1986 Non vented white label g12t75 cab sounds extremely boxy and thin.

[GuitarManTim]

I bought a 1986 jcm800 1960a cab from guitar center, and I've been playing with it all weekend and cant seem to get a good out of it. No matter what amp or volume it sounds very boxy and thin. I even tried testing the phase of the speakers with the 9 volt method and everything seems to be right. I tightened every screw and made sure every wire and terminal was good on the speakers, yet it still sounds like there's something wrong with it. I can still return it within the next month but im hoping I can figure out what's wrong with it.

 

[peterc52]

I have both a cab with vented ones and the next version. I love both. Something must be wrong, how does it read ohm wise?

 

[D-Rock]

Definitely check the impedance readings of each individual speaker with a multimeter as well as what impedance you're seeing at the jack itself.

 

[Racerxrated]

What they ^^^ said....and, most older cabs need a 'screws loose' check lol....open up the back panel, take it off (or move it around so you have access to reach inside) and take a Phillips screwdriver and tighten ALL the screws down. Over years of use, the screws holding the baffle etc can loosen up and back out a bit. Almost every vintage cab I've owned over the years benefits from this tightening. The speakers themselves also...if they aren't tight to the baffle the cab will sound like ass.
BUT do NOT over tighten the speakers....just turn them until they tighten back up and stop. You can warp the speaker frame IF you over tighten them.

 

[cardinal]

I'd probably just return it and buy another. Old cabs are a crap shoot. There's no telling what's happened to those speakers.

A healthy cab with 75s shouldn't sound boxy or thin. I prefer a V30 or G12M, but I can work with the 75s for sure and be happy.

 

[GuitarManTim]

What they ^^^ said....and, most older cabs need a 'screws loose' check lol....open up the back panel, take it off (or move it around so you have access to reach inside) and take a Phillips screwdriver and tighten ALL the screws down. Over years of use, the screws holding the baffle etc can loosen up and back out a bit. Almost every vintage cab I've owned over the years benefits from this tightening. The speakers themselves also...if they aren't tight to the baffle the cab will sound like ass.
BUT do NOT over tighten the speakers....just turn them until they tighten back up and stop. You can warp the speaker frame IF you over tighten them.

I checked all the screws and tightened all of them twice, I may have over tightened them honestly lol.

 

[GuitarManTim]

Definitely check the impedance readings of each individual speaker with a multimeter as well as what impedance you're seeing at the jack itself.

I checked with the cable and the readings were going all over the place wouldnt stay consistent. But I also dont have a good multimeter and its some cheap random one I found so it may not be accurate at all. I can get access to a good multimeter this weekend.

 

[Racerxrated]

I checked with the cable and the readings were going all over the place wouldnt stay consistent. But I also dont have a good multimeter and its some cheap random one I found so it may not be accurate at all. I can get access to a good multimeter this weekend.

If GC considers this cab 'vintage', you only have a few days to return it. I'd make sure you can return it if you need a few more days.

 

[Nigel]

I checked with the cable and the readings were going all over the place wouldnt stay consistent. But I also dont have a good multimeter and its some cheap random one I found so it may not be accurate at all. I can get access to a good multimeter this weekend.

Does it have the stereo/mono switch plate or is it single jack?

 

[D-Rock]

Does it have the stereo/mono switch plate or is it single jack?

1986 vintage cab so likely single jack.

 

[GuitarManTim]

If GC considers this cab 'vintage', you only have a few days to return it. I'd make sure you can return it if you need a few more days.

I was able to return it as defective thankfully, I'll try for another 412 some other time. I appreciate everybody's help though, and I didn't actually know about the three 3 day thing so im definitely glad you told me for the future.

 

[GJgo]

FWIW T75s are a scooped speaker, and they really need some volume to do what they do. Plus they are a little picky about what head they like IMO. In the future it would be good to try & capture some clips for us to check out.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, I was also thinking you just might be used to something very different-sounding and/or not dig the T75s at all. If I bought a H30-loaded cab I probably would return it as defective too

 

[Racerxrated]

Yeah, I was also thinking you just might be used to something very different-sounding and/or not dig the T75s at all. If I bought a H30-loaded cab I probably would return it as defective too

I'm not a fan of H30s either. I've tried to like them...from Pulsonic H30s to 90s H30 anniversary and it just isn't gonna happen.