Eminence The Governor

75 watt guitar speaker

Pretty impressive speaker overall. Not as much like a V30 as I would have thought, but nice nonetheless. Good clear treble, prominant upper mid, nice tight bass (not a ton of bass, but what's there is good). No cone cry, rattles or squeaks. Great construction, and looks excellent.

Excellent, has taken a ton of abuse.

No problems

Great speaker at a great price. Sounds as good, though slightly different from the celestions. My only real complaint is about eminence's SPL ratings, which are a bit exaggerated IMO. I wish the scompanies would get together to get a consistant system.

An addendum to my previous post: I can only retract the observation of "more black between the notes" in attribute to the Eminence Governor. Furthermore, I would not rid myself of the Celestion Vintage 30s, that is, until I find an alternative that outclass both entirely.

I would say moreso that, generally, the Governor is best fit in modern amps with a good Vintage tone somewhere. The Celestion Vintage 30 is then best fit in a modern amp with good Modern tone. Both could find a niche in this realm, especially if your amp is versatile enough. My Mesa Tremoverb delivers both of these sounds very well; and one's amplifier is a good base of tone prejudice for or against a particular speaker.

Now, regarding the blackness between the notes: The Eminence Governor can, pound for pound, directly compete with the Vintage 30 in every aspect, with the exception that its overall tone is much warmer, hence the lack of ice-pick highs, and therefore, the lack of grittiness and bite and brightness/presence. The Eminence Governor is laid-back in delivery, the Celestion Vintage 30 is forthright and aggressive, and thus its ubiquity in cabinets meant to be driven by high-gain amps.

The Eminence Governor is a warmer, browner V30-like speaker, and what it lacks in bite, it recovers in warmth. It's a good combination in a cabinet dominated by V30s because it can tame a bit of that overall sound.

I think that the Celestion Vintage 30 is used most often for a reason. Economics-of-scale play a keen role in this, as does the reputation of Celestion; it is also because it is a fine recipe for a new breed of heavy rock sound. The Eminence Governor is no slouch, and is most certainly a tuned opposition, but it won't exchange the V30 outright, and it can only complement in my case. If I were stocking an empty cabinet, it would most certainly be utilised, as it is $20 less than the entrenched competition. But there will always be space for more.

Twelve inches, 8 ohms, ceramic magnet, British-style sound -- modeled in part on the Celestion Vintage 30, which was modeled on the Celestion Alnico Blue. I play progressive heavy metal, lots of clean with reverb, and sometimes blues.

I purchased the Governor to shape-shift the factory-stock Mesa Dual Rectifier sound. Replacing one Celestion Vintage 30 (actually made in Ipswich, England) in a 4x12 closed-back cabinet. I really wish Mesa would mix up the drivers in their cabs, it would only be good for the illumination of their particular sound in which so many admire. But I digress.

Simply put, The Governor by Eminence, is more of a Celestion Vintage 30 than the Vintage 30 is -- it encompasses more of THAT sound, ideally. The Governor has more dimension and feel, which makes it plenty flexible; there is more black between the notes than the Vintage 30, and it actually responds to equalisation with aplomb.

I like the Vintage 30's classic, hi-fi quality, but it leans trebly; it has grit, and the ice-pick comes out, depending on the style and the gain. One can ascertain that this is the speaker speaking, and not their amp, tubes, guitar tone, or cables. Overall, it has what is akin to photographic noise after ISO 400, to begin with -- it gets higher as you push it.

Now, I had to talk about the Vintage 30 in comparison to the Governor because it is meant to compete, and I have had the pleasure of studying both. And, my opinion of the Vintage 30 has held for a few years even without such an entrenched competition like the addition of The Governor to my cabinet.

I've had this speaker for 3 months now, and it has broken-in sufficiently; no gigging. I hope "Made in USA" still means something to you.

Never dealt with Eminence, but I have heard good things about their service and support.

Now that I have had the chance to add a clone-complement, I can say that The Governor is more suited to the application with which one might intend to deliver the Vintage 30 sound. The Governor does not have the ice-pick, its treble range is spot-on Vintage 30, its mids are more brown-coloured, and it's low-end, in compare, has more rumble as opposed to herbivore-bite. I don't think that one would be left wanting if they replaced all of their Vintage 30s with Governors.

If the combination of a Celestion Vintage 30 and a Celestion G12H30 in a 2x12 cabinet really makes sound sense, then how about an Eminence Governor and a Celestion G12H30? If the latter does not have more a more dynamic competitor from Eminence already.

Explore non-stock possibilities, and expand.

Made in the US

75Watt

8 Ohms

I used this in a closed 2x12" cab and a open-back Marshall tube combo. The speaker sounds very "thick", not so much "full" and "open" but more "thick" and "condensed". Overall sound quality is good, I'm content with its sound. The clean sounds more open and full than the highgain sound, which is focused and cuts through very well (due to the many mids of the speaker). I prefer the sound in the closed cab slightly, the bass had more "punch" and the highs were less trebly, but it's just nuances.

Great for rock/hardrock/metal. Sounds a tad different from the Celestion V30, I'd say it has more upper mids and less highs, but that's a careful estimation (I have a V30 4x12" cab BTW).

No problems so far.

Good, I contacted them once (on a technical issue with a Kilmax 18") and got a reply the next day.

This speaker is a keeper. It might not be a 100 per cent clone of the V30, but it is at least just as good soundwise if not even better - plus it's cheaper and made in the US.
If one of my V30s broke, I'd get a Governor for replacement for sure.

Rating 10 for the good price/value relation.

Speaker, 75 watts, 8 ohms, 12 inch, four wiring legs, 8 screw holes.
Tight bottom, crunchy mids, clear highs.

I have to give to ratings:
1st: I own copy of 50watt JCM800 with added channel and balanced effects insert. Through that, speaker is unbelievable... Mids are rich and crunchy with drive on max, cleans are super clean, almost like twin with highs rolled off to say 9 o'clock. Absolutely awesome sound. I can't believe I own it. Tested in open back cabinet in 1x12" configuration.
2nd: My brothers boutique head, high gain, two channel (same amp builder as mine jcm800 but very different beast), kind of mesa-boofie mark I thing, I played only minute or two at low volume, but could not get as beautiful drive, it had teeth I'd say. But had its own character. And I know new speakers have always teeth they loose to some point when broken in. I wouldn't be satisfied 100% with that config, I think Private Jack would be better. But it didn't sound bad at all. Again, RICH 12" of rock! I give it nine 'cause it don't fit all high gain amps.

It's eminence. Brother had beta 12 before, played for years, no problems. I don't believe I'll have some with this one.

never dealt with eminence, though, Dan Acoustic, seller for Slovakia was very very nice. They let me test Eminences as long as I wanted to, changing speakers, just waiting for me to say which will go next. And were helpfull talking about speakers, especially their usage for particular style, after I tested them.

I am playing for quite some years, went from no amp and zoom-707 to v-amp 2 and then Digitech Rp-7 valve, with all tube amp equipped with 10" weber alnicos and now wanted punch of 12" speaker, that great overdrive and deep rich clean. This baby offers it for great price. I will use two 2x12" boxes with Governors. Now I will get Boss GT-8 (tested in same shop as speaker) for effects, and along with strat loaded with fender Tex-Mex I own, that will be for year or two my gear. Then I will most prolly switch to handmade Stratocaster with EMGs and Les Paul with Gibson pickups I believe. Both by Sivcak - Soller handmade guitars. Great instruments. Just will have to make money to buy them. But I really doubt I will change speakers.

Pretty standard here. Eminence uses a higher quality basket than Celestion, you can rap on a Celestion speaker and it will ring like a bell but the Eminence is dead silent...the way it should be.

Sounds similar to a Vintage 30, but better. No icepick, smoother mids, more bottom...just better overall. Celestion seems to have taken a nose dive since moving to China and chepening the product (even though they RAISED the price!)

7 year warranty. Nuff said.

Emailed me back with answers within an hour.

Overall a great sounding speaker. I use an Avatar 2x12 with a Governor and a Swamp Thang..a match made in heaven. Eminence are 100% made in the USA!

Nominal Basket Diameter: 12" / 305mm
Impedance: 8 or 16 ohms
RMS Power Rating: 75 Watts
Peak Power Rating: 150 Watts
Usable Frequency Response: 70Hz - 5.5kHz
Voice Coil Diameter: 1.75" / 44.5mm
Sensitivity (1W/1m): 102dB
Magnet Weight: 56 oz.
Shipping Weight 13lbs. / 5.9 kg

Cool red paint... ;-)

My first Gov's came in an open back Avatar 212 cab that I got for a Yamaha DG130 head. It did take a while for the Govs to break in and smooth out, but once they were broken in, I became a die-hard Governor fan.

I also have a pair of V30's in another 212 cab, and I have compared the Govs side-by-side with the V30, as well as several other speakers (Eminence' V12 and Texas Heat are also on my "recommended" list).

I disagree with the previous reviewer who says that distortion players who like the V30 should "keep walking"... To my ears (the same ears that used to prefer V30's), the Governor delivers the "syrupy smooth break up" that most people seek in the V30, but you need a bit more power to get them there. Also, the Govs are noticably louder than the V30s for the same amount of power.

For clean tones, the Govs are definately a superior speaker to the V30, IMHO. Listen to them side-by-side and you will hear the difference. For clean tones, the Govs have lots of depth without being shrill, the low end is warm and round sounding, and the distortion/overdrive tones come through sweet and syrupy in the upper mids to high end, similar to the V30, but with slightly more volume and depth.

For distortion, it becomes largely a matter of personal preference, but they are similar. IMHO, I prefer the Govs. After playing the Govs for a few months, I went back to try my V30s, and even with distortion, compared to the Govs, the V30s sounded somewhat shrill and two-dimensional.

To each his/her own, but my Govs sound GOOD.

I also have a pair of Govs in a closed back 212 cab, and wonderful things have been happening there too. I think I might even prefer them in the closed back cab. Serious bass thump, but the cleans are still world-class.

No problems with any of my Eminence speakers, including some that are over 20 years old.

Eminence is a large company, but if you leave them a message, they usually return your call the same day. Good people too. It's amazing that they take the time to look up serial numbers on older OEM speakers, even when there's no money it for them. Warranty on new Govs is 5 years.

I currently own six Governors, all of them 16 ohmers. The first pair is in an open back 212 cab, the second pair is in a closed back 212 cab, and the last pair I got as a gift and I'm saving 'em 'til I find something to put 'em in. Maybe I'll get another pair, or match them with a pair of Wizards in a 412 cab.

On the website for US Speaker-dot-com, it says simply, "Replaces the Celestion V30". And it does. While the V30 was/is a great speaker, the Governor is greater, IMHO. The Gov was designed to do what the V30 does, but do it better, and it succeeds. It is a very good design.

The Govs may never replicate the glory days of the V30, but for my money (and my ears) the Govs just sound better for what I do, and this is coming from a former V30 user/abuser.

It's also nice that the Govs are less expensive than the V30. Once more people have the chance to compare them side-by-side with V30s, I don't know how much longer the low prices will last... Even at the same price, I'd still choose the Gov over the V30.

The Gov's are, IMHO, a superior speaker to the V30.

75 watt speaker, 8 ohms; british flavor

Played with Mesa boogie F50 & Nomad; installed in close back ear candy 1 x 12 cab. Took some time to break in (at least a month). Initially, it was very gritty, but over time, did manage to smooth out.

It does not sound like a vintage 30. The overall tone has fuller bodied mid range (seems to be more in the 700-2000hz frequency). As a result, lacks the mid spike of the celestion vintage 30 (v30). It is exceptional for clean sounds, especially chording. It was very punchy and warm, with smooth highs. This speaker is great for clean jazz, country, and blues! If you play the above, this speaker would work well for you.

I didn't like the overdrive characteristics. Sounded "boxy," & the break up sounded "stiff." As a result, it almost sounded as if it were "2d," and the v30 "3d". The break up of the v30 is syrupy, and the guv was cardboard like. I really wanted to like this speaker, but the stiffness just didn't work for me. If you play clean exclusively, this would be a great speaker. I rate it high for superb clean sounds.

solidly built. though, the metal encasing seemed to be lightweight compared to the celestions metal encasing.

did talk with them

If you have a midrange less amp, or an amp that has spikey highs; this speaker may work for you. If you play clean stuff almost exclusively, & love the warm british tone, this may be your speaker. If, on the other hand, you play distorted chording & leads (rock & metal) & are looking for the syrupy smooth break up of the vintage 30, keep walking. this ain't it.

Had these for about 6 months. Nice Midrange, good lows & highs.
Cuts through the mix.

Great tone, but they don't seem to work well with other speakers in a cab. I have run 2-Vin 30's & 2-Greenback celestions in a 4x12 cab for years & they seem to work well together. In my opinion run all Governor's in the same cab (2x12 or 4x12). Alone in a 2x12 cabinet they are untouchable, it's like Brian May dream tone. They don't fart out like Vintage 30's do at times. And I think they are a better speaker than V30's. I still have a couple V30's & still like them very much.

Eminence has a killer warranty on these speakers.
They are tough speakers.

They best customer support of any speaker company hands down.
You can actually talk to someone within a few minutes & they don't make you feel as if you're wasting their time.

My quest for tone has been a blast of 27 years & counting.
I like these speakers. I will keep them in my 2x12 live set up & use them in the studio. It's not fare to compare these to Vintage 30's. I think they have their own tone & over the next few years we'll see how they hold up. I was hopimg these would mix better with other speakers in the same cab, but it turns out they sound far to good on their own to mix them with another set of speakers. Maybe I'll try them with a couple Texas Heat's in a 4x12 cab in a few months.
If you want a change from the Celestion strangle-hold try these out or maybe some Private Jacks.

12 inch 8 ohm "The Governer"

Everyone here seems to compare to the VIN 30. Even though it's a good reference I think this speaker has a sound all its own. I own VIN 30's and this is brighter in the mids and slightly brighter in the highs. I love the sound as it added a British sound while still maintaining what I like about the clean channel. Mine is in a Traynor Custom Valve 40 and it absolutley makes this amp shine - clean channel is Fender and the dirt is Marshall like. Excellent job by Eminence, I'll buy others over the overpriced Celestions. Buy American!

No problems, seems to be well made.

Never had to use it although when searching for a speaker they replied to my email quickly.

Been playing since 1972. Great made in USA value. I'll buy from Eminence again.