How do Greenbacks and Elite 80's stack up

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Question is in title

I've been searching on this site and on the web for a comparison of these 2 speakers but I can't seem to find one. I have found a bunch of forum threads where people talk about both the speakers in general (and V30's, and blues, etc.) but I can't find a comparison.

Background:
I have been having trouble because my current distortion sound is way too harsh for me. Of course I try messing with the knobs but for whatever reason as soon as I get rid of the harshness the sound is too bassy for me. Also, I used to run the VX with the bright switch on 1, and now I have it off and get nearly the exact same (great tone) I got before. As I mentioned though currently with my SL2x it is wayyy too harsh.

The first difference in my rig is I used to have an Avatar 2x12 with greenies and now I have a tourmaster 2x12 with the Elite 80's I'm wondering if the 80's are a harsher speaker.

The second difference in the rig is that before I had the SL2 module, and now I have the SL2x. I'm wondering if the upper mid change or whatever it is in the X is what I didn't really like about my DSL50 when I had it(distortion on the red channel was way too bright), and that maybe the SL2x just isn't for me. I really loved the SL2, but there were times when it seemed like it just could've had a little more bite so I figured the sl2x would be perfect.

The real problem I'm having is that since my 2 main guitars were stolen I don't have a guitar bassline to use. I used to have a strat with the SCN pickups and a Warmoth Tele with bareknuckle nailbomb humbuckers. Those were both stolen, and the only guitar I currently have is an AVRI Fender Jazzmaster. Now I've heard that Jazzmasters are generally more mellow guitars, but it currently is more harsh than my strat ever was and that doesn't make sense. Anyway, I'm just trying to figure out what could be causing the brightness.
 
I can't compare Greenies to the 80's, but I can directly compare them to V30's. I played my Egnater 4x12 loaded with Heritage Greenbacks next to a similar cab with V30's.

Directly comparing the two, the V30's are harder and more aggressive compared to the Greenbacks which are fatter and softer sounding. They feel better to play and take up more sonic space than the V30's which are more suited to a multi guitar band or lower tunings with high gain IMO.

I can understand how you would feel the SL2x is a bit bright and I dont know if you are also referring to the VX, but I find the VX to be anything but harsh. Its perfect with the bright switch on 1 IMO, my fav module.
 
I use a Mod 50 with the SL2 module and a 2x12 loaded with G12-65's and love it. I also like V-30's. I guess it depends on what type of tone you are after. If you are a classic rock player like I am, maybe the above mentioned speakers will give you what you seek.
 
I've used both. I like both.

I prefer E80's (80% of the time)

rootsy stuff? --->use green backs

higher gain? ---> use E80's

somewhere in between buy both.
 
Some of my random thoughts:

1. A Fender Jazzmaster is a very unique, particular sounding guitar. If that's not going to be your MAIN #1 guitar (i.e. if you're only using it now, and eventually you're going to replace your stolen guitars), then I wouldn't use that guitar as a "measuring stick" for tone, so to speak. Perhaps try to borrow a guitar with some buckers in it?

2. I'd describe the Greenbacks as pleasantly spongy, soft warm trebles, subdued bass. Not a modern sounding speaker at all. The Elite80s and CL80s are more of a full range, modern sounding speaker. It could be you're hearing frequencies that you just didn't hear before. Sounds like the E80s in your TM cab have more treble than your greenback cab.

3. Perhaps the stock SL2 with the VX and the E80s would suit you very well?
 
Valtiel":3nuqylua said:
I can't compare Greenies to the 80's, but I can directly compare them to V30's. I played my Egnater 4x12 loaded with Heritage Greenbacks next to a similar cab with V30's.

Directly comparing the two, the V30's are harder and more aggressive compared to the Greenbacks which are fatter and softer sounding. They feel better to play and take up more sonic space than the V30's which are more suited to a multi guitar band or lower tunings with high gain IMO.

I can understand how you would feel the SL2x is a bit bright and I dont know if you are also referring to the VX, but I find the VX to be anything but harsh. Its perfect with the bright switch on 1 IMO, my fav module.
Click to expand...

What I was saying about the VX is before I had the bright switch on 1...and the eq adjusted however they were and I loved it. Now with the bright switch on 1 it is way the hell too bright and with the sl2x the whole module with bright off and the treble turned down some its still too bright. Since I had the vox before I knew something else besides the amp was accounting for the harshness.

Last night I read 2 things.

1) Elite/classic 80's are pretty harsh out of the box and really benefit from break in. I do not know if this is true...but I read it.
2) AVRI Jazzmasters have a much brighter tone than the originals to a lot of people's ears.

So, last night I replaced the 1M ohm volume and tone pots in the guitar and replaced them with 500k pots. Huge improvement. Now the vox with the bright switch on 1 and eq'd similarly is perfect, and the sl2x is much less harsh.

I am building a guitar right now and I am using the exact same humbucker that was in the stolen guitar for the bridge. So, when Bareknuckle ships my humbucker sometime I will be able to test this out with the same equipment which will really help. I have a feeling the sl2x might still be just a bit bright for me, and that I might just have to go back to the ole sl2. i'm thinking the sl2 got rid of what I didn't like about the bright Marshall tone, but like I said I'll have to try the x with my new guitar. My patience is being tested though thats for sure.
 
RockStarNick":2cgmhec5 said:
Some of my random thoughts:

1. A Fender Jazzmaster is a very unique, particular sounding guitar. If that's not going to be your MAIN #1 guitar (i.e. if you're only using it now, and eventually you're going to replace your stolen guitars), then I wouldn't use that guitar as a "measuring stick" for tone, so to speak. Perhaps try to borrow a guitar with some buckers in it?

2. I'd describe the Greenbacks as pleasantly spongy, soft warm trebles, subdued bass. Not a modern sounding speaker at all. The Elite80s and CL80s are more of a full range, modern sounding speaker. It could be you're hearing frequencies that you just didn't hear before. Sounds like the E80s in your TM cab have more treble than your greenback cab.

3. Perhaps the stock SL2 with the VX and the E80s would suit you very well?
Click to expand...
Great description on your #2 point
 
Flump":2vi1x5ak said:
Valtiel":2vi1x5ak said:
I can't compare Greenies to the 80's, but I can directly compare them to V30's. I played my Egnater 4x12 loaded with Heritage Greenbacks next to a similar cab with V30's.

Directly comparing the two, the V30's are harder and more aggressive compared to the Greenbacks which are fatter and softer sounding. They feel better to play and take up more sonic space than the V30's which are more suited to a multi guitar band or lower tunings with high gain IMO.

I can understand how you would feel the SL2x is a bit bright and I dont know if you are also referring to the VX, but I find the VX to be anything but harsh. Its perfect with the bright switch on 1 IMO, my fav module.
Click to expand...

What I was saying about the VX is before I had the bright switch on 1...and the eq adjusted however they were and I loved it. Now with the bright switch on 1 it is way the hell too bright and with the sl2x the whole module with bright off and the treble turned down some its still too bright. Since I had the vox before I knew something else besides the amp was accounting for the harshness.

Last night I read 2 things.

1) Elite/classic 80's are pretty harsh out of the box and really benefit from break in. I do not know if this is true...but I read it.
2) AVRI Jazzmasters have a much brighter tone than the originals to a lot of people's ears.

So, last night I replaced the 1M ohm volume and tone pots in the guitar and replaced them with 500k pots. Huge improvement. Now the vox with the bright switch on 1 and eq'd similarly is perfect, and the sl2x is much less harsh.

I am building a guitar right now and I am using the exact same humbucker that was in the stolen guitar for the bridge. So, when Bareknuckle ships my humbucker sometime I will be able to test this out with the same equipment which will really help. I have a feeling the sl2x might still be just a bit bright for me, and that I might just have to go back to the ole sl2. i'm thinking the sl2 got rid of what I didn't like about the bright Marshall tone, but like I said I'll have to try the x with my new guitar. My patience is being tested though thats for sure.
Click to expand...

Ahh, 1meg pots can definitely be pretty bright, didnt know you had those in there. :thumbsup:
 
That one Shiva clip, in particular, does a great job of showing the difference between the Greens, V30s, and CL80s. The CL80, to me, allows much more of the AMP to shine thru. The V30s and Greenbacks sound like they color the tone alot more.

(Hence why Bruce and Jeff prefer them for the modeling Egnater series...)

This clip alone is really making me reconsider my love for V30s... that, AND, after a recent recording session, the Celesion K100 absolutely blew the V30 out of the water.
 
RockStarNick":56hqpovx said:
That one Shiva clip, in particular, does a great job of showing the difference between the Greens, V30s, and CL80s. The CL80, to me, allows much more of the AMP to shine thru. The V30s and Greenbacks sound like they color the tone alot more.

(Hence why Bruce and Jeff prefer them for the modeling Egnater series...)

This clip alone is really making me reconsider my love for V30s... that, AND, after a recent recording session, the Celesion K100 absolutely blew the V30 out of the water.
Click to expand...

It really does. It also made me realize how much I don't like V30's.

Thanks for those links hyenik
 
RockStarNick":1q6nwm4t said:
That one Shiva clip, in particular, does a great job of showing the difference between the Greens, V30s, and CL80s. The CL80, to me, allows much more of the AMP to shine thru. The V30s and Greenbacks sound like they color the tone alot more.

(Hence why Bruce and Jeff prefer them for the modeling Egnater series...)

This clip alone is really making me reconsider my love for V30s... that, AND, after a recent recording session, the Celesion K100 absolutely blew the V30 out of the water.
Click to expand...

Having tried CL80s, V30s, and K100s, but not Greenbacks a ton yet...(My Scumback M75s are on their way!!!) I find the K100 probably the easiest to get great tone out of out of all of these speakers...as well as CL80s. V30s have a distinct sound...that drives a lot of amps to have a similar tone because of that. K100s and CL80s have been by far the most "neutral" speakers for me. Anything I throw at the K100 sounds good...albiet metal...blues...jazz...rock...whatever. CL80s are the same. K100s have a voicing similar to a V30...in that they have good upper mids...but they are definitely not bumped up a lot like V30s...secondly the thing I hate most about V30s is the crackly crunchy nature the small dust cap gives when you add more gain...and grind to it. Some ppl love that...some ppl hate it. I don't find V30s sound better when pushed hard...I find they get more and more brittle the harder you push them. But again, that's me. The K100s sound great at lower volumes and high volumes. They reproduce the same types of tones at higher and lower volumes. CL80s are the same.

Greenbacks the louder they get the more spongy they get...they are the only small dust cap speaker I've played I have liked. I played a 4x12 w/ Scumback M75s and was floored how great they sound at lower and higher volumes. Granted I was playing the 65-watt M75s...which I liked better.

I personally love a K100 (or K85) w/ a CL80 (or Elite 80). Both of my TM212s have one CL80 and one K100 in each cab. and those speakers mix VERY VERY well together.

Eric
 
aeroic":2ohg7dq0 said:
I personally love a K100 (or K85) w/ a CL80 (or Elite 80). Both of my TM212s have one CL80 and one K100 in each cab. and those speakers mix VERY VERY well together.

Eric
Click to expand...

Agreed. I am running a TM2X12 with the Elite 80's and a RM50 combo with a K100 together. Sounds great.
 
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