Need a little Celestion Blackback versus Green back info...

[Laura]

I just obtained some old GB's. My friend has some Blackbacks. What are the differences between the 2 speakers? I read somewhere that some BB's are G12H30's. Is that accurate? Any info is appreciated. My friend is gonna load a cab with 2 of his BB's and my 2 GB's to check out. Thoughts? Insight? Thanks!

 

[MrDan666]

It's really just to do with the era they were made in. I have a 1978 Marshall cab with the Blackback G12H-30's, and my friend Darren has a 1977 with Blackback G12-M's. They made both G12-M's and G12-H's in each different colour.

The Greenbacks were the early years, then after that there was Creambacks and then Blackbacks came next.. Im pretty sure that's right from what i can remember.

 

[MrDan666]

Different cones, voice coils. Generally, the greenbacks have a more desirable voice coil and / or cone. They come in many different configurations. You can have m25's, h30's, 75hz, 55hz in either green or black backs. There are also cream and gray backs mixed in between with any of the above configurations. It is tough to tell what is "better" since everyone had different ears. My favorite is the blackback H30 w/ 55hz. and I currently have 2 4x12's loaded with them. I also have pre-rola 25's, early 70's 25's and even a quad of blackback 25's. They ALL sound different and believe it or not, the pre-rola m25's are some of the most desirable and my least favorite.

I learn something new everyday! Thanks for the info Dave

Funnily enough, my fav's are also the Blackback H30 55hz! I have them in my main cab and they sound unreal with the modded Marshalls!

I have an early 70's Marshall 4x12 loaded with 1978 G12-65's too. That one sounds killer!

 

[MrDan666]

I also have 2 4x12's loaded with 65's. They too also have different cones that sound differently

Believe it or not, I really like the 75's with the tone bras.


sorry about hijacking the thread.

I usually hate 75's with a passion!! I'd be interested in hearing those with the tone-bras, seeing as we both seem to like similar tones!

Yeah i heard the 65's do have different cones throughout the years.. Not sure which mine are, i'll have to check. People tell me they usually sound smooth, but the ones i have sound kinda bright.. On the other hand, my Blackback H30 cab seems darker sounding than the 65's, or atleast i find the Blackback H30 has more low end to balance out the brightness.

 

[Laura]

It's really just to do with the era they were made in. I have a 1978 Marshall cab with the Blackback G12H-30's, and my friend Darren has a 1977 with Blackback G12-M's. They made both G12-M's and G12-H's in each different colour.

The Greenbacks were the early years, then after that there was Creambacks and then Blackbacks came next.. Im pretty sure that's right from what i can remember.

Different cones, voice coils. Generally, the greenbacks have a more desirable voice coil and / or cone. They come in many different configurations. You can have m25's, h30's, 75hz, 55hz in either green or black backs. There are also cream and gray backs mixed in between with any of the above configurations. It is tough to tell what is "better" since everyone had different ears. My favorite is the blackback H30 w/ 55hz. and I currently have 2 4x12's loaded with them. I also have pre-rola 25's, early 70's 25's and even a quad of blackback 25's. They ALL sound different and believe it or not, the pre-rola m25's are some of the most desirable and my least favorite.

See. I knew that you would know Dave. I should have just emailed you and asked...

I have not plugged my GB's in yet but Doug Roccaforte told me how to check them and they are fine (other then the hole) which I can mend. I keep thinking a GB/H30 cab would be cool along with a V30/H30 cab but I have 4 WGS ET65's also now so I don't know what to do and I only have 2 additional 4x12 cabs to mess with (my Splawns are killer as is)....decisions, decisions...

 

[mincy]

More info than you'd probably ever want about greenback and blackbacks.

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=67646

You may need to cut and paste the link into your browser. Sometimes Gear Page links come up invalid when you click on them.

 

[Digital Jams]

I also have 2 4x12's loaded with 65's. They too also have different cones that sound differently

Believe it or not, I really like the 75's with the tone bras.


sorry about hijacking the thread.

Dave, what cab did you bring to the Fortin fest?

 

[bsp01]

http://professional.celestion.com/guita ... /index.asp

My G12Ms have got black covers, how are they different to the Greenback?

Although the standard colour for G12M rear covers was green ('field green' it was called originally), G12M and G12H speakers were also made with black, as well as grey, beige and cream rear covers at various times. This was probably due to a shortage of the correct colour plastic to make them from (e.g. late delivery of the raw material). The different colour covers were only a cosmetic change not affecting the acoustic performance of the speakers in any way. Black, grey, cream, beige or green, they're all 'Greenbacks'.

 

[mincy]

Sorry, but that info is 100% incorrect. It is known in the vintage amps/cabinets/speakers world that there were many changes over the years and while there may be some changes overlap between some types, they are NOT all the same. Go talk to Jim at Scumback... he has owned over 400 vintage speakers... Also, Lewis from Lewis amps along with Merren Audio have been in 100's of original Celestions and have noted the changes. I am not arguing, I am stating fact Dont believe me... go ask them.

Definitely talk to Jim at Scumback. The thread I posted for the Gear Page is a thread he started that details the greenbacks and blackbacks based on his experience owning them and trying to duplicate their sound for his speakers . He's got a ton of info posted in it and updates it regularly.