Which New 4x12 Actually Nails Vintage Marshall Cab Construction & Feel?

[Anje]

@Exo-metal recently picked up an Atlas cab for a song recently; and he LOVES it. These small builders usually do great work and when one comes up for sale, go for little money. You could check them out as well.
The one feature in the late 67-68 Marshall cabs that no other year had is, a long brace that ran the length of the baffle on the bottom of the cab. In 69 that disappeared and they used small wood triangles. The Atlas cab, and vintage Orange cab I have uses that brace as well.

Thanks a ton for sharing this! I had no idea about the long brace in late '67/'68 Marshalls and the small wood triangles in '69 models.
It’s really helpful to hear how this translates to the cabs I’m looking at: MGL uses the long brace, while both Metropoulos and Germino go with the small wood triangles.

Yes, lots of small variations over the years; I've also had a couple of '68 cabs especially that were really fantastic sounding and raised above most of the few 10s of other old 4x12 I've had over the years.
That being said, I've also had earlier and later cabs with slight different "specs" that sounded fantastic and just as "good".
In other words: I'm not really sure that one can relate between some specific isolated construction details like say, that lower internal front baffle bracing spec, and the end result how the cab sounds & feels playing it. In a "statistically representative way" I mean.
Earlier Pinstripe cabs didn't have that lower bracing, actually no lower bracing at all. Doesn't mean they don't sound fantastic. Same with the later Basketweave / early Chequerboard.

I even have a counter example in mind, from first hand experience:
I had a '70 1982B cab, with the bass cone G12H30 speakers, fully original besides a so-so recover job; no lower internal bracing at all; sounded absolutely fantastic and was my main band duty / gig cab for years over 20-25 years ago. Years after that, I had the "brillant" idea to swap the speakers in an earlier very nice '68 B cab that was 100% original, thinking that would make for a "better cab" overall.
Guess what? Sounded not as good as the '70 cab.

Another example: the only 2 old Marshall cabs I've ever had that sounded close enough, so that I could not really tell the difference switching between them, were 2 slant with G12M lead: one was a '68 (with the long lower bracing discussed above) with original speakers, the other a later '69 (with the "small triangles" bracing) in which I had assembled unmatched speakers gathered over time.

 

[Exo-metal]

For context..

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Hey guys,
I’m currently looking to pick up a brand new 4x12 cab that is as close as possible to a true vintage Marshall (late ‘60s / early ‘70s) spec replica, but I’d really appreciate some input from people who have first-hand experience.
I’m not concerned about the stock speakers, since I’ll be swapping everything to Scumback BM75s anyway, so this is purely about the cabinet itself.
Right now I’m considering:
Metropoulos (so expensive)
MGL
Friedman
Mojotone
or anything else you guys think actually nails the old Marshall cabs
For context, my current rig:
Wizard MC2 EL34 100w
Wizard MTL KT150
Wizard 4x12 (Redbacks)
Planning to order a Ground Zero Hellion V3
For those of you who’ve compared these brands (or owned original vintage Marshall cabs), which one actually gets closest?
Would really appreciate detailed opinions

Jeremy has a V3 Hellion coming out?

 

[napalmdeath]

Honestly, now that Stone Age has hung it up I'm not sure any other mfr really will. I have a real deal 68 myself. It's a stripped, painted, empty and much cheaper buy vs a 4-7k loaded version in tattered-restored condition. But, it has the OG grill, handles, caster cups, caster inserts etc. I have 68 Pulsonics here so I loaded it up and I've never heard a cab sound SOO good in my life. I have other vintage Marshall cabs here, an Orange from 72, and have had Mesa, Diezel, Bogner, Rivera etc...all are also great too but the 68 is on another level altogether.

I've also heard a new production Marshall TV cab in person and that's a killer cab. I'd maybe roll with that if I were you. They project well and have thump for a GB cab.
The one feature that I find most awesome about the 68 is, for a straight cab it projects anywhere in the room...unlike any other B cab I've had.

Find a used Hendrix cab.

 

[Anje]

I agree the limited edition Marshall JTM45/100 & Hendrix stacks were really nice; including the dedicated special Celestion speakers.

 

[Racerxrated]

EVH cabs are solid buys as well; but not as 'snappy' as a Marshall ie a little 'dead' sounding vs them. Just a different sound. I've had 2. Those EVH GBs are great though and the best new production GB you can get. I like them better than the 6402s from the 90s. The EVH cab will give a little more of a modern sound than a AX/BX/TV Marshall cab will.

 

[jtgainor]

I’ve found the Guitar Cabs Direct straight 4x12 I have sounds just as good as the 72-73 1960a I had. Biggest and clearest cab I own when compared to a 1960bx and a 1960b.

 

[MGL AmpWorks]

Here’s a link to my thread on the 68 replica cab listed here in my sub forum. Full detailed description and pictures.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/mgl-amps-swanson-cabs-1968-basketweave-replica-cab.338379/

 

[rsm]

My first thought was a new Marshall 1960AX/BX; if vintage wasn't an option.

 

[motorboy1]

Bogners are solid….

 

[jerrywu]

Can't beat it for the money.

Thanks a ton! EVH cabs are absolutely amazing. I actually owned three of them at one point—playing WDW just like Eddie never sounded better. They’re tighter than my 1960bx, deliver a much clearer tone, and are perfect for metal.

 

[jerrywu]

My Avatar vintage g412 has about the dimensions of an old Marshall cab, sounds excellent too. Don't think they make 4x12's anymore though. Just 2x12's and 1x12's. You could find one online, second hand though.

Thanks! I’m not in the US, so I rarely come across used Avatar cabs. I’d love to test one out if I ever get the chance.

 

[jerrywu]

I think the MGL 1968 cab is the closest anyone has got with the correct specs. He has a pretty detailed write up on his website on the cab. He is using Fir for the bracing and sound post just like Marshall did. I dont think anyone else does that. He also used one of his vintage cabs as a template, so everything is in the right place/accurate.

Yes, MGL is currently my top pick.

 

[jerrywu]

What Racerxrated just shared was accurate about the Atlas but you can ignore it and believe the only one is the MGL without verifying it haha..

After reading MGL's post, it truly became my top choice.

 

[jerrywu]

Yes, lots of small variations over the years; I've also had a couple of '68 cabs especially that were really fantastic sounding and raised above most of the few 10s of other old 4x12 I've had over the years.
That being said, I've also had earlier and later cabs with slight different "specs" that sounded fantastic and just as "good".
In other words: I'm not really sure that one can relate between some specific isolated construction details like say, that lower internal front baffle bracing spec, and the end result how the cab sounds & feels playing it. In a "statistically representative way" I mean.
Earlier Pinstripe cabs didn't have that lower bracing, actually no lower bracing at all. Doesn't mean they don't sound fantastic. Same with the later Basketweave / early Chequerboard.

I even have a counter example in mind, from first hand experience:
I had a '70 1982B cab, with the bass cone G12H30 speakers, fully original besides a so-so recover job; no lower internal bracing at all; sounded absolutely fantastic and was my main band duty / gig cab for years over 20-25 years ago. Years after that, I had the "brillant" idea to swap the speakers in an earlier very nice '68 B cab that was 100% original, thinking that would make for a "better cab" overall.
Guess what? Sounded not as good as the '70 cab.

Another example: the only 2 old Marshall cabs I've ever had that sounded close enough, so that I could not really tell the difference switching between them, were 2 slant with G12M lead: one was a '68 (with the long lower bracing discussed above) with original speakers, the other a later '69 (with the "small triangles" bracing) in which I had assembled unmatched speakers gathered over time.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. I’m guessing that the excellent sound of the vintage Marshall cab might have something to do with the wood itself?

 

[Exo-metal]

After reading MGL's post, it truly became my top choice.

I have no doubt its great, he makes great things.

 

[jerrywu]

Jeremy has a V3 Hellion coming out?

Yes, I saw on his website that the Hellion V3 is coming soon—it probably has a dedicated clean channel.

 

[jerrywu]

Here’s a link to my thread on the 68 replica cab listed here in my sub forum. Full detailed description and pictures.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/mgl-amps-swanson-cabs-1968-basketweave-replica-cab.338379/

I read your post—it was truly impressive. It has become my top choice, and I will send you an email.

 

[bhuard75]

Scumback Naked cabs. Wheres Jim at?! How bout an impossible run? Pre-orders? Wheres Jim at?

 

[Beyond Black]

EVH cabs are solid buys as well; but not as 'snappy' as a Marshall ie a little 'dead' sounding vs them. Just a different sound. I've had 2. Those EVH GBs are great though and the best new production GB you can get. I like them better than the 6402s from the 90s. The EVH cab will give a little more of a modern sound than a AX/BX/TV Marshall cab will.

Agree 100%. I’ve got an EVH and a BX with 1777 Greenbacks. The EVH is good, but in comparison to the BX it’s compressed and a little dead sounding. The BX is much more lively, open and woody.