Celestion Alnico Blue

[tomjackson]

According to many, these are the definitive Vintage speaker.  I've only ever tried them in a 60's AC30 but that was 10 years ago when I was young a daft (I'm now older and still daft :D).  I rember that combination as magic, and loud.

Anyway, whatever small combo I eventually buy (Hand wired 10 - 15 watt type thing) I always imagine specifying a blue speaker for it.  May be subconsciously I think that because they are revered and expensive, they must be good.  That is my usual downfall.

Does anybody have any experience of them, especially in 1x12 combos (not just Vox).  I’m after sweet cleans, detailed harmonic content and warmth.  I want maximum dynamic range where I can crank the amp and play clean or driven by just pick attack.  I play bluesy / jazzy / rootsy type stuff with a Strat and Gordon Smith guitar.  The GS has SM’s and the Strat will soon have Mothers Milk.

Is this the holy grail of speakers as the reviewers on HC claim, or should I widen my search?  I want 1 valve small combo with the right speaker to stop the small valve combo GAS for good!

(Obviously then I can move onto gassing for an 18watter with a greenback etc…….)

[Mark66]

Tom, try e-mailing Denis Cornell ( den cornell@dc-developments.com). Whether or not you are interested in an
amp from Denis, he is very knowledgeable and helpful. What Denis doesn't  know about amps isn't worth
knowing, and in my experience, answers e-mails & phone calls personally and is only too pleased to help.
His Romany Plus is a great little amp & might be just what you are looking for( handwired 10w class A, Jenson
speaker, definitely in Fender ballpark)
  Mark

[avdekan]

I always wondered how a 4x12 loaded with 4 alnico blues pair with my engl savage 60. for metal...   :guitar4:  :roll:

[sjwebb90]

I use a Cornford Hellcat 35W amp with matching Cornford 2x12 cab. The 2x12 is loaded with two Alnico Blues. To my ears they sound great. They have a similar vibe to the Vintage 30's but without any harshness, just a nice smooth sweet sound.

However, it all really depends on what style of music you want to play. I play in a functions band and I require a variety of sounds from 60's to Modern Day (clean / distortion) and the Alnico's cover all the bases extremely well. They are a lot of money, but they are indeed a fine workhorse, and for what I am trying to achieve well worth the expense.

I also have another cab loaded with two Heritage EVH G12M's  and these too are damn good speaker if you are into your classic rock and blues.

[fps_dean]

If you play cleaner music and want a little bit of speaker distortion then the bulldogs are the best!!!!

Wouldn't recommend them for metal/hard rock, but if you play blues or jazz then they're awesome!

[hamfist]

I use a Cornford Hellcat 35W amp with matching Cornford 2x12 cab. The 2x12 is loaded with two Alnico Blues.

Blimey, that's cutting it all rather tight with the wattage of your cab. I hope you don't ever get anywhere near cranking your amp.
  I'm sure you're aware that a 35W class AB amp will probably put out about near 50W fully cranked. it would be a shame to blow up two blues (I've heard they're not cheap  ).

[sjwebb90]

Hamfist:

Thanks for your observations.

However, in my case I only play at a volume to get a decent tone and just get above the drummer. I always mic up at gigs, as do the rest of the band, and we let the House PA do the sound projection.

I have used this Amp and speaker combination for practice and gigs, at least once a week, for the past six years and there is no sign of any problems whatsoever with the speakers.

However, as you suggest if you were to run it flat out for periods of time the speaker coils may indeed into meltdown.)

Cheers

[Roobubba]

I always wondered how a 4x12 loaded with 4 alnico blues pair with my engl savage 60. for metal...   :guitar4:  :roll:

I imagine it would sound pretty rubbish, right up until it blew those expensive, bluesy speakers right out!

Maybe an exaggeration, but for full-on metal (rather than, say, rock, for example) it'd probably be better to have something that doesn't break up early. I imagine they'd begin to lose definition at extreme gain settings, expecially through a monster amp like that!

BUT

What do I know?

:)

Roo

[hamfist]

I have used this Amp and speaker combination for practice and gigs, at least once a week, for the past six years and there is no sign of any problems whatsoever with the speakers.

Well, that sound like a pretty tried and tested rig to me, then !  You're obviously very disciplined with your volume.  :D

[avdekan]

I always wondered how a 4x12 loaded with 4 alnico blues pair with my engl savage 60. for metal...   :guitar4:  :roll:

I imagine it would sound pretty rubbish, right up until it blew those expensive, bluesy speakers right out!

Maybe an exaggeration, but for full-on metal (rather than, say, rock, for example) it'd probably be better to have something that doesn't break up early. I imagine they'd begin to lose definition at extreme gain settings, expecially through a monster amp like that!

BUT

What do I know?

:)

Roo

greenbacks break up early (perhaps not as early as the alnico blue) but you still see them being used for metal (framus cobra cabs and some engl cabs).
I just thought that the power of four combined would overcome the breakup issue.

anyway this whole discussion is futile because I'm too broke to buy one alnico blue at the moment, let alone four...   :roll:

[froglord]

Tom, I've got an Alnico Blue in a 1x12, driven by a Matamp Minimat. The Minimat needs more treble and bit more of a push, both of which are accomplished with an Xotic RC Booster, and the resulting sound is divine.

I tried Matamp's "wall of speakers" when I visited the factory - 6 different Celestions, 5 Eminences and a Jensen - and the Blue sounded best to me. It gives a very rich sound with a sweet top end. Most hard rock / metal guys would probably prefer a grittier treble, but for pretty much all other styles it works a charm. Whether it's worth the extra cash over another 12" speaker is a matter of opinion. I had the money, and I spent it!