What is a Celestion V-Type?

[BahamaDada]

Before anyone links me google.com... I know how to use Google. But... all I get is marketing bs from Celestion or vendors. No *real* opinions.

I have the opportunity for a Marshall 1936 Lead 2x12 Box. Cab says Made in England. He swapped out the speakers for those 2 V-Types and made it 8Ohm. He wants 200ish € for it.

1. Is this a good deal

and

2. Are the V-Type capable of some metal riffing (Drop C Metalcore noodling, no 7string stuff or lower).

It's a closed back so that is definitely good IMO.

No, I don't have the amp to it, though... I'm going to be 35 this summer and the amp will be the "bday present" from me to me.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

 

[BahamaDada]

Thx for the vid. When I googled the V-Type I actually already saw that.

I don't know what I should be thinking after seeing it. That's why I ask if the cab is a good deal.

 

[bikescene]

That seems like a good price for the cab, although the V-Type isn’t my first choice for a speaker. I’ve got a V-Type and have compared to a bunch of Celestions. I like it as a different flavor, but I prefer a V30 or G12T75 over it. The V-Type does sound good with gain, just a little different than the usual reference speakers.

I think it’s a bit brighter than a V30, but you can hear the relation. I’ve seen descriptions like it’s a V30 with a magnet the size of a Greenback. From memory, the lower end of the frequencies aren’t as big.

The John Browne video mentions extra 5k-6k. In a recording context, I can get the V-Type to sound close to my V30 when I notch 5k with a tight Q. It kind of sounds like a blend between a Greenback and V30, while not sounding as full. I prefer to move the mic further away from the cap than other Celestions if that gives you any indication of its brightness.

I’ve done some IRs of a V30, G12M65, G12T75, and a V-Type in identical positions if you’re interested in comparing. Although that won’t give you an idea what it’ll sound like in the room.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Big fan of the V-Type. I use a PRS HDRX 1x12 cab loaded with one in my main practice rig and it's killer. Does high gain at Drop C just fine. I find it works well anywhere a V30 would, but it's a more balanced speaker and does better when it's the only speaker type in the cab, vs the V30 that I like mixed with other speakers. FWIW, Fender also uses these in their '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb and it sounds great in it, too.

 

[BahamaDada]

Thx for your indepth/insights. I am just dipping my toe back into the "big boy amps n cabs" pond after 10 years of being mostly a digital guy. The John Browne vid had cool sounds, but I don't *know* what it should sound like exactly again. Of course I have my own taste and do (and should) make up my own opinions, but IMHO it's never bad to hear some thoughts of people, that have an idea of an "ideal sound". And sometimes that matches with your own taste and sometimes not. And both's cool, as sometimes the best thing about a bad thing is knowing what you DON'T want.

 

[la szum]

I'd Harley Benton a Cab with V30s from Thomann for that price. V-Types are Celestion
budget speakers and I have not heard one I didn't want to swap for something not a
V-Type.

 

[BahamaDada]

I'd Harley Benton a Cab with V30s from Thomann for that price. V-Types are Celestion
budget speakers and I have not heard one I didn't want to swap for something not a
V-Type.

Price wise you are right, but I wanted to get away a bit from the HB stuff tbh. Cab's a Marshall and Made in England, so that would be a start (I guess the Vtype is MIC, though?).

Ah, I don't know. I offered him straight 200. If he agrees it's a sign. If not: Also a sign. Everything's a sign.

 

[MatrixClaw]

I'd Harley Benton a Cab with V30s from Thomann for that price. V-Types are Celestion
budget speakers and I have not heard one I didn't want to swap for something not a
V-Type.

I don't know that I'd consider it a budget speaker. I think that does the V-Type a disservice when thinking of other budget Celestions, like the Seventy-80 that sounds like ass. The difference in price between the V-Type and V30 is a little more than $30. Same as the difference between the Seventy-80 and the V-Type. Curious what you've tried the V-Type in cause I've liked it just as much as any of my more expensive Celestions. Unlike speakers like the G12T-75 and the G12K-100, I find it to have more mid presence without the spikey upper mids of the V30. It sounds much closer to a G12-65 or a Creamback 65 to me, which are great speakers.

 

[la szum]

I don't know. I'd personally rather have better speakers than a Marshall cab---especially for the heavies.

Hard to go wrong with the V30s in Chugga Chugga Land.

 

[gearJunkie]

If the cab is in good condition, it's almost worth the price empty. Go for it and swap the speakers later if they don't suit your needs.

 

[The other John Browne]

Thx for your indepth/insights. I am just dipping my toe back into the "big boy amps n cabs" pond after 10 years of being mostly a digital guy. The John Browne vid had cool sounds, but I don't *know* what it should sound like exactly again. Of course I have my own taste and do (and should) make up my own opinions, but IMHO it's never bad to hear some thoughts of people, that have an idea of an "ideal sound". And sometimes that matches with your own taste and sometimes not. And both's cool, as sometimes the best thing about a bad thing is knowing what you DON'T want.

Have you tried the IRs I provided for download? Since you've been in the digital world mostly, that might help you figure out if the speaker works for you. Additionally you can get an IR pack of that speaker from my Patreon for 3 bucks if you need to hear it with different mics and in different positions. I think it's a great and undervalued speaker. If I only had one cab and it was loaded with V-Types, I would be alright

 

[6CA7-A]

Cheap-oh

 

[timbuck3]

love the v type...it has a crunchiness to it but not harsh

 

[timbuck3]

Before anyone links me google.com... I know how to use Google. But... all I get is marketing bs from Celestion or vendors. No *real* opinions.

I have the opportunity for a Marshall 1936 Lead 2x12 Box. Cab says Made in England. He swapped out the speakers for those 2 V-Types and made it 8Ohm. He wants 200ish € for it.

1. Is this a good deal

and

2. Are the V-Type capable of some metal riffing (Drop C Metalcore noodling, no 7string stuff or lower).

It's a closed back so that is definitely good IMO.

No, I don't have the amp to it, though... I'm going to be 35 this summer and the amp will be the "bday present" from me to me.

 

[Jarick]

V-Type is kind of a middle ground between Vintage 30 and Greenback. It has less of the midrange peaks and valleys of other Celestions so it's easier on the ears, but some people might find that to be boring.

They're good quality speakers that run about 30-40% less than traditional Celestions. I'm not sure what makes them budget speakers but they don't sound cheap like what you find on really bad amps, and I've never heard of them failing en masse.

Assuming the cab is in good shape that's an excellent price as the speakers cost more than that new alone. Plus you could always try mixing and matching speakers if you want, maybe throw a V30 or T75 or something in there.

 

[Fishbulb]

I've got one in my Deluxe Reverb, which I had a Vintage 30 in for a while. I ended up putting the V-Type back in, I had high hopes for the Vintage 30 but to my ears it had these kind of boxy mids and lopped-off highs that didn't work for me in that amp, just turned it into mud. The V-Type had a lot more clarity to me, although I do and always have liked the Vintage 30 with other amps and in other cabinets, etc. Hope this very scientific analysis helps! Wouldn't say I'd call the V-Type cheaply made or anything.