Celestion Creamback vs Greenback: Two Legends of Tone

We had a few moments spare in the workshop so decided to make a few short shoot out videos. In this video we chose Celestion's G12M creamback and the G12M greenback.

This is just a quick comparison video using only a few styles and limited gear. We will be making more in depth videos in the near future, but we hope this gives you all a little taste of the speakers.

For the cab we used a closed back Zilla Fatbaby 1x12.

[CelestionUK]

The original idea behind the Creamback was for a speaker that would enable you to downsize from a 4x12 full of Greenbacks to a 2x12, while keeping the same amp head. Obviously you get the additional power handling that would be required to keep up with the amp. We think there's also an additional girth or weightiness to the Creamback tone compared to a Greenback, that you might otherwise miss when moving away from the 4x12 format to a smaller cab.

[Unusednickname_]

The Creamback sounds like the Greenback with a blanket over it. I like the bark and sizzle of the G12M Greenback. Depends on the amp used, I suppose.

[immortalgram]

Greenback for me. Like that added presence it adds.

[padgreen]

Wow, didn't expect so much of a difference, both sound stellar, but the Greenback edged it for me, a bit more weighty in tone.

[CelestionUK]

In the end though simply two great (and different) sounding speakers. Cool demo as always, fellas.

[eguilherme]

The greenback has that extra bit of sizzle, just the perfect rock speaker. Both great speakers. Thanks for these comparison videos, always so well done!

[bouillefabien]

this guitarist looks so friendly!! And he plays very well....

[jme]

I have both of these. I use the Greenback for a lot of the cleaner stuff and the Creamback for rocking out.

[Matt-egwr]

Love the added midrange form the Greenback, Threw one in a high-gain single channel 18W clone I built and it sounds wonderful. Built the amp around living in the midrange, since the tone knob on those amps only really brings up treble and doesn’t cut it. Also threw a few small value caps in at the speaker output on a 3 way selector to cut out any excessive low end. The combo of this low end cut and treble increasing tone knob let’s me dial in super wonderful fuzzy-mid ranted-marshall tones and dial it back for nice fat cleans

[pestilencekills]

The faster changes between drivers works a lot better in these comparisons. Great stuff as usual

[paranoid]

Creamback for me used to play the v30 very long (metal) now im older and enjoying blues and some stoner rock

[Gonboo]

Most videos I've seen with the M Creambacks makes them sound muddy and more quiet than other speakers. I'm glad I went with the 75Hs in my 2x12.

[carlosg]

Hi! I read that Creamback M was created to 2x12 cab and it should sound like 4x12 Greenback M. Can you compare it?

[ryanamy]

Watching this to decide between which of the two will replace the 10" voice of the world speaker in my Rocker 15 combo. I'm still torn, the greenback seems like it would be a more full sound, but the creamback is very articulate. Decisions decisions!

[lewisbell]

Hi everyone, would appreciate some insight from those in the know with this.
I have a 20W Marshall SV20 with a 2x12 cab. Looking to swap out the speakers for either green or cream backs. I lean towards the creambacks because I would like to take a bit of edge off the bright amp and have a warmer fuller sound.
But I’m trying to work my head around the power ratings. Understand it’s better with higher watt amps. But, is there any issue with slotting the creambacks with the 20W SV20. What will be the tonal impact? Is there a fundamental issue with doing so?

Would appreciate some advice on this.
Cheers

[whoisthenext]

Different resonance. Choice depends by instinctive reference to vintage or modern sounds.

[RockHardRiffs]

I have a Marshall Origin 20 watt head and a Code vertical 2x12 cab with stock Marshall speakers. I’m primarily a hard rocker but have a softer side as well. I’m thinking Greenbacks as a replacement but would love some

[DunderHead.]

There isn't a single audio comparison between the G12H Greenback and the G128 that I can find although people talk about them a lot.

[keithrowe]

I suppose one would use a cream back for times when you want it to sit in the mix a bit more, so when the whole band is going and you want to blend in. Then when you do a solo and want to poke out, time for the edge of the green machine. My two bits.

[richardt]

Ok hoping for a Zilla response here. I want to replace the 70/80’s in my Marshall 2x12 cab. The head is the DSL20HR. It’s down to these exact two speakers. I can’t decide on running them in pairs, or one each of the Green and Cream. I’m not into maxed out gain, more of a bluesy rock sort of tone. I mostly use the classic gain channel for that edge of break up sound. I also am sort of stuck with pretty low volumes most of the time. If I mix and match, would the Greenback be better at the top and the Greenback at the bottom? Thanks.