They seem to get a bad rap and can't blame it as the 1960A/B ones supposedly have shoddy construction. Yet the higher end ones (AX/BX, TV, hand wired) can't be that much better as I hear some people claim.

Are there actually any good ones that don't break the bank or would you be better off with an Avatar clone?

Avatar all the way...

Avatar's a nice and cheap. Although they don't have Slant cabs.

The 1960A and B's are great, did you mean the AX, MG (or whatever the Valvestate/solid state era ones are called) ? Those are pretty shoddily-built, and have subpar speakers.

Avatars rule for the price

MG has always been shit.

The AX are the one's with greenbacks, as far as I know those are even better than the 1960A and 1960B series.

I wish I could find someone who still made vertical and diagonal 2x12's.

I they were considered the industry standard because of all around durability and great tone. Plus they can be found all day long on craiglist for $300+ depending on speakers and condition.

The cabs are pretty solid, but the tolex is like paper.

Soundwise, though, I'm totally over the Celestion G12T75 speakers spec'd in the 1960 cabs. I know it's a classic metal tone, but it hasn't aged well. Too much fizz.

Gimme the Vintage 30s and/or G12Hs.

I've had Marshall 1960 cabs for the last 10 years with no complaints. They've held up fine and I've never had one break or fail. I've been using the same 1960B for the last 6 or 7 years straight without incident. I do confess I am a little tired of the stock G12T75 speakers as well though.

Marshall cabs are as good as any other. Perhaps a little overpriced, since you pay for the name, but not as much so as some of the more trendy brands.

Is 450 for an 1960AX cab that is beat up a good price? Everything works fine.

If it's beat up, try to talk him down to $400. The speakers alone in one Marshall's "X" cabs are worth nearly that.