? regarding Mk V combo + ext cab

[NoGlassNoClass]

Been giving the Mark V some serious consideration, and I think I want to go with a combo for ease of use when recording and practicing. For live performance however, I would probably run the combo + a 4x12, or in larger rooms forego the combo speaker in favor of two 4x12s. My question is this...when running the combo speaker (8-Ohm C90 with what I believe to be about 97dB/W/M sensitivity) along with an 8-Ohm cab loaded with V-30s (100dB/W/M each), are the combo and cab reasonably matched volume-wise? It would be okay if the 4x12 was slightly dominant, but if the combo were louder than the cab I would probably need to use an attenuator on the combo only, and I don't really want to resort to that.

FWIW the cab(s) are o/s Recto 4x12's with the stock speakers. I am also open to suggestions for reloading the cabs with C90s, EVs, a mix of both (I know that works well with the older Marks) or any other suggestions you guys may have.

 

[phyrexia]

The combo will probably be louder than the 4x12.

I have a combo with a C90 and a marshall 1960B. I had two 12Ls and two Vintage Shadows (the 50w eminence/mesa speakers) in an X-pattern wired to 8 ohms. When I'd run the two together, the combo was always louder than the 4x12. I never tried four 12Ls in the cab.

Maybe if you put some wizards in the 4x12 the volumes would match up better. They're 103dB speakers. 103 is the loudest rating I've seen on modern guitar speakers. Eminence makes a couple 103dB speakers IIRC.

 

[NoGlassNoClass]

Thanks for the quick response. Not a big fan of the Emi Wizards (but I've never tried them with a Mark either so...) Perhaps a head is a better choice.

 

[GD_NC]

Been giving the Mark V some serious consideration, and I think I want to go with a combo for ease of use when recording and practicing. For live performance however, I would probably run the combo + a 4x12, or in larger rooms forego the combo speaker in favor of two 4x12s. My question is this...when running the combo speaker (8-Ohm C90 with what I believe to be about 97dB/W/M sensitivity) along with an 8-Ohm cab loaded with V-30s (100dB/W/M each), are the combo and cab reasonably matched volume-wise? It would be okay if the 4x12 was slightly dominant, but if the combo were louder than the cab I would probably need to use an attenuator on the combo only, and I don't really want to resort to that.

FWIW the cab(s) are o/s Recto 4x12's with the stock speakers. I am also open to suggestions for reloading the cabs with C90s, EVs, a mix of both (I know that works well with the older Marks) or any other suggestions you guys may have.

Why not use the 4x12 alone and just unplug the combo speaker?

 

[Boogieman1956]

I'm with the last guy... just unplug the combo speaker. I opted for the MK-V head, because it was available, and I had a variety of cabinets already. I personally like the 4x12 recto cab with Celestian Vintage 30's, or an old (1976) Marshall 1960 cabinet. But when I want to travel light, I use a 2x12 recto cabinet with C-90's... a little harsher sound, but still OK.
I still use the MK-IV combo if I want to streamline futher... but it's hard to leave the MK-V at home!

 

[NoGlassNoClass]

Why not use the 4x12 alone and just unplug the combo speaker?

This is the correct answer I'm sure... I was hoping to get a mix of the open-/closed-back sounds like the old Mark series 4x12s, without having to buy another cabinet. I might try to experiment with a 16-ohm C90 in the combo, or connecting the speakers at a "safe" mismatch and see what that does.