Avatar Cabs
- Thread starter ESPzach
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skyydogg01
Active member
Re: Avatar Cabs
I had 2x12 with vintage 30s in red with a black grille. I truly regret selling it.
I had 2x12 with vintage 30s in red with a black grille. I truly regret selling it.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Avatar Cabs
I have a Marshall 1960A, an Avatar Vintage 4x12 a Splawn 4x12, and a Mesa Rectifier 4x12 (standard size in the Rectifier line, but larger than my other cabs).
In terms of build quality, I would say that the Mesa is the best built with the Splawn in a close second. The Marshall and Avatar cabs are a wash, but they are different. The Avatar is made out of thicker plywood, so supposedly it's a little sturdier in that aspect, but I don't see how the Marshall is any less sturdy. Another difference is that the Avatar's furring strips don't go the full length of the front baffle, while the Marshall's furring strips do. In fact, the Avatar is the only one of my cabs that doesn't have full length furring strips on the front baffle. But I don't think that this really hurts anything.
Tone wise, I can't compare the Mesa or Splawn to the other two, because they have different speakers. The Mesa has older British V30s, and the Splawn has Eminence Governor and Man O War speakers. Alot of folks say that those Eminence speakers are their take on the V30 and G12T-75, but my ears tell me otherwise. They don't sound the same, IMHO.
The Avatar and the Marshall, however both have Chinese V30s (they sound different from their British counterparts), and British G12T-75s, so they can be compared. Overall, the Marshall and Avatar sound very similar. The Marshall is a little brighter, due to it's angled construction and radiates sound a little more, due partially to the thinner plywood and again the angled construction. So in comparison, the Avatar is more focused.
Whichever you decide to get is up to personal preference. But if I were to do it again, I wouldn't have bought the Avatar. Used Marshall 1960 cabs can be had for $300 - $500, depending on condition and variant. And I like the way the Marshall sounds overall over the Avatar.
I have a Marshall 1960A, an Avatar Vintage 4x12 a Splawn 4x12, and a Mesa Rectifier 4x12 (standard size in the Rectifier line, but larger than my other cabs).
In terms of build quality, I would say that the Mesa is the best built with the Splawn in a close second. The Marshall and Avatar cabs are a wash, but they are different. The Avatar is made out of thicker plywood, so supposedly it's a little sturdier in that aspect, but I don't see how the Marshall is any less sturdy. Another difference is that the Avatar's furring strips don't go the full length of the front baffle, while the Marshall's furring strips do. In fact, the Avatar is the only one of my cabs that doesn't have full length furring strips on the front baffle. But I don't think that this really hurts anything.
Tone wise, I can't compare the Mesa or Splawn to the other two, because they have different speakers. The Mesa has older British V30s, and the Splawn has Eminence Governor and Man O War speakers. Alot of folks say that those Eminence speakers are their take on the V30 and G12T-75, but my ears tell me otherwise. They don't sound the same, IMHO.
The Avatar and the Marshall, however both have Chinese V30s (they sound different from their British counterparts), and British G12T-75s, so they can be compared. Overall, the Marshall and Avatar sound very similar. The Marshall is a little brighter, due to it's angled construction and radiates sound a little more, due partially to the thinner plywood and again the angled construction. So in comparison, the Avatar is more focused.
Whichever you decide to get is up to personal preference. But if I were to do it again, I wouldn't have bought the Avatar. Used Marshall 1960 cabs can be had for $300 - $500, depending on condition and variant. And I like the way the Marshall sounds overall over the Avatar.
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Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Avatar Cabs
Take a long hard look at the G12K-100. I'm planning on replacing the G12T-75s and V30s in my Marshall with four of them. It sounds worlds better than the other two, together or on their own.
Take a long hard look at the G12K-100. I'm planning on replacing the G12T-75s and V30s in my Marshall with four of them. It sounds worlds better than the other two, together or on their own.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Avatar Cabs
Yep. As far as I know, the only new British built V30s are the Marshall and Mesa labled ones. But don't worry about it too much. The British V30s, in my experience have a very prominent and sometimes obnoxious midrange spike. The Chinese version is basically a smoother version of the same speaker, and sounds good if you just take it for what it is.
Yep. As far as I know, the only new British built V30s are the Marshall and Mesa labled ones. But don't worry about it too much. The British V30s, in my experience have a very prominent and sometimes obnoxious midrange spike. The Chinese version is basically a smoother version of the same speaker, and sounds good if you just take it for what it is.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Avatar Cabs
Mesa also carries a Celestion C-90 "Black Shadow" which is supposed to be UK made, and is a less "flavored" (and more efficient) speaker than the V30. I have them in one of my 4x12s and in a 1x12. I'm not a big fan of V30s although I think part of the issue was that they hadn't really broken in well yet. C90s have a more flat EQ and more low end, to my ears. The Eminence Swamp Thing seems to have some of the same goals in its design, more efficient, less breakup, more balanced EQ and less color.
Mesa also carries a Celestion C-90 "Black Shadow" which is supposed to be UK made, and is a less "flavored" (and more efficient) speaker than the V30. I have them in one of my 4x12s and in a 1x12. I'm not a big fan of V30s although I think part of the issue was that they hadn't really broken in well yet. C90s have a more flat EQ and more low end, to my ears. The Eminence Swamp Thing seems to have some of the same goals in its design, more efficient, less breakup, more balanced EQ and less color.
