Retro 30 vs Vintage 30 vs Veteran 30

[FourT6and2]

As far as V30s are concerned, isn't the Mesa V30 different than the UK V30?

I've never compared an original late '90s or earlier UK V30 with a Mesa V30. But from what Steve Fryette has said, they should be the same.

I've played my Earhart (Cornford MK50HII) through a Bogner V30 cab and a Mesa V30 cab at a couple gigs, and I did feel that the Mesa cab felt a bit warmer. I have also done separate recording sessions with that amp through an Orange 2x12 and a Chinese V30 loaded Avatar OS2x12. Now it really isn't a fair comparison since the cabs could be just as big of a variable as the speakers.

Yeah being that it was different cabs, it makes the comparison less valid. There's a big difference between a Bogner and a Mesa cab.

I think an ideal combination would be Mesa V30 speakers in a Bogner 4x12 cab.

I haven't tried that one yet. But I'm thinking about doing it. Not sure if I want to do V30s or Scumback Blackbacks though.

Also, I remember reading that the real difference between Chinese and UK made V30s is the frame. The cones are supposedly the same and made at the same factory, but the Chinese frame is stamped while the UK frame is cast. Whether or not that's true is unknown to me, but it would certainly make sense.

the frames do appear different to me. The magnet is also different. As well as a few other small differences here and there.

 

[JSutter]

Same cab, amp, mic placement, just swapped speakers for a shootout.



Amp is Mark V. Here are the V30's:

Veteran 30

Vintage 30

Its either a Hellatone 60 or regular Chinese V30. I have both and I'm not sure which I used. They both sound very different. I also have a Stiletto cab and I may prefer those versions to any other V30.

I wish I had clips of all 4. I think I like the Vet30s the best, then Mesa, then Hella, then regular.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Same cab, amp, mic placement, just swapped speakers for a shootout.



Amp is Mark V. Here are the V30's:

Veteran 30

Vintage 30

Its either a Hellatone 60 or regular Chinese V30. I have both and I'm not sure which I used. They both sound very different. I also have a Stiletto cab and I may prefer those versions to any other V30.

I wish I had clips of all 4. I think I like the Vet30s the best, then Mesa, then Hella, then regular.

those Veteran 30's sound great to me in this example!

 

[sahlomonic]

Same cab, amp, mic placement, just swapped speakers for a shootout.



Amp is Mark V. Here are the V30's:

Veteran 30

Vintage 30

Its either a Hellatone 60 or regular Chinese V30. I have both and I'm not sure which I used. They both sound very different. I also have a Stiletto cab and I may prefer those versions to any other V30.

I wish I had clips of all 4. I think I like the Vet30s the best, then Mesa, then Hella, then regular.

My Peavey brother, how are ya?!

Those clips make the Vet 30 sound far and above the V30. It'll be hard to pull me away from V30s since my main amps were more or less designed around those speakers, but I always like an underdog.

 

[Jay Cee]

I don't think you can go wrong with Reaper 30's. I have 2 in my 4X12 and find them to be damn near perfect for my 6505mh. I think i may go Retro 30's in the bottom just to mix it up because i read good things. The speakers replaced are Eminence D12V8's which are darker than all hell. Reaper 30 / Retro 30 may just be the new super combo for metal!

 

[Jay Cee]

Very interested in these retro 30's and what they bring to the table. I hear a lot of reviews about WGS missing the punch or detail of their celestion counterparts but these always seem to get fairly good reviews. Wish there were more clips available!