NCD - Marshall 2045 - And a Caster Question!

[6knobs]

Posted this on TGP and no one gave 2 sh*ts lol. Hopefully the Marshall lovers will be more enthusiastic....

Years ago, I had a 1960A with the original G12-65 speakers. Foolishly, I let it go. I've been searching for those speakers in a smaller package since. Was very happy to finally find this 212 on my local CL. All original with the G12-65's untouched. Couldn't be happier with the sound.

The cab is surprisingly light! All ply makes a difference. Aesthetically, I guess this is the first year (1980?) they switched from the basketweave to black grille cloth. It says 1936 on the rear badge, but it's obviously still the 2045 style with the top handle.

Got to play it out live for the first time on Saturday night. Pure happiness.

Anyways, the only thing I need to do is swap the casters. These feel like they were dragged over miles of cobblestones. They're misshapen and pretty wobbly. I'm wondering if there's a brand of casters that is better than another? Or do I just take my chances with whatever they sell at Lowe's?

Pics from Saturday between sound check and show. And the original CL listing photos.

 

[pulsonicsound]

nice cab! looks to be from 1981 if the speakers are original

the castors on the cab are non original, you can see the Marshall spec castor mounts on either side of the castors, marshall no longer use castors with the thread that will match your castor mounts so I you want to go down the Marshall castor route you will have to buy the screw in castors and new castor mounts, otherwise I'd suggest any good quality castors that have rubber wheels, are heavy duty and with not to large a wheel to make the cab unstable.

 

[BlueX]

HNCD! Strange people that doesn't care about such a lovely cab. Also nice to see gear that gets used on stage.

Unfortunately, I'm of no help with the caster.

 

[6knobs]

nice cab! looks to be from 1981 if the speakers are original

the castors on the cab are non original, you can see the Marshall spec castor mounts on either side of the castors, marshall no longer use castors with the thread that will match your castor mounts so I you want to go down the Marshall castor route you will have to buy the screw in castors and new castor mounts, otherwise I'd suggest any good quality castors that have rubber wheels, are heavy duty and with not to large a wheel to make the cab unstable.

Oh yes, the castors were definitely added on. The cab just has half round feet under there. I assume those are original. They definitely look it.

The guy I bought it from told me 1980. You think it's '81? Not that it's a big difference, just curious.

 

[Dogs of Doom]

can you take pictures of the current castors & feet?

 

[6knobs]

can you take pictures of the current castors & feet?

Here it is:

 

[Dogs of Doom]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TITAN-2-Pack-2-in-Rubber-Swivel-Casters/1000605079

 

[Obi Plexi-nobi]

I have this EXACT same cabinet- I bought it on Kansas City Craigslist years ago, but somebody had swapped out the speakers for the cheap 35-watt Celestions, and cut the back panel to resemble a Fender open-back combo (top & bottom strips, open across the middle. I still LOVE it. Same semi-globe feet, old-style handle, black grille, and first year JCM800 badge.

 

[Obi Plexi-nobi]

Somebody advised me to get the socketed Ernie Ball castor set. They've worked WONDERFULLY.

 

[Obi Plexi-nobi]

 

[6knobs]

View attachment 127204

Thanks! Those are also way cheap as an added bonus

 

[BygoneTones]

Looks like it had no castors originally. I would avoid getting any that involve drilling big holes into the bottom of the cab. Just get some that screw on, with as minimal damage as possible to the cab. Or go without.

Is the back panel plywood or particle board?

 

[Gunner64]

Looks like it had not castors originally. I would avoid getting any that involve drilling big holes into the bottom of the cab. Just get some that screw on, with as minimal damage as possible to the cab. Or go without.

Is the back panel plywood or particle board?

That's the one drawback with the Ernie Ball casters, you have to drill for the socket. Not a big deal if you're just replacing casters, but if your cab doesn't have casters you gotta make holes.

 

[6knobs]

Is the back panel plywood or particle board?

Both actually, haha!

The original is MDF. But a previous owner made a ply back panel as well and transferred the jack without de-soldering. It was kind of a point of pride for him that no solder joints had ever been messed with in this cab. Did a nice job matching the tolex too.

The ply back is half the weight, so I’m keeping that installed, and the original with the badge is saved aside.

 

[Obi Plexi-nobi]

Looks like it had no castors originally. I would avoid getting any that involve drilling big holes into the bottom of the cab. Just get some that screw on, with as minimal damage as possible to the cab. Or go without.

That's true, good point. I put mine on a 4x12 that was already drilled. They work and look great!

 

[Dogs of Doom]

Ampeg made dolly racks for their cab's. That's always an option...

similar to this:

Cart/dolly Single Knob for Ampeg Amps, Black Vinyl 1967-1980 - Product Details

www.fliptops.net

you can get furniture dollies for relatively cheap...

furniture dolly at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

this one looks pretty cool:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XWG6PGK?tag=opr-mkt-opr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-ubp00-win10-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-pcomp-feature-pcomp-wm-8&ref=aa_pcomp&th=1

$50 on Amazon vs $60 at Home Depot