2x12 or 4x12

[jonasaberg]

A few minutes ago I got a message on my phone saying I've got a package to pick up, which means that the JCM800 I bought from Spadeace has arrived :headbang :jump

I've decided that my 1x12 cab won't do so I'll be hunting for a new cab soon. My intention is to use it for gigs when I get my band up and running. I've pretty much decided to go with Vintage 30 speakers but I'm still unsure about whether to go
2x12 or go full out 4x12 right off the bat.

Seems like the number one complaint about 4x12's, and what's holding me back from buying one, is transportation difficulties. Maybe I'm just stupid and need to learn the hard way but lugging it around doesn't scare my all that much. With casters they *shouldn't* be all that difficult to move around (or that's what I tell myself). Basically, if I can fit it into the backseat of my car I'll be fine. Looking at the dimensions, that should be doable, if I tip it on it's side (please tell me when I go off the deep end here).

On the other hand, a 2x12 is obviously more portable as it fits easier in my car. I'm still unsure if it would be easier to carry compared to rolling a 4x12 on casters though.

I'm also thinking about what would sound the best as well as look the best (yes, image is a factor...otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the guitar in my avatar). The last, and certainly not least, thing to consider is price. A 2x12 is cheaper, but not a lot. Used, there are plenty of 4x12's around, decent 2x12's are more difficult to come by.

I've been thinking about getting a Marshall 1936v and adding a second one later but the combined price would be higher than a 1960AV so I would be more inclined to just save the money and get the 1960.

Please push me in either direction (or a third...what about 4x10's?) and make my decision even harder ...or easier? :D

[Kostas Dee]

For my money 212s is the best combination.
I mean you got headroom,you got enough low end,plus its more comfy.

I used to play only with 412s but i realised that i was just showin'off you know.
The cons are way more than the pros.
But..
If you want it for recordin'etc 112 is the better option,dont rush to get rid of your 112..Chances are that you're gonna regret it!

Thats my 112,small venue rig

[jonasaberg]

I'm not getting rid of my 1x12. That's a totally different beast so I'm keeping that. This new cab will be an *addition* to my family.

[jonasaberg]

What about this; let's say that I have another guitarist, playing a 4x12. How well would a 2x12 mix with that? Is there a risk that the bigger cab overpowers the smaller one?

[Kostas Dee]

Will you play through a PA?Then you'll have no problem!
Normally when we're goin'live we plug the mics through PAs so all you need is the right man to adjust the volume etc.
If you're playin'in studios etc then he'll have a bit more headroom,but you'll be able to find your sound a lot sooner and easier than him.

[Spadeace]

Cool that it's already there jonas, gimme a shout out when you've tested her out :thumbsup

[jonasaberg]

Cool that it's already there jonas, gimme a shout out when you've tested her out :thumbsup

Sure will. Probably won't be able to turn up the volume that much until the weekend though. Goin over to my parents'. They live in the countryside so I'll be able to crank up the volume more.

[jonasaberg]

I think I've found something; a 2x12 vertical slant cab, built by Tube Town (http://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/product_info.php/info/p3100_TTC-2-12--REX-Vertical-Slant.html).

I ordered my 1x12 from these guys and they were great to deal with. This way I could even customise the cab a bit with speakers of my choice. Unless I find a great deal on something used I might just go with this.

[floydkramer]

I like how you mentioned it has a lot to with how it looks too...... cuz i agree.
I always dragged around a full stack 2, 4X12 cabs.
i know its sucks to lug around, but i still do it (not as often as i did in the past, but i still do).
and its not needed either cuz the house PA at most places takes care of being loud enough.

but for the image of your band.... nothing says we are here to kick some ass like a full stack. and no worries about your sound with a stack either, it will sound awesome. I know i should have grown out of this by now... but i havent and probably never will.:headbang

[eddiedbone]

it all comes down to the cab that you get. i had a 2x12 cab with 75watts eminenses in it i traded it for an older peavey 4x12 cab. the 2x12 sounded a lot better than the peavey and was easier to move

[Vengeance]

I like how you mentioned it has a lot to with how it looks too...... cuz i agree.
I always dragged around a full stack 2, 4X12 cabs.
i know its sucks to lug around, but i still do it (not as often as i did in the past, but i still do).
and its not needed either cuz the house PA at most places takes care of being loud enough.

but for the image of your band.... nothing says we are here to kick some ass like a full stack. and no worries about your sound with a stack either, it will sound awesome. I know i should have grown out of this by now... but i havent and probably never will.:headbang


:headbang :stupid

[smorgdonkey]

You may want to try another 1x12 to run along with the one that you have. I have a couple of combos that are open back 1x12 and they both have closed back 1x12 extension cabinets. Great set-ups.

[kb7010]

It sounds to me like you REALLY want a 4 x 12.. so go get it bro..!!!! if you don't.. you will regret it the rest of your life.. then after that 4 x 12 wears off.. you can always get a 2 x 12 to do small places..

one more thing.. using the casters on these is NOT the best idea.. unless you are 100% smooth with concrete.. no gravel or anything like that...

JMO for ya..

now go get a Marshall JCM 900 A cabinet.. or a JCM 800 A cabinet..!!!! :pimp :pimp

[jonasaberg]

It sounds to me like you REALLY want a 4 x 12..

A part of me (a pretty big part) actually does want a 4x12...but I've been hearing a lot about how they're a real hassle so the other half of me is holding back. I don't want to buy it and regret it as soon as I bring it home. A 2x12 seems like the sensible thing to do you know...and my other half immediately says: "f**k sensible! Get what's most rock n' roll man!". However, the 2x12 from TubeTown is very tempting AND it would still look cool.

I'm sure I'll go back and forth on this one for a while still.

[Pacer Guy]

There is always this option... Kind of the best of both worlds :)
Portability of a 2x12, but still gives the looks, and close to the same tone as a 4x12 :thumbsup
If your playing a small venue, just take one 2x12 ;)

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq336/pcrdlx/12982661.jpg

I picked up the whole stack for 4 hundred :thumbsup

[Bluesman001]

You should also look into something like I have, Lopo empty cabs - fill em with what you want. They have a vertical slant 2x12 similar to the ADA split stack. My regular 2x12 is only maybe 18" tall (no casters).
Click on the pic for better ideas:

http://www.lopoline.com/catalog/item/4507699/4541997.htm

And here's the vert:

http://www.lopoline.com/catalog/item/6611558/6475687.htm

[kb7010]

Bottom line.. if you are a young man.. go for it.. get a Marshall 4 x 12 and have a Marshall 1/2 stack.. :headbang :headbang

I can tell you one thing though.. people DON'T look at your stuff when you play out.. :nono ( other than other guitar players. ) trust me..!!!!!

a 1/2 stack isn't bad.. plus again.. picking up a 2 x 12 cabinet is not that much.. if and when playing small places and when you get to be a old man like me and some of the others..!!!! :lol :lol

just go for it bro..!!!!!! you ONLY live once..!!!!!
:pimp :pimp :thumbsup :thumbsup :pimp :pimp

[jonasaberg]

Bottom line.. if you are a young man.. go for it.. get a Marshall 4 x 12 and have a Marshall 1/2 stack..

...you ONLY live once..!!!!!



You know, that's sort of what I'm thinking. I'm in a place in my life with very little responsiblity (work and bills of course but no kids or anything) and no debt whatsoever. I know that situation isn't going to last forever so I'm thinking I'd better take advantage of that and get some kickass gear before I have a wife that says "no" or a mortgage that is draining my wallet.

[floydkramer]

:yikes No wife telling you no or you shouldnt?
No kids......
No debt..........
Dude,..get a stack right away or you lose!

[Kostas Dee]

You may want to try another 1x12 to run along with the one that you have. I have a couple of combos that are open back 1x12 and they both have closed back 1x12 extension cabinets. Great set-ups.

Thats exactly what i did with my "bigger" venue setup.
Open back ;)

I can rock any kind of "house" with those 2 :toast

[Kostas Dee]

There is always this option... Kind of the best of both worlds :)
Portability of a 2x12, but still gives the looks, and close to the same tone as a 4x12 :thumbsup
If your playing a small venue, just take one 2x12 ;)

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq336/pcrdlx/12982661.jpg

I picked up the whole stack for 4 hundred :thumbsupThats sick man! :thumbsup

[Pacer Guy]

You know, that's sort of what I'm thinking. I'm in a place in my life with very little responsiblity (work and bills of course but no kids or anything) and no debt whatsoever. I know that situation isn't going to last forever so I'm thinking I'd better take advantage of that and get some kickass gear before I have a wife that says "no" or a mortgage that is draining my wallet.

Word of advice... Do it know while you can :D
Wife and debt will kill a lot of gear buying habits in a hurry ;)
Get a whole Stack... Even if you don't need it :thumbsup
It's a whole lot easier to slide a guitar by the wife than 4x12 cabs :D

[broken_fusion]

I have 2 4x12 cabinets. i have been thinking of getting a 2x12.it is a tidy looking steup, a head with a 2 x12. i always play a half stack.but truth is its usually way to much for most places.
WHATEVER YOU DO. make sure you set the impedance on your head to match the cab.No faster way to burn up a Marshall head then to have the impedance mismatched. BTDT.

[jonasaberg]

:yikes No wife telling you no or you shouldnt?


Well...my girlfriend gives me this..."look" sometimes when I talk about maybe getting some new stuff...

but I always assume it's that time of the month or something :D

[floydkramer]

So what did you get man?
Lets see that stack! ..... get in now while you still can.:poke

[jonasaberg]

I haven't gotten anything yet. Waiting to get paid first :thumbsup

I'm going to see if there is any chance of finding one locally first. I figured I'd get a good used 4x12 but shipping costs on those will probably be pretty high so if I could pick one up from around here it would make my life a lot easier.

[Pacer Guy]

Wise choice on trying to find something local :thumbsup
a 4x12 weighs roughly 80 pounds :yikes Shipping would be a killer for sure :-x

[warbrill]

When I bought my TSL60, I bought both a 1936 and a 1960A for it ... best of both worlds. We don't really play there anymore, but when I first bought the TSL, we were playing in a club with a really low ceiling (or more accurately, a high stage for the room!) and I found that the 2x12 worked better in that environment. It's also a great extension speaker for my little MG series amp. Outside, though, there's nothing like the way a 4x12 projects. That's where I use the half stack most often. Indoors, I'm mostly likeing my Mesa RoV combo, but that's another story.