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Some of the earlier Hylight cabs I've seen had plywood backs and unpainted interiors. My '75 SE4123 has a particle board back (very thick/heavy) and the interior is painted black.

Any idea when the transition occurred?

My '72 and '74 SE4122's and '74 SE4123 are the same as yours. My guess is 1970-1971.

edited because I just saw one form 1971 with a plywood back?????? Man I am off my game this week!

Dunno. Both my rear-loaders have the 1" MDF back panels (as did an old Orange I had).

Dave

Dr.HIWATT wrote:edited because I just saw one form 1971 with a plywood back?????? Man I am off my game this week!

You're slipping, Doc!

That's why I asked, I saw the '71 on eBay too.

You know,I'd be curious how a nice solid piece of wood (I guess it could be ply) on the back of a HIWATT 4x12. Both of mine are MDF, and I know how much vibration happens back there...
Seems if got it all coupled together, it would get better.

Also, the screw into the post is something I might just do. I read somewhere, I think it was about Marshall cabinets, that it's a really good thing to do, regardless of the baffleboard material.

DL

HIWATTuser1 wrote: Also, the screw into the post is something I might just do.

On the Marshalls, the back post is slightly longer than the inside cab depth, forcing the back to bow ever so slightly. I never thought to check that on my Hiwatts. That helps keep the back panel from resonating. I have had other 4x12 cabs (Fender, Randall) that have screwed into the posts. Couldn't hurt - as long as it doesn't destroy some vintage value...

I'd think the super-thick MDF would be more inert (is that an oxymoron?) than plywood and, therefore, better. Heck, the JBL Cabaret Series cabs were all MDF and sounded great. Weighed a ton and didn't like to be bounced off the truck, but sounded great.

Dave