Anyone using Marshall 1960 AV or BV cabs?

[VESmedic]

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.

The Marshall G12 vintage is the original V30. It has been unchanged since its debut in the lead 12 combo in 1985.


I could talk about this for hours, but the G12 vintage is my favorite speaker in my favorite cab. They are generally brighter, more scooped, and with more low end than a typical v30. You will not get that hyped 1k spike like you do with Mesa cabs/mesa v30s.

The BV cabs also have more low end than most, including the recto cabs. Not in a bad way, in a really cool way that extends lower frequency wise than the recto cabs and is killer in a mix. I do always find it hillarious when the Metallica tone chasers get every detail down as far as their gear is concerned and then wonder why they aren’t getting that tone with a Mesa recto cab. That sound is in that cab, and you aren’t getting that sound truly without it. Obviously there’s alot more to it than that, but if you’ve mic’d but a BV cab with a 57/421 combo and a Mesa mark series amp, it’s insanely obvious how important that cab was to that sound.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Marshall G12 vintage is the original V30. It has been unchanged since its debut in the lead 12 combo in 1985.


I could talk about this for hours, but the G12 vintage is my favorite speaker in my favorite cab. They are generally brighter, more scooped, and with more low end than a typical v30. You will not get that hyped 1k spike like you do with Mesa cabs/mesa v30s.

The BV cabs also have more low end than most, including the recto cabs. Not in a bad way, in a really cool way that extends lower frequency wise than the recto cabs and is killer in a mix. I do always find it hillarious when the Metallica tone chasers get every detail down as far as their gear is concerned and then wonder why they aren’t getting that tone with a Mesa recto cab. That sound is in that cab, and you aren’t getting that sound truly without it. Obviously there’s alot more to it than that, but if you’ve mic’d but a BV cab with a 57/421 combo and a Mesa mark series amp, it’s insanely obvious how important that cab was to that sound.

We don’t always agree….but on this we do. The one caveat though, is this….the 2 80s 800 cabs I have with them(1987, 88) have more in common with a brighter, tighter version of a G12 65 than any V30 I’ve owned, including 2 BV cabs from the 90s. The Marshall Vintage of 1991 till now is a good bit brighter. Very aggressive, but almost ‘crispy’ bright high end if you’re not careful with the presence. My cabs from 87, 88 I can dime the Presence no problem.
The road worn 1991 B cab I had, I could barely get the presence past 5 or it was too bright.
For a Marshall, if you can find an 80s cab with these first ever version V30 I highly recommend them. But, you’ll find more full quads of Pulsonic greenbacks for sale than these 80s Marshall vintage cabs.
For anyone looking, they will have the 800 badge on front, and the tag by the input Jack will say 280w. Also, the 87 Jubilee cabs can sometimes have them and they will say AV/BV.

 

[DanTravis62]

The Marshall G12 vintage is the original V30. It has been unchanged since its debut in the lead 12 combo in 1985.


I could talk about this for hours, but the G12 vintage is my favorite speaker in my favorite cab. They are generally brighter, more scooped, and with more low end than a typical v30. You will not get that hyped 1k spike like you do with Mesa cabs/mesa v30s.

The BV cabs also have more low end than most, including the recto cabs. Not in a bad way, in a really cool way that extends lower frequency wise than the recto cabs and is killer in a mix. I do always find it hillarious when the Metallica tone chasers get every detail down as far as their gear is concerned and then wonder why they aren’t getting that tone with a Mesa recto cab. That sound is in that cab, and you aren’t getting that sound truly without it. Obviously there’s alot more to it than that, but if you’ve mic’d but a BV cab with a 57/421 combo and a Mesa mark series amp, it’s insanely obvious how important that cab was to that sound.

We don’t always agree….but on this we do. The one caveat though, is this….the 2 80s 800 cabs I have with them(1987, 88) have more in common with a brighter, tighter version of a G12 65 than any V30 I’ve owned, including 2 BV cabs from the 90s. The Marshall Vintage of 1991 till now is a good bit brighter. Very aggressive, but almost ‘crispy’ bright high end if you’re not careful with the presence. My cabs from 87, 88 I can dime the Presence no problem.
The road worn 1991 B cab I had, I could barely get the presence past 5 or it was too bright.
For a Marshall, if you can find an 80s cab with these first ever version V30 I highly recommend them. But, you’ll find more full quads of Pulsonic greenbacks for sale than these 80s Marshall vintage cabs.
For anyone looking, they will have the 800 badge on front, and the tag by the input Jack will say 280w. Also, the 87 Jubilee cabs can sometimes have them and they will say AV/BV.

Both correct.


IMO all the V30 variants tend to have slightly different characteristics, but if were being real here, even 4 speakers sequentially off the production line can vary a ton. If you don't believe me, you haven't miced up enough 4x12s and listened carefully enough lol

You can find a speaker of any era or any origin that has a different sound than "normal" or whatever, that's baked into the production methods for speakers.

That being said, all the variant's general characteristics have their use-case and place.

The marshall v30 is brighter, less honky, more lows

Mesa and the older uk v30s are generally more balanced EQ wise and neutral, while still having a cutting midrange, which is why people enjoy them more for recordings

The chinese v30s can sound spectacular - especially live. They tend to have a JB-like vowel "honk" that will cut through any mix on earth, which is why they are well-loved in road warrior touring cabs by everyone everywhere, and every venue has a orange ppc 4x12 or something with them.

 

[Techdeth]

The Marshall G12 vintage is the original V30. It has been unchanged since its debut in the lead 12 combo in 1985.


I could talk about this for hours, but the G12 vintage is my favorite speaker in my favorite cab. They are generally brighter, more scooped, and with more low end than a typical v30. You will not get that hyped 1k spike like you do with Mesa cabs/mesa v30s.

The BV cabs also have more low end than most, including the recto cabs. Not in a bad way, in a really cool way that extends lower frequency wise than the recto cabs and is killer in a mix. I do always find it hillarious when the Metallica tone chasers get every detail down as far as their gear is concerned and then wonder why they aren’t getting that tone with a Mesa recto cab. That sound is in that cab, and you aren’t getting that sound truly without it. Obviously there’s alot more to it than that, but if you’ve mic’d but a BV cab with a 57/421 combo and a Mesa mark series amp, it’s insanely obvious how important that cab was to that sound.

This is true af . Mark 3++ greenie with this cab . Just damn

 

[Sirloin]

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.

My understanding is the Celestion Marshall G12 Vintage IS the original V30. I get that you like those cabs, but I just wanted a “real” Marshall cab. If I don’t like the speakers, I’ll swap them.

My Guitar Cabinets Direct 412s are very well built and follow late 60s style M cabs.

Figure I’ll get a different flavor out of this cab.

FYI on Friedman

 

[jtgainor]

I liked my GCD cab more than either of my Marshall cabs. 04’ bx and the GCD have both seen Marshall labeled v30’s, and I always preferred every speaker in the GCD cab.

When it comes down to the Speakers themselves, it’s either love or hate for them. Some amps like my SE100 work great through them. I had a 2203 from 77’ that worked great with a BV cab I had for a bit as well. Still prefer 90’s greenbacks though.

 

[Sirloin]

I liked my GCD cab more than either of my Marshall cabs. 04’ bx and the GCD have both seen Marshall labeled v30’s, and I always preferred every speaker in the GCD cab.

When it comes down to the Speakers themselves, it’s either love or hate for them. Some amps like my SE100 work great through them. I had a 2203 from 77’ that worked great with a BV cab I had for a bit as well. Still prefer 90’s greenbacks though.
View attachment 425336

I may put regular v30s in the cab if I’m not feeling these.

 

[Old School Steve]

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.

How long (e.g. hours of playing) was a reasonable break-in period?

 

[Nigel]

The Marshall G12 vintage is the original V30. It has been unchanged since its debut in the lead 12 combo in 1985.


I could talk about this for hours, but the G12 vintage is my favorite speaker in my favorite cab. They are generally brighter, more scooped, and with more low end than a typical v30. You will not get that hyped 1k spike like you do with Mesa cabs/mesa v30s.

The BV cabs also have more low end than most, including the recto cabs. Not in a bad way, in a really cool way that extends lower frequency wise than the recto cabs and is killer in a mix. I do always find it hillarious when the Metallica tone chasers get every detail down as far as their gear is concerned and then wonder why they aren’t getting that tone with a Mesa recto cab. That sound is in that cab, and you aren’t getting that sound truly without it. Obviously there’s alot more to it than that, but if you’ve mic’d but a BV cab with a 57/421 combo and a Mesa mark series amp, it’s insanely obvious how important that cab was to that sound.

Replies like this are why I post here.

 

[cardinal]

.

How long (e.g. hours of playing) was a reasonable break-in period?

I used a Yamaha-recommended break in track (here https://hub.yamaha.com/audio/a-how-to/how-to-burn-in-speakers/) played fairly loudly through the cab for as often as I could over a few days.

When I first got the cab, my heart sank because it sounded like thin fizzy garbage. But now its my favorite cab, even over 90s 1960AVs I've had and since sold.