Are V30s Magic or is PGS Andy?

[monquixote]

Just watched the vids of the Supersonic 22 V Custom.

It sounds stupidly awesome





The difference between that and my 22 is a Vintage 30. Of course it could just be the power of PGS Andy to make all things sound superb, but it also sounds better than his demo of the stock 22.

Should I be thinking about a V30 in my amp?

[ICBM]

Should I be thinking about a V30 in my amp?

What's the stock speaker - some sort of Fender Special Design Eminence?

The V30 is definitely a great speaker, if you like them. The speaker is also the single most important component in the amp... so if you like the sound in the video, then yes.

But "smooth" and "extended frequemcy range" are two things I would never describe a V30 as! Aggressive, dark and gritty, more like... where he kicks in the heavy crunch at 3'32" is classic V30.

If that's a bit too much - and they do have a slight tendency to make all guitars and amps sound more similar than some other speakers do - and given that the amp is only 22W, you could try a G12H-30.

[MrMenturm]

Speakers are MASSIVELY important. If you think your amp isn't cutting it... it's always worth changing the speaker before punting it on.

V30's are really nice. They're probably the most popular speaker for hard-rock and metal, that I've seen anyway. I've also got a soft spot for G12-T75's ... in the right cab and with the right amp, they sound amazing.

[Misty]

The V30 is a great speaker which gets a lot of criticism for its apparent upper mid emphasis. You like it or you don't, but I think it sounds great in a 1x12 format provided the cab has a closed back. This helps to bring out the bottom end more. Some are quite happy using it in an open backed combo though. It can be quite aggressive sounding, and I also have a G12H30 which sounds a bit more balanced playing at home, but the V30 really cuts through nicely in a band mix.

[DrumAl]

The V30 is a great speaker which gets a lot of criticism for its apparent upper mid emphasis. You like it or you don't, but I think it sounds great in a 1x12 format provided the cab has a closed back. This helps to bring out the bottom end more. Some are quite happy using it in an open backed combo though. It can be quite aggressive sounding, and I also have a G12H30 which sounds a bit more balanced playing at home, but the V30 really cuts through nicely in a band mix.

I would wholeheartedly agree with the comments above, thats exactly how I would describe my Orange 1x12 closed back cab with a V30 in. Sounded awesome from the day I unwrapped it and continues to impress me to this day!!

If you want Indie/Rock/Metal tones tis the mutts nuts!

[Misty]

I would wholeheartedly agree with the comments above, thats exactly how I would describe my Orange 1x12 closed back cab with a V30 in. Sounded awesome from the day I unwrapped it and continues to impress me to this day!!

If you want Indie/Rock/Metal tones tis the mutts nuts!

Agreed totally, though I ought to add that I was initially disappointed when I first got mine, but as it broke in through use it sounded better and better. This is in a Dr Z 1x12 cab with a Dr Z Maz 38 head. I'm actually using a Celestion Gold in that cab now, which is a bit sweeter, smoother and not quite so aggressive. Again I didn't like the Gold at first, but in time they all seem to just get better.

[monquixote]

What's the stock speaker - some sort of Fender Special Design Eminence?

The V30 is definitely a great speaker, if you like them. The speaker is also the single most important component in the amp... so if you like the sound in the video, then yes.

Yeah the stock speaker is a Fender Lightning which is made by Eminence and is the same one in the HRD III.

Clean tones are very important to me so I wouldn't like to compromise them to get a better drive sound, but I love the additional heft the V30 seems to supply.

Would the V30 have more/less volume and headroom?

Would I perhaps be better with a Gold if I want that definition without compromising my cleans?

[ICBM]

Yeah the stock speaker is a Fender Lightning which is made by Eminence and is the same one in the HRD III.

Clean tones are very important to me so I wouldn't like to compromise them to get a better drive sound, but I love the additional heft the V30 seems to supply.

Would the V30 have more/less volume and headroom?

Would I perhaps be better with a Gold if I want that definition without compromising my cleans?

Possibly, but it's very expensive. The H30 is much more vintage-voiced than the V30, better for clean tones, and about the same price as the V30.

You could try a Classic Lead 80 if you want the chunky tone of the V30 but cleaner and with more top end - it's like the G12H-30 but a bit tighter and more modern-sounding. It's also the same price as the V30 I think.

I'm not sure of the sensitivity of the Fender Lightning, but it's not going to be higher than a V30, H30 or a CL80, and possibly a bit less. (No matter what Eminence may claim!)

[DrumAl]

[QUOTE=ICBM;1348204
I'm not sure of the sensitivity of the Fender Lightning, but it's not going to be higher than a V30, H30 or a CL80, and possibly a bit less. (No matter what Eminence may claim!)[/QUOTE]

As ever, spot on! Thats exactly why the V30 sounds so good, great sensitivity. Once I got one I realised why they are so popular. Plus a great price if you get one of the Harley Benton cabs from Thomann!

[John_A]

Personally I don't think V30's are the best for clean tones, but some people like them, modern rock sounds is where they excel.

Personally I like G12H-30's as a good all-round speaker, and these would definitely be an improvement over the stock speakers.

Given what you can pick them up for used it might be worth buying one of each, trying them and selling on the one you like least, you might lose a fiver postage but not much more.