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Author Topic: finding the perfect cabinet for me  (Read 2097 times)

BaLLsAgNe

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finding the perfect cabinet for me
« on: August 21, 2006, 08:37:18 PM »
i just got an ENGL SE el34 version (its in the mail) and i dont feel my marshall 1960 is going to get the job done anymore. im not sure what kind of cabinet i want for it but im looking for something to bring out the best in the amp. if my musical style matters i play metal along the lines of Maiden, Helloween, Hammerfall, Dream Evil, Iced Earth etc. in order to find the right cabinet for me i decided to break down what to me are the main elements (though i may have it all wrong) and see which company meets all of my requirements.

1. speaker type : for this im pretty dead set on vintage 30s
2. front loaded or rear loaded: can someone explain to me how each way effects tone?
3. cloth or metal grill: not sure how they differ in sound either
4. angled or straight: do they actually sound different or just look different?

any help on those aspects would be greatly appreciated

dave_mc

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finding the perfect cabinet for me
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2006, 09:36:47 PM »
vintage 30's work well with engls. I haven't tried too many other speakers, though.

as far as I know, and mainly from what I hear (if anyone else knows better, listen to them!):

1. speaker type : for this im pretty dead set on vintage 30s
2. front loaded or rear loaded: can someone explain to me how each way effects tone?
3. cloth or metal grill: not sure how they differ in sound either
4. angled or straight: do they actually sound different or just look different?

1: sounds good.

2: from what I hear, front loaded sound a little more "immediate" (EDIT: or punchy) for want of a better word.

3: I'm not sure either. I'd guess it's slight, maybe the cloth is a little more vintage/softer/warmer sounding?

4: straight normally have more bass, while angled projects the sound upwards a little more (if you're using them in halfstack format)- so it's a little more in your face (in terms of the sound actually getting to your face, not the slang term!).

I'd guess something along the lines of an engl xxl cab would do well for the se, if you can afford it- the se has a load of bass, you need a really good cab to get the best from it. I'm sure there are other good cabs too (genz benz g-flex, etc.) for it.

BaLLsAgNe

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finding the perfect cabinet for me
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2006, 01:19:57 AM »
thanks for the reply.. a few days later nobody else has input?

Bainzy

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finding the perfect cabinet for me
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2006, 01:42:15 AM »
I don't really see how the 1960 wouldn't cut it any more - it's one of the best guitar cabs you can buy, and has been the industry standard for over 40 years. The cloth used on modern Marshall 1960 cabs is 100% tonally transparent, where as the one used on the old vintage cabs tended to trap a bit of high end. Therefore metal and the black cloth should sound exactly the same.

Can't you just change the speakers? The cab has clip on speaker wires so there's not even any soldering required.

http://www.loudspeaker.co.uk/

just get a quad of v30's, £50 each inc shipping and you're sorted  :wink: