1960a mod !?

[edi_87]

Well I've run a search (several searches in fact) and didn't find such topic, am I first ???!! LOL :laugh2: The fact is, that 1960a boxes are nicely built from thick baltic birch (from what I've heard), apart from their backpanels which are made of particle board. Would changing the backpanel improve the overall tone?

What else can we do to improve our cab's sound??
Take care guys..

 

[ColdHit]

Re: 1960a mod !?

How much improvement? What are you looking for?

I love the 1960 cabs with my 5150. I think they sound very good.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Dude...did you ever stop to think that marshall was doing it for our protection...If they used anything better than particle board...that cab would be too much for the human ear to handle...The tone would be so good your ears would bleed but you wouldnt care...:banana: :chairfall

Just kiddin'

Id imagine it would sound better if you used a more desirable material.

 

[fakiekid]

Re: 1960a mod !?

if you can, try get hold of one of the carlsbro 50 top cabinets, basically same woods with the better back panel. it does have vintage 30's in it aswell which give a nice warm driven tone!

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

How much improvement? What are you looking for?

I dunno, you tell me!! Just want to replace the backpanel, no idea what should I use, I guess there would be at least hearable difference

Dude...did you ever stop to think that marshall was doing it for our protection...If they used anything better than particle board...that cab would be too much for the human ear to handle...The tone would be so good your ears would bleed but you wouldnt care...

good 1 !! :laugh2:

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Nightburst on here replaced the back panel, the ****ty jacks and stereo/mono switch, and put some foam inside to tighten things up - I imagine it made a world of difference, and I'll be doing it to the 1936 cab I'll be getting.

 

[shredaholic]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Marshall used to have the back board as the same birch ply as the rest of the material until the early 70's, when they started using the particle board and have done ever since. So I guess you could say you're making the cab more 'vintage correct'?

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

if you can, try get hold of one of the carlsbro 50 top cabinets, basically same woods with the better back panel. it does have vintage 30's in it aswell which give a nice warm driven tone!

I don't want to get a new cab.. just want to replace the backpanel..

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Also some people like them without a backpanel at all so theres that to think about too.

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Nightburst on here replaced the back panel, the ****ty jacks and stereo/mono switch, and put some foam inside to tighten things up - I imagine it made a world of difference, and I'll be doing it to the 1936 cab I'll be getting.

Any idea what components did he use? Details?

Marshall used to have the back board as the same birch ply as the rest of the material until the early 70's, when they started using the particle board and have done ever since. So I guess you could say you're making the cab more 'vintage correct'?

Well I do not intend to make it "vintage correct". I mean to make it just sound better...

 

[shredaholic]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Yup - but I bet it couldn't hurt to show that off in the eBay auction if you ever flogged it

 

[Nightburst]

Re: 1960a mod !?

I have modded a 1960a cab and the results are just astonishing! It's a cheap mod too! and the cab will be much clearer sounding with bigger bass response. I don't understand Marshall sometimes, this should be standard on their cabs!

Measure up the back panel and go get a nice piece of birch sawn to shape. Take off the tolex ( I peeled mine off really easy!) and use an exacto knife or scraper to get rid of the glue residue.
Glue the tolex back on the new panel and use the old back panel as template for the screw holes on the new one then ditch it!

Remove the stereo mono switch (= tone sucker) and rewire the speakers (soldering is always better) with good insulated speaker wire (standard Marshall wire = spagetti ****). Connect everything to a good quality input jack (Neutrik for example) after you installed it into the back panel first of course!

Then get some isolation foam and cut it to size and glue it inside (see pictures).

After this mods you will have one killer cab! want more midrange? get 2 V30 speakers to replace the g75's and set them up in an x pattern. Bogner does this to their Ubershall cabs!

Good luck on modding! It an easy mod that will take not so much time and will only cost you about 50 bucks.

*Edit* Also notice how I addes some extra screws to hold the bar in the middle tight, the idea is to have everything stuck together tight in there! DOn't overdo it just don't give rattle or buzz a chance

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

thanks a lot Nightburst! That's exacly what I need
I'm going to replace 4 speakers with 2 Vintage 30 + 2 G12H30 combo so that the cab is a tone machine. I don't know if I need the foam to strenghten bass response, but we'll see
Oh, one more question.. How thick your birch is?

 

[Nightburst]

Re: 1960a mod !?

thanks a lot Nightburst! That's exacly what I need
I'm going to replace 4 speakers with 2 Vintage 30 + 2 G12H30 combo so that the cab is a tone machine. I don't know if I need the foam to strenghten bass response, but we'll see
Oh, one more question.. How thick your birch is?

No prob. :smokin:

The foam is for more note definition. I don't know the exact physics behind it but it works!
Measure up the old back panel, you will need an exact replica from better wood.

Good luck! And do post here what you think of the results!

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Ok, I'll either post it here or PM you.. Take care brother

 

[WhoFan]

Re: 1960a mod !?

I imagine that the Particle Board back piece Marshall uses may push more Bass out the front of the cabnet? Could this be right? I know the denser the material it blocks more sound

 

[joelap]

Re: 1960a mod !?

Vault Worthy!

Nightburst, what brand of insulating foam is that. Looks like what I refer to as egg-crate cushioning. Where did you buy it?

Not sure if you said it or not or maybe I missed it: what purpose does that birch block in the center provide, or is that stock on a 1960A? what are the dimensions on it?

After this thread has all loose ends tied up and questions cease, I definately think this is vault-worthy.

 

[theodie]

Re: 1960a mod !?

I think the vault is a good area for this mod!!

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: 1960a mod !?

I'd recommend a heat gun to melt the glue if you're peeling off the tolex!

 

[edi_87]

Re: 1960a mod !?

what purpose does that birch block in the center provide, or is that stock on a 1960A?

Well, the backpanel is screwed on to the block.. This might have been done not to let the backpanel vibrate..

And yes, the birch blocks in the center come stock with 1960a's, if not with all Marshall cabs

I'd recommend a heat gun to melt the glue if you're peeling off the tolex!

How would you do that? I have no experience with such actions, but think that heat guns can harm your tolex, well at least mine would IMO. The idea is very good though, assuming that the proper kind of glue was used by the guys from Marshall, which is very likely


As Nightbust said the jack's change is almost essential... I've heard about this issue (tone degradation) several times, everyone who did replace the switch and jack mentions that the previous ones had sucked tons of tone!! From my experience Neutriks are awesome, everyone who has ever used them says the same: "they're incredible", little pricey though..

About the central block.. As I mentioned before it's meant to keep the backpanel from vibrating, don't know why it shouldn't vibrate though.. Maybe to increase the stability, but from what I've heard and read some guys removed the block and say that it influenced their tone positively. No experience with that though.. Maybe someone??

Nightburst or anyone where did you get the birch from? Is it baltic birch that you've used ??