MILLS Acoustics Afterburner 412B 412 Cabinet

This baby is just perfect for ANY type of music, but I must say it's the cab of my dreams

The sound quality is incredible, if you have a good sound, this will let you hear the real power and soul of your tone. It brings out the clarity and it lets you explode those lower tones without even breaking a sweat. I have always wanted to get a mesa, but since Yiyo, the lead guitar of my band (Asthma) got his MILLS??? I was impressed. The power, clarity and richness of the sound you get through the Afterburner is out of this world. We actually had the chance to do a HEAD to HEAD, in the studio, we had a MESA and his MILLS and wow.. just by standing next to the ???lil mesa??? hehe but the sound??? that???s what really shows you how big the MILLS really is. So after we recorded our 1st Album, I just had to call Dave and Susie and ask for my MILLS!

I've been using this baby for ALL my gigs and have had no problems what so ever. I can get worried about my guitar being on perfect tune, or my fx messing up or the end of the world, but never do I worry about my Afterburner :). Has it ever broken down?.. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This thing is build super tough and solid, the material they use is the best and it's made speacially for you. I can alwasy use this bby without needing a backup. (Unless you like to carry stuff around and don't use it)

Don't even get me started, MILLS has the BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT there is, I remember writing them when I finally heard the cab!, when I started saving!, when I finally order it! when I was wating for it to get here!... When you buy a MILLS cabinet you not just a customer, but you become part of the MILLS FAMILY.

I've been playing for around 10 years now, and my sound has never been this awesome. It's the core of my sound. After comparing it with a Mesa I knew I HAD to get the MILLS AFTERBURNER, no competition. The value is just incredible, you get a cab build with the best material, and specially made for you, at your own specs. (I own a RED MONSTER!) ^_^ Every time I plug in my guitar I???m amazed of the sound! I may get a new amp, new fx, another guitar, but guess what???s not changing in my setup?
My MILLS.

Beautiful construction and easy to move... solid design! Custom people! CUSTOM... features!? You call the shots. Pop out casters too! Very nice.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally someone created a musical sounding cab for guitarists/bassists.

NOTHING COMPARES TO MILLS ACOUSTICS. If you're playing anything else, you're not getting the incredible tone you'd get if you bought one of these bad boys!

Esp killer if you play in lower tunings. I'm in drop C and play a 7 in drop A... no muddy bottom baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My tone is tight and defined!

Dave and Susie are reliable and have created a beautifully relaible company/product! Their cabs are built so tough, you could drop it off a five story building and they'd still sing!

Can't say enough! Incredible experience... give 'em a call!!!

The rating system isn't high enough on this sight for Dave Mills, lol!

How about an ol' X-Generation "S~I~C~K~!!!"

For years, the guitar cabinet has been stereotyped as the 'simple' portion of a guitar rig. Most consider it nothing more than a wooden box with 4 speakers. The Mills cab has taken these 'simple' features and brought them all to an unprecedented level, allowing the guitarist to REALLY see that all cabs are not equal. All the little details DO make a difference.

The Afterburner is an oversized cabinet, with speakers rear-mounted to the baffle. There are two jacks in the back; one in, and the other an extension to Daisy Chain cabinets. With some rewiring, these jacks could instead be used to run the cabinet in stereo.

Taking it out of the box, one can clearly see the time and effort put into this cab. Every detail is worked out 100%. It is a HEAVY piece. The company is not skimping on cheap or thin wood.

Opening the cabinet up, the same attention to detail is apparent. The entire inside of the cabinet is steal reinforced and sealed. The company's special baffle runs down the middle, and attaches to the back wall of the cabinet.

So, all in all, the construction of this cabinet is really unmatched, and all these details are what make is so special in the sound it puts out. My one and only complaint are the casters on the cabinet. While they work, I really expected a better system for such a high end cabinet. Mesa Boogie's Trac-lock system provides MUCH easier removal, and the casters themselves are larger, making for smoother transport. This is the one and only reason the cabinet does not get a full score.

This category is where the Mills Afterburner is miles ahead of the competition.

Be it Mr. Mill's attention to detail, or Elven Magic, this cabinet puts out a tone better than anything else out there. His formula REALLY takes the guitar cabinet to a new level.

I should also mention that I loaded my cab with an x-pattern of Celestion Vintage 30's and G12K-100s.

First and foremost, CLARITY, CLARITY, CLARITY. I play a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster, and no matter how hard I push the bass, the cab takes it no problem. There is NO mud to my tone, which always seemed to be a problem with my Mesa cabinets, even the traditional models.

Next, the oversized design of the cabinet really makes it sound HUGE. I was never able to produce such a deep and 3-D sound with my other cabinets. Other oversized cabinets shoot for a similar effect, but they do so by taking away from the clarity. The Afterburner achieves BOTH equally well, producing a tone that is just out of this world.

Finally, no matter my settings, I can't seem to make this cab sound harsh. This is QUITE a treat. With my former cabinets (even Mesa Boogies), I always had to worry about treble and presence settings. My tone would either be too dark and dull, or harsh and piercing. Now, I can get the cut and attack I want, without my tone being harsh. This was HUGE for me.

All these comments apply to both clean and high gain tones. Honestly, I have not used many crunch sounds through it, as my current band, The Endless Endeavor (www.myspace.com/theendlessendeavor), does not use such tones. But, my cleans are bigger than ever, and my high gain tones are kicking harder than I ever imagined.

This cabinet deserves a rating much higher than '10' in the sound department. Comparing it to other pieces of gear rated '10' on this site just isn't fair.

It is built like a TANK. No worries about a backup. This cabinet will survive YEARS AND YEARS of torture. To be honest, I don't expect to ever get another cab. This one will be with me to the end. I might get a second some time soon though ;)

Dave Mills provided me with the best customer service I have EVER received with any of my products. We replied to ALL my emails and calls faster than ever, answered all my questions, no matter how repetative and miniscule, and finally provided me with the best product I've ever received. Honestly, I feel like I am part of the family now. To this day, he still checks in with my to ask how my cab is doing!

In summary, Mills customer service is THE BEST I've ever had.

This cabinet is THE cabinet to have for any player that is serious about their tone. Other companies make a good product, but Mills Acoustics has set a new standard to Guitar Cabinet production. I played Mesa Boogie before, and I sold BOTH of my Boogie cabs after getting the Mills. I have since again tried VHT, Bogner, and others, and the Mills leaves NOTHING to be wanted. I play a Mesa Boogie Roadster, with PRS guitars pushing the front end.

I have found THE cabinet for my guitar rig. While other things may change, the Mills cab will ALWAYS be part of my rig. I am convinced that in this portion, my tone is the best that it will be.

If anyone has any questions on the cab, feel free to contact me (Eric) on the band page:
www.myspace.com/theendlessendeavor

Pros:
-Exceptionally solid construction, built like a tank
-heavy gauge wire for speakers
-metal handles and jacks
-stock tolex is so heavy, it looks like it would stop a bullet.

Cons:
-2" casters, though standard fare on most cabs, are a bit puny. I would have liked a 3" caster similar to those found on Mesa cabs.
-weighs just under a metric ton....

I run in standard tunings mostly, using PRS or Gibson guitars through either Diezel or Mesa heads. This might be the tightest and clearest sounding cab I've ever heard. Bar none. (Yes, I've played through an Uberkab, yes it was great. No, I haven't played a new Diezel cab).
It fills up a room at any volume. It's the least directional sounding cab I've ever played through. Stays tight even at stage volumes. My Diezel Herbert on channel 2+, bass and deep maxed, master volume cranked about halfway up, couldn't make the cab falter in the least.

It's not a mile better in any area over another cab. It's just a little better here, a little better there, a little bit tighter, a little bit clearer, a little bit more low end. It all adds up in the end, but it's didn't wow me in any one way right out of the gate. You kind of have to step back and think about it before you realize how good it is. That being said, it is that good. And the more I play through it, the more it ruins other cabs for me.

If I had to have just 1 cab, this would be it. If you were buying new, paying $949 for a Recto cab or $800 for a Marhsall 1960a (plus tax or shipping) is idiotic IMO, the Mills should be a no brainer every time.

I can't see how it couldn't be reliable. Super solid construction, solid birch all around, metal handles and corners. Built like a tank.

Dave Mills has been amazing to deal with, both before and after the sale.

Given the cost of new cabs, I don't think there is a better cab on the market. It outperforms ever cab I've played and costs less new than and of the big players (Mesa, Bogner, Diezel, Orange, etc).

This amp is custom built-to-order in Dave Mills' own shop. Absolutely top notch quality control. Steel/Epoxy Reinforced interior, elephant skin tolex, thick basket weave grille cloth, durable thick wood..there is nothing left to be desired.

This is where the cab really shines. The cab I got came with the stock V30s, since the Fireball I run through it is voiced for the V30s. When I first got it, I was surprised at how relatively NOT harsh the speakers sounded at first. It really did help me realize that cab construction can really change the way you perceive some of the sound that people brush off as inherent to the speaker, and not the cab. After about 2 weeks of gig-level playing 1-2 hours a day, the speakers are starting to actually break in and it sounds EVEN smoother. Unreal. Now, the low end. This is where it's at. All the designing and prototyping really shows here. I can literally crank by Bass to 10, hit depth, and the sound will STILL be tight, clear, and not over-bassy. The afterburner baffle really does put this cab leagues beyond anything else out there. No mud, no lack of clarity. The low end tightness and clarity is there in spades. The midrange also on the V30s in the Mills sounds great. The cab really helps bring out the grind and crunch of the mids in the V30. Lastly, the projection is ENORMOUS. This cab just sounds ****ing HUGE. 3D is really the best way to describe it. It's like a big wall of sound is just absolutely crushing your chest with gut-wrenching brutality. With the ENGL Fireball distortion (you cant get more metal than this), the distortion and heaviness of this cab is just absolutely out of this world. Also, it's ACTUALLY oversized, not just a bigger box wiht the same internal design, much like many other "oversized" makers.

Sturdy as a tank. Built EXTREMELY sturdy. Dave cut absolutely no corners in the construction of this cabinet. You really have to try to even put a scratch on it. I'm definitely not kept up at night worrying about whether this cab can handle what I dish at it. (I'm a basement studio musician, but if I were to gig regularly, absolutely no doubt in my mind this cab can take anything.

Another way Dave sets himself apart from the rest of the business is his personable nature. Customer Service like this is dead these days. I called him 3 times, and each time we talked for about an hour from everything to food, to guitar players these days, to tone, you name it, man. The guy is also no-********. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear. If you propose an idea to him, he will give you his honest opinion on it based on your needs and desires. Him and his wife answer their phone almost all the time (and if they are unable to, they get back to you ASAP), and they responded to all of my emails in less than a day. He even went through the trouble to have my cab delivered to my house because the service center near me was too far away. Well done, Dave.

Best cab on the market, hands down. I was using a Marshall 1960 before I got this, and now I realize there was simply no comparison. That thing was a child's toy compared to this monster. The best prat is, it's not like you have to sacrifice more money to get to better tone compared to Diezels and Bogners, because it actually costs LESS. These babies run $960 USD + ~$100 shipping. Better tone for LESS money. Unbelievable. The baffle in this thing really is truly amazing. I'm glad someone in the industry of cab-making stepped their game up and realized that there was more to be had in a cab. This IS the apex of cab-making, no question. All my future cabs will be Mills without a doubt. It's hard to play anything else after you've played a Mills.

Built solid as a bank vault with excellent hardware. The grillcloth is very high quality. This cab (my second one) is 8 ohm mono with Celestion Vintage 30's. Finally, a larger-than-usual cab that sounds like a big cab should.

This is my second Afterburner 412B cab that I bought directly from Mills. In another month or so I'm ordering their Afterburner 412 Classic as well. I play mostly hard rock and some metal. How does it sound? If there is any cab that has mastered the capabilities of a quality guitar speaker, it is this one. It does not matter how hard you run it or at what volume, it stays tight and projects like no other. You will not have the woofs and farts. The Afterburner just nails your amps tone in ways I'd never heard through my previous Bogner and Matchless cabs. And Marshalls? Forget about it..not even close. My main fav axe is a LP custom shop 58RI with overwound custom pups. Nice and nasty! I have quite a few amps but mostly run my modded Soldano SLO 100. Cranking the LP's volume controls to 10 just delivers that gnarly overdriven tone that can melt steel. The cab delivers all the complexities and harmonics even at the loudest stage volumes. You can hear your pick attack. You can also hear your f-ups, but it's a tradeoff I'll gladly live with. And when you want to crank your bass controls to 10 and bomb the audience with drop-tuned low end thump, the Afterburner is set to deliver. Massive thump, massive punch, massive clarity. This cabinet is truly the standard in what a cab should be.

I've been running Mills Acoustics cabs exclusively for over 2 and a half years. They've been dropped, knocked around and left in the equipment trailer in 150 degree heat for days on end. I don't think you could kill one if you tried. You can tell from the very first glance this is no ordinary piece of gear. The thing screams quality and is built to out last your grand kids.

A couple of other reviewers have said they'd rate Dave's service at a "20". I'd totally agree. It seems like every time I call, he's in the middle of something but always takes the time to chat tone with me. He is a straight-shooter that will tell you what he thinks, not necessarily what he thinks you want to hear. Damn that is so refreshing in this day and age. He is a good guy and stands 100% behind his product. He says his cabs are the best because they are. Simple truth with no BS.

I've been playing in various bands over the last 20+ years and even was signed by a fairly large Indie Label for several years during the mid 90s. I wish the Mills Afterburner had been available. I absolutely understand now what my tone had been missing. Oh yeah, I was loud as Hell but loud is easy. Keeping your notes articulate, punchy and focused at volume is the trick. I've never played any cab that improved ANY amp plugged into it like these monsters. They are the real deal. A great Company with great products.

Every component on this cab is chosen and installed to deliver ultimate quality. Thumping it with your fist is like hitting the hull of the USS Nimitz. It simply takes cab construction and design to a whole new level.

I've been running the V30 Afterburner 412B for over a year. My 2 main amps are a modded JCM 800 and a Bogner Ecstacy. My previous cab was the matching Bogner 412. I thought it sounded great compared to all the other cabs I have owned over the years. Then one weekend a buddy called to tell me that Wes Jeans was playing at a local club. During Wes' opening song I noticed 3 things...unfriggin' believable playing, loud as hell but the BEST guitar tone I had ever heard anywhere. At his first break I joined a few other players who were talking to Wes. That was when I discovered the Mills Afterburner 412B. Wes told us all that he will use no other cab and I know why. The earlier review from "J" (no details whatsoever) below tells me that you're either smoking crack, completely deaf or your little Emo band got rejected by the Company for sponsorship. To describe this cab as "honky" is ludicrous. It is by far the most massive and articulate guitar tone generator that has ever been created. It is obvious that your feelings have been hurt and you have a personal ax to grind. Get over it.

If a tornado heads my way, I'm climbing inside this cab.

I'd give this a "20". Dave Mills is a passionate, driven Professional who has set out to build something out of the ordinary and he damn sure has. Sure, he will tell you his cabs are the best in the World. Lots of other gear makers say the same thing. He is one of the very very few who can back it up. You can ask him any question and he will take the time to give you a straight, honest answer. His replies are quick and the man is just a pleasure to deal with. Every company out there should take lessons from them in the areas of quality control and customer service.

It is a shame that the internet allows the small-minded, frustrated individual such as "J" to run their mouth. Regardless of your biased opinion, the other 30 or so reviews on this cab tell the true story. It is doubtful that major label artists such as 3 Doors Down and Mastodon will spend hundreds of thousands on tracking and production only to do so through less than the best cab available. That cab is a Mills. I've been playing for over 16 years and learned very early on the quality gear is worth the cost. I have never been more satisfied with any dollar spent than I have been with the Afterburner. I have already placed my order for the matching 412A slant to go with my straight cab. I agree totally with all the other "real" reviews here that describe the delivery and projection of this cab. The harder you try to abuse it the more it shines. And if you like the way your amp sounds, you will LOVE it when put through an Afterburner 412. If this cab were stolen, I'd have my Attorney and a bail bondsman on standby because some poor thief is about to get the beating of a lifetime.

Oversized 4x12" cabinet. Vintage 30 speakers.

I play several different styles from blues to metal to funk. I tried this cab with my Diezel VH4 head and a PRS custom 22. Overall the sound quality was usable for all styles but not fit particularly well for any. It sounds kind of "honky" and does not really crunch well.

There a very solid built cabinet and i don't for see any problems with reliability issues.

I have spoke with this company before on a couple of occasions, simply put there the KINGS OF SELF PROMOTION. Granted they do make a quality product but saying its the best cab on the planet is far from the truth. Something such as the best cab ever is subjective and no one product is just simply the best out. Many factors will affect the ideal cab, for example playing style and there response to me was it doesn't matter style this cab will be the best for every style regradless.

Overall the Mills cabinets are decent but they don't live up to the hype, I tried several cabs with my Diezel VH4 and the Mills did not stand out in my opinion. They sounded good but there was others that sounded way better. Personal I would recommend everyone tries one before purchasing because the hype from this company, I almost ordered one myself before even trying it because of other reviews but I'm very happy I took the time to go try one first.

This cabinet is of the HIGHEST caliber. Very easy to use and loaded with Celestion V30s. Its built like a tank and its appearance is purely elegant. There is no other cab that compares to this period point blank!!!!

UN****ING REAL!!!!!! I play mostly extreme metal and the sound erupting from this beast nearly made me **** for real. I have a setting that is seriously mid-scooped that i couldn't even use live, and this cab ate my tone for lunch and was begging for more!!!! None of the notes were jumbled or muddy, every note was clean and articulate, and no other cab this amp has been put thru:uberkab, marshall 1960, mesa recto-standard, rivera cab or a vht cab can even pray to hold a candle to this demon!! When I shifted gears and ran it clean every note sounded angelic. This is a cab for any style of playing, and i mean any!!!! This is the sound of evolution!!!

The construction on these cabs phenemonal!!! From the solid corners, to the material on the grill, no attention to detail and ruggedness has has been left out. You could throw it off of a building and it would laugh at you, sound kller and still look sharp. Dave Mills has left no stone unturned.

There is no better support than Dave Mills hands down. I was on vacation in his hometown, I called him up and he invited me to his workshop to personally try one out. He is very knowledgable of his product and he and his wife Susie are some of the best people you could ever hope to meet. He gets down to business and treats customers like family and not "customers". He handles business in a professional and quick manner, any problems you have, he handles personally. Try that level of service with major brand names, you're not gonna receive that kind of treatment. Mills Acoustics is the Definition of quality and service, hands down!!!!!

Point Blank, these Cabs are the ******* ****. I have been playing for 15 years and this is what I have been searching for, and I have heard enough other cabs to know that my search is over!! Dave will be working on a 2 cabs for me at the beginning of next year, and i can't wait. These cabs put the joy into playing and there is nothing out there that even comes close to this. If you're reading this do yourself a favor: Stop ******* around and wasting your time going cab hunting, Mills is the where it is at, and where it is going to stay at. You will truly know what your amp is capable of!!! Get lined into a Mills and hear what you have been missing

This a great cab the best I have ever owned hands down. Great construction and four Celestion Vintage 30's to go along with it. It just can't be beat.

They sound is outstanding. I play a lot of differnt styles from hard rock to 50's and it will get any sound I want with just a little adjusting of my Marshall head.

The cab is built like a tank. It has been droped out of my bands trailor a few times and not even a dent in the wood. Very high end construction.

Dave in my opinion is one of the most helpful guys to work with. He has giving may great tips on how to get the best sound I can get of my cab. He always gets back to me if I can't reach him at a certain time. Just really good support and it's nice to be able to talk to the guy that actually built the cab rather than so guy paid behind a desk who has no idea what they are even talking about.

Best built, best sounding, BEST CAB ON EARTH PERIOD. Thanks Dave.