View Full Version : 2X12 cab opinions/suggestions, does the Marshall 1936 really suck?
andyhumb
03-17-2003, 01:35 PM
I figure most of the more senior people on this board have been thru the difficult process of choosing a cabinet for their rigs. My goal is to have two 2X12 cabs someday and run them in stereo. I thought about starting out buying the Marshall 1936 cab since it has the mono/stereo inputs, so that I wouldn't have to buy two cabinets right away. Turns out alot of people hate those cabs (the newer ones) because they are all particle board with plastic corners, ect (even though they are not advertised as all particle board). The other option is the Legacy (Carvin) 2X12 that is all plywood and has V30's in it (about $365) but only comes with mono inputs. Also, the Genz Benz G-Flex gets great reviews but its $500 and doesnt even have Celestion speakers in it - some wierd speaker that I've never heard of - am I just paying for the George Lynch endorsement? Any suggestions or opinions, all are GREATLY appreciated:confused: (I am using a tube pre and tube stereo power amp)
Andy I use a Mesa 2x12 recto with V30's. I too thought I needed a stereo 2x12 so I installed Mesa's stereo jack on my 2x12. To make a long story short it was pointless. The seperation you get from 2 12" speakers a couple of inches apart from each other is not worth it.
andyhumb
03-17-2003, 01:48 PM
Very interesting point, so would i be better off getting two 1X12 cabinets? It seems a little wimpy don't you think? I didn't realize that the stereo separation is poor with 2X12's. I imagine a Mesa 2X12 recto cab with Vintage 30's would probably be some outrageous price, like $650 or $700 or something l;ike that?
ubersam
03-17-2003, 02:02 PM
I have a pair of older Carvin vertical 2x12s (like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2516077693&category=10171 (http://) - They are loaded w/ Carvin's "British Series" speakers, not sure who really makes the speakers. I think they sound/work fine as they are. They're really inexpensive, if you can find them. I can only imagine how the V30 loaded Legacy cabs would sound. I also have a pair of V30 loaded Mesa Recto 1x12s (wedges, out of production). They sound huge when side by side. When placed a distance from each other, they sound smaller w/ a noticable loss of low end chug.
Martin Straka
03-17-2003, 02:08 PM
Andy regarding the G-Flex there was a pretty long thread here where the guys from Genz Benz had said they tried Celestions and they kept breaking apart. Look up agedhorse here. He works for Genz Benz. Also FRETBRNR is selling a G-Flex for $300.
andyhumb
03-17-2003, 02:21 PM
Hi Martin,
How can I find agedhorse and fretbrnr? I'm not familiar with how to search for other users? thanks for the info - 300 for a genz is pretty good if its in good shape.:p
Martin Straka
03-17-2003, 02:26 PM
click search and under "search by user name" type in either name.
Originally posted by andyhumb
Very interesting point, so would i be better off getting two 1X12 cabinets? It seems a little wimpy don't you think? I didn't realize that the stereo separation is poor with 2X12's. I imagine a Mesa 2X12 recto cab with Vintage 30's would probably be some outrageous price, like $650 or $700 or something l;ike that?
I have not found a 1x12 cab that I like yet. Not that I have tried them all though either. I would still go with the 2 2x12 for the stereo thing. Honestly lots of guys have said that only the first few rows of the audience will hear the stereo image any way.
The mesa 2x12 recto was $595. I also looked at the Carvin Legacy 2x12. I went with the mesa because IMO it sounded better. The build quality on the cab is outstanding. They are not for everyone though. It is a very tight, focused cab and unless you are right in earshot it sounds bass heavy. Get out farther away from it or listen to play back from an SM57 and it sounds great!
andyhumb
03-17-2003, 02:34 PM
The problem with the pricing on a cab like $600 for ONE 2X12 mesa is that I could almost but TWO great quality Legacy all plywood V30 loaded 2X12 for only about $725. Certainly two Legacy 2X12 separated agout ten feet apart will theoretically give better overall sound quality than one Mesa 2X12, even it is does not say "Mesa" on the cabinet, IMHO. But than again, I haven't tried out either cab and I just don't know.:confused:
Use your ears. I did not buy the mesa simply becuase it said Mesa on the name plate. If the Legacy cabs sound good to you then get them. I have no problems with carvin gear. In fact I used to use 2 2x10 carvin cabs in my old rig. That fact that the mesa cab cost 600 is why I only have one. I did not even want to tempt my self by listening to Bogner cabs.
andyhumb
03-17-2003, 06:26 PM
You're advice is much appreciated, its always great to hear from knowedgable people, its especially difficult for me to make choices because I don't have major music stores nearby - thats whats great about forums like this:)
zepdog17
06-02-2003, 06:29 PM
Hey andy what did you get? I'm thinking of getting the carvin cabs to.
mshifflett
06-03-2003, 08:59 AM
Originally posted by andyhumb
Very interesting point, so would i be better off getting two 1X12 cabinets? It seems a little wimpy don't you think? I didn't realize that the stereo separation is poor with 2X12's.
It depends on how you utlilize the cabinets on stage. I have a rack rig which I run stereo outputs from my cabinet emulator to the FOH board. This eliminates the need for more open mics on stage which makes our soundman happy. I then use two small 12" monitor wedges with the horns removed for my stage sound. I set one in front of me pointing back at me and the other off to the side pointing across the stage. The sound is great since they are far enough apart to really hear the effects. They are small and effective.
I loaded the wedges with Celestion 90W Black Shadow speakers which are made by Celestion for Mesa Boogie. The sound is anything but whimpy.
miker2c
06-03-2003, 02:36 PM
I run a Mesa 2X12 with v30's for my dry sound and an old ADA with VHT speakers in it for my wet sound, and they sound pretty damn good. I love the Mesa for my distortion.
But there are some custom options out there that are surprisingly affordable. Splawn cabs--www.splawnguitars.com--are custom made with your choice of speakers, choice of tolex color, choice of grill cloth color and piping for $475 for the 2X12. And, even more reasonable than that is the Avatar speaker cabs--www.avatarspeakers.com--they are 3/4 inch birch ply with your choice of speakers, and depending on the speakers, they range from the upper $100's to the upper $200!!! Yeah, I wouldn't believe the price myself, if I just hadn't been on the website!!!
Mike
agedhorse
06-03-2003, 03:43 PM
Originally posted by andyhumb
Also, the Genz Benz G-Flex gets great reviews but its $500 and doesnt even have Celestion speakers in it - some wierd speaker that I've never heard of - am I just paying for the George Lynch endorsement?
Hahahahahah... that's right, we use a speaker that we developed especially for the G-Flex line. Far more reliable, and sounds better (yes this is subjective) especially when driven hard like George does. Besides, our drivers are not made in China... they are U.S made!
black sphynx
06-04-2003, 06:14 AM
Miker,
I was checking out some avatars on ebay. Do these thing actually sound good at that price??? That would be awesome if they did , has anyone heard them?
Thanks
JMP1rules!!
06-04-2003, 08:31 AM
jeez! mesa gear must be cheap in the US, marshall ALWAYS gets a good kickin here imo!
i use 1936- great!
it's a pair of speakers in a box! WTF!
chrisjnyc
06-04-2003, 08:47 AM
Have you tried the Bogner 2x12 cabs? Really great sounding... costs a fortune though.
Chris
miker2c
06-04-2003, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by black sphynx
Miker,
I was checking out some avatars on ebay. Do these thing actually sound good at that price??? That would be awesome if they did , has anyone heard them?
Thanks
Black Sphynx,
I can't say that I have ever heard the Avatar's, but after reading some of the reviews here on HC and going on their website, I will seriously consider them--especially since I would like to replace the crummy ADA 2X12 that I have right now.
I second the "has anyone heard them?" Anyone out there?
Mike
UncleDig
06-07-2003, 08:59 PM
The Mesa Thiele ported 1x12 cab with an EV 100 watt speaker in it is an incredible cab. Get two, and separate them for stereo. Can't be beat!
Dig
Originally posted by UncleDig
The Mesa Thiele ported 1x12 cab with an EV 100 watt speaker in it is an incredible cab. Get two, and separate them for stereo. Can't be beat!
Dig
Yep!:D
biuje
06-07-2003, 09:31 PM
Mesa Rectifier 2x12 : 499 dollars.
pbhtrip
06-08-2003, 12:06 AM
Avatar does make a good cab. I have a 2x12 (vertical) with V30s and it sounds very good, much better than my marshall 4x12 as a matter of fact. I intend to purchase another very soon, and would not hesitate to recommend Avatar. I can't imagine how you could get anything better for the money, or for twice the money for that matter.
pbh
zepdog17
06-10-2003, 07:35 PM
can vintage 30's sound bad in a marshall cab?
Zeromus-X
06-10-2003, 10:18 PM
Sure, if you don't like the sound of Vintage 30's. ;)
biuje
01-09-2004, 10:21 PM
Originally posted by zepdog17
can vintage 30's sound bad in a marshall cab?
"I have done an A/B of Mesa 2x12 with vintage 30s with a Marshall 1960B also with vintage 30s
The Mesa cabs were excellent and gave a much better and more rounded sound. The Marshall was more nasal in tone.
Subsequently I sold the Marshall and kept the Mesa cabs "