Which 2x12" cab (guitar)?

Grolschevik

I'm thinking about picking up a 2x12" extension cab.

It'd be used with
(a) my 15 watt valve combo with 10" Jenson, or
(b) my 50 watt valve combo, or
(c) I may pick up a 30 to 50 watt head in due course.

I don't want to spend a lot. I'm not in the market for a solid Mongolian Spruce fingerjointed cab with goldplated Celestion Blues. Or even a Mesa or Engl cab!

You can pick up a bog standard Marshall 1936 with G75s for a couple of hundred second-hand, but I always think they're a bit squat and bulky, and the recessed handles may impede it being set up sideways, to get one speaker up to about waist level.

Similarly, you can get a Harley Benton with v30s for about 200 too.

But I quite like the idea of a partially open back cab, like this Laney that's also around the 200 mark. I also like the styling on this one a lot (and my 15 watter is Laney).
http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=cub-cab

But the speakers (Rocket 50s) are Celestion's Chinese-made entry-level jobs, though I've read some good comments on them on the net.

What opinions and experience can all you wise ones share?

Welease

I picked up a mint condition Framus 212 for about 160 quid on adverts..

2x12 V30 speakers, and the back panel is partially removeable to swap from open to closed back which is a nice feature..

Sounds great the only only downside is the tolex is very thin and would rip easy if it was being moved around a lot..

http://www.thomann.de/ie/framus_fr212_cb.htm

Might be worth checking out second hand.

Grolschevik

Ah, hadn't thought of Framus. Like the idea of the removeable back, though it might possibly contribute to vibration noise...

Welease

Not really.. its screwed in place, same as a full panel closed back, so no vibration I can hear.. (although I only run a Blackstar HT5 through that cab).. The only difference being you can unscrew 30% of the panel..

Some pics on their site.
http://www.framus.de/modules/produkte/produkt.php?submenuID=14172&katID=11076&cl=EN

Such a simple idea.. Not sure why more manufacturers don't do the same..

Grolschevik

Ah, I had assumed that it was on some sort of hinge... Wonder how long the ply would keep gripping the screws if you were to swap often between the two configurations?

Demeyes

I've got one of the harley bentons with the V30s. It's a hell of a lot of cab for the money. I've used it with a few different heads, and side by side with a few 4x12's and one of the Marshall 1936 cabs and it holds it's own fine with them. Size wise it's not as bulky as the marshall so it's really handy for carrying around.