Scumback speakers represent
proprietor Jim Seavall’s goal of recreating
the sounds of the best pre-1973 (aka
“pre-Rola”) 12" Celestion speakers, with
a little more flexibility for contemporary
use. To get there, he studied more than
500 pre-Rola Celestions, tweaking his own
formula as he learned their secrets. Initially,
Scumback speakers were manufactured
to Seavall’s specs by another U.S.
speaker maker, but as of the middle of 2011,
final assembly has been in-house at his facility
in California, using authentic reproduction
frames updated with 8-hole mountings
and imported Kurt Mueller cones, which
are given a proprietary treatment to help
them attain the “richer midrange and less
treble” of the vintage units. There’s also an
optional in-house Full Break In service, or
“FBI”, which costs an additional $15. This
process replicates 40-50 hours of break-in
time at higher stage volumes that are usually
not attainable at home.
The M75-8-65W and H75-8-65W speakers
on review here are two of the maker’s most
popular models. Reproductions of the lauded
pre-Rola G12M Greenback and G12H drivers
respectively, each has the 75Hz Kurt Mueller
“lead” cone, but a power rating that is
increased to 65 watts so they can take more of
a licking in single units or pairs (versions in
25 watts and 100 watts are also available). I
tested each with a Matchless HC30 for class-
A chime and a Fryette Sig:X for crunch and
high-gain tones.
True to form, the M75-8-65W had the
juicy midrange, crisp, silky highs, and soft,
plummy lows of a great Greenback, but with
a little more fullness in the bottom than original
G12Ms. This speaker excelled at thick,
throaty crunch and juicy lead tones, and never
sounded spikey or harsh. With its heavier
magnet, the H75-8-65W is firmer both in the
bass and treble, with a midrange that’s punchy
yet somehow more recessed. It reminded me
of the buoyant, dynamic Hendrix-style tones
of the later ’60s, offered a little more clarity
and crispness throughout the range, and
provided slightly more volume, too. Both are
great sounding 12s with impressive abilities
to deliver the essence of pre-Rola tone for
the 21st century.
Specifications
Contact Scumback Speakers,
(310) 833-6632;
scumbackspeakers.com
M75-8-65w
Price $169 street (plus $15 for
break-in service as tested
here)
Magnet 35 oz. ceramic
Power Handling 65 watts RMS
Impedance 8Ω (16Ω also available)
Sensitivity 97dB
Resonance 75Hz
Frequency Range 75Hz–20kHz
Kudos Thick, well-textured
“Greenback” tones with
fuller low end and higher
power handling capabilities.
Great classic-rock
speaker.
Concerns None.
H75-8-65w
Price $169 street (plus $15 for
break-in service as tested
here)
Magnet 50 oz. ceramic
Power Handling 65 watts RMS
Impedance 8Ω (16Ω also available)
Sensitivity 99dB
Resonance 75Hz
Frequency Range 75Hz–20kHz
Kudos Punchy “heavy magnet”
Brit-rock tones with firm
lows and affirmative highs.
Concerns None.