Are 4x12 cabs really that good?

[Deadpan]

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

I haven't but have no doubt the speakers are a large part.

The 2x12 is a 1999 Mesa. It has the perfect balanced tone with as much low end as a Marshall 4x12.

If I was playing in a band I would use a 4x12.

For recording the 2x12 just sits better.

 

[The other John Browne]

I tend to prefer the mic'd sound of a 4x12 over that of a 2x12

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

"Looking for a drummer for a chicken themed party band. Must be named Dave, must enjoy fried chicken. Must agree to being called Drumstick Dave in all circumstances."

You forgot the obvious requirement for a chicken themed party band: "Chickens only. No JiveTurkeys allowed."

 

[la szum]

Maybe.

I still firmly believe there are ZERO absolutes when it comes to gear. It all depends
on the context. Some situations/settings and a 4 x 12 is just too damn much. I ain't
doing a Blues or Roots gig with a 4 x 12. No R&B or Soul, either.
I will always be a fan of all cabs and configs. More choices not less is freedom and liberty!

 

[la szum]

For example Mesas 4x10 open back cab is only 39 lbs vs 101 lbs for the Recto 4x12 Trad Straight.

Yup. It is basically a Super Reverb IR!!!

4 x 10 (and 2 x 10) Cabs do things other Cabs cannot.

 

[Rock Chalk]

When you want to flap the pant legs, only a 4x12 will do........

 

[la szum]

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

Yup. If you don't have room for the Cab to open up and disperse properly they are an horrific option.

I am also not sold on them being the best "low volume" option. If you want some speaker breakup
when using amps lie an AC-style Vox or a DR-style Fender then you are not going to get that with a
4 x 12 at low volume.

I also agree with what @Life Eats Life said about speakers having a sweet spot. At low volume it is
challenging to get 4 speakers there. Much easier with one.

Also, live and studio are different applications. Jimmy Page on stage at MSG = 4 x 12. Jimmy in the
studio not so much.

One option is never the answer for EVERY situation. Unless youz a damn fool!

 

[Stratzrus]

Maybe.

I still firmly believe there are ZERO absolutes when it comes to gear. It all depends on the context. Some situations/settings and a 4 x 12 is just too damn much. I ain't doing a Blues or Roots gig with a 4 x 12. No R&B or Soul, either.

Absolutely!

I love my 4x12s but have never even considered taking one to my Jazz or R&B gigs. I have used my Sig:X and a 2x12 though and it was perfect.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Les Pauls are that good, even if I more often play a tele

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I haven't but have no doubt the speakers are a large part.

The 2x12 is a 1999 Mesa. It has the perfect balanced tone with as much low end as a Marshall 4x12.

If I was playing in a band I would use a 4x12.

For recording the 2x12 just sits better.

I have a 1999 Oversized cab with V30’s, great years of speakers. Also got some 16 Ω V30’s from 1999 from an Orange cab, and 2000’s in a Bogner cab.

Honestly for recording, I’ve never heard a 2x12 that sounds better than a 4x12. there’s some good sounding 2x12’s out there but basically every single tone I like was a 4x12. Aside from cleaner/indie style tones, I don’t think I can name any tones that were anything other than 4x12’s

 

[dk_ace]

Yup. If you don't have room for the Cab to open up and disperse properly they are an horrific option.

I am also not sold on them being the best "low volume" option. If you want some speaker breakup
when using amps lie an AC-style Vox or a DR-style Fender then you are not going to get that with a
4 x 12 at low volume.

I also agree with what @Life Eats Life said about speakers having a sweet spot. At low volume it is
challenging to get 4 speakers there. Much easier with one.

Also, live and studio are different applications. Jimmy Page on stage at MSG = 4 x 12. Jimmy in the
studio not so much.

One option is never the answer for EVERY situation. Unless youz a damn fool!

I didn’t say they’re the “best low volume option. I said even at low volume there’s nothing else like them. I wouldn’t ideally want to run a deluxe or ac30 into one if I want their classic sounds, because those are open back combos and sound quite different into a 412.

I don’t buy the bit about the speakers needing to be a certain volume. If you’re playing at a low volume you’re playing at a low volume. A 112 is gonna sound like a 112 and a 412 like a 412. No amount of volume or limit of volume makes one sound objectively better than the other. And if I want the 412 sound and feel, no 112 is gonna give me that and even at a low volume I’ll be happier with the 412 if the 412 is what I want.

No small speaker or cab sounds like a 412 in the studio either. If you want the 412 sound, use a 412.

D

 

[Deadpan]

I have a 1999 Oversized cab with V30’s, great years of speakers. Also got some 16 Ω V30’s from 1999 from an Orange cab, and 2000’s in a Bogner cab.

Honestly for recording, I’ve never heard a 2x12 that sounds better than a 4x12. there’s some good sounding 2x12’s out there but basically every single tone I like was a 4x12. Aside from cleaner/indie style tones, I don’t think I can name any tones that were anything other than 4x12’s

Sure, I was referring only to my experience in my environment.

I have ran most of my amps through most of my cabinets and 90% of the time the horizontal 2x12 has the best results.

To contrast that, I have a Mesa vertical 2x12 that is more of what I would expect a 2x12 to sound like.

I like my traditional 4x12 too though. The OS is cool but has a crazy amount of low end.