4x12 Comeback?

[TJontheRoad]

I played 2 shows this weekend at different venues. Small local bar gigs with 4 original acts lined up back to back each night. Half of those acts featured electric guitar prominently and 3 of those had 4x12 cabs blasting away. I was kinda surprised to see that many rolling in and out the front door. Shit was loud and proud like the old days. So much for the trend to direct to the PA. Those kids wanna rock!!!

 

[TJontheRoad]

FWIW, I play 2 keyboards in my current band. I kinda dread lugging the whole rig back and forth for gigs. No way, if I was playing guitar, would I be dragging a 4x12 cab around. I guess I’m just an old fart anymore.

 

[banned]

DV Mark weighs 40lbs and it sounds great (maybe not for metal etc.)

 

[spawnofthesith]

 

[T Gobbs]

Could they not afford a sound guy anymore?

 

[RaceU4her]

i love quiet stages, i really dont want to hear anything else but the drums if i could plug into my iphone and go right to FOH with just a little guitar in my monitor, not have to deal with loading in heavy 4x12 and tube amps which are probably gonna blow up mid song, im cool lol. big amps and 4x12s are fun at practice at the jam space

 

[TJontheRoad]

Could they not afford a sound guy anymore?

I don't think they cared about the sound guy (if ya' know what I mean).

 

[PatF]

I saw a skinny kid drag his Fryette 4x12 off the stage last night by himself. Wasn't too loud. Sounded excellent. They had their stuff off the stage in like 5 minutes.

 

[James Freeman]

4x12 is life, 4x12 is freedom.

 

[Dave Lewis]

A couple of years ago a guitar teacher friend had a new lad sign up for some lessons .
He asked if he could bring his own amp ?
Teacher said yes .
Door bell rings and he’s standing there with a JCM 900 and a 4 X 12 Marshall cabinet.

 

[newholland]

theyre definitely my preferred loud drummer/no pa solution if a band has a van.

these days, i need to drive myself around in a car. i still have a 412 that fits between the wheel wells if my car, but it stays at home. with evms in half of it.. thats gonna hurt me more than it helps

i gotta say though, i really prefer open backs these days anyhow just cause its easier to hear.. but volume weapons havent lost their allure

 

[Dave Lewis]

My 4 X 12 & 2 X 12 cabinets don’t leave the building .
Ive got to clear space to get another 4X 12 Orange cab in to stack on top of the one I already have

 

[OrganicZed]

My 4 X 12 & 2 X 12 cabinets don’t leave the building .
Ive got to clear space to get another 4X 12 Orange cab in to stack on top of the one I already have

I don't actually like the sound of a full stack. The top cab doesn't get the bass boost from being on the ground and it is aimed at your head when you're standing in front of it. I disassembled my full stack and setup the cabs as a stereo pair instead. I greatly prefer the sound that way.

 

[HotRats]

I use a 2x12 and I'm not going back to a 4x12 only because:

1. I move the cab to our rehearsal space and back home each time; I'd rather buy a second 2x12 to leave at our space and eventually go for a two 2x12 set up for outside gigs. but damn, cabs have become too expensive to justify that;
2. the other player use a 1x12 combo and has no intention to go bigger, therefore a 2x12 is a better match;
3. after all, with this band, I'm pretty happy with my 2x12 and don't really feel the need for the 4x12 sound.

 

[dronerstone]

DV Mark weighs 40lbs and it sounds great (maybe not for metal etc.)

Nah, with the right amp they're very probably fine for metal just as well.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Every time I see an old, beat up 4x12 on stage, I smile. I know this guy is going to kill it.

 

[ispunk]

4x12 Comeback? LOL They never left

i love quiet stages, i really dont want to hear anything else but the drums if i could plug into my iphone and go right to FOH with just a little guitar in my monitor, not have to deal with loading in heavy 4x12 and tube amps which are probably gonna blow up mid song, im cool lol. big amps and 4x12s are fun at practice at the jam space

Blasphemer

 

[Senor Blues]

I love 4 x 12s. I used one with a zvex half watt tube nanohead at home. Was still loud enough for apartment neighbors to call the cops.

 

[banned]

Rule#1 - do not ask me to use IEMs
Rule#2 - do not ask me to FRFR when I have a 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 behind me. I'll take some monitor mix for sure but let me have my cabs.

Lastly, 4x12s are awesomesauce

 

[dronerstone]

Rule#1 - do not ask me to use IEMs
Rule#2 - do not ask me to "FRFR" when I have a 1x12, 2x12 or 4x12 behind me. I'll take some monitor mix for sure but let me have my cabs.

Lastly, 4x12s are awesomesauce

I'm a 2x12 guy, but I agree.