Speaker Upgrade

[gubble]

Hi All

I've a Vox AC15CC1 which i use weekly for gigs.

I'm thinking about upgrading the speaker. It currently has the standard Wharfedale 30 Watt 12" speaker & have heard that upgrading the speaker would really make the amp sound in a different league.

The obvious choice would be a celestion blueback - however i can't afford this.

What would people's reccomendations, suggestions etc be? I've never upgraded a speaker before and don't really know what i'd be looking at.

[guitarcookie1]

I've just paired my AC4TV head with a Zilla cab/Celestion Greenback and the difference over the stock cab/speaker is like night & day.

Everything now sounds so much louder and "bigger"

[ICBM]

Of the classic Celestions that are under £100, the G12H-30 is probably the closest in tone to a Blue. It's not by any means the same, but it does have a similar sort of clarity and top-end presence, and is also 100dB.

The Greenback is a great speaker too, but in an AC15 it may sound a bit too midrangy and not quite as loud as the H30. Unless lowering the volume so you can drive the amp harder is what you want, in which case it's ideal.

[Cirrusband]

My ac30cc2 originally came with two wharfdales. I didn't really like those speakers too much, they get a bit woofy and fizzy with the gain turned up. They're a bit like louder and worse sounding greenbacks.

Greenbacks work well with vox amps.

Ideally though you'd know what kind of sound you were aiming for. As an example, if I wanted a more classic sounding distortion that wasn't too loud and had nice midrange content, a greenback would be perfect. On the other hand, if I wanted more clean headroom and a slightly bigger sound, a G12-h30 would work well.

I've used both speakers with my Vox successfully. Overall a Celestion blue style speaker is my favourite, but it's a matter of taste.

[gubble]

Hi - thanks for the responses.

i had a listen to different speakers on Watford Valve's website and there's a few on there that i really like the sound of - i think the Blue Alnico style speakers are my favourites - i'll just have to start saving up a bit more......

[thermionic]

I think that if you like Vox amps, you owe it to yourself to bite the bullet and try an Alnico Blue-type speaker at some point. I intend to upgrade my AC15 when I can afford it, but I'd be looking for 2x10s...

[ICBM]

I think that if you like Vox amps, you owe it to yourself to bite the bullet and try an Alnico Blue-type speaker at some point.

+1. They just don't sound exactly 'right' with anything else.

I intend to upgrade my AC15 when I can afford it, but I'd be looking for 2x10s...

Ouch... 10" Golds are nearly as expensive as 12" Blues .

[JayGee]

+1. They just don't sound exactly 'right' with anything else.

Ouch... 10" Golds are nearly as expensive as 12" Blues .

As an alternative Tayden Ace 25s come in a 10" variant and are a bit cheaper. I have one in Ampmaker SE5a combo and it's jolly nice.