425A CAB BASS IS REAL FLABBY W/JTM45 ANY IDEAS?

[tbwrench]

Hi Guys, I just got a 425A cab thinking it would be my dream cab. It was for my JTM45. I was using a 1960AV cab until now.
The VM cab sounds really flabby , even at volumes around 2/3 to half. It did it a little on the 1960AV cab but only at very high volume and very hard plucking. Mostly on runs on the low E and A strings.

I am going to try it on my JCM 800 tonight and see how it does there. So far I am pretty disappointed, Love the tone, but it doesnt seem to handle the low notes.

Any ideas/suggestions very welcome. THANKS!

tbw.

[slowpokerhino]

The G12c speakers take quite a while to break in. Until they do you'll get the flabbiness. Just stick with it and play it loud as often as possible. It gets much better.

[tbwrench]

I bought the cab used from GC. It appears to be a 2006 model? (using the barcode 2006 were the first 4 numbers) It looks like it has been used a bit.
thanks for the reply! any one else?

PS I should have my class 5 tomorrow! can't wait to plug her into the 425A!

[SteveD]

Just because it's a 2006 model doesn't mean it's been used at high volume. If it's only been played at bedroom level those speakers would never break in!

Also, just make certain the cab is still loaded with G12Cs.

[tbwrench]

I did check the speakers as soon as I got it. they are correct.

I was told they might not be the best speaker for the JTM45 over at the marshall amp forum. "JTM45 arent the tighest sounding amp. They have a lot of sag and a loose low end, and lots of it too.
The Greenbacks have great tone but they are a slow speaker (slow, as in slow attack) and low powered which combined, make them prone to a loose & compressed low end.."

They did sound pretty good through my Jcm800 50w. but not that much better than my 1960AV to justify the extra money.
thanks for the great replies! more suggestions/comments very welcome.

tbw.

[SteveD]

It's worth mentioning that right from back in the day most users of the JTM45 and JTM45/100 amps commonly set their bass to around 10 o'clock. They are not like the later JMP Plexis which had a different tone stack as well as other circuit differences. Jeff Beck actually turns his JTM45's bass control to minimum but then he does that with pretty much all of his amps!

No matter which channel you plug into, the JTM45 has a large amount of bass on tap anyway due to its large V1 (shared) cathode decoupling cap (330uF). The only difference between the bright and normal channels is the bright channel has a couple of 'bright' caps added at the volume pot and V2 grid stopper. All speakers will reflect this. The only way is to set the bass as above. If however you want loads of bass then I would recommend higher power speakers than greenbacks to prevent those low frequencies from causing breakup.

[tbwrench]

Thanks steve.

Would you be kind enough to tell me if the speakers in my 2006 VM cab are chinese or english?
And if there would be a better choice of greenback for my amp? Maybe G12H? The V30's sound great with the JTM but the greenbacks are smoother.

I am just thinking maybe the speakers in this cab might have a problem as it doesnt sound tight on the bass on any of my amps. Tried a JCM800 2204 it was pretty good but not tight like the g12t-75 or V30's. It was not great with the others JTm as mentioned, Sovtek mig 50, Blues JR and the Class 5. It only has about half the sound level and the bass flab is present in all amps, the least on the 800. I may just return it to GC. Still interested in green backs if there are some that handle the bass notes.

One more thing, after waiting months for my Class 5, I got it yesterday. It was worth the wait. I absolutely love it! It is a keeper for sure. GREAT JOB STEVE AND THE ENGINEERS AT MARSHALL!

[SteveD]

The G12Cs in Vintage Modern cabs are always manufactured in China. Only the ones used in the SUPER100JH stack were made in the UK. There is no sonic difference. It sounds like they're not yet broken in! Normally they are a very balanced sounding speaker.

[tbwrench]

Thanks Steve. How long does it typically take to break in a speaker?

Also, Steve, I just wanted to mention, Thanks to Rob Chappers AKA the monkey lord. If it wasn't for his visit to Marshall and playing the class 5 on video I would have not wanted one/ bought one. Love it. Please let the boys at Marshall know. Thanks TBW.

-- Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:59 pm --

Just thought I would throw up a photo.
1st time trying an attachment here......tbw

-- Sat Feb 20, 2010 9:02 pm --

[surfnorthwest]

That Class5 sitting on top of the 4x12 looks cool, a lot of tone you have sitting there. Looks like some of your gear has some road miles on it for sure

[tbwrench]

The cab on the left, I got on ebay for 118.00. It had "stock speakers in it" and I had to drive 200 miles to get it and 200 home. I picked up some other gear on the trip as well. When I got home, I looked inside, as the cab sounded a little rattly inside,(loose speaker screws) there were V30's in it and it was wired at 8 ohms. I was VERY happy with the purchase. I really wanted a 16 ohm cab and met a guy online who wanted v30's in 8 ohms and would trade me for his 16 ohm v30's. I had to drive to chicago again, but I like road trips and meeting interesting gear hounds like me.

The cab is my favorite. For some reason, it sounds better than the others I have. I am sure there are stories involved but now you know mine and it is pretty boring.

I bet if Marshall made these "road worn" cabs they would cost some$$$$. I have a feeling that fad will quickly fade. My friends all think I have been on tour for years, and though I have toured over the years, I actually play bass. My boogie bass rig looks pretty beat. As for guitar, every time I think I am a guitar player, I start playing with a players player and stop telling people I play guitar........

tbw.

[LivewireBlanco]

I use my JTM45 with G12C speakers and it's the most perfect match ever! Give that cab about 30 hours of serious playing with the volume pretty high and make sure that the bass is around 2 (9 o'clock). It's amazing when the speakers break in. There is a HUGE difference.

[tbwrench]

I use my JTM45 with G12C speakers and it's the most perfect match ever! Give that cab about 30 hours of serious playing with the volume pretty high and make sure that the bass is around 2 (9 o'clock). It's amazing when the speakers break in. There is a HUGE difference.

Thanks for the reply. I was going to return it to GC as I have 30 days. I think I might just keep it and play it as much as I can and see how it goes. Someone did a video with the VM head and a couple of cabs and I liked the 425A and the V30's cabs the best. I already have 2 1960AVcabs abd a regular 1960B so I think the 425A will be a nice addition.

I think I will continue with the vintage cab with my JTM and I will use the 425A with my JCM800 until it breaks in.