Finally an Alternative to Vintage Greenbacks! AND IT’S DIRT CHEAP!!

In this clip I compare vintage Pulsonic Celestion Greenbacks to vintage Eminence Squarebacks (Square Magnets). I play both setups using a 2013 Gibson SG Custom Shop guitar trough a 1977 Marshall Superbass. The speakers are mounted in 1960B 4x12 Marshall cabs. The models are: Celestion: G12M25 75Hz T1221, and Eminence 12820S, 2x12820PA and 121460.

[@jeremiahallen5095]

Your chanel has inspired me more than any other on youtube. I truly hope you know how much we all love what you are sharing. Thank you Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! It’s so good to hear that!

[@jasonsapp792]

He deserves all the praise... Great channel, very enjoyable content

[@rbscreations71]

Hi Johan If you really like the green back speakers check out Loran to greenback clone their about 2 db ax different in the fequency www.melbournemusiccentre.com.au/lorantz-10-75w-8ohm-speaker-60025.html

[@kyrenide]

I commented a while back about including a summary of your opinion at the end, thank you so much for including it in your recent videos, your expertise is really appreciated Johan, we all know you have a wealth of knowledge to share.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks for the suggestion! :-)

[@the.family.channel]

I have played the square backs for years and have been a kept secret of sorts for me, I love brighter tones in general and have stuck these speakers in lotsa cabs over the years and always been satisfied with the outcome from clean snappy country to classic rock they have always been a fav of mine, awesome video Johan!!

[@timtompkins6752]

In one single word, “Skynyrdesque”. Lovely tones. Thanks for all your hard work Johan!

[@vox1966]

I have always used old Eminence speakers and never cared what people said I love the sound

[@guitarzilla]

Ever since I moved from San Diego to Atlanta, I am in the wrong time zone to catch the live premiere with my schedule. It is sad because this is one of my favorite you tube channels.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad you like the channel Jimmy!

[@christopherventer1784]

I actually have really liked the Eminence Alnico speakers as well. These sound good too! I bet 2 greenbacks plus 2 squarebacks would compliment one another nicely

[@vapporiesat3125]

the recent more frequent use of an SG in your videos reminded me to buy one. i did. it is great.

[@JohanSegeborn]

That makes my day my friend! Cheers

[@vapporiesat3125]

@@JohanSegeborn that thing might make my whole year ;)

[@nate6692]

Correction: Was inexpensive. Have you seen what he did to the price of Marshall Lead 12's?

[@TimMer1981]

It's the same with all the tips for cheap vintage gear: the moment a big channel gives a shout-out it's basically over. :D

[@TheGuizmo11]

you mean Johan made the prices going up?

[@nate6692]

@@TheGuizmo11 They were about $50 when he made the video. People are asking $200-$250 now. I saw a stack for $350. (dunno what they're getting, I got a head for $100 - wouldn't have paid more) When prices jump on 30 year old stuff it's usually because of some sort of exposure.

[@sneifert1968]

Seriously, I know.....

[@TheChadPad]

Nathan Stewart see, he's already bought them all and is gonna sell em for higher prices now ;)

[@guitfiddleman]

To my ears, the Eminence speakers sound brighter but in a good way. The Celestions have a bit more "bark" to them. I prefer the Eminence speakers from what I heard in your test. Well done again, and thank you for the consistent and interesting content.

[@mikecordell6855]

Put a set of square backs in my Peavey 5150 combo. Real opened up the potential of the amp.

[@cornelius5595]

I actually preferred those square backs. Not what I was expecting. Thank you for showing us these speakers. I might have to consider a set of these for a beat up 4x12 I have sitting around.

[@hearpalhere]

They both sounded amazing!

[@gerryloughran1676]

nothing wrong with either Greenbacks much warmer with great mids..Eminence got a great low end punch, tones would cut though the mix for sure ...man the SG rocks

[@guyr.c.606]

Great job Johan . An excellent demonstration illustrating the power of speaker's to shape the character of an amp . You would struggle to get that level of tonal change from valve swapping, but with speakers it's quite different. Next to the clarity of the Emi,s I felt that the greenback,s were a bit subdued in the highs, but it does have me thinking... With two speakers from each maker in one of your 4x12 cabs it could make for some really interesting audio comparisons with the two you've already done :-) Okay, I know I'm being a bit cheeky here Johan but in my defense I bet I'm not the only one that's had this thought , not to mention that you do all of this better than anyone I know. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@dwb131313]

Those square back you can really hear each string clearly on chords. I’m impressed.

[@dwb131313]

That’s amazing. I would never have believed it

[@VultCult]

I have to say I actually liked the squarebacks better on most, if not all of the comparisons. Not sure why, but the overall sound had a touch more clarity and some more midrange.

[@meadish]

They seem to 'sing' more. I don't know if that means more overtones, I am crap at describing what I am hearing.

[@torarinvik4920]

They sound totaly different, does not have the low end of greenbacks. But I think it sounds just as good, reminds me of the sensational G12-65 my second favorite after pre rola greenbacks. The problem with electric guitar is when it is in a mix it should not hog all of the low end from the bass guitar and kick drum. But when it is played by itself it might sound thin without the big fat bottom. HUGE bang for the buck.

[@narvul]

I agree.

[@stephensmith799]

YES! Space for the Bass... always

[@gkol69]

I played once in a store a Marshall TSL 100 through a Krank 4x12 with Eminence Legend 1258 speakers and I loved the sound! They sounded a lot like these you have in this video: Open and aggressive with more lows and highs. They make Celestions sound like they're under a blanket in comparison... Cheers!

[@cruzdaniels]

I had an old fender combo that died (M80) I think, with the standard fender eminence (pretty sure it's a 1258) and an old Peavey Basic combo with the square magnet 12820PA. I tried switching out the 12820 PA with the M80 speaker and they sounded identical in that cabinet. I removed the head from the M80 cab and use it as an 1x12 extension cab.

[@t.c.494]

Thanks for continuing to drive up the prices on treasure finds for the rest of us.

[@theguitarelectric5218]

I agree with you. Square backs have nice articulation. The greenbacks a very thick in the mids. Nice comparison. I would like to hear them in a wet /dry rig.

[@boogierandy7547]

Good morning from Nashville, Tennessee - Music City USA. Thanks for what you do Johan.

[@stevesteve1965]

The Square backs have more 'snap' the green backs have more 'earth'. Neither are better just different and damn good. Love to hear you do a comparison with some Fane and Tayden speakers.

[@paulojrg]

Or a 4x with two of each to broaden the sonic spectre.

[@UmVtCg]

Your asshole has more 'snap'

[@FantasticF113]

Thanks to Johan for putting this together. The Eminence speakers shown here aren't equivalent to Celestion Greenbacks, but they do have a voice all of their own and have been a hidden gem for many years ...

[@Ivayloi123]

Eminence sound actualy better. They have the perfect ballance on the bass side. Youre the man.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Ivaylo!

[@jamesbarrick3403]

Eminence makes many speakers. Model number?

[@shanemichaels8289]

Found the square back speakers after picking up a 1979 Rickenbacker amp that was destroyed during hurricane Ida. I got the amp working for a while until the transformer died. The plywood cabinet and speakers survived the flood and mud of a hurricane. They sound amazing with my jtm 50 head

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

hi .great video. it took me a very long time to admit that classic marshall tone can be improved: the 100 watters are a bit congested as oppose to big fenders which are too open. so if you put a brighter speaker (greenbacks are bright but the squars are brighter ) it opens up the sound. i achieve something similar by swapping the first preamp tube (v1)to a classic fender blackface tube the ge jan 12ax7wa it also cleans the amp adds definition to the low notes and the breakup is later. if you would look at a tone graph it would be obvious.it also works the other way. take a bright fender like a super or a twin,swap the speakers to celestion or hook it to a closed back marshall cab...or put a mullard i63 (best biggest bass ever! )tube in the first slot and you get more preamp gain - earlier breakup (good for fender)much more low mid and a more balanced tone much better for drive and you don't need that stupid tubescreamer everybody uses. please use nos tubes i'll be happy to suggest. for this amp v1 mullard i61(jtm 45) v2 mullard i61 (jtm 45)v3 mullard i63(jmp). thanks!

[@jameswilson3554]

Honestly I believe I like the square back speakers best they had more mid and more crisper sound. Big difference..good demo. Thanks for the comparison..I have a 50s Gibson amp needs a 10inch speaker...great video.

[@scootertrasher1369]

I have a pair of squarebacks that came in a Blackface Bassman speaker cabinet,I bought from Guitar Center for $120 a couple years ago, cork sniffers turn they're nose up at them , but they sound good to me, they were pretty much standard replacements for blown speakers in Deluxe Reverbs, in the seventies :)

[@blues62751]

Great demo brother ! I can't tell the difference. Thanks for the info. !

[@jimg5413]

Square Backs Sounded Great!! Thnx for the 411 as always.

[@alexyacovelli7192]

Thanks for this awesome tip! Loved the video.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

I have a dozen of those. Never knew who made them, but sound great. Also had an Ampeg V4 head on and Ampeg 4-12" with 4 of these.

[@snowyrain5730]

You can always tell by the part number. All Eminence speakers have a stamped code on the basket: "67-xxxxx"

[@supersonicnomad8437]

I think...ill keep an eye out for these Eminence square backs!

[@Dan79istheman]

They sounded great Johan! “Let’s Go”, to eBay to buy some right now, ha ha. You need to get a shirt printed with your head on it and that caption, “Let’s Go”! I’d buy it. You legend.

[@mikaso]

Dang it I prefer the squarebacks in every single clip!

[@JohanSegeborn]

:-) Cheers

[@PapaWheelie1]

mikaso - same I always try to watch Johans videos with my eyes closed and make opinions then go back and watch again to see Edit: Johan not John

[@SuprachargerMusic]

@@JohanSegeborn I think reason why these seem so so so good, is because you have two variants. So in this clip, it's more like comparing say an H75 with a H65\H75 at the same time. You have two speakers with slightly different frequency curves that are really complimenting each other. My guess is that if you did just one pair in a 12 vs the greenback, it wouldn't be nearly as good. Food for thought. Pairing speakers makes a HUGE difference.

[@bulletproofzest]

Wow the 12820s sound great! Normally I don't think anything hangs with the greenbacks, but these really do (though each has its own strength without a doubt). I ordered a pair for $60 not long ago, hope they're as awesome as these are.

[@-TheZilvers-7812]

I think the green backs have less tone and the squares have more tone and I prefer the green backs but since you have one can you post a demo of the squares but with the tone knob down a bit??

[@Eventual420]

Keep rockin’, Marshall dude!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers man!

[@_RLP]

With that guitar and amp, I like those better. The scoop gives them better definition and takes away some of the excessive low-end. Pretty dope, man. Cheers

[@dezionlion]

Now you got me on eBay looking up all kinds of cheaper and mid priced vintage speakers! If you could do a video on those that would be awesome! For example CT’s, Rola, Utah, magnatone magnavox,, etc , etc These pea eyes sound great! Thanks!

[@harles5000]

Both sound great I wouldn’t balk at either setup, I wonder what they would sound like combined two of each!

[@50gary]

Johan, fun comparison, at that price point the Eminence L7-backs are a clear winner. more clarity on the Eminence. However, the major difference I hear is really the Celestions have that percussive sound and feel on the attack, also more bottom end to my old ears. I would not hesitate to buy them. I also like the funky look too.

[@meadish]

Much to the sorrow of my budget, I usually always prefer the more expensive gear in these comparisons - but not in this one. Those Eminences really rock.

[@MikeCindyWhite]

For the price they sound great!! Thanks bro 🎸🎸👍

[@TheDogPa]

I had an Ampex with them. I dropped and busted one. The guy at the shop got me a round mag 'cerwin' from the same era that he said was basically the same thing. He would know, because he was the guy who basically invented speaker reconing in the early 50's at Speaker Repair of California. Sounded the same to me. Seeing that cab with 3 square and one round mag reminded me.

[@grinningDEATH76]

Running a 5 watt tube amp into kustom square back for home use. Sounds great to my ears

[@bmwcarrmann429]

You are right the Emminence speaker are really clean the celestion speakers are muddy British sound.the sound is good on both but I like clean clean sound.both are good but the Emminence is very good clean n clear sounding.

[@TheChadPad]

Damn, they both sound amazing

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@wasichu66]

Love the clarity of the Eminence. Used to have a '73 Fender Twin with one original blue Jensen and one Eminence square back, and that clean sound was the sound of angels.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@saddle8bag]

Great find Johan. I think I like them better. Seem a little clearer/brighter and probably cut better too without being ice picky.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks,!

[@pulpero666]

Your channel is like ASMR for guitar players

[@jasonsapp792]

Second riff really demonstrates how much clarity the Eminence speaker has over the Celestion....I like them...I am sure some will say they are harsh or treble enhanced ...some Eq-ing could tone that down

[@mr.anderson70]

Just purchased all of the Squarebacks on Ebay. I'll be resisting them after this video premiers.

[@nate6692]

Someone's already got em up for $220 for a pair

[@dinosaursdoingtherobot850]

Yea but for that price you could get a pair of 1960 Jensen p12n with silk cones that are on all your favorite songs from David gilmour to jimi page used them in the recording studio

[@UmVtCg]

Got a container full of these, will be undercutting you at every price

[@benlogan430]

The used gear market doesn’t run on the supply and demand principle since KZbin, it’s more of a seller price gouging situation. Someone post a video and the sellers increase the price which just drops the consumer demand. It’s gotten crazy town! Sweet video Johan! Excellent tones, but I like the eminence speakers better!

[@morsecode7302]

I feel validated. I got a 10 inch square back in a peavey amp and I ended up turning it into to a cab and I love it. I was thinking though do I just have bad taste or an untrained ear to love an old stock speaker from a combo amp. Nope I’m just tuned in 🎉

[@Intedencefer]

They seem to have more lows and upper mids than the greenbacks. A little less smokey and less of that Celestion grind, maybe a bit more cut in the mix. They really do hold up exceptionally well! I bought a squareback for my vintage 60's Silvertone 1483 (old budget speaker for an old budget amp, sounds right to me!) after your last video. Compared to a G12H-30 Anniversary, it's a LOT less fizzy. Less highs and more lower mids. I can crank up the amp more now without that unpleasant fizz that seems to plague so many modern speakers. Cheers, Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers Stevie!

[@ChadAnthonyTheReaper]

I actually thought the squarebacks had more "mojo" in the high mids and highs. Wow, shocking considering no other speaker has touched the m25w 75hz geenbacks. Thank you so much. You are a genius with speakers and celestion should collaborate with you to make a new 65w speaker.

[@stijnvergeer7116]

I think the squarebacks are really great! Could you also do a video with the squarebacks in a 1x12 maybe?

[@blackcountryblues2194]

Great sounding speakers for the money, cheers, Clive🍺✌

[@EasyHeat]

Had to sell my Lead 15 : ( Got a Micro Dark Orange tho. Love it. I got a cab that needs speakers. I will look into these as I always loved Greenbacks. Cheers!

[@charliegreer2317]

They sound great. Thanks for the info.....Cheers...

[@cchavez248]

Honestly, a 4x12 cab loaded with 2 each of these speakers would slay!

[@geryhatrix]

The Eminence actually sounded "better" to my ears overall. Clearer, a bit brighter and tighter and seemed to let the amp's upper end sound come through more. The Celestion was "thicker" or "darker". I wonder if the power soak colored the frequency response of the Celestion though. I imagine that both will do the job with a tiny bit of amp EQ tweaking. Money-wise - WOW!! I love Celestions but I'd go with the Eminence on this one.

[@aaronsg71]

I still have my SUNN 3X12 cab with 1974 alnico Eminence speakers w/ aluminum dust caps(horseshoe) and they still sound nice and warm

[@bennyjones1597]

I got to say they did sound good but I would really like to be there to hear them wow I take your word for it because I know what up amp and cabinet Guru You Are

[@larryjeffryes6168]

Awesome and I’m looking for them. Dream if making own amp just got closer!

[@jonnybeck6723]

Oh, and were the tests done with the backs off and open or closed and re-attached? Thanx again

[@peterschmidt9942]

The green back had a nice growl to it with a bit more body. The eminence sounded better on the high end though. It would be interesting to see what the specs of the speakers are. I did a search and couldn't find much on them. Johan, maybe compare the eminence with a vintage 30 if you have one laying around?

[@Andrew850]

love the square backs

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Well done and thanks for sharing brother! Be Well Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks brother! Have a great day!

[@SCOTT-ki3ve]

Just ordered a 1973 75w eminence squareback from an Ampeg vt 22 combo. Gonna put it in a 2 x12 plywood custom closed back cab with a 1980's marshal vinatge 30. Cant wait. Just worried the sensitivity on the emi might be too low. Fingers crossed

[@peterlukach310]

Eminence surprised me. I really like these.

[@beatleme2]

i got a pair of these from a peavey classic, i learned to play guitar on back in the day tube ouput SS pre..i wore out then got fender all tube amps ..i got 8 of these in a 4-12 peavey columns like on lynyrd skynrd album 'one more from/for the road'...but once you play a Jbl d120f i can't go back to these for guitar.but tempting man, recreate my youth ..but that would take me back to my homegrown yrs, hehe

[@riffsnoleads]

I like the Eminence growl more than the Celestion snarl.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers Abraham!

[@lucastegers]

Hi Johan, could you review the London City amps from the late 60’s-early 70’s? They’re super lead/bass 100 clones from Amsterdam.

[@Clutch3672]

Can you put one in a Vox AC15C1 to compare with the greenback and the Alnico blue?

[@macnasty7605]

right on ! are these the ones that music man mounted on 75w 212 and 210 ?

[@SuddenAccess]

With the Eminence, it sounds like there is a treble booster engaged.

[@Intedencefer]

Looks like there are some Eminence Squarebacks available on Reverb again, so I guess Squareback Fever has subsided for now!

[@jonnybeck6723]

So what is a pulsonic cone, anyway? Is this typical or izzit sumpin special... And I agree, the square mags were clearer and a bit scooped whilst the Greenies were kind of compressed and more middle-y. Thanx for the video, BTW.

[@ZacmacRR]

Are these the same square back eminence speakers in 70's Ampegs?

[@cedricke]

I have 1976 Eminence 12" speaker Square back [580151-1] in my Ampeg GU12, I don't know if it's the same or if it's original but it sounds pretty good!!

[@mattmorgan2400]

Great demo! Love the Emi's. But now they're expensive. Ugh!

[@juancarlosgranados4425]

I only haveva 2x12 cab. Wich pair of Eminence should I put on?

[@rockrollresale2668]

How about a clip with both cabs together. I think a mixed cab would also sound, great covering all the bases.

[@geryhatrix]

Can you do a shootout with some Fane/Hiwatt speakers versus Celestions and/or Eminences? I have a Mather custom 2x12 cab that I put a Vintage 30 and 50watt Fane (from a Hiwatt 4x12 acb) into and that cab is KILLER!!!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Hi, Johan! I feel really ok with the square speakers, but Greens are just a little more bass. Maybe to put them together both? But the final solo sais me now: "GOOD GUITARIST" is the best way to get groove. I think, they are ok both, because you are to much stronger! ) C.Y. Zigfrid

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks my friend! See you!

[@fyrcrack1]

When did Eminence start making square magnet speakers?

[@simonspeaker]

what is the wattage and impedance of the 12820S ? mine it was in a cheap peavey single speaker

[@SgtPnkks]

I think it was 83 or 84 when the square backs started getting replaced in peavey by the roundback version... I'd almost be curious about a comparison of square vs round eminence speakers from that time

[@voxpathfinder15r]

Johan, you should pick up a couple of Celestion VX10 pulled from Vox AC4 10” models & the Vox AC10C1. I think you will be surprised how much it sounds like a greenback

[@alanst.4417]

Thanks for uncovering this hidden square gem. Great sounding indeed, a little brighter than the greenbacks, but I agree that may be a pro in some cases. Definitely used to be a great bang for the buck, now the prices are gonna go through the roof ;-) Rock on Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Rock on man! :-)

[@Darkaxelgaming-tt7ip]

I wonder if those eminence speakers would sound good for nirvana tones?

[@jvin248]

I liked the sound of the Es better than the Cs, lol. Cs tended too muddy-ish. Which modern cheap speakers, in plentiful supply, match?

[@wrayven]

The Celestions sound dull next to the Eminence. That particular Eminence speaker is very similar to the square magnet "CTS" speakers that came in 70's Ampeg cabs(I would actually say the same). The man who founded Eminence in 1966 originally worked as an engineer for CTS and Magnavox(who later owned Ampeg by 70/71). Eminence originally started to supply Everett Hull of Ampeg 18 inch speakers for the Portaflex. After the beginning of the 70's, many US guitar amps came with Eminence speakers. It wouldn't be surprising that many "CTS" or "Magnavox" speakers were made in Kentucky by Eminence(environmental laws and cheaper labor). In fact the company is still the OEM supplier for many US guitar amp and stereo companies.

[@madmod]

What are the square back speakers in the peavey vt classic? Similar too these? I loved the playing also.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! These speakers are from VT and a Studio Pro 40 actually

[@madmod]

@@JohanSegeborn thats sweet. I used to play my randall through the tube power amp on my vt classic for a killer lead tone and i loved these speakers.

[@stevenarseneault1972]

How about combining them in the same cab or playing in stereo in two seperate amps with one cab green and the other squares....

[@jasonsapp792]

Johan I need you to do a review on a Squier Stagemaster Standard from 1999 so mine go up in value....lol

[@L.J.S.P.]

Eminence, all the way! Howdy, Johan, checkout the used list on Guitar center from time to time - I found "1970s," Fender bassman, 4x12 for $133 and it had 4 alnico speakers that sound beautiful. The following year I found another "1970s", Bassman cab 2x15 by fender and bought it for 199$. They take anything I throw at them - they've NOT yet farted out ONCE. I drive them with a Mesa Boogie DC-10 with the bass slider, 80hz, eq @ +12db. I have yet to see if the 2x15 is original.