Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: JDC on July 09, 2007, 05:03:24 PM

Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: JDC on July 09, 2007, 05:03:24 PM
I still can't make up my mind on what I want, for practice and maybe one day gigging in the future should I get a 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 ???

update: it's for metal playing
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on July 09, 2007, 05:06:40 PM
4x12, of course! PDT_008
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Twinfan on July 09, 2007, 05:16:47 PM
A 2x12 is a great compromise.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: gwEm on July 09, 2007, 05:28:05 PM
in my opinion 1x12 is a good solution for practise and home recording if you have a high quality one and something like a combo stand to point the speaker at your head. not a such a good idea for gigging as the sound won't project.

lol - now you have 3 pieces of confilicting advice.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Tellboy on July 09, 2007, 05:35:28 PM
Quote from: gwEm
1x12 is a good solution for practise and home recording if you have a high quality one. not a good idea for gigging as the sound won't project.

lol - now you have 3 pieces of confilicting advice.


4 pieces now  :?  - get a 1x12 for home/practise and a 2nd 1x12 for gigging. I found that a single 1x12 is too directional on stage but a 2nd extension cab gives you great flexibility.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: _tom_ on July 09, 2007, 05:39:29 PM
2x12 is what I would suggest. I have one for both bedroom practice and gigging and it works well. Mines flex back, so I use the closed back for at home which sounds a bit better (better for recording as well), and open back for gigs/band practice as it tends to allow me to hear myself better and fills the room better - its not as directional..

I would like a 4x12 just because they look cooler, and probably have "bigger" bass, but they're too much hassle to move around and not really necessary unless you're playing metal imho.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: gwEm on July 09, 2007, 05:44:23 PM
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
4x12, of course! PDT_008


call that a mans cab? pfff ;)
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Twinfan on July 09, 2007, 05:56:56 PM
Quote from: _tom_
I would like a 4x12 just because they look cooler, and probably have "bigger" bass, but they're too much hassle to move around and not really necessary unless you're playing metal imho.


They're necessary if you play in any LOUD band  ;)
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: _tom_ on July 09, 2007, 05:57:35 PM
hmm I dunno.. my 2x12 shakes the house when I get to have my volume above 2  :twisted:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Brow on July 09, 2007, 05:58:29 PM
I have a 1x12 Award Session cab with a Celestion Classic Lead 80 in it that I use alot for gigging and have no problems at all with being heard :)

I also have a Marshall 2x12 cab, but that mainly gets used when we're playing a longer set or on a stage where space isn't too much of an issue.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: JDC on July 09, 2007, 06:53:04 PM
Quote from: _tom_
2x12 is what I would suggest. I have one for both bedroom practice and gigging and it works well. Mines flex back, so I use the closed back for at home which sounds a bit better (better for recording as well), and open back for gigs/band practice as it tends to allow me to hear myself better and fills the room better - its not as directional..

I would like a 4x12 just because they look cooler, and probably have "bigger" bass, but they're too much hassle to move around and not really necessary unless you're playing metal imho.


i play metal...
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Ted on July 09, 2007, 09:36:15 PM
Quote from: Tellboy
Quote from: gwEm
1x12 is a good solution for practise and home recording if you have a high quality one. not a good idea for gigging as the sound won't project.

lol - now you have 3 pieces of confilicting advice.


4 pieces now  :?  - get a 1x12 for home/practise and a 2nd 1x12 for gigging. I found that a single 1x12 is too directional on stage but a 2nd extension cab gives you great flexibility.


+ 1
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Bird on July 09, 2007, 09:48:04 PM
Most guitar players are way too loud, just ask your bass player :wink: , so I'd say the 2x12 for gigs. You can always  add a 2nd one if you're playing really big gigs.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Crazy_Joe on July 09, 2007, 10:11:37 PM
Quote from: _tom_
2x12 is what I would suggest. I have one for both bedroom practice and gigging and it works well. Mines flex back, so I use the closed back for at home which sounds a bit better (better for recording as well), and open back for gigs/band practice as it tends to allow me to hear myself better and fills the room better - its not as directional..

I would like a 4x12 just because they look cooler, and probably have "bigger" bass, but they're too much hassle to move around and not really necessary unless you're playing metal imho.



Haha wtf?! how did you come to that conclusion? like Twinfan said if you need to play loud you get a 4x12, that goes for any genre.
Why do you think rock bands have the walls of Marshall cabs!! :p
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: _tom_ on July 09, 2007, 10:16:46 PM
Quote from: Crazy_Joe
Quote from: _tom_
2x12 is what I would suggest. I have one for both bedroom practice and gigging and it works well. Mines flex back, so I use the closed back for at home which sounds a bit better (better for recording as well), and open back for gigs/band practice as it tends to allow me to hear myself better and fills the room better - its not as directional..

I would like a 4x12 just because they look cooler, and probably have "bigger" bass, but they're too much hassle to move around and not really necessary unless you're playing metal imho.



Haha wtf?! how did you come to that conclusion? like Twinfan said if you need to play loud you get a 4x12, that goes for any genre.
Why do you think rock bands have the walls of Marshall cabs!! :p


For the image, a 4x12 does look cooler. 50w valve into a 2x12 is plenty loud enough for anything, if you think otherwise you must have bad hearing, or have never heard of something called a PA :lol:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: JamesHealey on July 09, 2007, 10:32:35 PM
2x12 is a great format but still totally earth shaking.

Depends on how the amp/speaker are voiced as well a good 1x12 will have plenty of balls.. don't under estimate!
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Bird on July 09, 2007, 10:43:22 PM
Andy Summers is using 2 Mesa 2x12 cabs, on the current tour. Anyone here playing larger gigs please raise your hand.   :wink:      :D
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Twinfan on July 09, 2007, 11:01:24 PM
It all depends if you mic up or not.  If we always mic'd up, I'd just have a 1x12 and a low wattage amp.

We don't, so I have a 2x12 for smaller venues and a 4x12 for larger ones.  Plus a big loud 100w head   :twisted:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: sambo on July 09, 2007, 11:13:35 PM
i don't see the need for ANY cab in small gigs to be honest... (and i'm not saying that from an ignorant teenagers point of view).

i've done a lot of gigs, with small SS combos, a head and 4x12 and 30/50 watt valve combos... overall, in my opinion, a valve combo is the best solution for small gigs and practices. never had a problem being heard.


but thats my personal preference, for convenience.

unless your an audiophile, or are playing substantially-sized gigs, i wouldn't go for a 4x12.  

1 or 2x2 is what i would go for. choosing between the two however, i can't comment on as i'm not too clued up about the exact differences.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: sambo on July 09, 2007, 11:15:01 PM
Quote from: Crazy_Joe

 if you need to play loud you get a 4x12,


if you need to play loud you turn the little knob labeled "volume", a few degrees clockwise...  :wink:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: HTH AMPS on July 09, 2007, 11:17:36 PM
I like 4x12s for the spread of sound they give AND you don't need to rely on the PA so much.  I'm a believer of the old-school band mix... drums and vocals mic'd, bass and guitar backline LOUD (remember, this is what backline is for)

 :twisted:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Bird on July 09, 2007, 11:21:52 PM
An amp in directional regardless of the number of speakers the cab contains. The only people benefiting from it are those right in front of it, providing it's not blowing their faces off. The spread has to come from the PA, of course if you don't have one then "old-school" is your only option.  8)
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Twinfan on July 09, 2007, 11:23:30 PM
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I like 4x12s for the spread of sound they give AND you don't need to rely on the PA so much.  I'm a believer of the old-school band mix... drums and vocals mic'd, bass and guitar backline LOUD (remember, this is what backline is for)

 :twisted:


Works for us  ;)
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Crazy_Joe on July 10, 2007, 01:42:46 AM
Quote from: sambo
Quote from: Crazy_Joe

 if you need to play loud you get a 4x12,


if you need to play loud you turn the little knob labeled "volume", a few degrees clockwise...  :wink:


I was talking about larger sized gigs, i'm not talking about pubs or small clubs.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: shaman on July 10, 2007, 01:54:59 AM
I am a believer in the 1x12 Thiele  stylePORTED cabs-mesa boogie cabs...I have 1 that is laoded with an EVM12L (200 watt) and you must hear to believe-my partner has oversized Mesa 4x12 cabs and they have a little more resonance,but the difference is subtle-I didnt think it would hang at all,but I was wrong..so, I bought the thiele from him..bought another as well..I can put my 2 heads and 2 thieles in the back , be set up in nooo time..no back breaking work(the ev is only for the strong..she heaaavy)-when you back off from the thiele,it hangs with anything out there period-I know, I didnt think so ,either...now I am selling my big 4 x 12's -btw, I play a boogie Coliseum 300 watt monster thru the Thiele and the EV never breaks a (cold) sweat 8)..but,hell..I luv em all..I have a half back 4x12 that nobody is gettin!!!bottom line, certain cabs are better with certain heads...part of that ol' tone chain!
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: cnotold on July 10, 2007, 02:21:16 AM
1x12, 2x12, 4x12 sounds all different due to the size difference. compare the sound through 2x12 and 4x12 with the same head, you will be surprised how different they sound =) and of course you gain a lot more bass with 4x12
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: sambo on July 10, 2007, 09:40:11 AM
Quote from: Crazy_Joe
Quote from: sambo
Quote from: Crazy_Joe

 if you need to play loud you get a 4x12,


if you need to play loud you turn the little knob labeled "volume", a few degrees clockwise...  :wink:


I was talking about larger sized gigs, i'm not talking about pubs or small clubs.


any larger sized gig will pretty much definitely have a PA and mic up the amps... so you could play with a Tiny Terror for all they care.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: simonp on July 10, 2007, 09:51:46 AM
Quote from: _tom_
For the image, a 4x12 does look cooler. 50w valve into a 2x12 is plenty loud enough for anything, if you think otherwise you must have bad hearing, or have never heard of something called a PA :lol:


Have to agree here. I've just got a Cornford MK50H and 2x12 cab, and I reckon this sounds fatter than my old Marshall 4x12 I had some years back. Seems like a great combination for most gigs, and saves on back operations too :lol:
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: _tom_ on July 10, 2007, 10:48:16 AM
Quote from: sambo
Quote from: Crazy_Joe
Quote from: sambo
Quote from: Crazy_Joe

 if you need to play loud you get a 4x12,


if you need to play loud you turn the little knob labeled "volume", a few degrees clockwise...  :wink:


I was talking about larger sized gigs, i'm not talking about pubs or small clubs.


any larger sized gig will pretty much definitely have a PA and mic up the amps... so you could play with a Tiny Terror for all they care.



Exactly :D
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: keano on August 30, 2007, 06:58:55 PM
I am curious about this too. For recording purposes only. Would the tone change between my 4X12 and a 1X12? since only one cone is being miked?
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: hunter on August 30, 2007, 07:05:10 PM
Best of both worlds: two 2x12, one closed and one open backed.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: Roobubba on August 31, 2007, 12:37:30 PM
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I like 4x12s for the spread of sound they give AND you don't need to rely on the PA so much.  I'm a believer of the old-school band mix... drums and vocals mic'd, bass and guitar backline LOUD (remember, this is what backline is for)

 :twisted:


You have to mic your drummer? I swear to god all the techs who've worked with our drummer cry when they see it's him. I've never seen anyone hit the drums so hard!!

Roo
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: sskint on August 31, 2007, 06:48:10 PM
I am thinking about a Palmer PDI-03 this would solve recording volume issues.
Title: 1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12
Post by: HTH AMPS on August 31, 2007, 07:40:16 PM
Quote from: Roobubba
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I like 4x12s for the spread of sound they give AND you don't need to rely on the PA so much.  I'm a believer of the old-school band mix... drums and vocals mic'd, bass and guitar backline LOUD (remember, this is what backline is for)

 :twisted:


You have to mic your drummer? I swear to god all the techs who've worked with our drummer cry when they see it's him. I've never seen anyone hit the drums so hard!!

Roo


yep, he's not a basher - got more of that late 60s rock drummer type of feel - that swing/looseness that drummers these days just don't seem to have.

mic'ing all the drums just gives the drums some extra punch/clarity in the mix and really getting them thumping so you can FEEL 'em in your chest.  

 :twisted: