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WGS CL-80 speaker
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Squier
Jun 16, 2012, 9:53:44 AM6/16/12
to
Ok -- been a while since I posted (well not that long)
so I decided to get a speaker to try out (Warehouse Guitar Speakers Classic Lead 80).
I needed speakers that in a 2x12 cab could play outdoor events
(yes, we do mic the cabs but there are times when you still need
a nice spread of sound on larger outdoor stages for stage volume
behind the PA).
Anyways -- I am not in the 'Vintage 30' camp (although if I primarily
played lead that speaker would be a good choice for leads with that
incessant mid/high mid hump). So I got a good deal on a slightly used
and slight broken in WGS CL-80 to give it a trial (place into an oversized 1x12 cab).
And whoaaa! This speaker gets a mixed bag of reviews but it's only because
there are so many people that consider a speaker 'without character' when
it doesn't have some sort of mid hump or some sort of big obvious frequency hump
somewhere. The CL-80 (to me anyways) reminds me more of a lower wattage EV-12L
more than the Celestion Lead 80 it is supposed to be based on.
It sounds great being driven by as little as 10 watts (and yes this speaker gets
really loud in a hurry -- and it has a girth to its tone that makes it sound huge
even in a 1x12 configuration). It is a fairly neutral speaker with a slightly
rolled off top end although you can bring out more top end using amp EQ or using
treble booster etc. And the speaker holds it together without flubbing out -
real deep and tight bottom end that projects out there strong and sweet strong mids
without sounding nasal or overbearing. The speaker takes great to EQ'ing and
lets your rig - sound like your rig! It is not the sort of speaker for those
that want a speaker driven tone (ala Vintage 30 or G12H-30 or G12M Greenback).
And I cranked my amp up (50 watts - pair of 6L6's) and the speaker just kept
opening up and sounding better and better - nice crunch but solid - no flub or fizz.
I can already tell you that in a 2x12 driven by a pair of 6L6's this can easily
keep up with most 4x12 half stacks -- yes this speaker is one of the 'biggest'
sounding speakers I have played through and it's fairly nuetral tones are a bonus for me.
I played into another 1x12 with a Celestion G12M (Greenback) installed and it
soundy middy and wimpy compared to the 1x12 with the CL-80 (Ok - I guess that's
why Greenbacks need 2x12 or 4x12 to give enough impact for live play).
I also compared to a 1x12 with Celestion Vintage 30 -- and once again the CL-80
just stomped all over it in terms of overall punch and spread and big sound that
encompassed a wide freq. range from huge bottom to wide mids to softer top that
opens up the more you crank it up.
So for anyone out there looking for a 12" speaker that plays well and 'feels' right
for a variety of styles (and will also play nice with all sorts of pedals/effects
and morph into what you want with various EQ's) then give a try to the WGS CL-80.
Personally I think it is an underrated and sometimes maligned speaker but that is
only because anytime the 'Vintage 30' crowd reviews anything other than a Vintage 30
or similar they don't like it (because they depend completely on speaker driven tones).
I give the CL-80 a great review here because its a great speaker -- and I know
a 2x12 with these speakers is easily enough to play live outdoors and in fact
being driven by my 50 watt tube amp I know can easily keep up with any 4x12 out there.
Once again -- think EV-12L in a more manageable package.
so I decided to get a speaker to try out (Warehouse Guitar Speakers Classic Lead 80).
I needed speakers that in a 2x12 cab could play outdoor events
(yes, we do mic the cabs but there are times when you still need
a nice spread of sound on larger outdoor stages for stage volume
behind the PA).
Anyways -- I am not in the 'Vintage 30' camp (although if I primarily
played lead that speaker would be a good choice for leads with that
incessant mid/high mid hump). So I got a good deal on a slightly used
and slight broken in WGS CL-80 to give it a trial (place into an oversized 1x12 cab).
And whoaaa! This speaker gets a mixed bag of reviews but it's only because
there are so many people that consider a speaker 'without character' when
it doesn't have some sort of mid hump or some sort of big obvious frequency hump
somewhere. The CL-80 (to me anyways) reminds me more of a lower wattage EV-12L
more than the Celestion Lead 80 it is supposed to be based on.
It sounds great being driven by as little as 10 watts (and yes this speaker gets
really loud in a hurry -- and it has a girth to its tone that makes it sound huge
even in a 1x12 configuration). It is a fairly neutral speaker with a slightly
rolled off top end although you can bring out more top end using amp EQ or using
treble booster etc. And the speaker holds it together without flubbing out -
real deep and tight bottom end that projects out there strong and sweet strong mids
without sounding nasal or overbearing. The speaker takes great to EQ'ing and
lets your rig - sound like your rig! It is not the sort of speaker for those
that want a speaker driven tone (ala Vintage 30 or G12H-30 or G12M Greenback).
And I cranked my amp up (50 watts - pair of 6L6's) and the speaker just kept
opening up and sounding better and better - nice crunch but solid - no flub or fizz.
I can already tell you that in a 2x12 driven by a pair of 6L6's this can easily
keep up with most 4x12 half stacks -- yes this speaker is one of the 'biggest'
sounding speakers I have played through and it's fairly nuetral tones are a bonus for me.
I played into another 1x12 with a Celestion G12M (Greenback) installed and it
soundy middy and wimpy compared to the 1x12 with the CL-80 (Ok - I guess that's
why Greenbacks need 2x12 or 4x12 to give enough impact for live play).
I also compared to a 1x12 with Celestion Vintage 30 -- and once again the CL-80
just stomped all over it in terms of overall punch and spread and big sound that
encompassed a wide freq. range from huge bottom to wide mids to softer top that
opens up the more you crank it up.
So for anyone out there looking for a 12" speaker that plays well and 'feels' right
for a variety of styles (and will also play nice with all sorts of pedals/effects
and morph into what you want with various EQ's) then give a try to the WGS CL-80.
Personally I think it is an underrated and sometimes maligned speaker but that is
only because anytime the 'Vintage 30' crowd reviews anything other than a Vintage 30
or similar they don't like it (because they depend completely on speaker driven tones).
I give the CL-80 a great review here because its a great speaker -- and I know
a 2x12 with these speakers is easily enough to play live outdoors and in fact
being driven by my 50 watt tube amp I know can easily keep up with any 4x12 out there.
Once again -- think EV-12L in a more manageable package.
Dave M.
Jun 16, 2012, 11:48:46 AM6/16/12
to
squier,
Looked at their web-site and they don't list a CL-80, they do have an 80
watt British Lead speaker. Is this the speaker that you are reviewing.
Speakers and cabinets work together to deliver sound. It's not clear what
sort of cabinet you are using in your review.
Dave M.
Looked at their web-site and they don't list a CL-80, they do have an 80
watt British Lead speaker. Is this the speaker that you are reviewing.
Speakers and cabinets work together to deliver sound. It's not clear what
sort of cabinet you are using in your review.
Dave M.
Squier
Jun 16, 2012, 10:00:54 PM6/16/12
to
WGS had to rename the speaker (as the original name of Classic Lead 80 was too
close to the Celestion model name). Anyways - same speakers - the newer
name for the speaker is British Lead (80 watt rating).
The cab being used is semi-open back. 3/4" Birch ply cab with birch ply baffle.
Dimensions are 11" deep, 20 inch wide and 18" tall.
It's a cab made for me by JDesign Cabs (www.jdesigncabs.com).
Dave M.
Jun 17, 2012, 11:48:29 AM6/17/12
to
Thanks for the follow up.
Dave M.
Dave M.
jtees4
Jun 17, 2012, 12:05:07 PM6/17/12
to
stayed away from this speaker just for that reason. Never liked an amp
I had with Vintage 30 (had maybe 3)....so it's good to know about this
speaker in case it ever crosses my path.
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