Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

[BrockSamson]

One of my local Guitar Center stores has a few Marshall 1960 A and B cabs for sale in the $450 price range.

I believe they come with Celestion V30's but I see a lot of people b*tch they are made of particle board. Well, aren't they all mostly??

Also, would Greenbacks be a better fit for like 80's metal tone, or possibly a V30 & Greenback mix or some other setup?

I could always sell the V30's if I don't like them too.

 

[ricc]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

i have one of the A cabs and i like it a lot. i wish i had a B cab though

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

Ricc,

Why do you prefer one over the other?

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I personally really like them. They aren't the only cab I own, but I like variety so I own a bunch. They seem to have their own mojo going on. Which is somewhat strange because they are slapped together without much science behind them like a lot of cabs have. People gripe about the plastic corners and handles and also don't like the MDF board backs. But I don't really mind. The cab is made of plywood, but the backs are MDF. IMO that gives these cabs their sound, the way the internal volume bounces off the ply and MDF.
As for speakers, make sure you check the watts at the back of the cabs to see what speakers are in them. Salesmen aren't always on the ball with that stuff. 300 watts = GT75's, 280 watts = V30's, 100 watts = GB's.
I can't tell you what speakers to get, because that is largely based on your amp used and your personal frequency perception/tolerance. 30's are great for high volume playing as the cut through the mix easily and are very efficient. GB's will breakup earlier, but will also sound warmer and smoother. GT-75's have deep bass and sharp highs with lots of sizzle. They aren't as efficient, but sound best when pushing a lot of volume.
If you can bring your amp to demo them, that's the best way to get an idea for yourself.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I had a Crate Blue Voodoo cab that had V30's in it and it was ok. I just won't be using the cab for anything but at-home playing for a while, so 280w is a ***** much. Especially if I get a 50w Marshall head in a few months like I hope to.

Can Greenbacks be paired with v30's to bring down the wattage and still sound good? Or would an all-Greenback 4x12 be preferred for that?

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

If you are planning on using a 50 watt head with the cab and mainly playing at home then GB speakers will be a great match. I use a 50 watt head through a 300 watt 1960A and it sounds great. The cab wattage doesn't have anything to do with volume, it's just what the cabs wattage handling capability is.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

Problem is, my Randall V2 is well above 100w IIRC so I'll still be able to to use it with a Greenback cab, I just wont be able to turn it up loud, right?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

V30s? Unlikely.

You can be slightly beaten up plywood JCM800s from the early 1980ties reasonably cheap.

 

[metlking]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I've had cabinets that cost much more but I always seem to end up back with my trusty beat up Marshall 1960a cabinet that I loaded with Greenbacks......It just "breathes" better, if that makes sense. You can't go wrong with the industry standard......you don't see many stages without 'em!

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I just called Guitar Center in Whitehall, PA and they have 3 1960 cabs, but they all have the GT-75's. I'll have to keep looking for a V-30's loaded 1960 cab.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

The V30 Loaded 1960 cab is called "1960 Vintage (1960 AV) is the slant cab" like my own pictured cabinet...The common less expensive 1960 cabs are loaded with the 75s....Some of the other 1960 cabs have the Greenbacks...My cabinet was $800 when I bought it new in 1999...

1973 HW 50 Watt head Sitting On The 4X12

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

One of my local Guitar Center stores has a few Marshall 1960 A and B cabs for sale in the $450 price range.

I believe they come with Celestion V30's but I see a lot of people b*tch they are made of particle board. Well, aren't they all mostly??

Also, would Greenbacks be a better fit for like 80's metal tone, or possibly a V30 & Greenback mix or some other setup?

I could always sell the V30's if I don't like them too.

My cabinet is all baltic birch...Not sure if the standard 1960 75 watt Celestion loaded 4x12 is stereo/mono capable either?

 

[Stef]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

 

[metlking]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

V-30's mixed with G12T-75's sound awesome! I suggest buying the standard 300watt cab with the four GT12-75's and swap out two for Vintage 30's....The "cons" of each speaker seperately are cancelled out by the "pros" of the other when mixed in an "X" pattern.....Just my opinion.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

Vintage 30s paired with Heritage 30s is awesome also! I never cared for the 75s though....I did like the 65s during the JCM 800 era though...

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I hear a lot of "I like this setup" and it's never mentioned what type of style you play and why a certain setup would be good.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I hear a lot of "I like this setup" and it's never mentioned what type of style you play and why a certain setup would be good.

I have my Marshall 4x12 V30 cab and a Vox 2x12 cab also loaded with V30s...They cut right in the context of our band....We are a classic rock and blues band,but we also play some newer,heavier higher gain tunes..Alot of players don't realize that mids helps a guitarist cut through and or sit right in a band mix...Some people hate V30s but I Love em and use em all the time.

 

[metlking]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I hear a lot of "I like this setup" and it's never mentioned what type of style you play and why a certain setup would be good.

I play in a cover band that does classic to modern rock/hard rock and everything in between. I use a Bogner Ecstasy set to 50 watts and I like the way the Greenbacks break up earlier than the Vintage 30's and GT12-75's. I like high gain tones (but not super high gain) with a little vintage touch thrown in the mix. I feel the Greenbacks give me that. I made my suggestion for V30's X 75's based on your 100+ watt amp and your 80's metal style. Hope this helps!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

V-30's mixed with G12T-75's sound awesome! I suggest buying the standard 300watt cab with the four GT12-75's and swap out two for Vintage 30's....The "cons" of each speaker seperately are cancelled out by the "pros" of the other when mixed in an "X" pattern.....Just my opinion.

I should try that one of these days, but I'm satisfied with just the g12t75's at the moment. If I had another Marshall head I may do it, but supposedly the JVM heads were designed (or whatever) with the 75's in mind....so they work well together.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Your thoughts on Marshall 1960 cabs?

I should try that one of these days, but I'm satisfied with just the g12t75's at the moment. If I had another Marshall head I may do it, but supposedly the JVM heads were designed (or whatever) with the 75's in mind....so they work well together.

I currently have 2 G12T75's and 2 WGS Retro 30 speakers which are also 75 watts in my 1960A in an X pattern.
Compared to having all 75's, the cab sounds clearer and more lively sounding. Retro 30's are like V30's but they have a clearer, tighter lowend and a more pleasant midrange and highs.