Semi-vintage Marshall cabinet details

[Publius pro tem]

Anybody here good with Marshall cabinet production details?
I'm going to look at a early eighties Marshall "JCM 800" A cabinet (top cab) this weekend.

This my Marshall as it stacks up currently;

My head is a first-run JCM 800 (2203) from 1981 with vertical inputs.
It's the most common one - 100-watts/single channel.

The cabinets are "1960 Lead" A & B cabs made in about 2004.
It's a nice-looking set up, a few minor tolex repairs done.
(How many people have a Marshall that your wife thinks it looks good?)



Performs as any Marshall stack would - no problems except hearing loss.



Anyhow, anybody know the difference between the 1960 Lead and JCM 800 cabinets?
Both are 300 watt-rated 4x12s and look the same on the outside.
Different speakers I guess.

I mean, the cabinets I have now work perfectly.
I never use my Marshall anyway, except to occasionally blow the cobwebs outta the house.

Buying this "vintage" cabinet would be for collection purposes only.
I'm just not that big into period correct pieces, and what I have works fine.

Is this cabinet worth buying for somewhere close to a grand?

 

[Publius pro tem]

The only info I can find on the web is the different speakers used.

G12-65, G12M-70 or G12T-75.

 

[Skintaster]

I wish I knew and could help, but I've never owned one. I checked around a bit online, and was thoroughly confused. Have you posted this thread in the amp section of the forum?

I've noticed that some knowledgeable forum members don't frequent the backstage section. Might be worth a try.

 

[Skintaster]

Nice looking stack btw.

 

[Publius pro tem]

No, I probably should post it in amps.
Thanks ST.

I got a few feelers out elsewhere.
I'm thinking I'll pass on it.

EDIT: Done - posted in Squawk Box

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk-box/134542-semi-vintage-marshall-cabs.html#post2564117

 

[Blackie]

What the fu-k is semi-vintage ?

The specs on that cab and the one you have are real close, and the value is as well.

 

[Laaz]

Depends on if it's a 1982 or 1960. The 800's are also mono, not stereo. Check out the Marshall forum.

 

[Blackie]

I would think Neo that if you are going from a collector stand point you may well want to seek out a complete vintage stack backed with paperwork, as I think you are a stickler for authenticity.

 

[Publius pro tem]

What the fu-k is semi-vintage ?

ANYTHING that says JCM 800 on it is already a collector piece.
The values on the heads have been up for quite some time - hence, the reissues.
The glory years of metal bred a whole generation of people who think there's no other Marshall worth owning.

In my opinion, it's the last Marshall worth owning.
There's some cool newer products, but I'm more interested in the stuff from the sixties/seventies.

The specs on that cab and the one you have are real close, and the value is as well.

A few guys I talked to around town said they've sold used 800 cabs at a substantial premium.
They had no idea if there was any difference - it just had the badge on the front so people wanted it.
Used cabs like I have can be bought all day long for $500 - and I mean CLEAN ones.

This is why I'm trying to find out if there are any physical differences between them.
If it's the same damned thing as my 1960 cabs, I'm not interested.

 

[Publius pro tem]

Depends on if it's a 1982 or 1960. The 800's are also mono, not stereo. Check out the Marshall forum.

Yeah, been there.

My 1960s being stereo makes not a fxck to me.
I don't see myself ever having the need for stereo stage rigs like this.

It wouldn't go with my Rickenbacker's stereo output very well, eh?

 

[Laaz]

$599

Marshall 1982a JCM800 412 slant guitar speaker cab xlnt | eBay

 

[Publius pro tem]

Settled.

Unless it's dirt cheap (I don't think so) and super clean (I don't think so) I'm not interested.

Thanks Laaz!
I owe you the frosty adult beverage of your choice.

 

[Blackie]

I waz in the ball park .........yes ?

 

[Publius pro tem]

Yeah - sometimes even a blind squirrel gets a nut.

Seriously, all I was after was to find the differences.
If they had some super-duper badass rare speakers in them or something....
Even then it woulda been tough to pay a huge difference for it, ya know?

Now we ALL know.

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is why we're all here!

 

[Blackie]

Tell me what are the.......actual super duper bad ass speakers that are out there ?

I will tell ya I assume all the speakers in a used cab are half blown and have damage to the coils at some frequency from use over time.

No need to label me a blind ejaculating squirrel.

 

[Publius pro tem]

$599

I waz in the ball park .........yes ?

As it turns out...... no.

I called the guy yesterday to tell him I wasn't interested in the cabinet.
I was going to his shop anyhow today, when I got there he filled me in on the story.

He snagged several guitars and amps in a deal;
A few sixties Fenders, Jaguars and such in pristine condition.
An early sixties Bassman.

Anyhow, he made phone calls to everybody he knew who had a fetish for such pieces.
They were ALL gone the same day - the Bassman snagged well over $3k.
Only the Marshall cab hung around - I guess because he was waiting to hear from me.
When I called him and said no, he made a phone call and got a grand for it on the spot.
It was long gone when I got there today.

So, whether $599 is reasonable or a smoking price on a JCM cabinet I dunno.
But I know what some people are willing to pay for them....

At any rate, I'm still quite happy with the Marshall stack I have.
Older heads - like a Plexi - now we're talking.
A Marshall Major would be super f-ing cool.
THEN I'd be looking for period-correct cabs...

 

[itchybro]

...The glory years of metal bred a whole generation of people who think there's no other Marshall worth owning.

Speaking from the context of someone that carries their own shit to the gig: The handwired 20 watt and 1x12 1974cx cab are the bomb! Those little things they stick in front of em' that make the noise go to the PA are something else too!

(tho from a purely "cool" stand point I kind of miss my 72 superlead and checkerboard cabs. It's an imposing piece of art to have in a corner.)