
0:42 - Intro
1:48 - Set-up
2:30 - COMPARISON
9:06 - Thoughts
Affiliate Links
Speakers: redir.love/thocf/g83kr5y7g6
Mics and recording stuff: redir.love/thocf/q55sup25b4
#Celestion #HarleyBenton #TheBedroomRocker

[@gplume1099]

Great video, great information too. It really sums up all the research and information I have collected from web pages and forums on this comparison and specificity of both speakers sperately. I wish I had stumbled across this video earlier! In your audio I can't feel the difference in the Bass response your talking about but I trust you for the feel in the room :)

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the nice comment! The difference is more perceivable with more gain. I wanted to make this comparison in the studio at higher volumes and using an additional room mic, but unfortunately covid ruined my plans. Anyway, these are both great speakers that excel at different things. For a 112 open-back cabinet and for what I play (blues, classic rock, jazz), I found the H Creamback to be a better speaker.

[@heut4384]

I have both. There's a big difference between them. For my V30, I noticed the mid/treble are strong and very prominent. BUT, I lost the high frequency / presence. For my 75, I lost the mid and Bass, but the highs/presence are better (or prominent). If you want mid/treble and sound "warm," then get V30. But if you want more high/presence is because your amp is usually dark, then get the 75. It will increase your dark sound to better balanced. This is based on my experience.

[@Tstdycgyr]

great video, it answered some questions I have, and nice playing too, thanks

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Glad to hear it! Thanks

[@D14V0R05]

V30s are brighter, Creambacks are warmer, and putting both together in the same cab is such a great combo!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Yes, many ppl swear by this speaker combination!

[@Auen73]

Great job on this demo.....great sounds. I'm surprised by the similarities, I thought for sure there would be a more noticeable difference. Interesting

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

Nioce review man! Thanks! I've smashed all the smashers! Salutations from astonishingly wet but chilly Ireland! ☘️☮️🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮️☘️

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the nice comment! Salutations from an also wet and chilly Germany

[@Cyril.P-guitare]

Great video, very useful! Thx

[@LordBransty]

I really like your videos. Keep 'em coming! First BTW! :-)

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment

[@HamzaVLOGs]

It’s amazing that the H Creamback is rated 75 watts and still has tons of that woody, quintessential Greenback tone! I have one in a Limited Edition Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Incredible sounds! 🔈🔥

[@adamwatson6916]

I find the Creamback H and the Creamback M actully sound more like the vintage G12H30 and G12M25 Greenbacks than the actual modern Day Celestion G12H30 and G12M25 reissues. The Creambacks have those warm and woody vintage Mids

[@C-Ro]

I finally swapped a V30 for a Creamback M65 in ,my 212. I am quite satisfied. Thanks for the Video.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Great to hear! So it's a mismatched 212 (V30 + Creamback M65)?

[@MrMarcburger]

I would think the V30 drowns out the cream 65 with a lower efficiency rating. The 75 Cream equals the V30 in terms of efficiency.

[@monkeyxx]

great review, I think I might go with the H for a 1x12 like you did, for the reasons you said

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

It's an excellent sounding and versatile speaker! Best luck chasing those tones 🤟🏼

[@filipedelbel]

Great video! I recorded also a speaker comparison video with some different cabs! Cheers

[@FLAMENCO961]

very nice video!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thank you

[@kosmicwizard]

I think they are best together. I'm going to replace one of the V30s in my Orange PPC212CB cab with a H75. Thanks for the video!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment! Let me know how it goes. These Orange cabs have a very good reputation

[@lgv3051]

I use a v30 and h creamback in a 2x12 and it sounds so different from the demo here. The versatility of these speakers is really good. From clean to blues break up to full on over the top high gain metal madness, i can get the sound i want. Makes a big difference what kind of equipment you are running into these speakers. And i think dude is right about what they sound like at lower volume. They need to be turned up a bit to really get 'em going. 🤘

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, speakers can sound radically different depending on your amp, but also depending on the microphone choice and microphone positioning as well. I originally planned to do this video on a music room with the amp cranked, but due to Covid I could not do it. At bedroom level, the differences are less perceptible, specially for clean sounds

[@MrMarcburger]

Thanks. It's exactly what I want to go for in my home built 212s. Already have the V30s, googling 75 and 65 creamback. The 65 has a lower efficiency rating. I did already expect V30 and H75 to make an awesome pair.

[@poliboneless4658]

Thanks for this comparison. Many people think the need another guitar or pedals to find the tone they want and sometimes you just need to change the speaker. I prefer the Vintage 30 btw. Keep rocking my friend !!!!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the nice comment! Yes, the speaker is the only component in your signal chain that actually produces anything audible, yet people pay little attention to them. It gives a lot of character to the sound and, differently from an amp, pedal, or guitar, there's nothing to tweak, so really gotta find the right one. The Vintage 30 indeed recorded quite well in these sound clips. It had a bit of advantage, because I set the amp and pedals with the Vintage 30 on it, but it did a good job nevertheless. My preference for the H Creamback is also based on my overall experience rather than the sound clips alone

[@jeremymartin1555]

cool thanks !

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Welcome!

[@joserra79]

I´ve got the same amp and same cab with a Peavey Blue Marvel for playin at home and for playing with my band a 2x12 loaded with Jensen P12N and Jensen C12N. It´s a kinda dark amp...and for me the brightness of the Jensens is a very nice solution and preserves the chime.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Hey thanks for the tips! Yeah, I've always wondered how this amp would sound with the Jensen P12N. I've tried it over IRs and it was indeed quite nice, but haven't got the chance to try the real deal

[@ricardadn]

Brutal!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks a lot!

[@johnb4024]

I'm hearing a phasing issue with the combined speakers

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

That is true. I did not manage to properly align them completely in phase.

[@elcochipit]

Nice video! I planning to change the speaker in an 100w solid state combo, think the creamback 75 could round and tame the amp a bit...

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Yeah it's a great speaker! Just be careful not to crank your amp for extended periods as the speaker is rated at 75W

[@heythere6983]

Which speaker do you find to be punchier and more dynamic to how hard you hit the strings? More expressive? I find extra high end helps with punchyness . I also use single coils in p90s I like that extra round punch. Especially on the heavier strings With hammer ones or riffs .

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

I think the G12-H75 Creamback would be the best bet here. I really like how it handles the bottom end. It's super present, but quite punchy and defined as you want. However, the V30 is also great and it really depends on guitar, amp, even the cabinet. Ideally you should try them both. Maybe even try to use some IR loader to try them before pulling the trigger on a real speaker

[@horvathrichard1009]

I made the same change to my 112 harley benton. after the first record I made with the creamback, the difference was well audible in the mix. the gitars sounded less muddy, and the whole mix came alive

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

That's good to hear! It's really an awesome and versatile speaker!

[@MrMarcburger]

It must be even better now it's broken in.

[@NIn3TY0]

I like both in a 2x12

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Nice! Thanks for the comment

[@adamwatson6916]

The original V30 was a Marshall exclusive built specifically for the silver Jubilee and the Marshall versions us quite different sounding while still sounding like a V30. It's warmer and smoother and less hard sounding compared to the standard version and has less upper mids and more lower mids . I like both the regular production and the Marshall version . The Mesa Version is also different sounding..

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the info! I've found it confusing with all the different versions, branding, and manufacturing in UK and China. I've never had the chance to try, but many people say they sound significantly different

[@D14V0R05]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 Yes, there has been a different build process in certain years that makes speakers of those lines to sound different, something to do with the source of the pulp for the paper cone and the sealing on the dust cap. There is a video by SpectreSoundStudios that go more in depth about this.

[@Vale65ntin]

The more I listen to comparisons between these two speakers, the more I start to realize that the Creamback starts to shine the more you up the gain. The V30 is the exact opposite; the cleaner the sound, the better it sounds.

[@Impractical_Engineer]

V30 is the middle pickup and the Creamback is the neck pickup on a stratocaster.

[@metalmeister3054]

Do you think the g12h75 would be good for a more mid scooped sound for metal using a jcm800 if paired with a g1265 in a 2x12cab?

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

I'm not really a metal player and I haven't tried this combination to give you a good answer. The G12-65 has a very balanced sound with clear yet smooth trebble. I think the H creamback might add a nice bassy wompth to it, but it's hard to say.. Sometimes the frequencies just clash and muds the sound. Try to check the KZbin channel from Zilla Cabs. They made a series about speaker pairing and they use both of these speakers quite a bit.

[@lgv3051]

Should be an awesome combo. I use the H creamback and V30 for metal and it kills. So good. Sounds totally will my equipment than in this demo.

[@douglasdog1]

Something strange happening when you combine the speakers, like a some frequencies are cancelling out.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Yes, I agree. I am listening again now and think they might be slightly out of phase

[@johnelcanrab2114]

​@@TheBedroomRocker1yep!

[@heut4384]

After 4 years using my V30 and Creamback 75, I went back to V30. I did loved my 75, but I noticed I've lost too much the "warmth" and "mid" and "treble" and "bass" sounding. This is why I haven't used my 75 anymore. Don't get me wrong. I do like my 75. BUT... For my 75, it's too scoop and too thin and too too too tight.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, they are both great speakers, so it really depends on taste, style of playing, and other components of the rig

[@danyeo]

I have worn in old V30’s from the 90’s in a Mesa cab. I bought some new Creambacks but compared to the V30’s they lack bottom and are brighter. Sold them off.

[@rendyandrian7149]

I have both in my 2x12 combo. I use them because I want to brighten my dark sounding combo. It can't. My combo is still dark sounding. I also use IR version of both speakers from various company and combine them with amp sim from various company. Under heavy gain, they tend to sound dark. On the contrary, I listen to many youtube videos of both speakers including yours, they don't sound dark at all. Basically, I can't figure out how to make these speakers produce the tone that I want.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment! Which guitar and amp are you using? I would not consider these speakers to be bright. The Creamback is definitely on the darker/warmer sound while the V30 has more of a mid-focused sound, but neither of them have a lot of presence in the treble frequencies. You could potentially try some Celestion Alnico speakers.. the Blue, Gold, and Cream tend to have a present treble response. They are quite expensive though

[@rendyandrian7149]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 I use superstrat with emg 81 85 and my amp is blackstar ht. I cant buy celestion alnico or other brand since they arent available in my country. But I have a few IR with celestion alnico, I’ll try it. Thanks for the idea.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

@@rendyandrian7149 can you find some Jensens from the P or C series? They have the jangle and lack of low mids to compensate for your amp! Or celestion V type, or Eminence 1258, 1275, lil Texas, swamp thang or anything from the red coat series.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

@@rendyandrian7149 if your pickups are high output modern, it is natural to be on the darker side of sound.

[@heythere6983]

It’s probably your pickups. Look into the g12h 30watt anniversary . Those are mid forward and brighter . Emg pickups tend to sound scooped. Try brighter strings like some daddario exps I think. If you have thicker strings, they will sound super dark . , also , look into mid boost pedals to add brighter tones. More mid forward speakers tend to sound darker compared to speakers that highlight high end. V30s are dark because they are more midfocused but they are also very present because of that and people confuse they with brightness sometimes . Scooped speakers sound bright but also have a hollow midrange which gives them that dark feel, but they don’t have presence in the midrange, or as much clarity in the midrange. Remember this guys using single coils pickups in a fender guitar. Those are very bright sounding . Look at Seymour Duncan pickups, they tend to have high gain pickups that are bright. Ceramic pickups tend to be bright . I personally don’t like emg pickups . I like p90s. Even Regular humbuckers Have hollow midrange and spikey highs , p90s are more midrange and present. But for a lot of super gain I’d probably go with some from from Seymour Duncan with ceramic magnets . Custom custom isn’t bad. But they got heavier stuff for sure

[@GabrielSkolderblad]

When both are combined it sounds like you have some kind of Chorus thing going on :P

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Yes, thanks for the comment. I think they're somewhat out of phase, which creates this effect. I should have been more careful when mixing the signals.

[@landocalrisianguitars]

Better the Creamback is your amp is more trebbly, is It dark better V30

[@DiosDragon1111]

thanks 😎 vintage win

[@DiosDragon1111]

😧

[@canceled7443]

I converted my Benton G112 to the closed back, sounds much better

[@mapledelight]

Vintage 30 is 100db sensitivity and Creamback is 97db but you didn't think there was any output difference? I had a cannabis with 100db and felt hyper sensitive like it needed a compressor. Thats why I was looking at creambacks.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

There are two different Creambacks. The G12M-65 Creamback (medium magnet and 65W) has a 97 dB sensitivity, while the G12H-75 Creamback (heavy magnet and 75W) has a 100 dB sensitivity. The one I tested is the H-75 Creamback, so no perceivable volume difference compared to the V30. But yes, if you want your amp to compress more, using a low sensitivity speaker is a good idea because it will need to work harder to produce the same amount of volume

[@mapledelight]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 ahh cheers. Didnt realise the 75w was 100db. Thanks for the info update.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

@@mapledelight Sure! I've heard many people having success in giving their amp more/less headroom by using higher/lower sensitivity speakers. Just also keep the tonal character of the speaker in mind as in the end it should be the main decision factor

[@mapledelight]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 Cheers mate. Secondhand Victory v112 65w creamback arrived today. Looking forward to trying later.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

@@mapledelight have you tried it? How does it compare to the cannabis Rex? I liked that you said the Rex is super responsive, I need something like that. Thanks in advance.

[@DMSProduktions]

Clean there was little difference! The more gain you piled on, the more noticeable the difference became! V30 was nicer, more mids! Muito bom! \m/

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

The difference is indeed much more pronounced with gain. Obrigado!

[@DMSProduktions]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 ;o)

[@carloss.roseliguiniz1273]

In my opinion the guitar pickups favor a different speaker. Based on your sound test, the V 30 sounds rounder on the single coiled Telecaster, both clean and overdriven. A bit too bright on the 75H CB due specially overdriven, however it has a nice, tight low end. On the other hand the 75H CB sound much more open and tighter with humbuckers, specially overdriven. A bit too muddy and and "hotter" with the V30, given the scooped midrange of the latter. I like the sound of both speakers with the P90, but it sounds a bit nicer and clearer with the 75H CB. I have the same 1x12 speaker and I am considering swapping the V30 for a 8 ohm 75H creamback. In the future I may consider combining both speakers, as it seems to be a popular choice. Unfortunately your post-production mix does not show how it would sound both speakers combined live. Otherwise, this is fantastic test and very informative. Keep up the good work!

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the nice comment and for sharing your thoughts. I ended up keeping the Creamback H75 in the cabinet and quite happy with it :-)

[@adamwatson6916]

I know I'm am in the minority but I do not understand the love for the ocd pedal. I owned one for a week I could not return it fast enough. Just an awful sound but that is just me .

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment, but yes hahah, you're the minority as most ppl I know love their OCDs. It's definitely one of my favorites in terms of sound, feel, and versatility... It rarely leaves my pedal board

[@billymoss1585]

The Marshall branded Vintage speakers that came in a Silver Jubilee are NOT the same a modern Celestion vintage 30 at all.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, there seems to be quite a diference between the original Marshall V30s and the current Chinese V30s. I haven't had the chance to A/B them yet to hear for myself though

[@OscarBenben]

Thanks for the demo dude I was wondering which of the two I should buy exactly with the sale amp. You helped my choice out definitely on the creamback, more mids, less « harshy » if that is a world that exists 🙃

[@dylansalcedo2797]

Are these Celestions made in China or UK? I just returned the V30s I got in the mail today because when I bought them I thought they where made in UK. So gonn have to order them from Mesa now.

[@pavlepopovic5770]

Some chinese once actually sound better than the uk ones... not all lf them tho, hope you didn't make a mistake.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

The V30 I used here is the Chinese made one that came pre-loaded in my Harley Benton 112 cab. The H Creamback is UK made, second hand, and I ended up keeping it as my main speaker in the cabinet

[@dylansalcedo2797]

@@pavlepopovic5770 I hope not bro, but all the comparisons I have seen have shown me that I like the UK made ones the most.

[@dylansalcedo2797]

@@TheBedroomRocker1 for sure man. I’m ordering 2 V30’s and 2 H-Creambacks to put in a X shape pattern on my peavey cab. They pair so well together.

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

@@dylansalcedo2797 That will be a killer speaker cabinet!

[@darthslater6077]

I THINK YOU MEAN MADE FAMOUS BY ALEX LIFESON.

[@adamwatson6916]

I know lots of people love it but I think the OCD is awful and lacks serious mids. It reminds me of the Duncan 59 pickup no mids and highly overrated even though I love other Duncan models.

[@iangray7904]

V30s have a harsh top end, great for metal but doesn’t have the classic rock tone

[@TheBedroomRocker1]

Yes, I agree. For classic rock greenback is usually my favourite choice