Mark III with vintage G12M65s?

[CoG]

Hey guys,

I have a line on a very beat 1982ish 1960A with original G12M65s in it for a decent price. I have never been 100 per cent happy with the sound of my Recto cab with the Mark III, and I am pretty sure it's the V30s adding upper mids the Mark really doesn't need. And my JCM800 sounds just awful through the same cab, but it's well known that V30s and JCM800s don't mix.

I'm wondering about 1) running my Mark III through the 1960A or 2) putting the G12M65s in my Recto cab. Anybody got any relevant experience? Thanks!

 

[kdorsey]

It's funny you post this now. My background, mental problem-solving tasks (the ones we work out in our sleep/drive home, etc) has been on this same topic! I play thru a pair of old Boogie 2x12 half back cabs, one loaded with Black Shadows (Celestion G12C90s) and the other with a Jenson/EV combo. They sound great together, but I'm just not happy. Picking the driver to mic for live gigs is a PITA and depending upon where I stand relative to the cabs, the brightness can be insane. Do I swap out the Jenson/EV for a pair of G12M70s that I bought in '86 that are now in a big Fender 2x12 cab? Do I buy a pair of Greenbacks and experiment with one of my 2x12 cabs? Not sure.

I haven't played through G12M65s, that I recall. The 1960 cabs of the '80s were typically stuffed with the G12M70s that every arena rock/hair band on the planet used. If the two are vaguely similar in frequency response and sensitivity, I can tell you that they will be a vast difference from the V30s. IMO, you can always dial out frequencies that you don't want, but you can't dial in what's missing. And the upper-mid/high end of these speakers are more pronounced than the V30. A side-by-side test would be highly recommended...and something I'd like to hear!

As of recently, instead of spending $500 on replacement speakers, I'm experimenting with preamp tube changes in my MkIII to dial out brightness. That's a cheaper alternative and one that will also cure a long standing curiosity. If I get a chance to reload my 2x12 this week, I'll report back.

 

[lockbody]

I have a M/B half back cab with 2x G12-65s and 2x C-90s, and like it with my DC-10. The 65s are fairly smooth sounding speakers, and not very aggresive at all. My band is currently playing 60s, 70s and 80's hard rock and the sound of those speakers fit right in with that genre. If you're playing more modern stuff, they may or may not work for you.

Those 65s were going for good coin a few years ago. If you don't like them you could always part the cab out.

 

[CoG]

Thanks guys, yeah, I am actually looking for a slightly rolled-off kinda sound-- I figure right now I have the presence at like 1 and the main Bright pushed, so I have lots of room to liven it up a bit if I need to.

I have only seen the cab and it's beat to ****, so I am concerned about whether everything is in working order. I'll keep you guys posted.

BTW, yeah, I have used G12M70s-- they are the reason JCM800 combos got a bad name. They are really... I dunno, no one seems to like them and it's easy to tell why. This cab is definitely the 65's, it's from '82 and is marked 260 watts.

 

[lesterpaul]

I have a M/B half back cab with 2x G12-65s and 2x C-90s, and like it with my DC-10. The 65s are fairly smooth sounding speakers, and not very aggresive at all. My band is currently playing 60s, 70s and 80's hard rock and the sound of those speakers fit right in with that genre. If you're playing more modern stuff, they may or may not work for you.

Those 65s were going for good coin a few years ago. If you don't like them you could always part the cab out.

my thoughts exactly-I have a 2x12 Marsh with them-smooth is a good description..well suited for the classic sounds listed by Lock -mine excel in the gritty low gain dirt tones-for the modern stuff I prefer ev's
...and they still pull the coin!

 

[Neptical]

I don't have the G12-65's, but I got a vintage JCM800 1960 cab loaded with the G12-75's that fit the Mark III beautifully. Not too middy, just enough highs with the right amount of bass. All my Boogie years I've never been a fan of the Recto cabs, even paired up with Mark series, or the Recto series for that matter. Just sounds too brittle and harsh. The older half back cabs are really where its at..made straight up for the Mark series. But today, Port City is ultimately eating it up.

~Nep~

 

[dcgdc5]

I just had a pair of Geezer Sound 2 x 12 cabs delivered to try out for an upcoming show. One has 2 Celestian G65's the other has Vintage 30's.
I'm running a Fuchs ODS and a Marshall 2550.

The G65's are very warm. Nice Hi's but not shrill. the Vintage 30's sound great with the Marshall...if you're looking for that rolled off sound as you put it and slightly scooped sounding then the V30's might do the job for you. Even the Fuchs sounds heavier with the 30's

 

[dodger916]

I don't have the G12-65's, but I got a vintage JCM800 1960 cab loaded with the G12-75's that fit the Mark III beautifully. Not too middy, just enough highs with the right amount of bass. All my Boogie years I've never been a fan of the Recto cabs, even paired up with Mark series, or the Recto series for that matter. Just sounds too brittle and harsh. The older half back cabs are really where its at..made straight up for the Mark series. But today, Port City is ultimately eating it up.

~Nep~

+1 on the Port Citys. I just got a std sized 1x12 (with Mojotone 25), and I'm liking it.