Anyone using Marshall 1960 AV or BV cabs?

[Sirloin]

Tough to find much actual information out there about these cabs with the Celestion Marshall G12 Vintage Speakers. Anyone actually using these cabs with a 2203 JCM800 or similar? I decided to bite the bullet and ordered one to try with my reissue 2203s. Currently using a Guitar Cabinets Direct late 60s style cab with reissue Greenbacks. Looking for a different flavor.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1960AV--marshall-1960av-280-watt-4x12-inch-angled-extension-cabinet?_queryID=7ba54ff09e41d0e1eb36bf3db7c141ba&_index=production_products

 

[SgtThump]

I’ve owned two of the BV versions and they are f’ing killer in my book. I just sold one from 1990, which I’m told is the first year those speakers came out in 16 ohm. I kept the speakers and sold the cab empty, only to downsize.

I love them.

 

[metalmm785]

If you are buying new, I would go for the BV IMO. The A cabs are brighter, and the 800 reissue is already a bright amp.

 

[cardinal]

I use an AV with an old 2204 and a Recto. My favorite cab. It sounded awful brand new but broke in nicely.

I have a AC with greenbacks and prefer the AV, which is more "syrupy" and tighter. It's brighter I guess than the AC but also more polished sounding if that makes sense.

 

[ZEN Amps]

If you want aggressive tones then yeah they're a good match for a 2203. If you prefer a more classic tone, or to smooth out the amp's bright sting a little, G12M or G12 65 speakers are hard to beat.

 

[bubucci]

BV is only option in newer Marshall line, because B and 'not as terrible as G12T-75' speakers. If You like the look and want 'classic looking half stack' ok otherwise their construction is quite a shitty with badly attached front baffle, rattling handles and sooner or later failing output panel I suppose You are in US, Bogner is on the another level and maybe cheaper there.

 

[Sirloin]

Interesting comments. I appreciate it. It's funny, I hear those speakers are brighter/more sizzle than regular v30s. Marshall website describes the cab as being warmer. Others say those speakers are warmer, or they are exactly the same as v30s.

Cab should be here tomorrow and I will report back on my thoughts compared to my Reissue Greenback loaded cabs. If I like the greenbacks better, I will probably swap them into this cab as I really want the classic look that matches the 800 (vanity/OCD).

 

[tallcoolone]

BV is only option in newer Marshall line, because B and 'not as terrible as G12T-75' speakers. If You like the look and want 'classic looking half stack' ok otherwise their construction is quite a shitty with badly attached front baffle, rattling handles and sooner or later failing output panel I suppose You are in US, Bogner is on the another level and maybe cheaper there.

I think you are exaggerating a bit on the quality of the older 1960 cabs, I have 11 of them and for $2-300 used they are a steal. Bought one last week for $175 looks mint. The Marshall V30s sound great IMO, def more my taste than the stock 75s which I rip out immediately

Bogner cabs are stupidly expensive even used here in the US. Not sure who is paying a grand+ for a used wooden box but it ain’t me

 

[GiorgioV]

I have an older (96 I think) AV cab. Sounds great, you can definitely hear the V30-like character but a bit of more classic Marshall tone too.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I got a good deal on a 1960 with GT-75 /V-30's in an X pattern and I think it is a good sounding cab but not my favourite and I think that might be the speakers for me. I think it would kill with G1265's, Weber Legacies, or even just "chaina" GB's. I gotta say, I like Weber speakers. I think the voicing hangs with Celestions.

 

[thrashinbatman]

i use a 1960AV live. it sounds pretty good. the G12 Vintage is basically just a V30, but slightly different. it's a fun flavor to have if you also have some British and Chinese V30s. i don't really have too many recordings of the 1960AV in a studio setting, so i can't give much insight on that front. it'll sound great with a 2203 once dialed in. i use mine with a Marshall JVM and it sounds MEAN.

 

[Nigel]

Tough to find much actual information out there about these cabs with the Celestion Marshall G12 Vintage Speakers. Anyone actually using these cabs with a 2203 JCM800 or similar? I decided to bite the bullet and ordered one to try with my reissue 2203s. Currently using a Guitar Cabinets Direct late 60s style cab with reissue Greenbacks. Looking for a different flavor.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1960AV--marshall-1960av-280-watt-4x12-inch-angled-extension-cabinet?_queryID=7ba54ff09e41d0e1eb36bf3db7c141ba&_index=production_products

My advice:

Return/cancel it.

Get a V-Boutique 4x12 like Bogner/Friedman: https://vboutiqueusa.com/product-category/guitar-cabinets/4-x-12-guitar-cabinets/

Order 4 Mesa T-4416 16 ohm original forumula V-30's here: https://store.mesaboogie.com/products/speaker-12-celestion-vintage-30-uk-made.html

Install them with good wire in Series/Parallel like the Aiken diagram: https://www.aikenamps.com/index.php...series-parallel-or-parallel-series-connection

Add a wire if you want the stock Marshall Parallel/Series tone (you won't)

Enjoy. Will be cheaper and will sound lightyears better than the Marshall.

Fight me. The Mesa V30’s will record better than Chinese or even early 90’s “UK” V30’s too.

 

[Sirloin]

My advice:

Return/cancel it.

Get a V-Boutique 4x12 like Bogner/Friedman: https://vboutiqueusa.com/product-category/guitar-cabinets/4-x-12-guitar-cabinets/

Order 4 Mesa T-4416 16 ohm original forumula V-30's here: https://store.mesaboogie.com/products/speaker-12-celestion-vintage-30-uk-made.html

No. Don't care for the way the Friedman / V Boutique cabs are built. No finger joints. Can't stand Mesa regardless.

 

[Sirloin]

 

[Techdeth]

I hate the BV . It’s the biggest sounding cab I have ever owned and I’ve owned a lot . A must own

 

[Sirloin]

I hate the BV . It’s the biggest sounding cab I have ever owned and I’ve owned a lot . A must own

I feel like you are contradicting yourself. Do you hate it or do you love it?

 

[Techdeth]

I feel like you are contradicting yourself. Do you hate it or do you love it?

Have . My bad . I gage it but hate it lol my bad

 

[thegame]

I hate the BV . It’s the biggest sounding cab I have ever owned and I’ve owned a lot . A must own

You make it so easy to do what I do so I won’t even go there for this one

 

[Techdeth]

You make it so easy to do what I do so I won’t even go there for this one

Black album used this cab and speakers

 

[Nigel]

No. Don't care for the way the Friedman / V Boutique cabs are built. No finger joints. Can't stand Mesa regardless.

View attachment 425309

Gotcha. Marshall cabs and branded Celestions are inferior to both, even Bogner uses the V-Boutique 4x12 and Euro 2x12 for the 2x12 OS...but taste is subjective and the former do sound legit live and recorded. My old guitar player still plays his that I rewired with Marshall Sound Runner 10 gauge S/P. Didn't know they don't use finger joints. I wonder what kind they use. Maybe I'll open up this Zinky branded V-Cube 2x12 and have a look-see. Little guy is the baddest compact 2x12 I ever heard.

Mesa V30's aren't "Mesa," they are the original V30 formula that Celestion deviated from in the early 90's to save $$$ and turn more proft. Has nothing to do with Mesa amps/cabs really, other than Randal Smith was so goated he was able to negotiate with Celestion and keep the V30 tone pure, to this day even. But you probably know that, you obviously have good taste and know your shit. Hell even Bob Gjika sources his speakers from Mesa for his $1,500 2x12 that shits over everything. Then again, he breaks the speakers in with sound, by hand, and with a variac before they hit the door.