more help: cab+speakers for bassman.

[nonbondconnery]

hey, guys. finally found myself a good bassman that's already modded to pretty much where i'd like it to be...
in any case, now comes the cab part. i'd like to go with avatarspeakers.com,
but wondered if anyone had any knowledge or preference to share about which speakers i should get and why?
also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of open/closed back cabs? i'm leaning towards the closed back, since, well, that's what the ol' bassmans all came with in their day, but the partial open back is an option, so i'd like to get some opinions before i make my move!

thanks a bunch!

[nonbondconnery]

more info from avatar,
just so you don't have to do any extracurricular work in checking it out:


"The AVATAR G212H is the most popular guitar amplifier speaker cabinet we have ever made. It is the subject of many great user reviews on the internet forums such as Harmony-Central.com/Guitar/Data/Avatar. Of all of the cab variations that can be made with speakers, covering and grill fabric choices, the favorite custom cab that many players buy is the black tolex cab with one Celestion Vintage 30 and one Celestion G12H30 70th Year Anniversary Special in the 8 ohm mono, 60 watts with the partial open back cab. This cab has it all...great lows from the G12H30, wonderful traditional mids from the V30 and smooth highs from both. It is the hands down favorite for tone.

This 13 ply voidless Baltic Birch cab has rabbett and dado interlocking side joints for extreme strength. It has protective nickel corners, and large recessed steel bar handles. All guitar cab grills are secured by screws, not cheap loose velcro. The cabs have rubber feet but they have been cropped from the photos...but they are there. The speakers are rear loaded with T-Nuts and screws.

The dimensions are 21" H x 28.5" W x 12 " D. Weight is approximately 45 lbs. One year warranty and 14 day return policy. This cab is only $288. plus $34 shipping. If you want any other changes, i.e., different speakers, ohms, colors, etc that aren't already listed as a 'special' cabs, it then becomes a G212H CUSTOM assembled cab which costs more. "

[stormin]

I've had nothing but fantastic results rinning V30's with blackface Fender's. When I had my '67 Bassman, I used a THD 2x12 with the V30's. It's a semi-open back (middle slot) design that thumps like a 4x12 does. Sounded awesome with the Bassman.

I've also heard great things about the Avatar's.

Stormin!

[PhatTele]

I use my BF as a backup amp for both a country band and a surf band. Every now and again (just to make sure it's working properly), I'll use it as the primary amp while using the combo as the speaker cabinet. So, I get to hear it through 2x10s, 2x12s, and a 1x15 cabinet. It sounds great through all of them, but the 2x10 open back cab sounds killer. In this case, it was two Weber 10F150s (50 watts each). I have another open back 2x10 cab set up with Blue Pups and it sounds great with that rig too.

[nonbondconnery]

thanks, guys. i've ordered my cab, which should ship either tonight or monday, and i pick up my new modded bassman monday morning. it's going to be a good week!

[nonbondconnery]

boo-yah!

[Bluesbob]

I can't see how anyone could want anything more. Although we always do, don't we.

[nonbondconnery]

yes...yes, we do. i've been playing for over a decade now, but never really got too far into 'gear', if that makes sense...
my recent jump into this world may have triggered something potentially devastating...
let's just say that now that it's done, i've been deeply exploring other avenues. i may be taking a very large break from craigslist/ebay/tdpri for awhile to get myself to stop!

[moparmutt]

nice
how's it sound

[nonbondconnery]

great with my tele!!!!!!!
the bypass mod on the bass channel is one of the sweetest tones i've ever been fortunate to achieve :)

[jhundt]

can you tell us more about the mods on your lovely Bassman?

I used a blackface Bassman through a 4x12 (speaker type unknown) for many years, and really liked it. The only other piece I used was a MXR Micro-amp or an EH LPB-2 to boost for leads; I was using a Strat and needed that little extra kick sometimes.

[nonbondconnery]

the normal channel is a completely original ab165 circuit, which is clearly something to be desired.
the bass channel has been modified so that the 'deep' switch is a bypass. this cuts to the chase, right past the treble and bass controls straight to the tubes, and can be tweaked with a master volume knob that was built into the external speaker jack in the back. it makes for a lovely tweed sound.
the second input on the bass channel also acts as a footswitch jack for this bypass function.