Well built 4x12 cab bargains?

[John Matrix]

I might be in the market for 4x12 cab. Looking for something around the size of the Marshall 1960A, angled cab preferred. What are some cabs that are well made but also cheap on the used market? The speakers don't really matter because I have some Eminence that will be going into it, so build quality is my only real concern.

[whoismarykelly]

1960As can be had for $300 all day long where I live.

[John Matrix]

Word. I would def consider getting another one of those, but they don't pop up at a price like that up here very often.

[mcatano]

I had an 80s Peavey 412MS for years that was probably the most solidly built cabinet I've ever used. It weighed a lot—substantially more than the '70s birch-back Marshall with which I replaced it. The metal grille is pretty heinous but it kept the speakers from getting hosed.

[gnomethrone]

I like these a lot. I gigged with one a bunch and never had any issues. Suuuper lightweight, no weird vibrations or rattles and the slanted baffle projected nicely. I sold my first one during a downsizing but regretted it and picked up another one. I've seen em go for like $250 but I paid around $100 for each of mine. They made em with regular grill cloths too but the metal grill is my fave.

Here's one for $99. For that price you can spray paint it and throw it down stairs and still get your money back if you hate it.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fende ... dWEALw_wcB

[K2000]

I bought two different Peavey MS412 cabinets for like $120 and $150 each. Mine had grill cloth and Celestion G12K-85 speakers. Could probably sell the speakers separately and they would have paid for the cabinet.

[The Eristic]

Word. I would def consider getting another one of those, but they don't pop up at a price like that up here very often.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/msg/d ... 90172.html

There's always people dumping good 4x12"s cheap on CL.

[voerking]

AMPEG 4X12" cabs are very well made & usually pretty cheap when you find them. check local pawn shops!

[Gone Fission]

AMPEG 4X12" cabs are very well made & usually pretty cheap when you find them. check local pawn shops!

The old V4 era 412s are supposed to be especially great, though heavy AF.

[whoismarykelly]

AMPEG 4X12" cabs are very well made & usually pretty cheap when you find them. check local pawn shops!

The old V4 era 412s are supposed to be especially great, though heavy AF.

Front loaded and crappy handles. Keep that in mind before buying.

[voerking]

why is front-loading speakers an issue? i've owned a ton of cabs & never really noticed a sonic difference in front vs. rear loading (beyond the difference in all other aspects of cab design).

[Sonaboy]

I just sold my Ampeg 4x12 that I had for 20 years, stuffed with Brit Celestion G12Ts for $170.

It's pretty weird how they aren't even worth the amount you could get for the speakers. But I'm lazy and didn't really need the money, just wanted to clear space.

[Jero]

why is front-loading speakers an issue? i've owned a ton of cabs & never really noticed a sonic difference in front vs. rear loading (beyond the difference in all other aspects of cab design).

I don't know that it's an issue, versus a matter of preference. I've heard people say front loaded cabs are more open, and brighter...or you can hear more of the speaker tone itself. Where rear loaded are deeper, more directional, and the cab contributes more to the sound. Have also heard people say it makes no difference

I've liked/disliked both

[harpies]

See them less frequently now but the older vht cabs, back when they were still made by Dave Fryette, are great and sometimes cheap. My 4x12 was $250 and my 2x12 was $225. Great cabs, voiced for more low end. Mine are the fatbottoms, vs the deliverance style which I think the only difference is front vs rear loaded.

[misterstomach]

I’ll second the suggestion for old peaveys. Can often be found really cheap and are great cabs. In general though, people seem to sell unloaded cabs of all types for really cheap if you can find them. I have an old vht that I got unloaded for $60 on Craigslist. It’s a great cab.

Marshall 1960’s are everywhere, but they’ve been made with mdf rear baffles for decades now. Decent cabs still, but I’d look for something all wood. Or replace the rear baffle with 1/4 of a 5x5 sheet of Baltic birch plywood. I think they’re all 5/8” thick.