Pairing head to cabinets

[S Archer]

Ok… I’m new to the electronic end of things..

I just got my hands on a Marshall JMP MKII 50w head…
Since I play hard rock/ metal, what would be the best 4x12 Marshall cab, to pair with the head.
They seem to have a multitude of of wattages…
I’m thinking a 1960a, rated at 300w isnt the way to go. I’d imagine something rated at a lower wattage. Would distort easier.
On the other hand, I don’t want to go too low, and run the risk of blowing speakers…
Any suggestions please?

 

[MirrorProfiles]

You won’t want to blow the speakers or distort them really. Any 4x12 will have sufficient power handling for a 50W head, it’s really about personal preference.

1960TV or BX would be my shout. Or Mesa cab, or Mode4 or Orange PPC

 

[AutomationBias]

For me, it's all about the speakers. I'd figure out what speakers I wanted to pair with the head first, then buy a cab loaded with them (or more likely, buy an unloaded cab).

 

[Blix]

A 100w cab won't distort easier than a 300w cab with a 50w amp, that's not how it works really. And trust me you don't want speaker distortion ever, sounds absolutely terrible!

I'm not a huge fan of the standard 1960 with the 75w speakers, I prefer greenbacks or the 65w Celestions.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Greenbacks work really well with the JMP 50w Marshall.

The 1960A uses 75w, and they are not bad, specially at high volumes, but I think Greenbacks sound better overall with that particular amp.

 

[RGB]

I ran my JMP 50 watter through a pair of 4x10 1965 Marshall cabs (or one 1965a when there wasn't room)...sound so good and so light to lug around. Liked them better than my 1960a for club shows. Original G10L35s in both cabs. There are a couple for sale on Reverb, but they're getting pricey compared to what I paid for mine 12-15 years ago.

Great amp, by the way...congratulations...hope you can turn it up!

 

[laxu]

Ok… I’m new to the electronic end of things..

I just got my hands on a Marshall JMP MKII 50w head…
Since I play hard rock/ metal, what would be the best 4x12 Marshall cab, to pair with the head.
They seem to have a multitude of of wattages…
I’m thinking a 1960a, rated at 300w isnt the way to go. I’d imagine something rated at a lower wattage. Would distort easier.
On the other hand, I don’t want to go too low, and run the risk of blowing speakers…
Any suggestions please?

Cab power ratings are power handling. Or otherwise "this much power before the voice coil melts or the speaker starts bottoming out". It won't distort easier with a 50W power handling cab.

You buy a cab with power handling preferably higher than the rated RMS output of your amp. So for a 50W head a 70-100+ watt power handling would be good.

Then you figure out what speakers you like. For a Marshall JMP, I'd go straight for a nice 4x10 or 4x12 with Greenbacks.

 

[James Freeman]

Plug it in and proceed to rock the casbah.