My Hiwatt cab is the SE4123 4x12 with the original Fanes. The cab is the same as my DR103 head - 70's Hylight era. I don't recall whether my Fanes are ceramic or alnico - when I bought the cab I opened it up to confirm it was indeed Fanes in there, but otherwise I wasn't concerned with such details!!! I just took one listen and opened my wallet!! I haven't opened it since... but if you really want me to...
I contacted both Reeves and Eminence about the Vintage Purples after reading on some forums that they were the closest you'll find to a vintage Fane. Reeves only sells them in cabs and won't sell them separately, and Eminence confirmed that even though they make the Vintage Purples it's a Reeves-only thing, and claimed there was nothing in the Eminence catalogue that sounded exactly like a Vintage Purple. FWIW, most of the reading I've done suggests that the new Fanes don't sound like the vintage ones, although I've never heard that for myself...
I didn't like the V30's at all with first rev Triwatt, but with the current rev, the V30's are sounding very cool when you drive the Triwatt - maybe even better than the Fanes or Greens at higher gains. So, if you're going to be gunning it most of the time, I think V30's or equivalent would be an OK choice...
TT has their newish San Rafael which is darker and Greenbackish from what I remember hearing it at Stephen's. This could potentially be a good choice...
My Greenbacks are nice, but the Fanes are the best. If you can find an old cab I say go for it!!
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Brent Bodrug
Producer-Engineer/Songwriter
www.slyfichapel.com