School me on buying a Marshall 1960 cab

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GJgo

GJgo

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Think I'm going to shop for a decent used 1960B cab, but they've been around so long I imagine there could be some things I should know about what to look for. Think for metal sounds. Most I'm sure have the G12T75, but finding an old one with the G1265 could be really cool. Beyond that what advice would you give?

I'm usually a V30 fan. Only time I tried a G12T75 before was with a Randall Diavlo head, and it really didn't like it stuffed in the Randall cab. Running a Mesa head now so I thought I'd give it another shot with a proper 4x12.
 
I agree with what Rez said. Although I run all my cabs with v30's on an X pattern with either g12s or cream backs..
 
4x12s can sometimes be difficult to sell and while I see people ASK high-ish prices, if you're patient people will almost give them away. B cabs are much more desirable though. The Marshall 1960BV cab comes with Marshall V30s, GC.online has several AV cabs starting at $459 but no BV cabs (and relatively few B cabs in general compared to TONS of A cabs).
 
Personally I'd look for a used AX or BX, but then I dig the Greenbacks, as well as the look. Otherwise pretty much any 1960 and your choice of speakers would do. And as mentioned, shouldn't be too hard to find a 1960 for a good price these days.
I've bought two 4x12s in the last year for low prices as people seem to be unloading the bigger cabs. I'm on the other side of the pond, but it seems It's a world wide epidemic.....
 
If you want to try 75s, I would suggest looking for a used JCM 800 cab with older versions. Much better speaker IMO than the post 1990 versions. Not mid heavy, but more mids available than the newer versions. GC online has many used 800 cabs from 349-599, call the store and ask them to look inside and see what speakers are actually in there. If it has what you want, hang up and then buy completely online. They'll charge 25 to ship a 4x12 when you buy from the website. No joke. 45 days to return also.
 
Thanks guys. I have been scanning GC used stuff. I was looking to next buy a Mesa 2x12 vertical but I already have V30 cabs, and hell I could get a 1960 cab cheaper so I thought it might be cool to try.

So then the ones that have the "JCM 800" tag in the front are cooler than the ones that have the "1960" tag?
 
GJgo":tqyvxy5p said:
Thanks guys. I have been scanning GC used stuff. I was looking to next buy a Mesa 2x12 vertical but I already have V30 cabs, and hell I could get a 1960 cab cheaper so I thought it might be cool to try.

So then the ones that have the "JCM 800" tag in the front are cooler than the ones that have the "1960" tag?
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It could be an 80s cab with just 1960 on it, but only if it has a round mono input jack. I believe if the cab said JCM 800 then it was matched up with or sold as a set with an 800 head. If you get an 800 cab you will get either T75s, 65s, or the dreaded G12M70s. So make sure someone will open it up and check for you, just to avoid the 70s. The stereo jack denotes the JCM 900 intro and later. Sometimes though, GC will put "300w stereo" next to every cab they have..so look closely for an 800 label in the lower left corner. They mislabel all the time, I have a 74 original Marshall cab and have a Fawn 1978 blackback cab because of this. Have to look closely at the cab pic. I think you are better off grabbing an 800 cab, if you want 65s or the better sounding(IMO) 75s.
 
racerxrated, do you know what were the years they used the grill cloth that faded so easily? I always look for faded cloth but I don't know what years they were.
 
SpiderWars":hir6ewh3 said:
racerxrated, do you know what were the years they used the grill cloth that faded so easily? I always look for faded cloth but I don't know what years they were.
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I believe 85/86. My old cab with those vented 75s had faded cloth.
 
I've never tried V30 in a 1960 but I prefer V30 over 75's from the cabs I have tried them in. The X pattern with both is pretty awesome but also the 75's aren't so bad. Just had to dial my amp much differently.
 
Hey thanks. For as dominant as the 1960 cab is on stages I see I think it's funny the lack of love for the 75.

GC had a couple for good prices, the nicer one sold today while I was looking! haha Still have this 800 cab with G12T75s, a little rough but the price is right for a *what the hell* buy.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Marshall/JCM800-1960B-Guitar-Cabinet.gc

Just found this 900 cab too but need to call on it tomorrow for a speaker check.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Marshall/JCM900-4x12-Guitar-Cabinet-112437689.gc
 
GJgo":9gdsp0g7 said:
Hey thanks. For as dominant as the 1960 cab is on stages I see I think it's funny the lack of love for the 75.

GC had a couple for good prices, the nicer one sold today while I was looking! haha Still have this 800 cab with G12T75s, a little rough but the price is right for a *what the hell* buy.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Marshall/JCM800-1960B-Guitar-Cabinet.gc

Just found this 900 cab too but need to call on it tomorrow for a speaker check.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Marshall/JCM900-4x12-Guitar-Cabinet-112437689.gc
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I'd grab that 800 cab, unless the 900 has cooler speakers than the 75s. To me, the older 800 75s are way better than even the 900 75s. More mids..not pronounced but definitely there.
 
Thanks. Looks like somebody beat me to it, though... Funny, the cheap ones keep selling!
 
I restored 2 Marshall cabs; one is a slant limited from '90, the other a straight 1976 (in my avatar). I think the cab matter, and aren't all the same.
 
Alright so I picked up a 1960B w/ G12T-75s used from GC. $327 to my door. :D The wood & speakers are great. The tolex is rough, but nothing I can't fix with some wood glue. The handles & panels are all plastic, I'd like to find metal replacements. The plastic is all cracking from age so this isn't a real new one.

The PCB had some cracked solders but I fixed them all up & it's good to go, although I do plan on replacing that thing with a straight jack & hard wiring it for stereo duals.
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=184937

It sounds freakin' killer with most of my heads! Here's a quick tone comparo vid I threw together. I think you can cover a LOT of tonal ground when armed with a V30 cab & a G12T-75 cab.
https://youtu.be/NdARuM_4QJ8
 
GJgo":3m8q0cri said:
Alright so I picked up a 1960B w/ G12T-75s used from GC. $327 to my door. :D The wood & speakers are great. The tolex is rough, but nothing I can't fix with some wood glue. The handles & panels are all plastic, I'd like to find metal replacements. The plastic is all cracking from age so this isn't a real new one.

The PCB had some cracked solders but I fixed them all up & it's good to go, although I do plan on replacing that thing with a straight jack & hard wiring it for stereo duals.
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=184937

It sounds freakin' killer with most of my heads! Here's a quick tone comparo vid I threw together. I think you can cover a LOT of tonal ground when armed with a V30 cab & a G12T-75 cab.
https://youtu.be/NdARuM_4QJ8
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Congrats! Sounds good. Scumback Speakers has metal handles for sale, as well as other sites like Mojotone.
 
Thanks! My cab has 6 screw handles. Doing some looking, it seems the newer metal handles I'm seeing are 8 screw & just a little taller, but I haven't figured out if that means I'd have to remove some wood to install them..? Not a deal breaker but if I can find metal bolt in then I win.

Edit- looks like I win! Thanks :)
http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/handles.html
 
GJgo":16m6seek said:
Thanks! My cab has 6 screw handles. Doing some looking, it seems the newer metal handles I'm seeing are 8 screw & just a little taller, but I haven't figured out if that means I'd have to remove some wood to install them..? Not a deal breaker but if I can find metal bolt in then I win.

Edit- looks like I win! Thanks :)
http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/handles.html
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:thumbsup:
 
Lots of good advice here. I have a 1960B that came with 75s. I bought another cab that had v30s in it and swapped two out for an X in both cabs. The 1960B sounds amazing now with that configuration, it is easily better than the other cabs that I have tried or compare it against.
 
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