How is the quality of modern Marshall 1960 cabinets?

[slashsound]

I was wondering if the 1960 cabs made in the last 25 years or so are good or whether I should buy some from MOJO or some other company or maker instead. The reason I ask is that some guy who claimed to be a cab expert told me that after 1969 or 1972 I cant remember which, that marshall changed their design or quality of materials used ...and that anything after said year is crap. I dont know if this is true or hearsay. I was hoping that someone with true understanding could give me an honest opinion, even the SOUTHBAY can chip in if he wants, if he is nice about it. I am bring offered a tore up mid 90s marshall 1960A cab for 325 bucks but i dont know if it is worth it. Thanks

[Big Mike]

JCM900 and newer = MDF Crap IMO.

Mojo, Avatar, many MANY better cabs. They switched to particle board in almost every important joint in the cab.

You'd do better with Crate or Peavey cabs.


IMO.

[paulster]

The JCM900 cabs were still ply shells but particle-board back, I thought.

You could swap the back out for a ply one, but the build quality is still likely to be average at best when compared to a Mojo or one of the boutiques like Stoneage, Vintage Headbox and now Scumback.

Have you found the link marked 'Search' at the top of the page? This has been covered ad nauseam.

[slashsound]

The JCM900 cabs were still ply shells but particle-board back, I thought.

You could swap the back out for a ply one, but the build quality is still likely to be average at best when compared to a Mojo or one of the boutiques like Stoneage, Vintage Headbox and now Scumback.

Have you found the link marked 'Search' at the top of the page? This has been covered ad nauseam.

Cool, didnt know scumback makes cabs now, kinda wish he didnt hate my guts so much.

[S.Marshall]

Why do you not want or like the 80's cabs you said you have? Didn't you say you have two or three?

[thousandshirts]

[slashsound]

Why do you not want or like the 80's cabs you said you have? Didn't you say you have two or three?

Never said I didnt want them. I just want to get my facts straight. Plus, I sold them in order to place an order for an SG and VOX AC4TV with Sweetwater ... which should be pretty sweet.

[slashsound]

Why do you not want or like the 80's cabs you said you have? Didn't you say you have two or three?

Never said I didnt want them. I just want to get my facts straight. Plus, I sold them in order to place an order for an SG and VOX AC4TV with Sweetwater ... which should be pretty sweet.

[Big Mike]

The JCM900 cabs were still ply shells but particle-board back, I thought.

You could swap the back out for a ply one, but the build quality is still likely to be average at best when compared to a Mojo or one of the boutiques like Stoneage, Vintage Headbox and now Scumback.

Have you found the link marked 'Search' at the top of the page? This has been covered ad nauseam.

MDF back yes, for a long time. But the baffle, the bracing where the slant meets, several other parts have cheapened out progressively since the 800 series. I've played identical 900 and 800 cabs, both with V30s. The 800 sounded better.

That said, live I don't think it would make much difference, but I'd rather have something more substantial. I have a 74ish Marshall 4x12 Scumbag recovered for me that sounds awesome. I bet something from Stoneage or Jbrax would be nice too, as well as Southbay's new cabs.

Not to mention George's cabs which I'm sure are great as well.

New marshall cabs...unless I can get it for 150 bucks after selling off teh speakers, I don't want it. LOL

[Big Mike]

Why do you not want or like the 80's cabs you said you have? Didn't you say you have two or three?

Never said I didnt want them. I just want to get my facts straight. Plus, I sold them in order to place an order for an SG and VOX AC4TV with Sweetwater ... which should be pretty sweet.

You should've bought an amp kit.

[paulster]

MDF back yes, for a long time. But the baffle, the bracing where the slant meets, several other parts have cheapened out progressively since the 800 series. I've played identical 900 and 800 cabs, both with V30s. The 800 sounded better.

Mike

Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing the 900 cabs! They can be improved by changing the back but they still won't be an 800 cab or, better, one of the 60s cabs.

I paid for a Mojo (same as George's cabs) to be shipped over to the UK from the States (along with a quad of Scumbacks) because all of the old cabs you find here these days are either absolute dogs or are priced somewhere up in wonderland.

It's rather annoying when you live in the home of Marshall.

[Big Mike]

Understood, no worries!! They've just changed in ways that aren't easy to see unless you pull them apart. A friend on another forum did this and improved it bit by bit. Just to make it more stable. LOL

[bdc]

I have 2 1960 Cabs --Theyre well make and sound great--Plywood w/finger joints
Mine are both staights, being I like the straight sound.......Is there some thing better out there..Sure but 1960s are good.........Now OK Marine Ply is better stuff than Particle board...but it doesn't sound better! Particle board dampens better! and thats what you want in a closed back cab--less vibration..Theres been a couple well known guys who choose Peavey cabs because they like the sound of em' and that dampering particle board.......Now in an open back cab natural solid wood is better than either...I don't buy for one second that changing the back panel on a 1960 to plywood makes it sound better! Closed back cabinets get they're sound in my experience from dampening(bracing), dimensions and speakers......

[Big Mike]

I disagree. I've compared the 1960 cab side by side with an original (and now with replaced back) 74 Marshall, Trace Elliott Bonneville Series cab (all void free birch).
Same with my 2x12's. Birch verses solid pine.
for *my* ears, the birch sounds better, even in like sized cabs, blind test.

Edit:
But i AM pretty anal retentive.

[bdc]

I disagree. I've compared the 1960 cab side by side with an original (and now with replaced back) 74 Marshall, Trace Elliott Bonneville Series cab (all void free birch).
Same with my 2x12's. Birch verses solid pine.
for *my* ears, the birch sounds better, even in like sized cabs, blind test.

We're splitting hairs IMO....by the way---were both Raider fans.........
I like the marine birch ply myself.......I'm just not convinced its conducive to tone...but tone is a subjective thing..In closedback cabs it's about dimensions and dampening IMO......
It has bee said the ultimate closedback cab would be made of cement! For least vibration....

If I was getting a wierd resonance I'd look for insulation or adding an extra brace -not new wood......just me........Older Marshalls do sound great IMO mostly because of the speakers.....The magic in a closed back cab is the projection and tight sound you get from the resticted airflow and speaker movement---
--it's just not about wood resonance---in a closedback wood resonance is a bad thing mostly.........bigger boxes allow more speaker movement.........Cool though you found something that you feel gives your one an edge.
I'll take your word for it on the A/b test.........not running out to replace my baffles.......