Replacing MDF back on Marshall cab.........

[troublehead]

Has anyone replaced the back with ply ? If so, how did it affect the sound ? My 4x12 sounds "hollow" and a tad fizzy next to my all birch 2x12 Lopo Sig cab (with the same speakers).

 

[Everlone]

I think SFW did that to his Marshall cab. I believe the results were positive. Try doing a search for the thread.

 

[JTyson]

I'm glad you said that, I remember that thread, whoever it was said the mids were more pronounced with a plywood back, not so eh?? I was about 2 weeks from trying that out, you saved me some time and money, Wow! you have 10!!! I only have 6, you win! thanks Dave!

 

[thegame]

You wont be able to hear a difference.

I have 10 Marshall cabs and 2 of them have original plywood backs. If you could guess which ones have plywood vs MDX, I will give you a cab. (actually I wont give anyone a cab )

Do you know when Marshall started with the MDF ? And when they did, were ALL the cabs made w/MDF backs ? I've played a couple early 80's JCM 800 cabs that sounded absolutely killer and I'm guessing they must've had that by then.

MDF or BIRCH, who gives a shit as long as it sounds good
My VHT FB has an MDF back and I don't lose sleep over it

 

[Marshall Freak]

You wont be able to hear a difference.

I have 10 Marshall cabs and 2 of them have original plywood backs. If you could guess which ones have plywood vs MDX, I will give you a cab. (actually I wont give anyone a cab )

Do you know when Marshall started with the MDF ? And when they did, were ALL the cabs made w/MDF backs ? I've played a couple early 80's JCM 800 cabs that sounded absolutely killer and I'm guessing they must've had that by then.

MDF or BIRCH, who gives a shit as long as it sounds good
My VHT FB has an MDF back and I don't lose sleep over it

They started changing them in the 71-72 area.

I have about the same amount of cabs, and the same with plywood as Dave and feel the same.

 

[SFW]

lol... well, here's what I can tell you. I DID notice a huge difference. MDF sucks mid-range frequencies. That's just part of the sound properties of MDF board. I noticed that the whole mid-range spectrum gain some db when I replaced the MDF with birch plywood. The cab sounds warmer and I no longer feel like I need to boost the crap out of the mids on my amp. You can say that it makes not difference all you want. I'll believe what my ears tell me.

And for what it's worth... it costs me less than $20 to try it. I've wasted more money on other crap that didn't do anything at all for my tone. For me, it was worth the $20 dollar gamble.

 

[jonny toetags]

I tried it, didn't notice a difference.

 

[thegame]

lol... well, here's what I can tell you. I DID notice a huge difference. MDF sucks mid-range frequencies. That's just part of the sound properties of MDF board. I noticed that the whole mid-range spectrum gain some db when I replaced the MDF with birch plywood. The cab sounds warmer and I no longer feel like I need to boost the crap out of the mids on my amp. You can say that it makes not difference all you want. I'll believe what my ears tell me.

And for what it's worth... it costs me less than $20 to try it. I've wasted more money on other crap that didn't do anything at all for my tone. For me, it was worth the $20 dollar gamble.

Interesting. MDF sounds like it may balance well with V30s !

 

[blackba]

Baltic birch plywood is not that expensive, try it and see.

I hear people reporting big differences between 1936 212 cabs made all from MDF versus those made from plywood with MDF backs......