"Detail oriented" guitar speaker

[johnS]

Which guitar speaker would go well will with a low-watt (like 5 watt) tube amp? I'm strictly interested in a very simple recording rig that will sound good at low volumes and capture all the details of my totally frickin awesome playing nuances (as soon as I learn how to make some . . . heh). In other words, for this thing I'm not interested in competing with a drum kit or bass amp or anything. This is strictly for sticking a mic in front of it in my bedroom studio and capturing good guitar tone (mostly clean, with some breakup provided by a pedal--no high gain/shredder tone required, thanks). So, any suggestions?

Celestion? Eminence?

[lukedavo]

Greenback's or Redcoat's are what I dig on. Really like the extreme deffintion, which is what it sounds like your looking for.

[GearJunkie]

Celestion Alnico Blues. They're expensive as all hell, but they're 15 watt vintage modeled speakers. They sound outstanding. Vox has put them in their highend amps for a while (as they only put out 30 watts anyway). Either that or a G12M greenback. Those are 25 watters.

If you're looking for a good sound for recording, I'd say either that Alnico Blues speaker, or check into Weber speakers. Those sound outstanding.

[johnS]

Cool. I don't know much about the Weber stuff, but the Celestion Greenback seems about right. Thanks for the advice guys. If I ever put something together I'll report back.

[Whoopysnorp]

Yeah, my first thought was also a Greenback. A bit pricey, but should sound great.

[johnS]

OK so my next question is, for this application, do I go with an open back or closed back speaker cab? I'm thinking I'll get a single Greenback, and again this is strictly for recording. My understanding on this subject is limited. Assuming a 5 watt head, does open vs. closed make a difference in terms of efficiency, freq response, dynamics, etc?

[dagosto]

I'm pretty sure a closed back is the way to go. 5W will push barely any bass so the additional bass a closed back provides will help a lot.

[GearJunkie]

Originally Posted by dagosto

I'm pretty sure a closed back is the way to go. 5W will push barely any bass so the additional bass a closed back provides will help a lot.

i couldn't agree more.

[lukedavo]

"interested in a very simple recording rig that will sound good at low volumes and capture all the details of my totally frickin awesome playing nuances" johnS

Preciscely why I would use an open back, are you looking for extra bass? I was under the assumption you were looking for an even, no frills, guitar setup for recording. I find sweetspots all over and inside of an open back amp.

[johnS]

Hmm, good arguments on both sides. Would it be a major difference in sound or just a subtle boost in the low end with a closed back?

I'm not going for big chunky bass or anything, but I don't want anemic sound, either. Actually, the plan is to make the box myself, so maybe I will build it with a removable back.