Are 4x12 cabs really that good?

[northern_fox]

no

 

[jellodog]

Uh-oh.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I've only owned one 4x12 ever. It was a Carvin something-or-other with G12T-75s. I bought it for $80 from a drummer who thought it was broken but the speakers weren't all wired up. Easy fix.

I borrowed a Carvin open back 2x12 with V30s (sitting atop the 4x12) for a while and the 2x12 swallowed the 4x12 right up in terms of sound and clarity so I stuck with the 2x12.

The last time I gigged that 4x12 was maybe 2014. Sold it in 2017. Gave the 2x12 back and bought a convertible back 2x12 with Greenbacks.

 

[dk_ace]

They’re amazing, and they’re a PIA.

Other than hauling them around, the downside to know of is that they’re incredibly beamy. Directly in their path onstage (assuming it’s not too loud) - glorious. 3 inches outside of their path, you can’t hear yourself at all…

But I agree with Aiken, even at low volume there’s nothing like them.

D

 

[eggpl@nt]

My inspiration for starting this thread, the great Randall Aiken.

View attachment 15877

I think this is common sentiment over at SSO, but yes. If I'm playing through my cabs when my wife is home, I always use the 4x12s because I know they're going to sound good, even after she asks me to turn it down.

 

[Deadpan]

Seriously, my 2x12 beats all my 4x12.

 

[James Freeman]

Seriously, my 2x12 beats all my 4x12.

It's not nice to lie.

 

[Stratzrus]

I voted for 4 X Yes.

 

[northern_fox]

no

yes

 

[Life Eats Life]

I guess if you're going for a bigger sound out of a 1x12 then a closed back or ported can be the ticket, I just personally never liked them as much. Open back sounds more... open, surprisingly -- not boxy or congested generally speaking.

Sounds like rhe 1X12 needed a poop port or needs a Fatboy body.
- if they make the cabinet like a box,the cab will sound like a box.
LTFOL man!!!

 

[Life Eats Life]

I voted for 4 X Yes.

HELL YEAH

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Seriously, my 2x12 beats all my 4x12.

have you tried moving your 2x12 speakers to a 4x12 and comparing?

 

[Cirrus]

I prefer big 2x12s for higher gain stuff. An oversize 2x12 with V30s works for so much, I actually gigged an AC30 head with one for a while and it was very pleasing.

That said, I did have one of those purple Hendrix limited edition oversize straight 4x12s with G12C's in it. That was pretty fucking sick, but ultimately felt it had too much low end for what I played.

Last night I gigged a 1x12 combo, I fucking love that little amp.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

4x12's are lame. I voted 4x yes assuming this is what you meant. 16x12 or it's crap

 

[James Freeman]

yes

1x6 fans...

 

[James Freeman]

4x12's are lame. I voted 4x yes assuming this is what you meant. 16x12 or it's crap

View attachment 15917

Freddy Treble at 6! ... WHAT?! ... 6!!!! TREBLE..AT.. 6!

 

[laxu]

4x12's are lame. I voted 4x yes assuming this is what you meant. 16x12 or it's crap

View attachment 15917

I genuinely would love to experience this one!

Now imagine your rider says "Venue must accommodate crane to bring in guitarist's gear".

 

[Orvillain]

I had a Zilla 4x12 with Celestion Vintage Century speakers in it, years ago. I should never have sold it. But it was LIGHT. Very easy to carry. Lighter than my JCM800 cab and my Egnater cab.

The heaviest cab is probably the Recto OS 4x12. But it sounds fucking stonking.

 

[Iron1]

I've only owned one 4x12 ever. It was a Carvin something-or-other with G12T-75s. I bought it for $80 from a drummer who thought it was broken but the speakers weren't all wired up. Easy fix.

I borrowed a Carvin open back 2x12 with V30s (sitting atop the 4x12) for a while and the 2x12 swallowed the 4x12 right up in terms of sound and clarity so I stuck with the 2x12.

View attachment 15899

The last time I gigged that 4x12 was maybe 2014. Sold it in 2017. Gave the 2x12 back and bought a convertible back 2x12 with Greenbacks.

I used to have two of those Calvin's, but the B versions. Man those things ROARED. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I could find one. See A cabs occasionally, but the only Bs I've seen over the last decade have been local pickup only listed in Unobtainiumville.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Sounds like rhe 1X12 needed a poop port or needs a Fatboy body.
- if they make the cabinet like a box,the cab will sound like a box.
LTFOL man!!!

I like 1x12 cabs, and have 3 but they're open back. An oversized, closed back, ported cab doesn't sound as good to me.