4-12 Bass Cabinets

**johnsonabq** · #1 02-02-2012, 02:51 PM

Hoping to get some hands on opinions of the 4-12 speaker cabinets. Either in general or specific experience. I tried one a long time ago and thought it was very "honky" in tone and didn't like it. Hoping they've improved over the years.

DrumsAndBass · #2 02-02-2012, 03:26 PM

I hear positive things about the Aguilar DB 412. There are others as well. I had two 4x12 cabs made for me in the late '90's. One had 4 JBL K-120's and the other had 4 JBL 2206's. Each of the two cabs was tailored for those drivers. I ran 800 watts to the K's and 1000 watts to the 06's. Each cabinet had it's own preamp. I used that rig for about 4 years. I used it to make a dent in the guitar saturated music scene of the Los Angeles progressive rock bands of the time. The sound of that rig with my '74 P-Bass with Dimarzio Pickups and Stainless Steal roundwounds definitely helped me make a dent in the thick and heavy guitar tones of the day. My tone cut through the guitar wash like a plasma beam. I just smiled as they ran to turn up.Equal sized Marshall stacks were smashed by my tone. But I confess that I don't play with that tone any longer. Nevertheless, I fully support your quest for 4x12's for bass guitar.

runmikeyrun · #3 02-02-2012, 04:28 PM

I've seen a few guys playing the old Peavey TVX 412s. Absolutely thunderous low end, but they're huge and weigh 100lbs. Plus they're discontinued and about as scarce as hen's teeth. I've been trying to buy a couple for the past 4 or 5 years and still haven't come across one for sale anywhere.

bertbass666 · #4 02-02-2012, 04:28 PM

100w valve bass head and two 4 x 12s stacked. Sounds familiar.

johnk_10 · #5 02-02-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonabq

Hoping to get some hands on opinions of the 4-12 speaker cabinets. Either in general or specific experience. I tried one a long time ago and thought it was very "honky" in tone and didn't like it. Hoping they've improved over the years.

IMO, it's not a good idea to generalize the sound of a 4x12 cab based on just the one cab that you've previously tried, since they can sound just as different to each other just as any other speaker size & configurations do.

seedokebass · #6 02-02-2012, 04:35 PM

I have a DB412, and I wouldn't say it sounds "honky" by any means!

I run mine with RBI/Markbass SD800. I mainly use the RBI's pre, so it gets kinda scooped and warm. Loud as hell too!

**johnsonabq** · #7 02-02-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

IMO, it's not a good idea to generalize the sound of a 4x12 cab based on just the one cab that you've previously tried, since they can sound just as different to each other just as any other speaker size & configurations do.

Oh I agree that's why I posted. At the time (the 80's) I was set in my ways with a Peavey 2-10 / 1-18 bi-amp setup. Then went to one or two 4-10 cabs for years. I've just seen the Mesa, Aguilar, etc, 4-12 cabs out there these days and thought I'd get more info.

CaptainWally · #8 02-02-2012, 05:03 PM

The Aguilar 4x12's are very nice sounding.

But, honestly, I can't imagine how you guys manage those things logistically, unless you're rocking arenas with roadie support.

JGR · #9 02-02-2012, 05:08 PM

The Berg NV412 is my favorite cab.

dog1 · #10 02-02-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

I've seen a few guys playing the old Peavey TVX 412s. Absolutely thunderous low end, but they're huge and weigh 100lbs. Plus they're discontinued and about as scarce as hen's teeth. I've been trying to buy a couple for the past 4 or 5 years and still haven't come across one for sale anywhere.

You can't compare tone between 412's. Just as you can't between any other size cabs.

I did have a 412TVX. It rocked with thunderous low end and crisp mids. Had a heart attack trying to move it.

**johnsonabq** · #11 02-02-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainWally

But, honestly, I can't imagine how you guys manage those things logistically, unless you're rocking arenas with roadie support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog1

I did have a 412TVX. It rocked with thunderous low end and crisp mids. Had a heart attack trying to move it.

Of course this brings up a matter I haven't seen discussed here yet... Getting a good preamp, no speakers, and... dare I say? In Ear Monitors.

bassvi · #12 02-02-2012, 10:05 PM

Whatever floats your boat, I guess..... I just got a Marshall VBC412 and it's my favorite cab next to my NV610. About the same weight factor as far as moving them goes :0 the Marshall is a seriously great cab though IMO. Worth the effort to move it, really. I like my light portable gear alot too, but nothing sounds like or feels like a well made, big, designed to be played loud bass cab, IMO.

Schpector · #13 02-02-2012, 10:33 PM

I use a Peavey TVX 412 with (usually) a Hartke 5500 head. The cab can get very loud and has great low end capabilities, similar to an SVT 410-HLF but louder, with a more present midrange. The cab can get just as loud as some 8x10s. Unfortunately, the tweeter is a bit too "clicky" for my taste, so I disengage it. Other than that, it is a monster of a cab. I successfully achieve a growly, modern rock tone with it using Shecter and Spector basses.

JehuJava · #14 02-02-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedokebass

I have a DB412, and I wouldn't say it sounds "honky" by any means!

I run mine with RBI/Markbass SD800. I mainly use the RBI's pre, so it gets kinda scooped and warm. Loud as hell too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainWally

The Aguilar 4x12's are very nice sounding.

But, honestly, I can't imagine how you guys manage those things logistically, unless you're rocking arenas with roadie support.

Man, I freaking loved my Aggie DB412. It has wheels to roll but takes 2 people to go up and down stairs. Supper smooth sounding, very deep but very punchy. I used it with a Genz GBE 1200. DOPE! Worth the size and weight.

I just wished they put those slider rails on the back...

**B-string** · #15 02-02-2012, 11:05 PM

I've been playing a G-K NEO 412 for the last few years. It gives me anything I want and sounds so much better out front than 15's and 10's I have used before JIME and IMO.

sKyLiNe505 · #16 02-02-2012, 11:11 PM

I have an aguilar gs 412 and my church has a gk neo 412. Both are great cabs.

Fair Warning · #17 02-03-2012, 12:38 AM

I was lucky enough to stumble upon an Ampeg SVT 412HE Classic! Hooked up to my SVT II it is my best achieved sound so far. The cab is rated for 400 watts so I try to take it easy on it. I can get quite a thunderous tube flagillating growel when I turn it up a little. Cant wait to gig it at the right place.

dukeisdog · #18 02-03-2012, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainWally

The Aguilar 4x12's are very nice sounding.

But, honestly, I can't imagine how you guys manage those things logistically, unless you're rocking arenas with roadie support.

My MESA Powerhouse 4X12 weighs something like 123lbs, has handles on the back, both sides of the cab, and bottom of the cab, as well as a kick plate and heavy duty casters. Comes with a slip cover as well, I have no problems getting it up and down stairs by myself (5'11, 140lbs,) And let me tell you, the tone is worth moving it around. Here's a pic:

**johnsonabq** · #19 02-03-2012, 05:00 AM

Can you buy slider rails for the aggie and others that don't have them?

drpepper · #20 02-03-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrumsAndBass

...I used that rig for about 4 years. I used it to make a dent in the guitar saturated music scene of the Los Angeles progressive rock bands of the time. The sound of that rig with my '74 P-Bass with Dimarzio Pickups and Stainless Steal roundwounds definitely helped me make a dent in the thick and heavy guitar tones of the day. My tone cut through the guitar wash like a plasma beam. I just smiled as they ran to turn up. Equal sized Marshall stacks were smashed by my tone. But I confess that I don't play with that tone any longer. Nevertheless, I fully support your quest for 4x12's for bass guitar.

Love the story! I can hear the Dos Equis commecial music playing...