MILLS Acoustics Afterburner 412B 412 Cabinet

2008 hand made awesome face melting guitar cabinet.

I am in a metal band and this cabinet is the most versatile thing on the planet. I use a HEAVY HEAVY GAIN sound thats already saturated before it even hits my amp's pre tubes and the speakers will not distort. Believe me i tried. I have an Engl Invader and I dimed it out and the louder i got the better my cabinet sounds. It's a beast. Then i'll play it on clean and it is literally the most pristine gorgeous clean sound i have ever heard. Over the years I've used Marshall, Mesa, Saldano, and H&K, cabs and none of come close...the mesa out of all of them is probably the closest to the mills as far as clean sound but the louder you get on a mesa the worse it sounds.

I use an Gibson explorer with Emg 85's and 81's and a Gibson SG with 2 81's and I've played them both through another rig...for the most part they sounded pretty similar. for the first time i've played them through my rig (with the mills) and They sound, like they should, like two different guitars...completely different equalization spectrum. It was fantastic. Then i started swapping heads...i've never been a fan of marshall amps...untill i used my lead guitarist's with my mills...I don't know marshall puts out their cabs because they make the amp sound terrible, put a marshall on mills cab and find out why all the shredders use modded cabs with their marshall heads. As for me i use an Engl because it's probably one the most brutal amps made and let me tell you when i was using my old marshall cab my head would over power the cab when the gain was on 4 but with the mills i wish engl built a knob that went up to 20 because the speakers just wont give out. everything sounds amazing.

I took this thing on an hour and a half long trip along the jersey tpk while it was hanging out of my trunk that was tied down with like sailors rope. With the exception of the a rip in the tolex (due to us shoving in my trunk trying to get it to fit like madmen) nothing...the wood wasn't even bruised it was scary. The thing is a rock and roll fortress. And the louder you play the better it sounds...you can't blow this thing out.

This is the best part. You buy something from marshall, mesa, gibson, fender, anyone....you talk to a representative that probably already forgot your name half way through the phone call. When you get a mills you speak to Dave the owner, who also is the designer, who also builds the damn thing. On top of that Dave and his wife Susie are the sweetest people on the planet...in fact they still have an open invitation to come up and stay with me anytime they're in NYC. Mills is the greatest.

Bottom line...you wanna rock? Get a Mills. If you want to hear your guitar they way it was meant to be heard get a Mills. If you want to play loud with out having your sounded messed up by a rattling cab or blown speakers...get a Mills. And if you want to meet some people that actually CARE about your INDIVIDUAL sound..get a Mills. I woulda bought this thing if it was twice the price.

bought used, 2 years old. I play mostly metal and hard rock, so the V30 was a great choice for me, along with the rear loaded closed back 4x12 config. The tolex is rugged, the grill cloth is strong, the baffling design is innovative and actually works. No cheap hardware or particle board anywhere. I don't know what other features a cab should have, it's top of the line and includes everything a good cab should. Versatile for anything where a great 4x12 should be.

Incredible sound quality, and this is what counts. I didn't think I really liked V30 that much, from experience with my other cabs, including Mesa, Marshall, Framus, etc... I have not heard V30's sound this good in any other cab I've owned however. I thought my amps were what limited how far I could go on their EQ's, and I've come to the realization that most of it is what the cab can handle. I can practically dime the bass on my amps, and it still stays responsive, I was amazed how much better this cab sounded with my amps. I also really donn't care for the harsher high end and mid hump V30 normally have, but this cab really seems to balance them out. I really didn't think the design of a cab would be able to change that, but they can handle anything my amps can put thru them, and they squeeze every ounce of speaker sensitivity out of the V30. Prepare to be blown away, and don't completely rely on previous experiences with a speaker, these cabs will make any speaker shine.

It's built like a tank, everything about it screams quality, from the corner protectors to the casters. The wiring inside is a very thick gauge, every piece of wood is well secured, every joint is reinforced and sealed. I took the back panel off to look inside, and the build quality is incredible with these cabs. Everything in their literature is easily confirmed with one look. There isn't much else to say, other than it's exactly as you would expect a top of the line cab to made.

Dave is great, he gets back to you right away, and is very helpful and friendly. He likes to talk up his product, but after using it, I can see it's completely justified. It is every bit as good as he says. I bought mine used, which was a very rare find, and Dave still answered any questions I had for him. I bought it with no casters, since the previous owner had misplaced them, but Dave was very helpful in getting me new ones. I have no doubt Dave would be willing to fix any issues with a cab under their warranty. I can't really see ever needing to use it however, so I had no problem going used.

I've been playing almost 7 years now. I wanted to wait a couple months after getting it to do a review, so I was beyond the honeymoon. I own, and have owned, many high end amps and cabs. I'm fortunate enough to have had the means to afford some excellent equipment for my experience level, and I'm still learning a lot about gear as I progress. Coming across a piece of gear like this is a revelation. If it were lost or stolen, I wouldn't hesitate to get another. I love everything about it, the only downside is the sheer weight of this cab, it's a monster. With the quality of the materials and construction though, that's to be expected. I've played through a lot of high end cabs for a comparison, and none have impressed me as much as this cab. I kind of wish it had a stereo jack, but if it was a real issue, I would just put one in myself. The wiring is high quality and easy to follow. I usually only buy used, and wouldn't have paid the price new for one of these before owning one, I just didn't think any cab could be that much better. After having direct experience with it however, if I need another cab, it will also be a mills, new retail price or not. Comparing it to other high end cabs in the same price range and higher, it's a clear winner to me.

Has all the features you could want in a 4x12. Simplicity with quality and commitment to excellence may be bumper sticker material to most but Dave has gone above and beyond on using only the best materials to build these cabinets.

Jaw dropping mind blowing until your slobbering in your own pool of drool. Without a doubt the best sounding 4x12 cab I've ever played through or heard in my life.

*Knock on wood* It is still breathing strong everytime I roll the volume on my guitar. I strongly doubt I'll ever have a reliability issue with this beast.

If there was a 20 rating I would choose it. Dave is by far the nicest and most caring professional I have ever dealt with in the industry. He's "good people" as I often heard growing up in the South and that my friend, isn't a label you get easily.

If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? Absolutely without a doubt a cashier's check would be headed to Dave for a replacement.

10+ On the Overall rating scale. If you ever wondered what your amp was truly meant to sound like? Hook it up to a 4x12 Afterburner and get clearance from the tower to blast off because that's exactly what the afterburner was designed to do. Sending your overall tone into the stratosphere!

Only thing I would like to see possibly added is the hard plastic strips the Marshall cabs have to keep the feet of your head from marring the tolex. Just a cosmetic thing and doesn't effect the sound but I want to keep it looking just as great as it sounds.

Don't scoff at the price. Do whatever you can to save up and purchase a high quality 4x12. You will not regret it at all.

Bought the Mills 4x12 Afterburner last year, new and direct from Dave at Mills Acoustics. They are pretty much custom made to order. It is loaded with Celestion V30's with an 8 ohm input and thru-put for adding additional cabs. I use the cab with a Mesa Dual Recto for most of my playing. Sometimes I run the Dr. Z Maz 18 through it and either way, it sounds awesome.

Awesome cabinet. Very good bass response and tight highs and mids. The sound quality is great. Not mushy or flabby like most production 4x12 cabs. Of course, the cab is loaded with Celestion V30's. But, the solid construction and baffle placement is key. Cruise around the webstite (www.millsacoustics.com) to find out more info. I also have a 4x12 Mesa Recto cab and the Mills blows it away. Not all cabs are created equal!

Built like a tank. I seriously doubt one would ever have problems with reliability.

As I live overseas, I had lots of email conversation with Dave at Mills. He is always quick to respond during the manufacturing process and after the sale. Excellent customer support.

Been playing on and off for 20+ years, rock to blues. I had never heard of Mills, but stumbled across them on My Space, then struck up a conversation with Dave Mills and ended up ordering a cab. Compared to the usual production cabs (Mesa, Marshall, Orange, etc), this cab beats them all hands down on construction and sound quality at the same price. All the cabs are made to order with lots of attention to detail.

A cab is a cab............not so.........Mills Acoustics....AMAZING! Our equipment was built in 2007 and amazing from the sound to the quality. We have palyed everything from Mesa to Marshall and truly could not believe the sound these cabs generated.

These cabs are absolutrely amazing sounding. We purchased a stack (412A/412B) in order to try them out and from the minute we unpacked them.....we kinda had an idea these were special. They are bulit like tanks and perform like no other. Bottom line, Parmalee plays a complete backline of Mills Acoustics cabs (stacks) including the 410B bass cabs. We play PRS and Gibson guitars, Marshall and Soldano guitar amps and Ampeg for the bass amp. Just an amazing sounding product.

Josh McSwain and Matt Thomas of Parmalee
www.parmalee.com

We were playing a gig at ECU in the football stadium, a strong wind (microburst) hit topling our cabs (1 week old at time) and gear. The cabs when hooked up, fired up and performed like nothing happened. Other than a few scratches, there was no issue with performance. Mills Acoustics delivered. We have no purchased custom road cases from Crown Case in Charlotte to protect or Mills gems.

Dave Mills knows his product like no other company. Parmalee loves to play boutique equipment for that reason..........you can speak to the maker and designer. Dave.......great product.....thank you so much for your support.

We previously used Mesa and Marshall, no comparison.....Mills Acoustics produce better, larger clearer, truer sound.

I purchased the first of two afterburners 412B cabinets from Dave this summer and, I have to say, after searching for years for a cab that can handle the gain and bottom end that I push through my amp ... I finally found what I was looking for!! I usually have to worry about taming the low end on my eq when playing at higher volumes with cabs, but not this one!! This amp barks like a pitbull and it really moves the air with high gain as well as clean ... I literally have a wind tunnel going through my living room when I play through it at home!

Ive played 2 venues with it already and Ive been told by both soundmen that they had to turn me way down on the PA because this cab really cuts through the mix of the band like a bandsaw!! And the sound quality is admirable ... this cab breaks up so well, that the higher the volume, the more focused and tight it becomes with the gain of the amp!

This thing is built like a brick shthouse! I'm afraid of damaging MY TRUCK when I load or unload it for a show!!

I first started dealing with Dave on myspace and then by phone ... he is a real down to earth guy who really puts alot of pride into these cabs and you can tell! Dealing directly with the guy who puts his own sweat and blood into these cabs is unheard of these days ... and its really kickass to know that when you call him, your going to get Dave on the phone, or get a call back from him within a few hours ... We've even talked on the phone for hours from tone to everyday life!! I cant think of better customer support, even with a product that is built as well as these cabs are! He even called me to make sure that I had recieved the cab and to make sure that the amp was in the same condition as when it left his shop! THAT is customer appreciation!!

I think I've said all that I can say about this cab!! It will be the last cab I'll ever need to buy!! Well, except for the second afterburner that I plan to get soon!!

I ordered Two 2007 Red angled Mills Afterburners with Celestion vintage 30 speakers These Speakers seem to have the best sonic spectrum for the type of rock Music I play. I ordered these Direct from Dave at Mills Acoustics; I have been playing professionally for 20 years and have used most of what is being sold on the market. First it???s a pleasure to see how Mills packaged these for delivery; every step is thought out to make sure that the oversized cabinet will arrive in perfect condition, I have sent many a Marshall cab back because of dings and dents from the UPS gauntlet and horrific handling procedures, all the accessories on the cab The Handles Corners wheels and jacks ect. Are all built to Military specs! Or at least if the Military were to build Cabs I???m sure these would be the Specs. Very solid very road worthy!!!

Here is where the rubber meets the road! I use a variety of custom built amps and I demand a lot from my cabs, My Diezel usually will destroy a cab with Brutally cruel bottom end, I mean really it will torture a standard Marshall cabinet where it rattles and the sound starts to muddy up those of you that play Diezel???s you know what I mean, Not with this Cab it really can handle the Diezel, I use a Soldano SLO 100 for Beautiful midrange lead tone when I want the notes to just cry, This is where the vintage 30 sounds its best, the upper midrange cuts through the mix and just sings, the extra thick wall design and the oversized geometry of this Cabinet actually projects this lead tone better than anything I have ever heard. I use a Cornford MK 50 as well which is an extremely focused high gain amp; with the afterburner the sound is very percussive very I call it woody sounding you can here it on my clips, the notes are all clearly defined and easily heard.

Very new But Great so far!!!!!

I have called the company and talked with the Owner and others and all I can say is that these guys are musicians building the best speaker cabs on Earth period! They will be there for me when I need them.

As you might be able to tell I only buy the best amp gear on the planet and I take my tone very very seriously and at the end of the signal chain what comes out of the speaker is what you actually sound like, that is why the Mills afterburner is in my rig, did I mention that these cabs are loud! If these Cabs were stolen I would have to replace them.

An incredible sounding, totally overbuilt, oversized 4X12! Heavy duty steel handles, 2" ball bearing casters, steel reinforced inside corners, Steel exterior corners and an internal ported baffle that stands between the left and right pairs of speakers that's tuned to help the cabinet stay tight and focused as the db's go up! Very Huge and open sounding!

This cab sounds as big as it looks. What I noticed right away is this cab wants to be abused. Basically the harder you push it the more it shines. Awesome for big arena gigs! The bigger the stage the better!

It's the best built cab I've ever seen or owned. I can't imagine a structural problem,totally road worthy. I'm sure this cab would out last any 4x12 in the industry. This is the one in the commercial they toss out of an airplane and it just keeps on working!

Great people to deal with. They are musicians who understand what other musicians need. They manufacture guitar cabinets and they're totally focused on that key element.

Incredible cab! Build quality, sound, appearance, it's got it all. Extremely highly recommended! Built for the serious musician!!

very best cabinets in the world....really....very powerful tones projecting from the cab...

MIKE FELDER
(MORTAR REIGN)
NEUEVIL
ANTONIO PONTARELLI

the speakers(vintage 30's)dont produce a"burp" or farty sound..very tight and very focused.....BEST TONES WITH DIEZEL AMP...BEST PAIRING I'VE HEARD...

THESE CABINETS ARE VERY STURDY....EVEN WITHOUT ROAD CASES....I HAVE HAD 1 FALL OFF OF A TRUCK....NOTHIN' HAPPENED...COUPLE SCRATCHES....

DAVE MILLS,MITCH COSTA HANDLE EVERYTHING....GREAT PEOPLE MAKING GREAT PRODUCTS......

FOR PRICE AND SOUND...THEY FIT THE BILL...

These cabinets are just sick! I have owned so many different rigs over the years. I have owned cabinets from Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Line 6, Ampeg, crate, the list goes on and on. I have spent TONS of money on this stuff over the years. Most of them were terrible, some were descent. (Mesa, marshall, VHT, the higher end stuff.) But none came close to this Mills cab. I can go from clean tones to really heavy tones with ease. this cab can do it all without breaking a sweat.

It says here to be critical on a review, and I am. I really cannot say one bad thing about this. It even comes with a nice leather cover!

Again, this cabinet can do it all. I can deliver a mean crunch, and jump to shimmering highs with no problem. No more need for two seperate rigs.

Well, I have only had it for about a month now. This thing is built like a tank. Its fairly heavy for a cabinet. Its bigger than normal cabinets. However its acoustically tuned unlike other cabs. Its made with quality materials, and you can tell. Ill give it a 7 only because Its brand new and I havent put it through the real road tests. However cabinets of less quality have never let me down, so Im positive this tank wont either.

I have never spoke with Mills for customer support, but I have spoken with them. They seem like really cool people. The guitar store I got them from said the same thing. Its a little shop and im cool with everyone up there. So I trust them as well. I hear nothing but good stuff about the crew over at Mills Acoustics.

I have been playing for about 12 years now. I have owned so much gear over the years. This is the first time EVER that I have been 100% satisfied with my tone. about 50% of this is due to that cab. I sold my marshall 1960B's and got these after I tried it out. Just amazing.

I would definitely get these again if they were stolen. The only thing about this cab thats a hassle is the weight and girth. However, you just cant get that sound without it so its worth it in spades.