Recommend me a new speaker to go with a V30

I have a nice 1x12 open backed combo, that has a Celestion V30, about 18 watts, and 2xEL84's. It sounds pretty good for high gain stuff, but can be a little harsh & bright for cleaner tones.

So, I am planning on getting an extension cab that is convertible between open & closed back. I intend to use the extension cab with the combo's onboard speaker, and sometimes just the extension cab.

So, I am wondering if there is a speaker that will cover clean to blues to classic rock that I can put in the cab. I'm thinking that a G12H might be worth a try, but I seem to recall these can be a bit bright. I'm also tempted to try the Eminence Governor, but I'm not sure if this will be too similar to the V30, not how good it would sound for blues.

Anyway, if you have any suggestions, lets have 'em. :lol:

Eminence Cannabis Rex - very lush, laid-back treble, and probably loud enough to keep up with the terribly harsh nasal "sounds" emanating from the V30.

I have a combo very similar to yours - open back, 2x EL84, 16W - the Carvin Vintage 16; this came equipped with the V30, and it only started sounding good after I replaced that speaker (that isn't good for anything but hard-rock or metal).

Thanks for the pointer, I have now looked at the C Rex, and it looks pretty good to me! I think I will try one ASAP.

Either the Weber or Jensen RI version will round off the prominent midrange of the V30. Maybe what you're looking for. Definitely a "classic".

I'm also tempted to try the Eminence Governor, but I'm not sure if this will be too similar to the V30, not how good it would sound for blues

The Governor is a fantastic and semi-flexible speaker.

Similar to a V30, but not a clone. If I had to pick it apart tonally, I'd say it is about halfway between a Greenback and a V30 - it has most of the smooth compression of the V30, but is a bit more aggressive like the Greenback. The top end is very smooth, and not icepicky at all.

I think the Guv makes for a great blues speaker - very round and big sounding. If you play really bright blues, it may not be the best choice, but otherwise I think it would do a great job.

Another plus for the Guv - if you have your amp set up for extreme touch sensitivity (and I know most blues hounds do), then you will most likely be thrilled with this speaker. It is very dynamic in all the right places.

When I ordered mine, I thought I'd be getting a good V30 clone at a substantially lower price. Instead, I've ended up with a new favorite speaker.

G12H30
i have g12h/v30 in a 2x12 avatar open back cab and they seem to go together well
not overly bright (even too dark sometimes), huge lows, very nice mids.
IMHO.

+1 on the Celestion G12H30 speaker.
Best low end I have heard on a 12" speaker....like I added a bass player!

Steve

Thanks guys, but isn't the G12H also a bit bright as well as full?

Jensen P12Q (or maybe even a P12N).

It should warm up the Cleans. It won't have as fat/thick of Mids, but its a great sounding vintage style AlNiCo speaker.

The V30 will handle Hard Rock to Metal with its huge midrange, the Jensen P12Q will cover Cleans, to Blues, to Classic Rock - IF the amp feeds it as much. Tone comes from the guitar/pickup and the amp as much as anything else, so a speaker change may, or may not, make a giant drastic change for you before a new pickup/amp would.

To throw another one into the mix, an 18-watter with two EL84s screams out for a Brit alnico, either Weber Blue dog, Celestion Blue or Eminence Reg Fang.
I have a Red Fang in an AC15 and it's amazing sounding. Nice full bottom, complex mids and chimey top.