New Speakers, or New Cab?

[myboss57]

Just throwing this out here....

I got my Marshall 1960A (with the stock G12-75s) back when I had my RV100 because I borrowed a 1960 cab from another band when we played a few out of town shows. I loved the way it sounded with my RV100 (blasphemy to some! I know!). Now that I've gotten rid of the RV100 and been set up with my OD120 I've been thinking I'd like a thicker cab with V30s - like my old Orange PPC412 that I got rid of (FML!) or something similar.

I don't think the build quality of the Marshall cab is bad by any means, but I'd like something to the effect of the thickness of an Orange PPC (or one similar, oversized Mesa 412, Avatar contemporary, Whitebox, Matamp, Green, etc) with V30s. I've put the Marshall on CL but it's been just sitting there. I don't see myself selling or trading it anytime soon to fund the purchase of a new/used cab as mentioned in the last sentence. What are the Orange Forum's thoughts on just swapping some speakers in the cab? I was thinking of maybe trying to off-load the G12-75s for some V30s, or maybe do 2 V30s in the bottom or some other pattern.

If money was no object I'd just buy another cab and be done with it, but money is an object and I don't have enough of it at the moment. I guess I could just wait indefinitely anyways, as the by no means do I hate the Marshall cab as it's currently setup with my OD120, it sounds quite good to me - I just know that my OD120 would probably sing a little better through some V30s...

[Randy Bass]

I think swapping out two speakers would be a good approach. You might have a little trouble finding someone who wants to swap two of their Vintage 30s straight-up for G12T-75s (unless Bayta has a cousin in Baltimore ), but it's worth a shot. I'd trade you two of mine from my Randall cab if shipping was worth the trouble. I do also have an authentic PPC412 front baffle if you want to build the rest of the cab around it .

I would want to try some Celestion G12-80 Classic Leads with the OR120 personally, but I doubt you'd be able to trade for them.

[nlimbaugh]

V30's will be much louder than the 75's, so swapping two would probably be a good compromise. You could like the mix better than 4 v30's anyway. Avatar has the "slightly broken in" hellatones pretty cheap... better than taking a chance on used stuff IMO.

[myboss57]

Yeah, I figure there would have to be a little cash on my end for a trade. I was thinking I could sell 2 of the 75s and use that bit of cash towards V30s. But really, I'd probably have just enough trouble selling the speakers alone anyways. I'll have to check out the 80s as well. I was thinking of the 100s too (as in the HP cabs).

If I knew the first thing about building a quality cab I'd be all over that baffle Randy!

I mean, as I said, overall I am happy with my tone. Last night at band practice I was actually really enjoying how everything sounded, so it may be one of those 'grass is greener' scenarios.

But I'll poke around Avatar's site and elsewhere and see what I can find! Thanks!

[jason41224]

yeah, if you're going to replace them, check out Avatar's Hellatones (and if you email them, they have prices for stock V30s too). another good place to check out would be WGS. they're (really good!) Celestion clones built in the USA. i know of at least one forumite that uses them and he loves them.

http://www.wgs4.com

i believe the V30 clone is called the "Veteran 30" on their site.

[myboss57]

Thanks for the tip on the clones - not a bad idea!

[baytamusic]

I've got a Mojo V30 copy just sitting around... The frame has a very slight bend where the screws tighten (I didn't do this) but I've played through it and it sounded fine. Lot's of people really like these speakers.

[Nork]

ima jump on the "sell two and buy a pair of hellatones" train. had a pair of hellatones in my avatar 212 when i had my stiletto and it was a great sound.

[OrangePaul]

You might find these comparisons of help if you havent already seen them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9acguJjsgDg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWK0sa7tlfI

My 70s Orange 4x12 is loaded with G12Hs and they do sound pretty awesome live.

[Le Chat Noir]

I don't know about in the States, but often here in the UK you can pick up whole loaded cabs used for less than the price of the speakers - particularly on local collection only Ebay auctions. Just a thought!

[myboss57]

Thanks for all the tips! It's a lot to think about for sure. I've been thinking of maybe picking up a 2x12 with V30s (or maybe clones) in it. Otherwise, picking up 2 v30s, or maybe 2 of those 80s would be a nice mix with my 75s.

An unloaded cab is a good idea too!

[jason41224]

^for that matter, Avatar's the way to go. 'specially their Scratch and Dent section--you can usually get 412s or 212s pretty cheap that way.

[Borderline Productions]

I'd also recommend looking at Avatar. Their cabs are the same wood as the Orange cabs, but not as deep. You can usually find a cab loaded with speakers for almost the same price as the speakers alone. Don't know how they did, but I assume it is legal.

[Randy Bass]

I'd also recommend looking at Avatar. Their cabs are the same wood as the Orange cabs, but not as deep. You can usually find a cab loaded with speakers for almost the same price as the speakers alone. Don't know how they did, but I assume it is legal.

Celestion sets the MAP (minimum advertised price) for raw speakers, but Celestion-loaded speaker cabs are exempt from those standards. Basically, Avatar sells the speakers at cost (usually 50-60% off) if you buy them loaded in one of their cabs. It's allowed them to do a lot of volume to build their brand, though I'm not sure they make much money that way. It also helps that they have awesome customer service.

[OrangePaul]

Thanks for all the tips! It's a lot to think about for sure. I've been thinking of maybe picking up a 2x12 with V30s (or maybe clones) in it. Otherwise, picking up 2 v30s, or maybe 2 of those 80s would be a nice mix with my 75s.

An unloaded cab is a good idea too!

I could imagine V30s and 75s matching pretty well though as they're practically opposites.