Loaded the Scumback (mini review/clip inside)

[TwilightOdyssey]

I loaded the Scumback M75 into my 1x12 cabinet after work tonight.

Compared to the driver I already had in there (Carvin Vintage British 100W), I noticed several physical differences: The cone has a much steeper incline, as well as going deeper into the gasket; the voice coil is much smaller as is the dust cap; the Scumback weighs perhaps 10% more than the Carvin.

Sonically, there is no comparison. The Scumback NAILS the 70s hard rock/early metal tone. It is extremely tight and tuneful. I also noticed that there was very little tonal difference when listening off-axis as opposed to straight on. This speaker just has gobs of everything; it was also extremely responsive to any changes in EQ, gain, and volume.

This speaker, simply put, will not break up and no matter how hard I hammered it, never got brittle, spitty, chuffy, wooly, or any other negative side effect I've had from cranking a single 12".

Even with the TB smashing the clean channel, as you can hear, open and barre chords retain their clarity.


Here is a quick clip I made:

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=6708338&q=hi

Signal Chain is:

VHII loaded tele ... 1970s NOS JAX curly guitar lead ... Thundertomate Phil Hilborne Treble Booster ... Splawn Quick Rod (1st gear, clean channel) ... Audix D2 approximately 2" off axis and 3" away from the grille ... no EQ, compression or audio fiddling done after the fact.

If you are looking for a speaker to nail classic rock tones of yore, or or a modern player who craves a vintage speaker, look no further than the Scumback.

[hamfist]

I completely agree with your assessment of the M75. IMO, Scumbacks are the best speakers being made on the planet at the moment. TO, what wattage-rated version do you have ?

Strangely, if anyone in the UK is interested in an 8 ohm M75 (65W), I should have one for sale in the next week or two. I have M75's and H75's but I'm finding the H75's suit my "slightly more modern" requirements. I'm awaiting a delivery of a new H75 to replace a current M75 in my cab.  As soon as the new H75 arrives, the M75 will be available.

[gwEm]

your new speaker sounds well tasty from your clip and description! would you say its similar to the celestion g12-65?

slight divert, but do you think the phil holborne would work well with a marshall 2204 type amp? presumably yes, as its similar to the splawn.

edit: was just at the scumback site.. sounds like the M75-LHDC clip they have there? cut and paste error?

[PhilKing]

I have a pair of M75-LHDC's still in the box (I am waiting for the cab), but having heard this, I now will have to try out against my Sidewinders.  The LHDC is supposed to be the G12-65 model, I got the pair for my Ceriatone Overtone Special, as they are supposed to be the speaker for Dumble clones.  Hearing Ben's recording though has made me decide that I will get the Ear Candy Sovereign 1x12 out of storage and put one of the Scumbacks into it.  It is a great classic rock sound that he has got, and this is listening to an MP3 recording on my PC!

[hamfist]

your new speaker sounds well tasty from your clip and description! would you say its similar to the celestion g12-65?

I've actually tried G12-65's and and M75/H75 mix in the same cab.  To my ears the g12-65's were very noticeably darker than the M75. To be honest it wasn't the fairest test, as the M75 was straight out of the box, and the G12-65's were well broken in.
  My M75 is now broken in too but, from memory, the G12-65's were still noticeably darker - too dark to get a good 70's rock crunch with, IMO.

[PhilKing]

Hey gwEm, perhaps you should talk to hamfist and try the scumback speaker with your marshall!!

[_tom_]

Sounds great, probably my favourite recorded tone I've heard of yours when you turned up the gain a bit :)

[indysmith]

Sorry to be rude, but the clip sounds EXACTLY like my MG50DFX

[dave_mc]

that sounded very nice. :)

[TwilightOdyssey]

I completely agree with your assessment of the M75. IMO, Scumbacks are the best speakers being made on the planet at the moment. TO, what wattage-rated version do you have ?

After going back and forth with Jim re: exactly what I was looking for, and after he checked out the specs on the Quick Rod, he recommended the 100W version, and that's that I got. That particular clip was done with the QR in half power mode (approx 55w), with master volume up about 30%. (L O U D !!!)

[TwilightOdyssey]

slight divert, but do you think the phil holborne would work well with a marshall 2204 type amp? presumably yes, as its similar to the splawn.

YES. Buy one. It is the most transparent boost I've ever heard. It doesn't have quite the harmonic complexity of the Klon (I'll grudgingly admit that), but is preferable for they type of sound I'm going for.

[TwilightOdyssey]

that sounded very nice. :)

Thanks, Dave!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Sounds great, probably my favourite recorded tone I've heard of yours when you turned up the gain a bit :)

Thanks, _tom_ !

[TwilightOdyssey]

Sorry to be rude, but the clip sounds EXACTLY like my MG50DFX

No, it doesn't.

See how easy it is to play the you-push-I-push-back game? PDT_008

[indysmith]

Sorry to be rude, but the clip sounds EXACTLY like my MG50DFX

No, it doesn't.

See how easy it is to play the you-push-I-push-back game? PDT_008

Sorry I didn't mean to 'push' you :?
I think my ears must be having a weird day. Yesterday I loved my amp, today it sounds absolutely terrible on the same settings, and your god-set-up sounds like an MG? Something must be wrong.