Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

[Uk Ant]

Ok, so I had some spare dosh so ordered an Eminence Swamp Thang for my little Marshall 1912 cab.
In order to do a fair test I recorded with the old celestion G12B first before installing the Swamp Thang.
Guitar is my spare parts Ibanez RG with a JB8 in the bridge. I didn't spend any real time setting a tone just plugged in as was.
The Microphone was put in exactly the same position, nothing was changed on the mixer and both parts were recorded on the same track.
For a clip of the results follow this link - Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp Thang. G12B first then the swamp.

Now on paper the Swamp thang is 4db/w up on the G12B but the reality is not any real difference.
Tone wise they are chalk and cheese. The G12B is more compressed and bassy. The Swamp thang more clear and defined with a tighter bass.
The reality of how the swamp sounds at band volume will be discovered on Monday.
So far I'm pretty impressed.
It will be used for some recording stuff over the weekend.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

Hmm....a Comparison of a broken in G12B, and a Brand new Swamp Thang with no break in time...

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

Hmm....a Comparison of a broken in G12B, and a Brand new Swamp Thang with no break in time...

I'm not sure the G12B is broken as such, although the difference in high end response is a bit odd.
That said the difference is much more dramatic than I expected, so you could be right.

And you can mock all ya want, unless you can actually say something constructive?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

The Marshall 1912 is a compact 1x12 extension cabinet for the 30th Anniversary combo. The bassiness that you describe is Marshall's attempt to give the small cabinet similar low end thump to a 4x12.

EDIT: To my ears, the Swamp Thang section of the demo clip sounds as if some frequencies have been notched out.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

EDIT: To my ears, the Swamp Thang section of the demo clip sounds as if some frequencies have been notched out.

Nope, no changes were made what so ever to the eq at any part of the chain (as much as is humanly possible).
It's as straight a like for like comparison between a tired old speaker and a completely different new speaker as my limited abilities/equipment could muster

 

[formula73]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

If this comparo's as controlled as you say it is, I'll take that swamp thang any day.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

I'm not sure the G12B is broken as such, although the difference in high end response is a bit odd.
That said the difference is much more dramatic than I expected, so you could be right.

And you can mock all ya want, unless you can actually say something constructive?

I didn't say "broken"...I said "Broken in"...big difference...anyways....

It is indeed a dramatic difference...But thats to be expected. That swamp thang is gonna sound alot different once its broken in though. I've got a couple in my old sunn 412 cab, paired up with some old Cerwin Vega ER123's...and they are very dark speakers.
That high-end bite you've got in your clips will fade alot once they break in well. They're great mixed with a Bright speaker heavy in upper mids, but on they're own they can be sorta boomy and/or muffled sounding (Which is why I never Mic them when recording, or when I have to mic my cab through a PA)...Unless you've got a really bright amp. But at the same time, they're also great for taming the high end on distortion at high volumes.

I'd say play yer amp at a good volume for a few weeks, a few hours a day...Then do the same experiment and post some clips. Posting clips of a Well broken in speaker, right next to a completely different, brand new speaker...is sorta pointless, and just gives people the wrong impression of what Swamp Thangs sound like. Not trying to be a dick, its just the truth.

 

[PVFan]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

i like my swamp thang, that's fer sher

I get the idea you just got yours, too. So did I. I got mine 2 weeks ago and it sounds *completely* different than it did then. I just stopped playing thru it a few minutes ago, and even then it sounded different from how it did this afternoon. More things click into place every time!

but, even at first when it was gross and weird and occasionally sizzly I was digging it for what it was or seemed to be.

now, it makes me giddy how right it is.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

Must say I'm intrigued as to how the Swamp Thang's sound is going to change as it beds in. What would be cool, but perhaps difficult to achieve, would be to record the amp every week to actually have a record of how it changes.
In theory setting everything at twelve should do the trick... but may possibly remove windows

 

[cakire82]

Re: Marshall 1912 - G12B v Swamp thang test

I like the grind that swamp thang has. Thanks for the comparison!