CrazyNutz
Well-known member
Particle Board vs Birch Ply vs Birch Ply w/Poly Fill
I've seen a few debates here and there. I've owned many 4x12's, and still do. I've heard people call manufactures cheap, cutting corners, doing it wrong, etc. for using particle board back panels on their high-end line of cabinets.
So I decided to experiment for myself. Or more accurately, I have been experimenting when I get free time over the last few months.
I've always been curious, however what really sparked this Is when I acquired a Bogner 4x12 v30 cab. While it sounded good, there were some things about it I could not jive with. It was stiff, seemed like it cut the breakup/distortion down (like turning the gain knob back a notch or two) could not get it to set well in a live band mix, bass was weird, and I had some worse than normal ear fatigue from the highs (probably from having to turn my amp up louder than normal to get it to cut through).
First thing I did was carefully remove the staples, and pull out the poly fill. This helped. I then put a pair of greenbacks up top (I like this combo and have used it in several other cabs). Now the bass got loose at high volume with the GB's up top, and the poly fill removed. So I put it back in, It was pretty decent now up to mid volume.
But I still had problems at high volume.
So I thought, I've had my fair share of Marshall 1960 A's, AV's, B's, BV's, etc. From the 70's, 80's, 90's, and 00's They all were birch ply with particle board backs. They always sounded punchy, tight, and for the most part generally fantastic. The Bogner being pretty much a clone of the Marshall 4x12 with one of the largest difference being the back panel.
We'll went to Home depot, grabbed a sheet of 5/8'' particle board (closest size to the 15mm used on marshalls, and clones) and got all sweaty building a new back in the July Texas heat.
Whats the verdict? FCUKING AWESOME
Punchy, Bass is bigger and tighter, has a nice thump to it, Louder, more pissed off sounding. It is clearer, more articulate (which is the opposite from what I hear when people put birch ply backs on their marshal cabs). It sounds way better at high volume. If you ask me it sounds the way it's supposed to sound?
Anyhow I'll do another play/listen session tomorrow to make sure my ears are not lying to me.
I've seen a few debates here and there. I've owned many 4x12's, and still do. I've heard people call manufactures cheap, cutting corners, doing it wrong, etc. for using particle board back panels on their high-end line of cabinets.
So I decided to experiment for myself. Or more accurately, I have been experimenting when I get free time over the last few months.
I've always been curious, however what really sparked this Is when I acquired a Bogner 4x12 v30 cab. While it sounded good, there were some things about it I could not jive with. It was stiff, seemed like it cut the breakup/distortion down (like turning the gain knob back a notch or two) could not get it to set well in a live band mix, bass was weird, and I had some worse than normal ear fatigue from the highs (probably from having to turn my amp up louder than normal to get it to cut through).
First thing I did was carefully remove the staples, and pull out the poly fill. This helped. I then put a pair of greenbacks up top (I like this combo and have used it in several other cabs). Now the bass got loose at high volume with the GB's up top, and the poly fill removed. So I put it back in, It was pretty decent now up to mid volume.
But I still had problems at high volume.
So I thought, I've had my fair share of Marshall 1960 A's, AV's, B's, BV's, etc. From the 70's, 80's, 90's, and 00's They all were birch ply with particle board backs. They always sounded punchy, tight, and for the most part generally fantastic. The Bogner being pretty much a clone of the Marshall 4x12 with one of the largest difference being the back panel.
We'll went to Home depot, grabbed a sheet of 5/8'' particle board (closest size to the 15mm used on marshalls, and clones) and got all sweaty building a new back in the July Texas heat.
Whats the verdict? FCUKING AWESOME
Punchy, Bass is bigger and tighter, has a nice thump to it, Louder, more pissed off sounding. It is clearer, more articulate (which is the opposite from what I hear when people put birch ply backs on their marshal cabs). It sounds way better at high volume. If you ask me it sounds the way it's supposed to sound?
Anyhow I'll do another play/listen session tomorrow to make sure my ears are not lying to me.