The SABBATH Greenback VS the ZEPPELIN Greenback

In this video I compare the rather unusual Greenback version that Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath used in the 1970s; the T1976 G12H30 75Hz to one of the standard Greenback models; a T1281 G12H30 55Hz that was used by Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss and many more!
So T1976 vs T1281!
Gear:
1971 Celestion G12H30 55Hz T1281
1972 Celestion G12H30 75Hz T1976
1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1976 Marshall Super Lead

[@user-pk4kb8bx9g]

Short but sweet.
This one was no brainer, EVERYTHING sounds best.
Thanx Johan. 👍

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks glad to hear it!

[@MarkB.Guitar]

Wow, I've never heard of that model of Greenback before! Instantly sounds more like Iommi. I prefer it to the regular G12H. Very cool 😄

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Mark!

[@bobjoe7508]

Wow I can really hear the difference! These really do sound like Zeppelin and Sabbath. I really love how your videos show how much difference there is between speakers.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear it, Cheers!

[@loosechangetrio1]

I have a couple of the T1976 from May 1973 in top position with a couple of Marshall V30s bottom in a 4 x 12 and it sounds fantastic.

[@donsmith5385]

I enjoy learning about speakers Johan, I never knew Celestion used an Aluminum dome for their speakers, ever! You can totally see them in the cabs at the ‘74 Cal Jam concert

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Don! Yeah I have often wondered about California jam. Those could be this T1976 Celestion, but also Goodman Axioms which Laney used too. Or it could even be JBL or Altecs since Black Sabbath was called in the last moment (that’s why Tony didn’t have a moustache. He thought he was on vacation ;-))

[@donsmith5385]

@@JohanSegeborn Early Laney amps and cabs never came to SoCal unfortunately, not till the 80’s when the AOR series amps and cabs came over, I always thought they were Goodman speakers, now with this Celestion, it makes it interesting. As far as those speakers being JBL or Altec’s , I would think they were beyond bright sounding for Sabbath, my experience was really “ice picky”. But the tone that day was incredible!

[@MrTee-hw7mp]

There’s a big difference in tone but I love both. Especially because of the clear, vowel like single note tones that seem to be a characteristic of the Pulsonic cones.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@davidrees1840]

I can't believe how big a difference it makes -the 4-ridge speaker sounds so much bigger, fuller, less compressed. 100% clear winner for my taste. Thank you for another great video!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks David!

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

They swear up and down that the old Sabbath records were recorded with Celestion speakers. But to my ears, the old albums sound much more like Goodmans than Celestions.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah but Goodman Axiom and Celestion T1976 are very similar

[@RjRocker87]

I never knew Celestion made a silver dome. To my years it really brings out the high end 4khz and above. You can clearly hear those highs in the opening riff of Paranoid. Great A/B as always \m/

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@blackholeheart1992]

These would make a good mix in a cab

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah definitely!

[@alanst.4417]

You've always been a greenback expert, Johan. This is one of those videos, which always make me smile! 🤘 Classic tones which make each of those beautiful vintage speakers shine in its own right - instant Sabbath and Zep tones, even if with a different amp 👍 I have one G12H 30 T1976 myself for Sabbath tones and one G12H 30 75Hz with a T1217, because I've always liked them with Laney, Orange and even Marshall for their special overtones. Cheers Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Alan! Cheers

[@jamesalfano5740]

Wow! What a difference. I'll have to check the # of ridges on my Studio 15. I know its a 25 watt green back, but I was unaware the ridges had this much impact on the sound. Thanks for knoledge and great demo.

[@Dan-po1ge]

As soon as you played Symptom of the Universe I heard it lol yep that speaker was the sound.

[@DarrenDoo]

I dont know if this has been asked before but what are the possibilities of you releasing IRs of all these amazing speaker/cab combos?

[@OgamiItto70]

And here I thought it was all about the treble booster. Live and learn, I reckon.

[@JohanSegeborn]

I think the treble booster added attitude rather than tone if that makes sense

[@bottomkitchen250]

What a difference. Can tell even with just a phone. Can't say I have a preference though. Always enjoy these videos, Johan.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@BcBaxley]

That 4 ridge got that sound I love... perhaps this is why my fav speaker is the G12 EVH 🤔🍻🤘

[@tyremanguitars]

I have always liked the 55 a bit more, but I am a huge hendrix/page and early kiss fan so it makes sense

[@CODemand]

Oh yeah, I'd absolutely appreciate impulse builds too - maybe you could team up with a pro like OwnHammer or something? I've often wondered why Celestion don't offer pulses from their old models, they should have some treasures. I've always come to the conclusion that they just don't want to disclose how superior their old models were to the modern ones and surely they are more interested in selling the current models...anyway, your videos are really worth their weight in gold!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad you like the videos!

[@user-tb9rw7dh2t]

Great video Johan 👍👍

[@mayak_85]

One more great comparison videoby Johan. Both sound great, I'd prefer 55Hz version. Thanks, Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks glad you like them!

[@jcoulter43]

Both sound great. Broad tonal palette is great. I cant say I like one better than the other. God bless and rock on 👍😎🎸

[@JohanSegeborn]

Rock on my friend!

[@riangarianga]

That was really interesting, there's a wider shift than I expected between them.
It makes me wonder if this could be one of the reasons why my Greenbacks M (all post 2000) sound so different depending on the manufacturing period.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! The main reasons here I think are the cone type, dust cap and the spider. Would be interesting to investigate what the spread of tone for a given model M during 2000-2024 stems from

[@halvach1998]

The number of ridges is a red herring, it's the Alu dust cap that makes the difference

[@jensk4140]

I would like two of each in a cab ☺️

[@therealblowers]

I thought you nailed the Sabbath tone with the standard greenback actually :P It's so difficult to get the sound right though just because the studio work is double-tracked. Perhaps that factors in here.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah and the studio tracks are often heavily treated with EQ as well

[@ElmoSyr]

Great stuff as usual Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks glad to hear it!

[@Captain-Nostromo]

A Lars Norman painting on the wall in the background 👍

[@JohanSegeborn]

Indeed! I love his paintings

[@Captain-Nostromo]

@@JohanSegeborn my dad was also an artist and they were good friends

[@ScottyBrockway]

I like that speaker, much less sizzle on it, which is weird considering it has an aluminum dome. Kinda mid scooped too, but seems more focused and not as wide. Definitely interesting!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Scotty

[@batman9592]

I'm watching this with no speakers and i can still tell the difference in sound.
Tone really is in the fingers, eh?! Inspiring!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! Different speakers do indeed inspire different playing which I think are their biggest contributions. It’s a source of variation for comparison videos like this though

[@ro307805]

Nice!! Great ear!!

[@darrellminx5459]

Both speakers sound great. Greetings from Hawaii. Darrell

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Darrell! Cheers

[@user-pk4kb8bx9g]

Oooooh, this i gotta see.
Thanks for all your nice vids Johan.
(Du råkar inte ha ett tomt cab tiil salu? 1x12eller 2×12")

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad you like them! (Nej inte just nu, men Simon brukar kunna hitta det mesta!)

[@Lukecroydon]

Wowzers! They sound SO different! Think I prefer the 1972…

[@guitarwithjamesoffical]

Wow a big difference actually! I like the 2nd sound the best

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@AlexanderShibilski]

Very interesting to learn that Laney cabs had greenbacks with aluminum dust caps?!

[@TuesdayAt5]

Mr. Speed... Love it!

[@jesuseduardo7425]

Great sound

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@jesuseduardo7425]

@@JohanSegeborn I have been following you for a long time, a hug from Mexico

[@panikpas]

I think the mix of both speakers would do the job.

[@Finleymon]

You should do a video on Duane Allmans speakers, JBLs vs/or Cerwin Vegas

[@what1864]

i dig the chrome dome , more present in this recording ...

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah more upper mids on that one

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Johan! If I can hear a difference on a cell, there a difference.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Aloha Victor!

[@neilstrawberry]

I wonder when are you going to win a Nobel Prize

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! That’s very kind of you 😂

[@Marshall-uy2dv]

Has somewhat of a JBL grind to it almost. To my ears anyway.

[@jordantee2383]

Your the reason i got a pair of 1967 h 75s, great speaker! And was also wondering johan does the fryette power really replicate a a cranked amp at low volumes or does it sound like a imitation?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Jordan! Great to hear that. The Fryette power station really preserves the energy and tone but granted it does add another amp in the chain, but to me it works beautifully

[@jordantee2383]

@JohanSegeborn thank you appreciate your knowledge ,and your feedback as always!

[@kevinleahyjr1977]

For people on pedal budget... I use ....tomsline plexion pedal... rowin plexion pedal....donner verb square... demon fx.. ts red ll...azor reverb. All under $40. Us. Used..

[@kevinleahyjr1977]

I own a 1969 laney lc16. 12"fane.. . fan ....of this channel. Not so rich tho.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Kevin!

[@eddieholmes3236]

The T1976 was a bit more compressed to my ears. You need to write a book on this Johan as no one knows more about rock speakers than you!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Eddie! Yeah the loose spider makes it more compressed I think.

[@scotthutchens1556]

The 4-ridge had much more crunch and highs, the 6 ridge sound did not have as much definition. I have old G12-M’s, I’ll have to see which ones they are.

[@Funkybassuk]

On the heaviest stuff, the Sabbath speaker sounded best. On the Southern rock style stuff, the standard G12H30 55Hz sounded best.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@user-ii5mh9li6l]

From here it sounded like the 4 ridge had more high end.

[@rocxNroll]

I didn't get the point Johan... So did page use the 55hz?

[@davidsaric2012]

I think if you were recording a blend between the two speaker's would sound great as t😮

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

There s quite a difference. I can hear the 75 watt 4 ribs sounding more sabbath. COol sounds from both speakers.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@kutnersuicide]

That was nice. I think the 55Hz sounded fuller but the 75 had a cool bite to it.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! I agree

[@michaelmurphy2167]

Mr. Speed!!

[@WorthyAdversary]

6 ridge without a doubt sounds better

[@piggiron_sound33]

4 ridge breaks better