Question about Marshall cabinet construction

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

The 1960A/B and vintage cabs....all the ones that are $700+ are fingerjointed.

It's the cheaper ones that aren't worth buying for a variety of reasons mentioned above.

The only weak spot on modern Marshall cabs is that I think they use particle board for just the back panel. Replacing those with a black piece of plywood is a wise upgrade.
I've also put padding between the back and the center block, just to kill any potential vibrations of the block and back.

 

[theodie]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

You do realize wood glue when dry is very strong right? A proper glued joint is stronger than the wood itself, I've seen it several times. MDF is sawdust and glue, but pressed at extremely high psi, making it pretty strong. Try jumping on a 3/4 piece of plywood, I guarantee it too will break and screws come loose in all wood, I've done a lot of woodworking. I'm not saying I want a mdf cab, quite the contrary, but it's not as bad as people think. When I first got into car audio, I was shocked people were doing these really expensive custom setups using mdf enclosures, but mdf is actually superior to plywood in certain areas, sub enclosures being the biggest. Anyways, with the thread jack over, I'll let this thread go back to marshall cabs and not mdf vs. plywood, lol.

I will also have to agree with you from my experience with MDF vs. plywood also. Though, Ply will probably have alot better (or traditional) tone. Ply and MDF will both stand up over time in a properly constructed cabinet. It is not worth a pissing match over though.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

The old Marshall cabs are plywood- but it's 11 ply baltic birch- not the cheap 3 or 5 ply mystery wood you see at the wood yard.

Carvin uses 5 ply Poplar. It may be strong enough, but that's the reason Carvins are cheaper than Marshalls

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

The old Marshall cabs are plywood- but it's 11 ply baltic birch- not the cheap 3 or 5 ply mystery wood you see at the wood yard.

Carvin uses 5 ply Poplar. It may be strong enough, but that's the reason Carvins are cheaper than Marshalls

Poplar is soft, but it's a very good tone wood for speaker cabs and combo amps according to Gerald Weber. Second only to Canary Wood...unless Gerald's been BSing us. :fingersx:

 

[theodie]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

Poplar is soft, but it's a very good tone wood for speaker cabs and combo amps according to Gerald Weber. Second only to Canary Wood...unless Gerald's been BSing us. :fingersx:

Hmm......

Both look cool too. I know alot of folks bag on poplar but, I like the streaks of greens, greys, and such in it. I think it looks cool and in my area, it is so easy and cheap to get! Canary speaks for itsself. It is just badass!

I have no clue if they would really sound any good though?

 

[jmh151]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

I have nothing againts Poplar. According to Carvin it makes for lighter cabinet and amp construction

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question about Marshall cabinet construction

I have nothing againts Poplar. According to Carvin it makes for lighter cabinet and amp construction

You know, I don't really have anything against baltic birch plywood. The first combo amp Bruce and I ever built (the Mission Crusader) we put in a baltic birch cab. I liked the way my Marshall sounded so I figured birch ply would sound just fine. And it does. I do like to dovetail the corners though.

I don't like poplar for furniture...it's a little "blah" looking. Everything we build is either cherry or walnut these days. Used to do alot in pine, oak and maple but we don't get any requests for those woods anymore.

Tastes change...

Lew