Marshall 1960AV 412 Cabinet

Nu am avut ocazia sa cant pe un astfel de cabinet asa ca am apelat la review-uri si demo-uri online. Dupa luni de zile de research, nu foarte convins de ce am auzit, am decis sa cumpar acest cabinet. Tot ce pot sa spun este ca a fost o revelatie in adevaratul sens al cuvantului. Sunetul este perfect si impreuna cu un amp Marshall JVM410H cred ca am cea mai versatila combinatie posibila reusind sa obtin absolut orice ton doresc de la rock clasic pana la metal.

These Marshall cabs are the rock'n'roll classic, however in 2021 you have far more options than back in the days. Quality is not what it used to be both in terms of materials used and craftmenship/finishing, especially visible on how the white tubing is not straight on my particular unit.
In terms of sound, the Marshall Vintage speakers (made in UK) are still great and far better than the chinese Vintage 30s found in more expensive cabs of other makes (excluding the Mesa cabs).
For the price, I don't see a better 4x12 cab, but if you are willing to spend more - there are also other great options from Bogner, Engl and Mesa.

I've been through more speakers and cabs over the last few years than I can remember - at least 50 specimens spread over 10 different speaker models, and a double digit number of cabinets as well... Mostly 4x12's, but a couple of 2x12's as well.

Not sure why it has taken me this long to realise, but there is now zero doubt in my mind that I prefer the sound of slant cabs to straight (prefer the look of straights though). How they sound in the room is one thing, significant differences are to be expected due to basic laws of physics, but how different they sound recorded was rather surprising to me.

Johan Segeborn has a fantastic video on Youtube where he records the exact same speakers in a slant and straight cab, and there is a clear difference in all the individual microphones whether close mic'ing the upper or lower row, just the room mic or all three mics together. The slant cab sounds a lot more balanced and less peaky and harsh, which is consistent with my experience with the 1960AV as well.

Slant cabs are also more practical, it's easier to hear yourself in general. Which gives you a more accurate representation of your tone for dialling in your amp, when the cab is playing for your ears and not your knees. They are also compatible with a wider variety of amps, my Marshall 1987x head is tricky to place properly on top of straight cabs, and because of the small feet the chassis screws will scratch up the plastic if you move the amp sideways.

To talk a little bit about the speakers, the Marshall G12 Vintage's sound so much better than every regular Vintage 30 I've tried it's not even funny. They are shortly summarised *the* sound of modern rock (late 80s to today), and have a particular sizzle, rawness and open-ness to them I've never heard in a Vintage 30. Reminds me a little bit of a Greenback in that sense, but not as scooped as a GB and more "solid" in a way. A quad of these can also handle any conventional amp (as in, ≤200w) without breaking a sweat. It's a bit of a shame that you have to buy a cab to get hold of these speakers, but in a way that makes them a bit more exclusive and special I guess.

If you're playing rock n' roll akin to the sound of the 80s, 90s or 2000s it's extremely hard to go wrong with this cabinet, and I can't think of any reason that isn't aesthetic (and/or to assemble a full stack) to go with a 1960BV over this. I'll get a 1960TV for my 1987x next, can't wait!