4x12 speaker question

[Cboss]

I have a 4x12 with four celestion 70 80 speakers in it, it sounds ridiculously Woofy and undetailed compared to my good 4x12, I'm wondering if anyone knows if I can replace two of those speakers with something else maybe in an x pattern and have it sound a lot better, or do all four need to be changed as there is no hope for the 70 80? My instinct says try creamback 65's but I really don't know, hence my query to The Experts

[tbonesullivan]

What kind of Cabinet is it? Is it made from Plywood or MDF? The 70/80 speakers are pretty neutral speakers when compared to a lot of the Celestion Line. Pretty much any speaker will be an improvement if you want a more detailed speaker.

[Cboss]

It's an MDF cabinet, pretty middling as far as quality, but it is there and I did use it the other day because I had someone else over playing, it was very undefined compared to my good one which is 3/4 Baltic Birch with g12h 30s and Greenback 25s.. I don't know if it's possible but if I could replace two of them and get a lot better sound that would be a welcome change

[DaveH]

It's my opinion that good plywood is for speaker cabs, and MDF is for Ikea.  I bet if you swapped the speakers between cabs, you still wouldn't be enamored with it.

[Cboss]

I know, I agree.. maybe I'll just put it out by the curb :)

I almost never play it so it's not such an issue

[Armitage]

A brace from the front to back helps with woofy

[tbonesullivan]

In general I've always been "meh" on MDF, even though I think a lot of the famous Fender combos used 1/2" particle board for speaker baffles, and masonite backs. Those are open back however, and with closed back the material seems to make more of a difference, IMHO.

You could always look on CL or reverb. I still kick myself for not picking up an unloaded Carvin 4x12 that was for sale locally in great shape for around $200. Those are all made from poplar plywood, and are actually really nice cabinets. Sure they aren't "marine grade voidless baltic birch", but I've never had any complaints about my other Carvin cabinets. If you took the Seventy 80s and put them in a cabinet like that, you might be surprised how much the improvement could be.

[Cboss]

5 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

In general I've always been "meh" on MDF, even though I think a lot of the famous Fender combos used 1/2" particle board for speaker baffles, and masonite backs. Those are open back however, and with closed back the material seems to make more of a difference, IMHO.

You could always look on CL or reverb. I still kick myself for not picking up an unloaded Carvin 4x12 that was for sale locally in great shape for around $200. Those are all made from poplar plywood, and are actually really nice cabinets. Sure they aren't "marine grade voidless baltic birch", but I've never had any complaints about my other Carvin cabinets. If you took the Seventy 80s and put them in a cabinet like that, you might be surprised how much the improvement could be.

That's good advice, thank you.. I hadn't thought of looking for another cabinet locally and then swapping in the speakers

[tbonesullivan]

5 minutes ago, Cboss said:

That's good advice, thank you.. I hadn't thought of looking for another cabinet locally and then swapping in the speakers

You'd be amazed at what pops up on local for sale groups. No one wants to deal with 4x12s anymore. Same goes for bass guitar cabs. I've been trying to move a really 2x10 and 1x15 speaker system for months, and no one wants it. Everyone wants lightweight 2x12s or 4x10s.

[Cboss]

12 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said:

You'd be amazed at what pops up on local for sale groups. No one wants to deal with 4x12s anymore. Same goes for bass guitar cabs. I've been trying to move a really 2x10 and 1x15 speaker system for months, and no one wants it. Everyone wants lightweight 2x12s or 4x10s.

Did a quick check on Craigslist and look what is there! Fender wedge from 1990, I just started researching these and apparently they're fantastic!