Mills Acoustics 4X12 Cab Review

[Wizard of Ozz]

I received my new Mills 4X12 Afterburner Cab the other day... and it's big!

Here's the wooden crate Dave ships them in:



You can see he doesn't mess around when it comes to making sure it get to safe and sound. It took me about 30 minutes just to open cause I lent my crowbar to my neighbor Barney Rubble.

The Afterburner 4X12 I got is loaded with 2 V30s + 2 G12K100s... wired at 8 Ohms... no piping, in standard black tolex. Here's a pic:



How's it sound.. BIG! MASSIVE! BEHEMOTH! The closest comparison I can give is that it is a more idealized/perfected version of the Mesa 4X12 Oversized Recto 4X12... but it sounds much better (to me) mainly due to a tighter, more focused voicing... less flubby bass, no muddy tons, and less undefined low-end. I has a very big, massive, encompassing sound mainly due the oversized dimensions, but has a tighter sound due to its proprietary internal bracing. For example, I wanted to get a little more bass and slightly fuller-thicker sound from my Engl Savage 120... well the Mills Acoustics AB 4X12 does exactly that. Even with the deep mode switch off, the Savage still has plenty of chunky low end to spare now. The mix of V30s + K100s sounds really good together, and gives you plenty of cut and thick, chunky rhythms and palm mutes at the same time. The K100s seem to be pretty evenly voiced speakers, with no mid-spike (V30s) or mid-cut (GT75s). The entire cab oozes quality and craftsmanship, from the metal corner protectors, to the tolex job, to the grill cloth, to the metal handles, to the thick gauge speaker wire, to the extra internal bracing and interior design. The cab feels like it weighs around 150 pounds!!! You can tell Dave Mills loves what he does, as there is a lot of workmanship and effort he puts into these cabs. The construction and build quality is easily equal, if not better than anything else around. Hell, it weighs more than and Mesa Recto 4X12, and sounds much better to me... and it definitely sounds far better than either of the new front-loaded or rear-loaded Diezel Super-Special made in Germany Uber-mann cabs that sell for $1650! Both of which I have tried and was disappointed by.

Does it sound better than my Bogner Uberkab, Diezel USA front-load with V30s, or my '70s Marshall with H30s... well that depends on the listener... but for heavy, modern, high gain tones it's definitely worth looking into.

Here it is with some new friends:



Thanks Dave!

[stratzrus]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Ozz

Does it sound better than my Bogner Uberkab, Diezel USA front-load with V30s, or my '70s Marshall with H30s... well that depends on the listener... but for heavy, modern, high gain tones it's definitely worth looking into.

Which do you prefer and how would you describe the differences?

[Wizard of Ozz]

Originally Posted by stratzrus

Which do you prefer and how would you describe the differences?

Depends on the amp and the situation among other variables... no one cab is superior to all others. The Mills gave me what I was looking for in the way of a thicker, fuller lowend sound. Really filled out the sound, so to speak.

The Diezel FL is the smallest/lightest cab of the three, and has the tightest, most focused sound. The FL design with the sealed back, really gives it a unique sound. It will control any amount of gain or bass you can dial in on your amp, and with the Herbert that is a good thing.

The Bogner Uber-Kab would probably be the "best jack of all trades" sort of 4X12. It's standard size, not oversized, and its rear-loaded for a more "classic" or familiar sort of sound, however some might not like the slight mid-cut or mid-spike people alway complains about from GT75s or V30s respectively.

Just sort of using the right tool for the job.

[Phil M]

I want to play through one of those so badly.

[xdisciplex]

Nice cabs, the v30/k100 is a nice combination and I have them in my splawn cab.
I also have a uberkab and I love it, I like your taste.