1x12 or 2x12 or 4x12

[JamesHealey]

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!

[Bird]

Andy Summers is using 2 Mesa 2x12 cabs, on the current tour. Anyone here playing larger gigs please raise your hand.        :D

[Twinfan]

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:

[sambo]

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.

[sambo]

 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...  

[HTH AMPS]

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:

[Bird]

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)

[Twinfan]

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  ;)

[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...  

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

[shaman]

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!

[cnotold]

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

[sambo]

 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...  

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.

[simonp]

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:

[_tom_]

 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...  

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

[keano]

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?