Peavey XXX Cab

[iraobryan]

I have a straight XXX cab I use for shows. I tried recording it and it sounds like shit! Here are my questions:

Would it be worthwhile to put some V30's or Hellatone 60's in this cab?

Would I be better off trying to find a used OS Mesa?

Which is the cheaper route to good sound?

...and finally, do you prefer to record straight, angled, top speakers, bottoms?

 

[Metaltastic]

XXX cab with V30s will be pretty damn good, but a used Mesa OS will be cheap (provided you're in North America) and sound by far the best IMO! (I had a Mesa Stiletto 4x12 for awhile, their standard-sized offering with V30s, and the Recto/OS cab DESTROYS it). As for top vs. bottom speakers, check out the clips in this thread, but to summarize, the bottom speakers definitely sound fuller and better in a slant cab, so if you buy a straight you can experiment with all 4 to see which sounds best (as all Celestion speakers, even the same models, sound slightly or not-so-slightly different), rather than having to switch them around to get them all in the bottom position at one point or another (as I did). However, used slants are a lot more common, and I prefer them for live playing, and now that I've got my favorite two V30s in the bottom of my Recto cab (and I always put it on the edge of a coffee table when recording to minimize reflections from the floor, observe), all is well!

 

[JeffTD]

JoshSylosis got some killer tones with it back in the day, mayb ask him?

 

[Metaltastic]

Also, Daylight Dies' "Dismantling Devotion" was a Peavey Ultra cab with stock speakers, and I have to admit I've always had a soft spot for the tone on that album, something about the crunch is very infectious, and I remember the Sheffields in my old 5150 combo having a very similar character - to be perfectly honest, there's a small part of me that kinda wants to eventually pick up a used Peavey cab of some sort! (but only to complement my Recto cab, not replace it of course )

 

[iraobryan]

I do like the live sound of my cab, and find a usable tone recording. I'm definitely not going to get rid of it. The problem is I get a lot of that fizzy sound that 57's exagerate even more. Guess I'm on the lookout for a Mesa OS. I appreciate your responses and help!

 

[iraobryan]

I checked out the clips on your thread...definitely 1 and 3. I didn't like the top sounds too much. Did you end up putting 1 and 3 on bottom?

 

[Metaltastic]

I checked out the clips on your thread...definitely 1 and 3. I didn't like the top sounds too much. Did you end up putting 1 and 3 on bottom?

Yup!

 

[acappa]

My XXX cab sounds pretty good, also in studio...
It´s true that it tends to sound high, but if you tame it with a good mic position, fredman f.e., it will sound killer!
I wouldn´t waste the time/money replacing speakers, the only fail I find to this cabs is its construction, very poor. Best, invest in a oversize MESA, or a Marshall Dave Mustaine Signature from which I´ve listened very good opinions.
Byez!!!!

 

[iraobryan]

I'm actually going to be tracking some guitar this weekend for a couple of songs. I had just been doing one 57 off axis a bit, pointed at the dust cap. I'm going to try the Fredman set-up. Where can I get the most detailed and accurate info? I've seen a couple threads with the discussion about fredman, but i wanna make sure I get it right.

 

[Metaltastic]

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/production-tips/221136-clayman-sound.html Personally I prefer just one 57 though!

 

[iraobryan]

Thanks for the link. What a great thread! I'm definitely going to try this and variations of it (different mics on center) on the next session. I like the single 57 sound, but like to learn other techniques. I'm thinking this will be a good way to control the amount of fizz with out losing it altogether.