History: Rarest Marshall Cabs ever?!

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rsm

rsm

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I heard a story that The Who wanted louder amps for larger gigs in the mid-sixties; Entwistle and Townshend were always trying to outdo each other volume wise. So they went to Jim Marshall's shop and asked for bigger amps, what they got where two 8 x 12" cabs each. Marshall made 8 of these cabs with 8 x 12" speakers. When The Who tried them, they brought them back and said they were too big, could Jim cut them in half? That's what he did, and that was how the first Marshall 4 x 12" cabinet was made.

What about the other four original 8 x 12" cabs? Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane of Small Faces each got two. (I'm a big Steve Marriott / Ronnie Lane / Small Faces / Faces fanboy). You can see these rare Marshall 8 x 12" cabs in the beginning of this video of "Lazy Sunday" by Small Faces, surrounding Steve Marriott out on a lawn; some of the logos are missing, but these are the cabs, not sure what the Marshall heads are, may have been the first set of 200 watt heads? Small Faces were the biggest band in the UK never to make it in the US in the mid-late '60s, they were Mods like the Who (West End) from London's East End; not sure about their popularity in Canada?



If you hear a different story about these original 8 x 12" cabs, please share it!

Not sure what happened to these amps and cabs either...
 
Jim Marshall actually told them that 8x12's would be too big, and tried to talk them out of it. Later they brought them back because they were too heavy.

Also, the slant was for cosmetic reasons, Jim thought it looked better that way.

I think there's the full story in the "History of Marshall" book, it's been a while since I read it.
 
i went to school w/ some Mods back in the uk...good times,they had lambrettas w/ the mirrors all over them,turned me onto the WHo
 
psychodave":1lzy537n said:
I believe after Pete used the 8x12's, his roadies complained about the weight, so Jim cut them in half. Thus, the "stack" was born. :thumbsup:
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thats the real story!!! :thumbsup:
 
2. Matchless made 8x12's for the black crows
3. Crate made 16x12's for Namm. :aww:
 
Marshall Freak":1fi1afpz said:
Jim Marshall actually told them that 8x12's would be too big, and tried to talk them out of it. Later they brought them back because they were too heavy.

Also, the slant was for cosmetic reasons, Jim thought it looked better that way.

I think there's the full story in the "History of Marshall" book, it's been a while since I read it.
Click to expand...
That is a great book :thumbsup: Lots of cool history in that one :D
 
Saw this eBay auction today and thought of this thread.

https://cgi.ebay.com/MARSHALL-8x12-Speak ... 7C294%3A50

"Hello. Thanks for looking.

This auction is for one original, circa 1966, Marshall 8x12 speaker cab. One of six made. An historically significant piece to say the least. Four were made for The Who, two for The Small Faces. In fact, one of the speakers has a Humble Pie sticker on it's magnet cover.The speakers are January 1966 Greenback Celestion 20w 12" units. Check my website http://www.chicagoguitars.net/html/1966 ... r_cab.html for MORE information and pictures. The grills on the top and bottom sections don't completely match. My guess is the top section was damaged, regrilled and then damaged again. The top left speaker is damaged (torn cone) in the same spot as where the grill is.

As you might guess, this particular piece is quite large and heavy. It weighs over 180 pounds and is as big as, well, a two piece stack. Too big and too heavy for UPS. I can ship via truck or hand deliver if you pay the expenses back and forth from Chicago. Local pickup is a welcome option. In any event, the cost of shipping, etc. is the liability of the buyer. I will do my best to make it as cheap and hassle-free as possible from my end.

Ask any and all questions prior to bidding. You can also make an appointment to view and inspect this piece before bidding.

All domestic and international bidders are welcome. No game playing or foolish comments, etc. are welcome, though.

Most forms of payment are acceptable. Item shipped immediately upon receipt or clearence of payment. Positive feedback posted after delivery confirmation by sender.

Thanks again. Good luck and happy bidding."

!BO-LPr!!Wk~$(KGrHgoH-EIEjlLlecF0BJ)(0,GoKg~~_3.JPG
 
Dunno. That cab on ebay looks very different than the one shown in the Lazy Sunday video I posted? I suppose they could have replaced the grille cloth, logo, etc. For that price, ! :no:
 
Well actually, the cabs in the video aren't the infamous 8x12. These are the 8x10. Later on Marshall would build oversized 4x12 in the same cabs as the 8x10, just changing the baffle. It has been said that the Small Faces also had a couple of the first 8x12, but I've never seen any documentation of that.

/Ulf
 
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