19 posts
I really like my C30, but the overall sound of the drive channel lacks top end punch. Even with the treble all the way up it does sound like it is covered with a blanket.
So, anyone have any recommendations as to what speaker I should put in it?
Actually, thinking about it maybe I should try pushing the clean channel with some drive pedals as the clean channel has lots of sparkly top end.
Hi Jon !
I don't know about the speaker... you can give a try to the Malmsteen DOD pedal !
I've it at home and it sounds like a treble booster with a good amount of gain. If your lead channel sounds a bit "close" maybe this pedal could help.
Ciao !
Marco
Yo....I know I have C50.....but when I replaced the speakers.....man it was awesome. I went with Eminence speakers....1. becasue they are made in my state and 2....I've had damn good luck with them. I put a V30 Legend series....I can't think of what they call it. I also have a Tonespotter.
I basically run it the way you are talking about. Clean channel only and then hit it with a pedal of some kind.
I changed the tubes and put kinda cold power tubes in it so that I could crank it up and NOT get distortion form the power tubes. Then I put a Gold Pin Electro Harmonix 12AX7 in the V2 and have a 5751 JAN spec tube in the V1.
I LOVE this amp now. Money well spent.
Everybody that replaces the speaker alone is pretty damn happy with that. I know Jamie went and dropped an Alnico Blue in his c30. It's pretty damn cool.
12" Weber speakers, British Series, Silver Bell in Alnico. I heard a 10" version in a Fender Blues Junior and it is titties and beer!! They are the shit!! Plan on getting a pair of 12's for my rig.
https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/
yeah, the Webers are nice for sure.
I have an Eminence Governor in mine. Emi's take on a V30 and was actually preferred over the Celestion in a poll at The Gear Page. I also have an Celestion Greenback, and an Eminence Wizard (which is described as being between a V30 and a Greenback, and that's pretty accurate IMO). They all sound different for sure. Each has it's own thing and is just kind of "what you want" matter of taste and choice.
I think this is the big problem "matter of choice"...in order to get the sound I want, I really need to buy about 20 speakers and try them all until I get what I'm after.
Yep - throw a decent overdrive in front of the clean channel - I can't remember the last time I used the drive channel, it is pretty flabby and hairy shit
Jon, do not pass go; do not collect £200 - & hold off changing the speaker!
I had a similar issue with my Laney VC30. If you get a speaker change right, it can be fine - but tone is so subjective & there are so many opinions it's not an easy decision.
But before you go to the time and expense of changing the speaker (which can often be pretty hit & miss - particularly after any initial honeymoon period) I'd thoroughly recommend you try one or both of the following. The tonal difference, clarity & improved punch is unbelievable!!
1. Simple stomp EQ - I use a Boss GE-7 EQ in my pedal board at the front end. If your FX Loop is 'series' (rather than parallel) it will be even better in the FX loop. But a cheap EQ such as a Behringer EQ700 will do the job just as well. Much more flexibility & control than a speaker upgrade, easy to try, & much cheaper! It will totally take the blanket off your amp!
2. More expensive, a BBE Sonic Maximiser stomp - it will also take the blanket off, but in a slightly different way.
The EQ gives massive more tonal range than the on-board EQ, allowing you to retain highs whilst adding more bottom end
The BBESS maximiser is hard to explain - it doesn't give the same EQ control but it adds a different type of 3D fullness and clarity not wholly available from the EQ on its own.
An EQ is definitely the most versatile & the cheaper option to try - you won't be disappointed. If you're ever in my neck of the woods you're more than welcome to swing by for a jam, a beer, & to hear what each does for both my Valvetronix and Laney.
Rich ;)
UPDATE!
The FX loop in the Classic 30 is in series - so put an EQ in the FX loop, NOT direct!
I just tried my Behringer EQ700 through the FX loop of my Classic 30 - the difference will astound you :o... it DEFINITELY takes the blanket off - & then some! :) :) Fiddle with the EQ settings to taste, but try these settings to start with: -
100HZ +5
200Hz +10
400Hz -5
800Hz +5
1.6k -5
3.2k +10
6.4k +5
Level -2.5
The mid-range 800Hz is a key control - just moving that alone will spectacularly change the mids on your tone.
Also, the cleans on the C30 are OK, but nowhere near the brightness and glassiness of my Laney VC30. But use the EQ on the clean channel, and you can get pretty close! Again, start with the above settings.
Trust me Jon - there's nothing wrong with the Blue Marvel speaker & I seriously doubt you'll want to change it once you've tried an EQ in the loop - the tonal difference really is that good!
Let me know how you get on.
Rich ;)
Rich,
I don't have a guitar EQ. I generally don't like them purely because it's another thing to tweak etc. However, I have just listened to some recordings that I did a while back when I had the Fender Strat. I think the C30 is really made for the Strat as the sound with that is excellent...but, I just don't like strats (the feel of them) hence I sold it. Maybe one day I'll get around to doing the coil tapping thing to get the non-humbucker sound from the Les Paul. I think if I did use an EQ pedal, it would be in front of the amp to shape the tone of the guitar going into it rather than through the FX loop as you are then tweaking the sound post pre-amp and distortion etc.
I actually do really like the sound of the clean channel on the C30, and the tone controls on mine do let you go as bright as you like.
Anyway, stop playing with your C30 will ya....you're supposed to be selling it ;D
The C30 is a damn fine amp though.
The EQ isn't the same in front Jon - you won't get the same impact or control. Trust me mate - just try it in the FX loop - I wouldn't give you a bum steer!!
A Behringer EQ700 is under £20. Once set, you don't need to tweak the EQ - I leave mine pretty much all the time on the settings I listed.
Here's a link to 2 you-tube vids I did demoing the difference that an EQ in the FX loop of my Valvetronix makes - very similar with the C30. Only done with a cheap Kodak camera, but it will give you an idea: - (2nd link down in the videos box, top left)
http://www.valvetronix.net/valvetronix/media/vx-with-external-eq-in-fx-loop-s2.html
And I just tried it with my Les Paul Custom - muddy without the EQ, vibrant, punchy & searing lead solos with it!
In fact, it's so much better through a series FX loop that I'm going to convert the parallel loop in my Laney VC30 to series!
Rich ;)
I just had a listen to your video clips. Yes, definitely makes a big difference. What about when you crank the amp volume, presumably you have to adjust the eq again for the old fletcher munson doodad?
I might give that a go.
Rich,
On the general acceptance that cutting EQ frequencies is always preferable to boosting (more headroom etc), try the following:
100hz 0
200hz +5
400hz -10
800hz 0
1.6k -10
3.2k +5
6.4k 0
It should give the same sound that you have now but without boosting too much. It would be interesting if you could try this as it "should" work...
You will have to boost the overall output of course
Jon — Nov 30, 2008I just had a listen to your video clips. Yes, definitely makes a big difference. What about when you crank the amp volume, presumably you have to adjust the eq again for the old fletcher munson doodad?
I might give that a go.
Actually Jon, I don't normally need to stray very much from those EQ settings - I use the external EQ in conjunction with the onboard EQ, & any tweaks are usually very minor & kind of instinctive.
Jon — Nov 30, 2008Rich,
On the general acceptance that cutting EQ frequencies is always preferable to boosting (more headroom etc), try the following:
100hz 0
200hz +5
400hz -10
800hz 0
1.6k -10
3.2k +5
6.4k 0
It should give the same sound that you have now but without boosting too much. It would be interesting if you could try this as it "should" work...
You will have to boost the overall output of course
Yup, I'll need to test at volume, but in a quick test at bedroom vols seems to work fine & sounds the same. But I wasn't clear as to why you think it's a better approach - could you clarify Jon?
Cutting frequecies does not push the circuit very hard and so therefore minimizes any unwanted distortion in the circuit of the EQ and therefore provides more headroom. (should probably improve battery life too).
Makes sense, thanks Jon (- although I always use mains power for consistency & optimum performance)
Rich ;)
night and day, for sure. I'm going to try this tonight! Mine already has an upgraded speaker though. :)