if you say 1x12 don t sound that great, recon I could stretch to a 2x12. Any recomendations?
What's the budget ?
Is this for "blues widdly wooing" as you mentioned in your initial post.
For the amp around 400, not too sure about a cab. Could maybe add a bit more for a cab. And yes, for blues widely wooing.
Tried an ac15 and an ac30 today. Although the cleans were nice, I wasn't too impressed with the overdriven sounds. So I may go with the TT. Which I liked. Bring on pay day!!
Also gonna get a dano DC 59.
Right, for £400-450 you've got a lot of options. For just over £400, you could get the Laney GS212ie cab, plus two two brand new Celestion Blue speakers (if you really would like blues).
That's the cab I would get at the moment if I was looking for a 2x12. I wouldn't go for blues myself, but then that's just my tastes. I've not used the Laney, but it's specs are good. It's a good-sized 2x12 ply cabinet (bigger size generally equals bigger tone). It's just that the speakers in it are sh1t. So a couple of blues from Lean-business.co.uk and you would be sorted. If you are concerned about swapping speakers, then don't be. If you've ever soldered anything before then it really is a piece of cake (just protect the cones from any drips of molten solder).
If you wanted a higher quality construction cab, then talk to MartinW about one of his Martamp cabs. He'll put whatever speakers you want in it, but with blues I suspect it'll be nearer to £500 than £400 (I could be wrong on that though). THe Martamp cab IS higher quality, but is actually a smaller and lighter cab (which is better for portability, but IMHO not quite as good for tone as a well built larger cab). It's the size of the Laney cab which attracts me.
Some folks might advise you to look at the Orange 2x12, but it really is a beast, and almost as heavy as a light 4x12.
If you are really looking for something than is reasonably portable, and also well made, then I reckon the Martamp cab could be for you. It genuinely is carryable in one hand, by it's top handle (it also has side handles BTW).
If blues are stretching the budget too much, then it really does all depend on your own tastes in speakers.
For cheaper options I like the standard Cele greenbacks for the "greenback" sound. A recent new discovery (for me) is the Cele G12K-100, which is a classy genuine all round speaker. If you like bright, slightly mid-scooped tone then the Cele G12H-30 70th anniversary is a great speaker. For a greenback-type tone, but slightly darker, with tighter bass, the G12-65 heritage's are very good.
There are a lot of good speakers out there, but what is difficult is knowing what your own personal preference is. Unless you do a lot of research , listen to a lot of soundclips, play a few cabs, and even go through a few different speakers in the same cab, then it's difficult to know what types of tone the different speakers give you.
For anyone wanting a cheaper, general all round good speaker, my advice these days is the G12K-100.
And I haven't even approached the subject of closed versus open-backed cabs. Do you know which you prefer ?
