70s Marshall Cabinets.. school me please

[CoreyW]

So, I have come across a 70s Marshall cab for a ridiculously good price.

The tolex is in ok shape for its age, the grill cloth looks pretty nasty but looks cleanable.

It has the 55hz black backs in it and the inside of the cab looks great, I can’t really tell if it’s metal or plastic handles, the Jack plate has been replaced with just some flat stock and it has the round data plate on the back.


Are there any red flags I should look for?

 

[70 Mach 1]

Pics would be nice

 

[ZEN Amps]

Condition of speakers. This is a handy resource: https://www.bygonetones.com/how-to-test-a-vintage-celestion-greenback-speaker.html

If it's real cheap though I wouldn't hassle the seller, just buy it and figure it out later.

Bonus if it's the M55 drivers, although the H55's are also cool.

 

[CoreyW]

Here are the guy shot photos he sent me, I can’t pick it up till the weekend I’m afraid someone may try and snipe it from me if I give too much info away

 

[Humbucking]

what are the speaker codes on the frames as well as the cone codes? The wiring harness is not original. The plastic handles would have been riveted on, not attached with screws. Why were they taken off & replaced with screws? That said, the plastic handles can break at the rivets. I have seen a few cabs with screws & big washers on the outside to hold the handles in place after the corners break at the rivets.

 

[CoreyW]

what are the speaker codes on the frames as well as the cone codes? The wiring harness is not original. The plastic handles would have been riveted on, not attached with screws. Why were they taken off & replaced with screws? That said, the plastic handles can break at the rivets. I have seen a few cabs with screws & big washers on the outside to hold the handles in place after the corners break at the rivets.

I dont have access to check the stamps. The speaker jack is not original either.

 

[Humbucking]

I dont have access to check the stamps. The speaker jack is not original either.

No worries. I was just saying that I would want to know the codes if I was buying this or any cabinet. Good luck!

 

[CoreyW]

Condition of speakers. This is a handy resource: https://www.bygonetones.com/how-to-test-a-vintage-celestion-greenback-speaker.html

If it's real cheap though I wouldn't hassle the seller, just buy it and figure it out later.

Bonus if it's the M55 drivers, although the H55's are also cool.

I read through that article and a couple of the others thanks for posting.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth!]

I just picked this up a few hours ago. Was dead at the jack and every single speaker and baffle screw was loose. Tightened everything up and replaced jack and all good to go. Won’t be able to run it through paces until Friday.

The speakers were rotated like yours when I opened it up. I put them to what I thought was correct, but that one is like that too. Maybe Marshall use to do that. Either way, I’m 13.9 ohms at jack now!

 

[Racerxrated]

Here are the guy shot photos he sent me, I can’t pick it up till the weekend I’m afraid someone may try and snipe it from me if I give too much info away

View attachment 435900View attachment 435901

IF the labels are correct(lots of examples out there of mistakes from Celestion) those should be T1511s and imo the best GB ever made(or BB in this case). I've had 3 black back cabs before, all H30s and I did not like them. I didn't understand the love for BB cabs after I owned those. But, a 1977 T1511 cab in mint condition popped up and gave them one last try.
Holy shit is it amazing. Super aggressive and perfect midrange with my Marshalls. Pulsonics are still king but this BB cab is awesome.
Go get it!