What kinda cab do I need here?

[SPROING!]

This will be the strangest "problem" you've seen in a while.
I recently finished my guitar and got a new practice amp as well. A VHT Special 6 head, which I like a great deal. Probably gonna go back and get the 12/20 soon.
Anyway, I needed a cab. My amp guy said he had a pair of speakers he'd give me. Told me they were Utahs pulled from a 60 Bassman but he hadn't checked them and didn't even know if they worked.
I figured I'd make a temporary test box to put them in to see what's what. I never owned Utahs before and I've read they can be hit or miss so a minimum of fuss and expense was called for.
Here's what I did.
The box is well reinforced with glued in wood ribs everywhere. Its actually fairly sturdy, if not weather resistant.



So the speakers work great! And I mean GREAT! Dead ringer for vintage Jensens and they suit this amp perfectly.
And now here's my problem. I know I need a permanent cab but I'm afraid it won't sound as good. Lol. This thing sounds friggin spectacular and I know how pissed I'll be if I invest in a good cab and it doesn't sound as good as the damn box!

So, what do I need to look for in a cab for these speakers?
Square/diagonal, vertical or horizontal?
Pine or plywood?
Open/closed? (It is presently open)

Other bits of wisdom so I don't make a mistake?

 

[sharpshooter]

If you like the sound of what you have, just finesse the design a bit, make it look like something you would be proud to own, and make provisions for some kind of grill, or cloth, whatever, to protect the speakers.

 

[SPROING!]

Wouldn't it just be a kick in the arse to find out that tone is in the cardboard? Lol

 

[bcmatt]

Are you building or buying? I guess it doesn't matter too much because you can have a lot of choice even in the purchasing...

The speaker arrangement (horizontal/diagonal) is probably not that big of a deal comparatively to other features.

Generally from most important to least important IMO:

1) Stay Open Backed
2) Try to get close in regard to internal volume (doesn't have to be super close because it is open-backed, but you want enough space before the low frequencies can travel out around from the back to cancel out the low frequencies coming out the front; this is why partial back panels and a decent cabinet depth are also important)
3) Baffle board size and thickness. The stiffer it is can contribute to solid low end...
4) Good furniture grade ply-wood or solid pine will contribute to whether the cabinet provides a more solid feel or resonates. I'm guessing that your box is plywood or some cheaper alternative, so stick with good plywood of similar thickness.

I don't know the details of your box, but I bet this isn't so different:
http://www.avatarspeakers.com/vintage g212.htm

Even though you would want it unloaded, I bet a friend would appreciate you selling him a pair of Creambacks for $200...

 

[dragan]

If you know some one with a marshall 2061 see if theyll let you remove the back & try it out

 

[SPROING!]

Are you building or buying? I guess it doesn't matter too much because you can have a lot of choice even in the purchasing...

The speaker arrangement (horizontal/diagonal) is probably not that big of a deal comparatively to other features.

Generally from most important to least important IMO:

1) Stay Open Backed
2) Try to get close in regard to internal volume (doesn't have to be super close because it is open-backed, but you want enough space before the low frequencies can travel out around from the back to cancel out the low frequencies coming out the front; this is why partial back panels and a decent cabinet depth are also important)
3) Baffle board size and thickness. The stiffer it is can contribute to solid low end...
4) Good furniture grade ply-wood or solid pine will contribute to whether the cabinet provides a more solid feel or resonates. I'm guessing that your box is plywood or some cheaper alternative, so stick with good plywood of similar thickness.

I don't know the details of your box, but I bet this isn't so different:
http://www.avatarspeakers.com/vintage g212.htm

Even though you would want it unloaded, I bet a friend would appreciate you selling him a pair of Creambacks for $200...

Thanks.
Will probably build it myself. I have some good plywood here but it's pretty heavy. I may go get pine for this.