Celestion Classic Lead 80 shootout

[@ZillaCabs]

How do you think the Classic Lead 80 held up? Let us know below!

[@billknudson7895]

This was extremely useful! Perhaps the most accurate representation of the Celestion line I’ve ever heard. I just bought a Classic Lead 80. This comparison really convinced me that it was a great choice. It’s also the perfect reference to use when I’m thinking about trying out other Celestion models. Thanks to your efforts, I’m going to have a great time tomorrow putting it to work. Well done!

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks Bill that's great, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@zenwarfare70]

Great video. It made my choice so much easier. Thanks a bunch!

[@Kathayne636]

Awesome video. Love the frequency graph!

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@MarceloJavierMazaLuparia]

Extremely helpful vid! I was with the idea of mixing a Vintage 30 wich a Classic Lead 80 and this vid help me realize that I might be better to get a VType.

[@jkf9167]

I like this one. It's got a lot of things I like about the G1265 and 75-T, but fuller-sounding, with more lows and low mids, and less high mids, but still enough. It seems to hit a sweet spot because it's got that classic ring. I could imagine wanting more mids and then going for a 75-Watt Creamback, but then again I could imagine the Classic Lead 80 hitting the spot.

[@ZillaCabs]

Hi Josh, those three speakers are pretty closely linked in a lot of ways. I think I should do a video on the relationship between the three speakers.

[@mickmulders]

I’ve been using Celestion Classic Lead 80s for 15-20 years now. My Fender Twins all have them. Replaced them from JBLs and Eminence. Actually started with Mesa Black Shadow MC90s which sound very similar to the CL80s. I believe they are the same I heard somebody at Mesa say. Few months back I got a Victory Duchess that came with a 2x12 cab loaded with Creambacks. Now these are great speakers. Maybe my taste has changed over the years etc. But manoman wonderful speakers good for clean and dirt. Worth considering for y’all

[@patriciodenzer9368]

Great work! Really like the sound of the G12M Greenback (0:28) and G12H Anniversary (1:54)

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks Patricio, glad you liked it, thanks for watching.... oh and you can;t go wrong with an M greenback

[@ver251209]

What a test great comparison. Great series of test.

[@mickmulders]

Great videos btw and very useful. Many thanks for all the efforts you guys did putting these together. I like the “scientific” approach.

[@givemeajackson]

my favourite speaker

[@ZillaCabs]

Great, always good to hear from someone who likes the CL80.

[@Bognerman14]

How do they compare to Celestion Mesa MC90s?

[@UnremarkableMarx]

@@Bognerman14 related. Maybe the C90 has a touch more mass on the magnet because it's meant to handle just under full crank of a 100 watter for Mesa's needs. There is also a vent looking thing on the c90. Same cone, very related range. Could dial them to be very similar. Maybe the voicecoil is a little bigger. But can't be significantly different. Certainly not

[@Bognerman14]

@@UnremarkableMarx Thanks! I want to combine one with a Redbacks or K-100. The MC90 sounds fuller and darker, warmer.

[@thomaschilds8781]

Helpful video! I have a 2x12 with creamback 75 and a V-Type. Driving it with a victory Kraken. I was thinking about swapping the V-Type to a CL80 for more of an 80s flavour. But wondered if it might tame the tops too much?

[@zenwarfare70]

I`m going for the Celestion G12 Creamback 65W

[@kalleankaa7536]

Very nice and useful review. Thanks.. the clsest to cl80 is the redback 150watts.. interesting. Check at 7.23

[@craigorio505]

I thought so too

[@whoisthenext1]

Classic Lead, G12-75, G12-65, and G12H Redback very similar overall sound. Differences about them are in highs.

[@ZillaCabs]

Funny you should say that, but they are all fairly closely linked, or at least the first three. The first three all came out at a similar time to provide a higher powered alternative to the greenback. Thanks for watching as always mate.

[@SpongeBoss]

This is great. Thx a lot!

[@ZillaCabs]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@jenkinses8121]

For my taste, it mixed best with the G12H30 Heritage, whether 55hz or 75hz

[@Cougar139tweak]

After using Creambacks and Greenbacks, everything else sounds like a Greenback down a hallway.....

[@ZillaCabs]

There is a certain warmth that comes from the greenback and some of the creambacks that often seems missing from other speakers.

[@jasonholt4132]

Please do a tone tubby shootout! No one including me has any idea how these speakers compare to other ones they are super intriguing though

[@ZillaCabs]

Hi Jason, that's a good shout. Unfortunately I think we only have two Tone Tubby speakers, we do talk occasionally though and I'm hoping to sort out a load of their other models. It would be good to have them in for sure.

[@alastairtilley3585]

That mystery speaker though...

[@ZillaCabs]

haha have you guess what it is or did we talk about it when you were down?

[@alastairtilley3585]

@@ZillaCabs I haven't guessed, and we didn't discuss. Are you planning a big reveal?

[@thomaschilds8781]

My guess: George Lynch?

[@semdallinga69]

@@thomaschilds8781 my guess would be, a Celestion Hempback. Came out earlier this year, and has a greenback type sound with less highs

[@IgnisIban]

My guess is the A type

[@andrewspade7969]

I brought some cl80 speakers, partly from youtube videos as well as there being a speaker shortage. They have a lot of low end, the midrange frequency sits a bit higher than neutral and they are not a bright speaker, if I try to get a bit more brightness the top end becomes harsh. They also need about 20 hours break'in before they start to sound any good. They won't be the perfect speaker for every amp but mix well with a brighter sounding speaker.

[@hayabusa1300100]

The 80’s our a killer speaker and I also like the older 75’s both our great if you have a amp or combo that is over the top gain monster to my ears these speakers our absolutely awesome in those applications but there more at play here room size , pickups , the voicing of the amp but I use my volume on my guitar to roll off each to there own playing style buy what fits for you let your ears be the your judge I like them both

[@shred5]

I replaced some of the 75s which I absolutely hated with Classic Leads - what an improvement (other than being stupid loud)

[@alrecks619]

sounds like CL80 will bite like the V30 if you mike it up with mics that are often being used for toms like MD421 or something like that.

[@ZillaCabs]

That's true, mics and mic placements can often bring out qualities that are more desirable to you rather than just changing a speaker. That's a great comment.

[@timmbosliice]

Hi, I was wondering if you guys could help me with a recommendation for a speaker to combine with a Vintage 30 for my Marshall DSL20HR. I have the matching cab (MX212AR) and currently have a G12T-75 in the top but wanna replace it with something that will make my tone a bit more full in the mids and really smooth in the top end. I'm mostly going for an overdriven 80's hair metal sound like Motley Crue. I was thinking a G12M-65 Creamback? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks and awesome video like always, cheers! Edit: Just ordered the Creamback but still open to suggestions.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Creamback is like the crossroad of Celestion ceramic speakers. It will do the job. A modern classic. Go on.

[@stanmuso1]

Has it more midrange than the Celestion Black Shadow MC-90? I find the MC-90 a bit scooped in a Fender Hotrod Deluxe.

[@ZillaCabs]

We have a black shadow video lines up, fingers crossed it'll be out in a month or two.

[@redstrat5976]

0:35-0:43 Celestion G12-60 century vintage and lead 80 sound the best

[@frankscassi4960]

I'd like to hear a comparison between an original G12-80 and a modern Classic Lead 80, I wonder if they are identical or not

[@ZillaCabs]

They definitely wont be identical due to the availability of parts and age but I'll try and dig one out and do a video on that for sure.

[@frankscassi4960]

@@ZillaCabs I asked because I have an original '80s cab loaded with those speakers, and when people ask me how to get a similar sound I suggest the Classic Lead 80 which should be a recreation of the originals, but never had the chance to compare them

[@giorgosk2884]

I have read that even they are suposed be same king of they really sound a bit different. Great speakers both

[@craigorio505]

And the mystery speaker is…?

[@ZillaCabs]

It's the Celestion Hempback.

[@jacobgregorowski98]

What amp do you use?

[@dynkle]

CL80 - V30 in my 2x12 Shiva combo is perfect way better than M65 - V30

[@ZillaCabs]

It's a cool mix for sure, one that's not used as much as it should be. Thanks for watching.

[@nmc9x23]

The CL80 is the best 12 that Celestion makes. It is their only 12 that sounds great at all volumes. The rest are very tiresome at gig volumes.

[@ZillaCabs]

I wouldn't say all the rest are tiresome at gig volumes but you are right that the CL80 holds up really well loud. I think that is largely to do with it being a fairly articulate speaker and its higher power handling. Thanks for watching.

[@nmc9x23]

@@ZillaCabs I went from GB to V30 to T75 and all just left me wanting. At the time I was running my 7 string Ibanez R n S series thru my Laney Vh100, Laney TT50 or my Peavey XXX. I eventually sold the v30 t75 mixed 4x12 & was using a Line 6 Vetta 4x12 that had their rebranded CL80s. I only switched from that cab because some gave me a great offer and I had gotten a custom 4x12 w Eminence v12s, which to my ears are the perfect speaker. Tbh I would buy that vetta 4x12 in a second if it I saw 1! Love your channel!

[@sreckosreckovic2472]

U. K. or made in China?

[@ZillaCabs]

These are made in the UK now. The Chinese ones sound great too, but as far as I'm aware the CL80 are all UK built now.

[@sreckosreckovic2472]

@@ZillaCabs Thank you so much!!

[@JasonsDigitalStuff]

the CL80 sounds almost muffled. Not a good presence in that speaker, atleast from this video

[@ZillaCabs]

It does sound darker but I wouldn't say muffled myself. Speakers will sound different in different situations. Also remember that we don't go through the eq for each speaker.

[@serdiezv]

It kinda sounds like a T75 with a bit of the classic EQ to tame the air and some of the highs

[@moustachio334]

It's not dull. It's just that other Celestions asides from the Creambacks are much to harsh and nasally. I watched a funny video of a 4x12 loaded with Greenbacks vs a single Fane and the single Fane sounded bigger and stronger with plenty of high end. I don't know why Celestion gets the notoriety that they. I've had Greenbacks and a Vintage 30 and ended up thinking i hate all things Celestion, but then i heard the Creamback 75 and started browsing their speaker like and came across the CL80. My style of playing is akin to a singing lead tone like Santana. CL80's really help to take the edge off of single notes. If your guitar heros used Greenbacks then by all means enjoy them. For me I'm looking forward to a CL80 and Creamback 75 2x12

[@serdiezv]

@@moustachio334 it's because a lot of speakers tend to sound kinda muffled with palm muted riffing and such. Celestion speakers tend to sound better in a mix because of that harshness, the upper part gets swallowed up by cymbals and you end up with a high mid rich sound, whereas more tamed speakers (like the Creamback) tend to get a bit lost. I personally think that V30s and CL80s in an X pattern is the best of both worlds.

[@DiosDragon1111]

6:03 6:27 6:39 🤔 7:41 7:51 🤔 8:53