Determining Speakers For Old Half Back Metal Grill 4X12

[jeff5]

Hello everyone.

I'm trying to get some clues as to what may be in the bottom of this cabinet that I am looking at. The top speakers are MC-90s. The back plate says:

4X12 4YB
CEL/VNTG
Combined power capacity 280 watts

Any ides what the bottom speakers might be?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[MisterMojo]

Black Shadow Vintage 50W, most likely. Eminence speaker. There’s an older thread:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41730

 

[jeff5]

Thank you! I think that's what they are.

 

[HighWattGuitars]

Yes, the VS-12, Vintage Black Shadow, 50 watts, built by Eminence in collaboration with Mesa. That MC-90/VS-12 was a common configuration for the 4x12 cabs during the late 80s, and it was often fitted in the Studio/Caliber combos. My first Boogie 4x12 was the same. I usually favored mic'ing this speaker when playing out, unless the mic stand was too short, in which case the desk got the Electro Voice from the bottom cab.

 

[jeff5]

It turns out that, regardless of what the back plate says, these aren't Eminence speakers at all. When I took the bottom half off, the cabinet has EVM 12Ls in it. I believe these are the 200 watt Electro Voice speakers. No wonder when I plugged in my Mark IV it almost ripped my head off!

It sounds KILLER with the Mark IV, even with the half open back. I still may have a half back built for it just to see if it adds more punch and thump, not like that is needed though.