Cabs: 1x12 vs. 2x12 vs. 4x12 vs. 2x10 vs. 4x10 vs. 2x15

Texas Picker · April 27th, 2008, 11:33 AM

I currently have 3 heads ('68 Fender Bassman, Dr.Z Stang Ray, & '73 Hiwatt Custom 100) and 3 cabinets ('68 Fender 2x15, Dr. Z 2x12, and some no-name 1x12) in my arsenal.

What cabinets/speaker configs to you guys prefer, and why?

eugenedunn · April 27th, 2008, 11:40 AM

Wow, those cabs are cool..... I have never played a 2x15, but I am a big fan of 15-inch speakers in a 1x15 cabinet.

I personally have had the best tone come out of 2x10 and 4x10 cabinets. It seems that multiple 10-inch cabs can still move air for the volume, yet stay punchy because of the quick response of the 10-inch speakers.

Ol' Bugs Henderson says "four tens do it again"......I like that.

Ricky D. · April 27th, 2008, 12:00 PM

The set up I liked best was a BF Bandmaster head with two of the small Fender 2x12 Bandmaster cabs. Gigged this for about three years in the 70's with an 8 piece funk band. Can't say what kind of speakers inside - never took the backs off.

I usually stacked them on stage. Much easier to move than a 4x12. And I could leave one home sometimes. I kept a long speaker cable so that spread them out if we were on a wide stage.

10's are OK, but I like the low end I hear with 12's.

Tele-writer · April 27th, 2008, 12:12 PM

I like to hear the 12's howl too, but there are times when the venue begs for 10's

GoldieLocks · April 27th, 2008, 12:27 PM

Right now I got 3 - 1x12's, 2 - 2x12's, and a 4x12.

Nothing compares to a good 4x12 cab. even though I've never had my 4x12 any louder than 3 on my amp (Hiwatt Custom 50). Its still a glorious 3. I would use it at more gigs but most people listen with their eyes...Even though my 4x12 only takes up 3 inches more stage space than a 2x12.

I have to really crank my 1x12's to get the same kind of sound out of them.

Rumble · April 27th, 2008, 12:50 PM

I've got a couple 1x12s, a 2x12, and a 4x12. I stick with 12s because of the greater bass response compared to 10s. I only use 15s as bass speakers. I find 1x12 cuts though mixes well, and you can really have the speaker screaming. 2x12s is as much volume as you'll ever need and sound very full, but it's rarer that you can really push them. But if I was the only guitar player in a loud band, that's what I'd go with. You have to be looking for a specific sound for the 4x12 to work- a wall of sound. The bass can get overwhelming and the highs can get a little lost with 4x12s. You'd be surprised how well you can hear a good 1x12 next to a 4x12 because the screaming high end of the 1x12 cuts through the mix. But if you're looking for that big, big sound (like certain Zep, Sabbath, or Seattle rock), 4x12s is the only way to do it. It all depends on the application.

eugenedunn · April 27th, 2008, 01:12 PM

The right 1x15 can do it all..... Electrovoice 15L

Didn't Stevie Ray use 15's?

voided3 · April 27th, 2008, 05:09 PM

Oddly enough my favorite gigging cabinets for guitar have been 2x15"s. I have four 2x15"s: two '68 CTS loaded Kustoms (yes the poofy tuck and roll ones), one '70 Jensen loaded Kustom, and a Traynor w/ a CTS in the top and an Altec Lansing in the bottom. They really shove the air HARD when you need it to and if you double on bass you can still use them for that w/ the right amp. I use my Kustom K200 heads w/ them and they sound great for both guitar and bass. I have used a '68 Fender Showman with the cabs before as well and they sounded awesome. The nice thing is if the low end is too much you can just turn down the bass, but if you want it it's there. Oddly enough, the CTS bass speakers in those Kustoms are my favorite for guitar (same found in your Bassman cab I believe). They actually have a lot of top end to them that is way more musical than modern hi-fi sounding bass speakers; these are very voiced. The great thing about large ported cabs is they sound consistent from room to room since it's like having an open back cabinet, except it's always in it's sweet spot near a wall and the air off the back of the speakers is funneled towards you and the audience.

That said, 4x12"s are great too. I had a beat up early 70's Orange cab with replaced Eminence speakers in it and it had loads of low end and punch; it sounded very similar to my above mentioned Kustom cabs. They are kind of a pain to move though; 2x15"s are narrower so it's more manageable for one person I have found. They definitely have the quintessential rock tone though.

I used to play out with a Line 6 Spider 2x12" when I was younger and that always seemed to have lots of volume (but it didn't sound good at high volume, that's for sure; blame the modeling, not the relabeled Eminence Legends). Lots of guitarists in my high school would buy inexpensive 2x12" combos because of their volume per dollar ratio so it was a fairly common sight. I actually am looking at 2x12" cabs again because I want something compact for when I'm away at college most of the year that still can crank when needed. Right now I have a Carvin SX-100 1x12" combo and an Epi VJr. 1x12" stack at school, and I think I might convert the combo into a head and get a 2x12" to use both heads with (not at the same time...) as needs dictate.

With THAT said, I have played a gig or two and gone to rehearsals w/ my little Valve Junior 1x12" stack and it has worked quite well, too. Obviously, this amp isn't going to knock your teeth out, but it gets plenty loud overdriven or slightly dirty for club gigs and practices.

Conclusion? I think it's great to have a variety of cabs that match your situation and your favorite amp if you can swing it. Overall, I think a sealed or half-open 2x12" would be the best compromise overall for portability, volume, and tone. It sounds like the OP has a good mix of cabs to play with, but if you want to try something new, a 4x10 or 2x10 would be something nice to try. I actually own a beat up Sonic 4x10" guitar cab (sealed back), but I didn't mention it since the speakers that are in it are voiced more like modern bass speakers so I thought it wouldn't be a fair comparison. Have fun!

eugenedunn · April 27th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Let's say you want 3 cabs to handle the following situations:
"Grab N' Go Jam" lightweight portability with decent tone

"Move Some Air Jam" more substantial able to hang with full band, but not a big gig.

"Kick out the Jams" maximum firepower, yet you don't have a roady to carry it......

I like a 1x10, 1x15 and 4x10, respectively, for those scenarios..... Ok anybody else?

Rumble · April 27th, 2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

Let's say you want 3 cabs to handle the following situations:
"Grab N' Go Jam" lightweight portability with decent tone

"Move Some Air Jam" more substantial able to hang with full band, but not a big gig.

"Kick out the Jams" maximum firepower, yet you don't have a roady to carry it......

I'd say that 2 cabinets can handle all of those functions- I'd go with a 1x12" and a 2x12".

My AC15 covers the grab-n-go portability and decent tone, and it is also plenty for most full band situations. My 212 Blues Deville will get as loud as just about any 4x12, so it covers the move-some-air and the maximum firepower. I wouldn't even break out the Marshall 4x12 unless I was looking for a very specific tone in the studio or had roadies to tote it around.

Rob DiStefano · April 28th, 2008, 08:16 AM

+1 on a 1x15

Wardpike · April 28th, 2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

I personally have had the best tone come out of 2x10 and 4x10 cabinets. It seems that multiple 10-inch cabs can still move air for the volume, yet stay punchy because of the quick response of the 10-inch speakers.

Ol' Bugs Henderson says "four tens do it again"......I like that.

Personally, I'm a big fan of 10" speakers also. I've been looking for a couple of 4x10 cabs to put underneath 1 Vox AC30 and 1 Dr. Z Maz38 to complete my live "backline" rig.

I have to agree with Eugene that nothing beats the punch and response of 10s. 12s usually need a substantial amount of volume to really start moving the amount of air you want to duplicate the 'feel' or whallop you can get from 10s.

JMHO!

6942 · April 28th, 2008, 10:20 AM

Unless you are gigging in a reasonably large venue.
A 1 x 12.......or 2 x 10.....works well in most situations.
I have a 1 x 10 cab at home.....but it sound too thin?
I too like the "speed" of 10" speakers....but the right 12" speaker in an open-backed 1 x 12 cabinet can sound quite alluring!

Steve

chabby · April 28th, 2008, 07:35 PM

Bogner 1x12. Why? Because the way they design the cabinet makes a nice portable unit that sounds like a 4x12. How they do it? go to their website and it's explained pretty good. Before this speaker configuration, I liked either 2x12 or 4x12 cabs best. I guess the best explanation as to why I used to like multiple versus single 12's is because of definition and clarity. Until the Bogners I was never able to get def, seperation and clarity form 1x12's like I got from 2x12 and 4x12's. My favorite is the 1x12 closed back SHiva dual ported cabinet - just amazing sound and has to be heard in-person to be believed!

here it is:
http://www.bogneramplification.com/c...hop/index.html

April 27th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Texas Picker TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 29	Cabs: 1x12 vs. 2x12 vs. 4x12 vs. 2x10 vs. 4x10 vs. 2x15 I currently have 3 heads ('68 Fender Bassman, Dr.Z Stang Ray, & '73 Hiwatt Custom 100) and 3 cabinets ('68 Fender 2x15, Dr. Z 2x12, and some no-name 1x12) in my arsenal. What cabinets/speaker configs to you guys prefer, and why? __________________ www.youtube.com/profile?user=ZamarGeetar www.myspace.com/ZamarGuitar

April 27th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tele-writer Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: just below macongausaterra Posts: 131	I like to hear the 12's howl too, but there are times when the venue begs for 10's Last edited by Tele-writer; April 27th, 2008 at 12:14 PM. Reason: woops

April 27th, 2008, 12:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
GoldieLocks Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abbotsford B.C. Posts: 837	cabs? Right now I got 3 - 1x12's, 2 - 2x12's, and a 4x12. Nothing compares to a good 4x12 cab. even though I've never had my 4x12 any louder than 3 on my amp (Hiwatt Custom 50). Its still a glorious 3. I would use it at more gigs but most people listen with their eyes...Even though my 4x12 only takes up 3 inches more stage space than a 2x12. I have to really crank my 1x12's to get the same kind of sound out of them. __________________ "How little I know inspires me tremendously! I'm a huge fan of other people's playing." Bonnie Raitt

April 27th, 2008, 11:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 55 Posts: 839 37 Photos	Wow, those cabs are cool..... I have never played a 2x15, but I am a big fan of 15-inch speakers in a 1x15 cabinet. I personally have had the best tone come out of 2x10 and 4x10 cabinets. It seems that multiple 10-inch cabs can still move air for the volume, yet stay punchy because of the quick response of the 10-inch speakers. Ol' Bugs Henderson says "four tens do it again"......I like that.

April 27th, 2008, 12:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 57 Posts: 969	The set up I liked best was a BF Bandmaster head with two of the small Fender 2x12 Bandmaster cabs. Gigged this for about three years in the 70's with an 8 piece funk band. Can't say what kind of speakers inside - never took the backs off. I usually stacked them on stage. Much easier to move than a 4x12. And I could leave one home sometimes. I kept a long speaker cable so that spread them out if we were on a wide stage. 10's are OK, but I like the low end I hear with 12's.

April 27th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rumble Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Age: 37 Posts: 1,142	I've got a couple 1x12s, a 2x12, and a 4x12. I stick with 12s because of the greater bass response compared to 10s. I only use 15s as bass speakers. I find 1x12 cuts though mixes well, and you can really have the speaker screaming. 2x12s is as much volume as you'll ever need and sound very full, but it's rarer that you can really push them. But if I was the only guitar player in a loud band, that's what I'd go with. You have to be looking for a specific sound for the 4x12 to work- a wall of sound. The bass can get overwhelming and the highs can get a little lost with 4x12s. You'd be surprised how well you can hear a good 1x12 next to a 4x12 because the screaming high end of the 1x12 cuts through the mix. But if you're looking for that big, big sound (like certain Zep, Sabbath, or Seattle rock), 4x12s is the only way to do it. It all depends on the application.

April 27th, 2008, 01:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 55 Posts: 839 37 Photos	The right 1x15 can do it all..... Electrovoice 15L Didn't Stevie Ray use 15's?

April 27th, 2008, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
voided3 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 737	Oddly enough my favorite gigging cabinets for guitar have been 2x15"s. I have four 2x15"s: two '68 CTS loaded Kustoms (yes the poofy tuck and roll ones), one '70 Jensen loaded Kustom, and a Traynor w/ a CTS in the top and an Altec Lansing in the bottom. They really shove the air HARD when you need it to and if you double on bass you can still use them for that w/ the right amp. I use my Kustom K200 heads w/ them and they sound great for both guitar and bass. I have used a '68 Fender Showman with the cabs before as well and they sounded awesome. The nice thing is if the low end is too much you can just turn down the bass, but if you want it it's there. Oddly enough, the CTS bass speakers in those Kustoms are my favorite for guitar (same found in your Bassman cab I believe). They actually have a lot of top end to them that is way more musical than modern hi-fi sounding bass speakers; these are very voiced. The great thing about large ported cabs is they sound consistent from room to room since it's like having an open back cabinet, except it's always in it's sweet spot near a wall and the air off the back of the speakers is funneled towards you and the audience. That said, 4x12"s are great too. I had a beat up early 70's Orange cab with replaced Eminence speakers in it and it had loads of low end and punch; it sounded very similar to my above mentioned Kustom cabs. They are kind of a pain to move though; 2x15"s are narrower so it's more manageable for one person I have found. They definitely have the quintessential rock tone though. I used to play out with a Line 6 Spider 2x12" when I was younger and that always seemed to have lots of volume (but it didn't sound good at high volume, that's for sure; blame the modeling, not the relabeled Eminence Legends). Lots of guitarists in my high school would buy inexpensive 2x12" combos because of their volume per dollar ratio so it was a fairly common sight. I actually am looking at 2x12" cabs again because I want something compact for when I'm away at college most of the year that still can crank when needed. Right now I have a Carvin SX-100 1x12" combo and an Epi VJr. 1x12" stack at school, and I think I might convert the combo into a head and get a 2x12" to use both heads with (not at the same time...) as needs dictate. With THAT said, I have played a gig or two and gone to rehearsals w/ my little Valve Junior 1x12" stack and it has worked quite well, too. Obviously, this amp isn't going to knock your teeth out, but it gets plenty loud overdriven or slightly dirty for club gigs and practices. Conclusion? I think it's great to have a variety of cabs that match your situation and your favorite amp if you can swing it. Overall, I think a sealed or half-open 2x12" would be the best compromise overall for portability, volume, and tone. It sounds like the OP has a good mix of cabs to play with, but if you want to try something new, a 4x10 or 2x10 would be something nice to try. I actually own a beat up Sonic 4x10" guitar cab (sealed back), but I didn't mention it since the speakers that are in it are voiced more like modern bass speakers so I thought it wouldn't be a fair comparison. Have fun!

April 27th, 2008, 11:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 55 Posts: 839 37 Photos	Let's say you want 3 cabs to handle the following situations: "Grab N' Go Jam" lightweight portability with decent tone "Move Some Air Jam" more substantial able to hang with full band, but not a big gig. "Kick out the Jams" maximum firepower, yet you don't have a roady to carry it...... I like a 1x10, 1x15 and 4x10, respectively, for those scenarios..... Ok anybody else?

April 28th, 2008, 08:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,918	+1 on a 1x15

April 28th, 2008, 10:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,633	Unless you are gigging in a reasonably large venue. A 1 x 12.......or 2 x 10.....works well in most situations. I have a 1 x 10 cab at home.....but it sound too thin? I too like the "speed" of 10" speakers....but the right 12" speaker in an open-backed 1 x 12 cabinet can sound quite alluring! Steve

April 28th, 2008, 07:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,264	Bogner 1x12. Why? Because the way they design the cabinet makes a nice portable unit that sounds like a 4x12. How they do it? go to their website and it's explained pretty good. Before this speaker configuration, I liked either 2x12 or 4x12 cabs best. I guess the best explanation as to why I used to like multiple versus single 12's is because of definition and clarity. Until the Bogners I was never able to get def, seperation and clarity form 1x12's like I got from 2x12 and 4x12's. My favorite is the 1x12 closed back SHiva dual ported cabinet - just amazing sound and has to be heard in-person to be believed! here it is: http://www.bogneramplification.com/c...hop/index.html