Celestion Vintage 30 questions

[scarab1]

I am wanting a couple of these speakers for my SFTR and need to know how to tell the Chinese version from the real UK made speakers. Does anyone know? Also what year did Celestion start having these speakers made in China?

Thanks for your input.

[M Fowler]

I'm at work right now but I think on my new Vin 30's they note made or assembled in USA, but the original Vin 30 note England on them.


I will have to look when I get home. Heck some of those old pros on this forum should know the answer to that question and in fact I think there is already a tread on this subject.

Mark

[dartanion]

They are supposed to have country of origin labeled on each unit.

Personally, I don't feel that a V30 is a good match for an SFTR. They have a big spike in the upper mids that is ear fatiguing and some SFTRs (I'm not saying all as my 69 SFTR isn't) harsh and brittle in the highs.

[scarab1]

They are supposed to have country of origin labeled on each unit.

Personally, I don't feel that a V30 is a good match for an SFTR. They have a big spike in the upper mids that is ear fatiguing and some SFTRs (I'm not saying all as my 69 SFTR isn't) harsh and brittle in the highs.

My SFTR is a '72 with MV switch without the push-pull boost and no mods to the amplifier itself. A friend of mine has the same exact amplifier and his sound real good with the Vintage 30's. Tone is to die for with his SG played thru it. I bought this amp about 10 years ago for $400 and it was in okay shape, but not a stunning well kept amp. Someone put Celestion Modern Lead 70's in it(16 ohms) and I want to get back to 8 ohm speakers. A BF kit maybe in the near future.

Restoration is out of reason since it won't ever be worth mega bucks, I am just wanting a warmer tone that breaks up at a lower volume. The Vintage 30's appear to give that.

I just don't want to buy Chinese built or Chinese knockoffs. So far I have looked on ebay and asked several selers about their speakers and most indicate that they are Chinese origin or assembly or some kind of chinese influence. Go American or go without in my books.

Thanks for the input

[Structo]

Not sure if you have checked out Warehouse speakers but I bought a V30 and CL80 clone when he was blowing them out the door for $22 each.
They are now $65 but I felt the quality was very high and they are made in the USA.

[Alexo]

Go American or go without in my books.

Isn't Celestion a British company?

[Firestorm]

I think Celestion is either owned by or in a JV with a Chinese company anyway. They moved most of production out of the UK for labour cost reductions. The only speakers now made in the UK are the Heritage line: G12M, G12-EVH, G12H and G12-65. The alnicos are supposedly UK-made as well.

But as to an exact date for the transition from UK-made V30s to China, I can't quite tell. At least 7-8 years, I'd guess.

I think cones, spiders and maybe voice coils are UK-made and shipped to China for assembly (where the Chinese handle metal-forming and magnet manufacture. I've also heard that (age and wear-in issues aside) the Chinese V30s sound like the UK V30s. YMMV.

[jaysg]

I'm at work right now but I think on my new Vin 30's they note made or assembled in USA, but the original Vin 30 note England on them.

I have a G12H30 made in China. The "Made in England" text has been removed from the label. Otherwise, it's identical visually.

[scarab1]

Go American or go without in my books.

Isn't Celestion a British company?

Yes it is, but it is quality and not communist. I knew that my statement would bring some kind of quip, but the limeys are very okay in my books and to my knowledge their trade practices are fair and we haven't shipped many of our jobs there.