Which 10" ceramic speaker for a Classic 20 ?

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Folks,

I need to get a single 10" / 16 ohm speaker for my original EL84 driven Peavey Classic 20. I had put an 8 Ohm Jensen in there to to hear the difference between Jensen and stock speakers - and although the Jensen improved it greatly, the amp is meant to run at 16 ohms , not 8 ohms.

And so I come to looking round Watford Valves and Hot Rox for 16 Ohm 10" ceramic ( i.e. affordable ) options and it seems to be down to  the Jensen C10Q , the Celestion Vintage 10, or the 10" Greenback.

I play predominantly clean, with a heavy leaning to warm yet clear Blues/Jazz/country tones. If in doubt clarity over depth.

So intrepid experimenters of the BKP forum, what gets your vote ?

Thanks !

[Twinfan]

I've heard the 10" Vintage 10 and it excels at rock tones, similar to it's bigger brother the Vintage 30.  I wouldn't choose a V30 for cleaner styles though, so I'm guessing the V10 might not work for you.

I have a Jensen C8R in my Epi Valve Junior combo and while it's OK, it's not inspiring me to buy more Jensens.  Might be a good option if it's quite cheap?

Overall though, I think I'd give the 10" Greenback a try.

[Ratrod]

Browse through this for a while: http://www.jensenvintage.com

I've been using Jensen C12N's for years. They have a very sweet tone, perfect for vintage Fender style amps. They handle distortion very well too. Solid bottom end, not as barky as celestions.

[gwEm]

as far as i know the g10 greenback isn't out yet - at least i haven't found a place in the uk with them in stock. i'd like to find one as i want to try this speaker

not to troll twinfan, but i quite like the g10 vintage clean. sounds rather modern with driven sounds - just like a 12" vintage 30 really - just as celestion promise. its a great feat of engineering really, i guess i just don't like the vintage 30 in general. it sounds cool recorded though, and is decently efficient and very clear.

edit: oh sh!t G10 greenback is in stock now!! :) w00t! want to buy a secondhand vintage 10?

[Twinfan]

No trolling gwEm - just different opinions that's all!  I think that's what Derek wants with this post anyhow  ;)

[Fourth Feline]

Thanks chaps !

All opinions have genuinely helped ( and thanks to Ratrod for that very interesting link ) .  :D

In the end I have gone for the 10" Greenback.

The reasoning ( based on your opinions and conclusions / data  that those opinions lead to ) was that :

1) I have tried ( and have in reserve ) Jensens for Fender(y) stuff - and for that purpose, the bright clear slightly 'stiff' sound seemed to bring out the characteristic 'twang' and bite that seemed appropriate for my purposes at the time  ( 50s & 60s Soul / Rock'n'Roll ). To have a smoother  alternative to my existing 'wall of glass' - Ratrod's excellent Jensen link seemed to suggest the need for a Jensen P10R - and as Watford do not have a 16 ohm version - the P10Q. It seemed like a lot of cash for more of the same.  

2) Similarly Fender seem to deploy the Classic 30 in  things like the 'Tone Master' cab  - and Jazz Guitarist Adrian Ingram has one in his Matamp Custon. This might  have at first seemed like a qualifier, but upon reflection seemed to indicate that whilst being perhaps more flexible - it was still being chosen to best present that cleaner, tighter sound.

3) As my Classic 20 is the only Valve amp I possess  that does not have 6L6s - and is voiced uber clean, perhaps ( after some reflection )  a marked contrast seemed in order. Also if this worked out, if I ever got rich my 4 x 12 Matamp cab might one day be a candidate for at least two of these.

Ultimately I trust your ears chaps, and the more I read your posts - the more I saw common ground between your opinions.

So I ended up second in line behind gwEm at the Watford market stall this afternoon.

I am certainly looking forward to testing out this 'new' type of speaker, being as I am already surrounded by Jensens, Eminence Fender specials and the ubiquitous GT12-75s.

Thanks again !  :D

[Elliot]

I would have recommended the Eminence line which is highly underrated especially given how disappointing Jensens are in comparison.

But I really want your view on the Green back when you get it.

[Fourth Feline]

I would have recommended the Eminence line which is highly underrated especially given how disappointing Jensens are in comparison.

But I really want your view on the Green back when you get it.

Yes , the pair of ( Fender badged ) Eminence speakers in my 'Twin' sound lovely - very clean but warmer than Jensens.

I will however report back on the 10 " Greenback Elliot, as this is indeed a real experiment for me to have chosen a speaker that appears to be famous for every tonal attribute I have not previously chosen / experienced first hand. The uniquely 'woody' soundclips on the Celestion website certainly are quite distinctive.
 
As I said, it's only a 15 watt Tweedy valve combo I am trying it in, but I feel it will give me a flavour of the famous 'Greenback' sound.  :D

[Twinfan]

Best of luck Derek - I look forward to the review too  :D

[Fourth Feline]

Best of luck Derek - I look forward to the review too  :D

Thanks Dave  :D

I just wish that owning Greenbacks made me play as effortlessly / adeptly as Thin Lizzy's Brian Robertson !  When the box arrives, I hope it has the word "MOJO" stamped all over it . 8)

Cheers !

[Jazz Rock]

I would have recommended the Eminence line which is highly underrated especially given how disappointing Jensens are in comparison.

But I really want your view on the Green back when you get it.

Yes , the pair of ( Fender badged ) Eminence speakers in my 'Twin' sound lovely - very clean but warmer than Jensens.

I will however report back on the 10 " Greenback Elliot, as this is indeed a real experiment for me to have chosen a speaker that appears to be famous for every tonal attribute I have not previously chosen / experienced first hand. The uniquely 'woody' soundclips on the Celestion website certainly are quite distinctive.
 
As I said, it's only a 15 watt Tweedy valve combo I am trying it in, but I feel it will give me a flavour of the famous 'Greenback' sound.  :D

Hey Fourth Feline,

I am higly interested in your review as well. I am toying with the idea of changing the speaker in my Laney LC15R and was hesitating  between the same units as you: Jensen C10Q, G10 vintage and G10 Greenback. I was kind of leaning toward the Jensen to start with as it is the cheapest at Hotrox the guy at Waltford swears by them in the LC15R. Your opinion on the G10 Greenback could make me change my mind.

Cheers

[Fourth Feline]

I would have recommended the Eminence line which is highly underrated especially given how disappointing Jensens are in comparison.

But I really want your view on the Green back when you get it.

Yes , the pair of ( Fender badged ) Eminence speakers in my 'Twin' sound lovely - very clean but warmer than Jensens.

I will however report back on the 10 " Greenback Elliot, as this is indeed a real experiment for me to have chosen a speaker that appears to be famous for every tonal attribute I have not previously chosen / experienced first hand. The uniquely 'woody' soundclips on the Celestion website certainly are quite distinctive.
 
As I said, it's only a 15 watt Tweedy valve combo I am trying it in, but I feel it will give me a flavour of the famous 'Greenback' sound.  :D

Hey Fourth Feline,

I am higly interested in your review as well. I am toying with the idea of changing the speaker in my Laney LC15R and was hesitating  between the same units as you: Jensen C10Q, G10 vintage and G10 Greenback. I was kind of leaning toward the Jensen to start with as it is the cheapest at Hotrox the guy at Waltford swears by them in the LC15R. Your opinion on the G10 Greenback could make me change my mind.

Cheers

Sure thing JazzRock,  :D

It will be interesting, as I am taking out a Jensen C10R to try the 10" Greenback.  Derek at  Watford is not kidding about the C10 series being good in an EL84 combo though, especially for the money . Ratrod and I seem to have had a good relationship with Jensens. It made a lot of difference from the stock speaker in my Peavey Classic 20.  I am only motivated to replace it  due to the fact it is of an impedance that would not do the amp any good in the long run. I am not dissapointed with the Jensen, just protective of the Peavey.

So whilst a C10R is not a C10Q, I feel the comparison will be instructive, as my C12Ns I have sound similar to the C10R - so I assume that ( to a degree) nearly any C*** option gives at least a feel of the other ceramics in the Jensen stable.

The Greenback has not arrived yet, but I'll be straight at the job when it does. The interest expressed by you all has made this 'experiment' even more exciting for me . ( I must get out more  :lol: )

Cheers  !