why are the celestion 75's with the old label like twice as expensive used as the 90's era ones? are they actually different?

[Speeddemon]

I have a Marshall 1966B from '86, that came with the original (UK) non-vented T75's. They sound amazing. Nothing like the later versions. They actually have quite a bit of crunchy mids and more character to them than the K85's/K100's.
I've just replaced one of them and put one with a Heritage G12-65 for variety in my 1966A, so that the 1966B can have the other one together with a Mesa V30. That's my go-to cab at home.

 

[Mark Skid]

If you’ve ever played a Jube 2551 A or BV cab, those early 8 ohm Marshall Vintages are also very unique and different than the early 90s 16 ohm Vintages. Very warm and fat sounding; I drove down to Chicago to buy an AV cab years back for 300 bucks. Should’ve kept it…

I've never owned a SJ 4x12 with Marshall Vintage drivers, but I did have a Marshall clone cab made slightly smaller than a OEM 4x12. That was the best sounding 4x12 I've ever played through. I could kick myself for letting it go. My 2554 SJ combo has a MV speaker in it, and there's no-way I'd ever change it.

 

[JimAnsell]

i'm gunna have to do an a/b video if my friend will let me borrow his cab. i learned a lot of stuff in this thread that i've never read anywhere else about these speakers. i had no idea about the early ones being akin to 65's. that makes sense, because i do like both speakers. I have a cab that dates to 1999, the 75s are english, but no vent. i probably don't have the dog ears i had 10-15 years ago when i was at the height of my gear sluttiness

 

[cardinal]

'97 T75 cone

You guys with the older ones, post up pics.

 

[Speeddemon]

'1777' is the indication for 'Lead' cones, '444' are bass cones.
I found out by trial and error that the G12K-85 actually exists in both versions! The 1777 cone like in @cardinal 's picture, is ribbed. The Bass cone was smooth. It made the K85 speaker sound way too smooth, muffled, lacking sparkle, etc. for guitar.

@JimAnsell best indicator, if setting the whole vented/non-vented thing aside, is the label. The older UK made ones have the same label as in my picture, with a serifed font.


Serifed vented (1st version, most likely the most collectible if you're 'in the know' and care about a vent

Serifed (non-vented), still sounds fuckin' awesome:

Non-serifed/modern label later versions (apparently this version pictured is still made in the UK) typically sound scooped, fizzy highs, tubby lows: