Introduction to Celestion Speakers
Celestion has a rich history as one of the most influential and pioneering speaker manufacturers in the music world. Founded in England in 1924, Celestion was one of the very first companies to create dedicated guitar speakers and they played a key role in shaping the iconic guitar tones of classic amps like Marshall, Vox, and Fender.
In their early days, Celestion was at the forefront of innovation in guitar speaker design. They introduced pivotal products like the Alnico magnet guitar speaker in the late 1940s, which quickly became an industry standard. Their innovative use of Alnico magnets allowed guitar speakers to have increased sensitivity and enhanced dynamics.
Today, Celestion is still known for their guitar speakers, which remain staples in many top amps. But they have also expanded into pro audio, producing professional studio monitors and PA speakers. Additionally, Celestion has more recently introduced impulse responses (IRs) created from their famous guitar cab speakers, allowing guitarists to get authentic Celestion tones in a digital recording setup.
With almost 100 years of experience in the music gear industry, Celestion has built up an unmatched reputation when it comes to guitar speaker tone and quality. Their influence is heard any time a guitarist plugs into an amp with Celestion speakers, as they have played such a key role in shaping the sound of rock and blues over the decades.
Famous Celestion Guitar Speaker Models
Celestion is renowned for their iconic guitar speaker models that have shaped the tones of rock, blues, and metal for decades. From vintage classics to modern high-gain beasts, Celestion offers a diverse range of guitar speakers to suit any amp and genre.
The Celestion Vintage 30 is likely their most popular model, known for its bold and aggressive British character. With a power handling of 60 watts, it has a strong mid-range thump that excels for hard rock and metal. The Vintage 30 is a staple of modern Marshall, Mesa Boogie, and Orange amps.
Celestion G12M Greenbacks have a smoother, vintage British character from their lower power 25-watt design. With a warm low end, scooped mids, and clear top end, the Greenback sound is ideal for classic rock, blues, and indie. They are most famously used as the speakers in vintage Marshall amps from the ’60s and ’70s.
For modern high-gain amps, the Celestion G12H offers massive 120-watt power handling. The G12H has a tighter bottom end and more high-mid aggression than vintage Celestions, making it perfect for metal. It’s commonly found in EVH, Peavey, and other high-gain amps.
Celestion Classic Lead 80s combine vintage character with 80 watts of power handling. With a strong low-end thump, smooth mids, and singing highs, the Classic Lead 80 excels for hard rock and metal tones, especially in the overdriven range.
The Celestion Alnico Blue and Gold provide vintage-voiced tones with Alnico magnets. The Blue has a sweet, vocal midrange with mellow lows and highs, lending itself to blues and classic rock. The Gold has a stronger low-end punch for rock rhythms. Both excel when pushed into overdrive.
Celestion Pro Audio Speakers
Celestion is well-known for their guitar speakers, but they also manufacture an extensive range of pro audio speakers for professional applications. Their pro audio lineup includes everything from compact studio monitors to large-format PA speakers.
Some of Celestion’s most popular pro audio models include the TF Series and the CF Series. The TF Series are two-way studio monitors designed for nearfield monitoring applications. They utilize Celestion’s proprietary magnet technology and feature aramid fiber cones for smooth, detailed sound. The CF Series are lightweight coaxial PA speakers that deliver clear, full-range reproduction thanks to Celestion’s unique coaxial driver design.
Several innovations make Celestion’s pro audio speakers stand out. Their laser-lead wiring technology ensures minimal power loss and signal degradation. Many models also feature cast aluminum frames for increased rigidity and improved transient response. These technologies enable Celestion pro speakers to deliver smooth, accurate monitoring for studios, as well as clear, powerful sound for live PA use.
Celestion pro audio speakers are used in a wide variety of professional settings. Top recording studios worldwide rely on Celestion studio monitors for mixing and mastering. Their PA speakers have been used at countless live concerts and events. Celestion speakers are the choice of artists like Zedd, Deadmau5, Duke Dumont when they need reliable, high-fidelity monitoring. Whether it’s the studio or the stage, Celestion delivers the acclaimed sound that audio professionals demand.
Celestion Impulse Responses
Impulse responses (IRs) have become an indispensable tool for recording guitar and capturing iconic amplifier tones in the digital studio environment. In simple terms, an impulse response is a digital recording of how a speaker and cabinet respond to an instantaneous signal. This impulse signal contains the full frequency response and nuances that make up the unique tone of a particular speaker.
When IRs are used in combination with amp modeling software and plugins, it allows you to achieve remarkably authentic tones without needing to mic up a physical speaker cabinet. This process is called convolution, where the IR is convolved with the direct output from an amp simulator plugin to recreate the resonant peaks, breakup, and ambience of miking a real cabinet.
Celestion has become a leading producer of high-quality IRs for many of their most coveted vintage and modern speakers. Their IR library covers their entire range including the Vintage 30, Blue, G12M Greenback, G12H, and other classic models. These IRs are available in formats compatible with popular amp modelers like Line 6 Helix, Fractal Audio Axe-Fx, Kemper Profiling Amp, Neural DSP plugins, and more.
For producers and engineers, integrating Celestion IRs into your workflow takes your guitar tones to the next level. You get all the benefits of consistent studio-quality guitar sounds, without the hassle of endless re-amping sessions or compromised DI tones. Celestion IRs bring world-class guitar tone right to your DAW.
Speaker Cabinets and Construction
Celestion produces a wide range of speaker cabinets to pair with their guitar and pro audio drivers. Cabinets have a significant impact on the overall tone and performance of the speakers inside. There are a few key factors that affect the cabinet’s influence on sound:
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Cabinet type – Open-back vs closed-back is a major distinction. Open-back cabs project sound outwards and have an airy, expansive tone. Closed-back cabs keep more low end and have a tighter, focused sound. Celestion makes both types.
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Materials – The wood used for the cabinet, along with coverings like tolex and grille cloth, shape resonance and tonality. Celestion uses quality birch ply or poplar woods. Their tolex and cloth are chosen to allow free speaker cone movement.
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Size – Larger cabinets move more air and produce fuller lows. Smaller cabs cut bass and are more directional. Celestion offers a range like 1×12, 2×12, 4×12 configurations.
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Bracing – Strategic bracing improves structural rigidity and reduces unwanted resonance. Celestion employs bracing patterns tailored for each cab design.
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Porting – Ports or openings allow tuned bass reinforcement and shaping. Some Celestion cabs use specialized ports to boost low-end response.
Careful cabinet design is crucial to allow Celestion drivers to perform at their best. Whether you choose an open-back or closed-back, Celestion cabs are crafted to optimize and enhance the signature tone of their speakers.
Choosing the Right Celestion Speaker
When selecting a Celestion speaker, there are several key factors to consider:
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Your amplifier – The power output, voicing, and tone stack of your amp will impact which Celestion pairs best. Lower wattage amps like a Fender Deluxe Reverb work well with Alnico Blues, while high-gain amps like a Mesa Boogie benefit from the G12H or Vintage 30. Consider the amp’s character and gain structure.
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Musical genre – Celestion speakers each have tonal qualities suited for certain genres. The G12M Greenback excels at classic rock and blues, while the Vintage 30 is popular in hard rock and metal. If playing jazz, the warmth of an Alnico Blue is ideal.
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Budget – Celestion speakers range in price from $100 for the G12 EVH up to $300-400 for the Heritage Series. The premium Alnico and Heritage models offer beautiful vintage tone and craftsmanship. But the G12M, Vintage 30, and G12H provide great value for players on a budget.
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Tonal preferences – If you want bright, detailed highs, the Vintage 30 is a perfect choice. For a smoother, warmer tone, consider the G12M or Alnico Blue. The G12H provides tight lows and an aggressive bite. Determine the tonal qualities you prefer.
Here is a comparison chart of key Celestion guitar speaker models:
| Model | Power Rating | Tone Profile | Ideal Genres | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage 30 | 60-100W | Bright, detailed highs. Strong mids and tight lows. Aggressive bite. | Hard rock, metal, grunge. | $150-200 |
| G12M Greenback | 25-60W | Warm, smooth mids. Reserved lows and highs. Vintage British character. | Blues, rock, country. | $150-200 |
| G12H | 75-150W | Tight, focused lows. Scooped mids. Aggressive highs. Modern high-gain tone. | Metal, hard rock. High-gain amps. | $150-200 |
| Alnico Blue | 15-50W | Warm, rich lows and mids. Smooth vintage highs. | Blues, jazz, classic rock. Low-wattage amps. | $200-300 |
For further research, consult forums like The Gear Page for user reviews and comparisons. Watch YouTube speaker shootouts to hear the tonal differences. And read reviews on sites like Celestion.com and musiciansfriend.com to choose the perfect Celestion for your rig.
Celestion’s Manufacturing and Heritage
Celestion has maintained manufacturing facilities in England since the company’s founding in 1947. Their original factory was located in Huntingdon, where Celestion pioneered many innovations in guitar speaker design and production.
In the late 1980s, Celestion expanded operations by opening a factory in Ipswich. Additional manufacturing also takes place at their facilities in China. With production split between the UK and China, Celestion is able to balance quality craftsmanship with efficiency.
At both their UK and China factories, Celestion employs rigorous quality control standards to ensure consistency across their product lines. Each speaker is hand-tested to guarantee it meets original specifications for tone and performance. This attention to detail allows musicians to know they are getting an authentic Celestion product, regardless of manufacturing location.
Part of Celestion’s legacy is their continued production of heritage speaker models that have defined classic guitar tones for decades. This includes reissues of vintage speakers like the Alnico Blues, as well as the continuous production of the legendary Greenback design dating back to the 1960s. Musicians can still get new production Greenbacks, Vintage 30s, and other speakers that shaped guitar history.
By combining their historic legacy with modern manufacturing advancements, Celestion maintains their reputation for uncompromising quality and tone. Musicians around the world rely on Celestion’s craftsmanship and heritage of innovation when selecting speakers for their guitar amps and pro audio applications.
Notable Celestion Users
Celestion speakers have been the voice of rock and roll for decades, chosen by countless iconic musicians for their superior tone. Here are just some of the famous artists who have relied on Celestion speakers to achieve their signature sounds:
Jimi Hendrix favored Celestion speakers for their smooth highs and tight lows. His Marshall stacks were loaded with Celestion G12M "Greenbacks" that gave his Stratocaster the warm yet detailed tone heard on albums like Are You Experienced.
Jimmy Page used Celestions extensively with Led Zeppelin, including the G12H speakers that delivered the crunchy tones on "Whole Lotta Love." Page has said, "The sound I was getting from the amplifiers and the speakers enabled me to sort of sculpt the sound I was after."
Eric Clapton loved the sound of his Marshall amps loaded with Celestion Greenbacks while with Cream and Derek and the Dominos. The G12Ms delivered the warm, singing tone on classics like "Layla" and "Sunshine of Your Love."
Angus Young of AC/DC relied on Celestion G12M speakers for his signature hard rock crunch. The Greenbacks were crucial to achieving the band’s powerful guitar tones across albums like Highway to Hell and Back in Black.
Metallica used Celestion Vintage 30 speakers extensively during the 1990s. The V30s provided tight lows and smooth highs perfect for Metallica’s crushing metal riffs on albums like the "Black Album" and Load.
From Hendrix to Zeppelin to Metallica, Celestion has been the speaker of choice for countless guitar heroes. Their speakers have delivered the warm vintage tones and modern high-gain crunch that have shaped the sound of rock and roll.
Celestion vs. Other Speaker Brands
Celestion is often considered one of the premier guitar speaker manufacturers, with a reputation for building high-quality and great-sounding speakers. But how do they compare to some other top brands in the market?
Jensen is another highly regarded vintage guitar speaker company, best known for their ceramic magnet speakers used in classic Fender amps. Compared to Jensen, Celestion tends to have a bit more midrange focus and saturation in their tone. Celestion Greenbacks are darker and warmer, while Jensen speakers like the C12N have more top-end sparkle.
Eminence is a modern guitar speaker manufacturer popular for offering affordable options with a variety of voicings. While not quite as coveted as vintage Celestions, Eminence makes reliable speakers well-suited for players on a budget. Their Legend series aims to recreate some classic Celestion tones at a lower price point.
For pro audio applications, Celestion competes with brands like Electro-Voice, JBL, and Tannoy. Celestion studio monitors and PA speakers are known for smooth, balanced frequency response and lower distortion compared to some rivals. Their precision-focused sound makes them a popular choice for reference monitors.
Overall, Celestion enjoys a strong reputation as a premium guitar and pro audio speaker company. While not always the most affordable option, Celestion is trusted by discerning musicians for their meticulous craftsmanship and pursuit of great tone. Celestion’s long history and association with legendary guitar tones gives them an esteemed status in the music world.
Conclusion
Celestion has a long and storied history in the music gear world, pioneering guitar speaker design and shaping the iconic tones of rock legends over the decades. From the warm, vintage character of the Greenbacks to the high-gain roar of the Vintage 30s, Celestion’s diverse range of guitar and pro audio speakers deliver exceptional performance.
When choosing the right Celestion speaker for your needs, consider the tonal qualities you’re after as well as the power handling requirements of your amp. A Greenback might be ideal for a vintage Marshall plexi, while a G12H or Vintage 30 can handle the high wattages of a modern high-gain amp. For crystal clear studio monitors or PA systems, Celestion’s pro audio offerings provide accuracy and reliability.
Ultimately, Celestion’s reputation for greatness is well-earned. As the company moves forward, musicians can continue to rely on Celestion speakers to achieve iconic tones. From bedroom playing to world tours, these hand-built speakers are built to inspire.