1st question. I have MIC Ibanez Cab in good shape I bought off CL for $75. I unloaded the speakers which paid for the Cab. I installed 4x12 Vet/ET 65 set.
I am a learning novice. Cab is made from:
2-Piece Split Baffle,
MDF Baffle Board,
Particle Board Back and Sides
With the speaker investment, it'll behoove me to upgrade however possible. Is replacing a baffle board an easy prospect? What else can be done to improve tone? I am thinking of replacing back with Dr Z type back boads, one third on top and one third on bottom with option of leaving open middle third. Any other bells and whistles?? Is there a good speaker cable? (I use generic guitar cables)
2nd question. A 212 I have ready to install with is what I believe to be an Invader. I LOVE Greenback sound and prefer 50W. I like to mix up the sound into a more classic feel. Is the Reaper a good match? I could go for a Liberator. Originally I was sold on Retro. So many choices...(I have total 3 ET 65s so I am opting for another mix variety). Or, I may just stick with two Invaders for full CLASSIC sound to match with an old Marshall Lead 12 little head, the mini stack version without the stack.
Finally, It's been a 30 year quest. First it started with GAS. Then effects, then Amps. Now it's speakers. What's next??
It appears that you are saying that you are using generic guitar cables for speaker connections. That would not be a very good idea. For speaker connections, you should be using plain old zip cord, lamp cord or cables designated as speaker cables in about a 16 guage.
Guitar cables are probably about 22-24 guage shielded cable and could cause some issues for your amps.
1: I LOVE 1/3-open back cabs ... go for it!
Now ... cables ... I think I'm gonna have to do a blog on this one!
There are no rules! Usually folks will say to use big-gauge, non-shielded speaker cables ... and keep them as short as possible ... but Ken Fischer used to use extra-long speaker cables as part of his tone ... see: http://wgs4.com/gods-tone
On guitar cables ... I recently read an article with Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar tech where Stevie had got a Monster Cable endorsement ... and HATED their cables because they let too much high frequency through ... and he had to go to Radio Shack and buy some "cheap grey curly cables" to make Stevie happy! So, go figure!
from what I'm told. Kinda like Sears, gets a bad rap.
Thanks Vaugn.
Radio Shack is also Texan. We all know SRV is Texan.
Anyhoo, I'm growing to love the closed cab sound. Indoors low volume, I still may benefit more from 2/3 closed. If I can seal it up good when convenient will be OK.
I am unloading ALL of my speakers. I will have nine total WGS. I have an Epi Lady Luck I plan on unloading too if I can almost break even. That'll make 10. I though I LIKED that speaker. Have I become biased?? 4 have sold on Ebay. Selling 2 more, Peavey Black Widows.
My set will be complete: 2 Open singles. 1 Open double. 1 Closed double. 1 4X12 closed. I own three ET 65s and two Vet30s. Thats a good start.
Planning on Invader set (Crate 2X12 Cab) and possibly Retro 30 (Peavey Deuce 2X12) The Lady Luck sub, too early to tell. Not sure how/if I am going to mix/match.
30 years of playing and I never thought open/closed was a strong issue. Nor speakers for that matter.
Like EVH. I am a tone chaser.
I am FB friends with Andy Fuchs. I can see owning one of his amps in the future.
I am having another mid life crisis.
I will have sold 6 speakers on Ebay. And I will have gained 6 WGS speakers.
Too much not good?? I think I should hold back on too many variations.
I have two 2X12 Cabs to fill. 1 Open (Peavey Deuce). 1 Closed (Crate V Series).
Any suggestions? I now have three ET 65s and two Vet30s.
Thinking of Invadors and Retros.