Anyone know what I just bought? Vintage Orange 4x12

jimmyguitar

Saw this on Gumtree and bought it yesterday, looked like a great price despite the stripped tolex. Appears to be 60's or 70's and has the original cream back speakers. A good buy? I'll be cranking it later! I'll put up some pics asap too.

BIG 4 X 12" ORANGE CAB

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/big-4-x-12-orange-cab/1178915280

IvisonGuitars

I dunno.....but it's got a Ratten front so be careful.....

jimmyguitar

miserneil said:

I dunno.....but it's got a Ratten front so be careful.....

Why? Is it particularly fragile? 

Moe_Zambeek

I doubt it's 60s but certainly early 70s. Will weigh a ton and sound awesomely thumpy. Good deal

jimmyguitar

I don't know whether to look into recovering it or perhaps give it a sand and wax... Anyone good at amp recovering near me in Surrey/Berks?

Moe_Zambeek

If the tolex is still solid, I'd try a gentle brush and some lightly soapy water to see if it'll clean up a bit.

jimmyguitar

Moe_Zambeek said:

If the tolex is still solid, I'd try a gentle brush and some lightly soapy water to see if it'll clean up a bit.

There isn't any tolex on it apart from the back panel!

Moe_Zambeek

Oh yeah...missed the stripped part Jeff at Matamp does a mean recover...

IvisonGuitars

In all seriousness, I'd say it's worth £150 just for the speakers and, from the pics, it looks structurally sound. 

I'd leave it as it is personally, looks cool!

cosmiccarrot

Gumtree ad is down now-  but at a guess if the creambacks are original, it would be a '75 cab. Check the stamp codes on the frame, AH20 for example would be 20th Jan 1975. They are probably T1217 30w 16ohms. Orange cabs from this era are quality with a great resonance, but back breaking weight!

Bygone_Tones

Is this it?



Doesnt look too bad to me, Nothing wrong with a beat up old vintage cab like that. I prefer them to look original like that rather than fully restored. What is the point of that? Might as well just get a modern one instead in the first place.

Yeah orange made great quality cabs back then, but they are a bitch to restore because all the bits of wood are glued in.

  They used the T1217's (G12H), and the creambacks are usually from 1974 or early 1975. Various cones being used during that time though. So long as they test good for coil rub etc they should be great sounding speakers.

jimmyguitar

Bygone_Tones said:

Is this it?



Doesnt look too bad to me, Nothing wrong with a beat up old vintage cab like that. I prefer them to look original like that rather than fully restored. What is the point of that? Might as well just get a modern one instead in the first place.

Yeah orange made great quality cabs back then, but they are a bitch to restore because all the bits of wood are glued in.

  They used the T1217's (G12H), and the creambacks are usually from 1974 or early 1975. Various cones being used during that time though. So long as they test good for coil rub etc they should be great sounding speakers.

Yes that's the one! You're right, I should and will leave it as it is... Here are the pics from the ad (took screen shots). It's still in my car as its so blooming heavy!!
https://i.imgur.com/3CFhiFF.png
https://i.imgur.com/dxl8EuD.png
https://i.imgur.com/tPXHQE3.png
https://i.imgur.com/3dmCoLp.png
https://i.imgur.com/QTA015z.png
https://i.imgur.com/0O7VRWh.png

Bygone_Tones

Interesting, you might get lucky there, let us know the date codes and cone codes.

It is a very good idea to get them out and give them a thorough checking over before using them. They are 40 years old afterall, and the cab is very beat. That wiring is original so try not to disturb it too much.

jimmyguitar

Bygone_Tones said:

Interesting, you might get lucky there, let us know the date codes and cone codes.

It is a very good idea to get them out and give them a thorough checking over before using them. They are 40 years old afterall, and the cab is very beat. That wiring is original so try not to disturb it too much.

Here you go @Bygone_Tones ;
https://i.imgur.com/EvXGfdF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/brRlIC6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/25AQ32L.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ERd5Wlu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9STLRJ7.jpg

Aidanspaghetti

Lovely score! I really love old amps and cabs. Rather partial to old Hiwatts myself

cosmiccarrot

The speaker stamp looks like GH to me so July '75. Sometimes they printed the letters the wrong way round so Aug'74 is a possibility. The creamback was post grey cap covers for about a year I think, then the black cap came into play.
Can you see any white stamps on the paper cones denoting the cone manufacturer?
Give the cab a run at volume to check for any rubbing/vibrations etc. a quick pluck on the low E at volume can show any bad signs.