Bass cabs - 2x10 vs. 2x12?

[ZiggyDude]

I am not sure if this is a common thought or not.

I have noticed that 2x12 cabs are getting much more popular with bass players. I guess this may be technology driven as new speakers come out.

I have an Ampeg SVT 2x10. It works OK. I am not a fan of the ports in the back thing. I have an opportunity to get an old Sunn 2x12 cab. The 1202 with the white face speaker plate through the black grill cloth. The speakers in it are not orig and trash - but I would suspect that I would need load with new stuff anyway.

I am not sure if the 1202 was a bass or guitar cab. The back is sealed and it has two ports - no tubes in the ports. About 25x25 and maybe 12 to 15" deep. But I think the box is OK.

Thoughts on 2x12 over 2x10?

Thanx,

- Ziggy -

[mjones06]

hey Ziggy,

Just went over this myself. I recently purchased a GK 2x12...I had entertained the thought of a 2X10 cab for price reasons. However, with the linguring doubt of truely being to upgrade my "thump" with a 2x10 compared to my 1x15, I decided a 2x10 was out of the question. As much as there's more speaker face, they are only 10's and I'm not confident they're great for providing a thump for mid-sized gigs.

Personally, I think stand alone 2x10's are really out of question for live gigging. I would look at a good combo 115 like the GK MB115 and compare if you want a 1x15 or a 2x12. I chose the 2x12 and I'm happy.

Of course, this all depends on your genre ;P (I play rock)

mJ

[iflemm]

Originally Posted by mjones06

hey Ziggy,


Personally, I think stand alone 2x10's are really out of question for live gigging. I would look at a good combo 115 like the GK MB115 and compare if you want a 1x15 or a 2x12. I chose the 2x12 and I'm happy.



mJ

+1

[jmattbassplaya]

I love my GB NeoX212.

[iriegnome]

I am sure you will get 100 people with 100 different opinions. Well, here is mine...
I prefer my 1212 over all of the other 1010's that I have had. Yes, I have had 5 different 1010's then the 1212 came into my rig. OMG.. This thing rocks like nothing else. It has an extremely old tone, but very high tech modern feel and vibe. Since I play Jam music - Modulus 5'er into a SWR Bass 750, I needed something with big phat low end nice warm highs and could handle all the power of my midrange. My 10's never could do that. My original Schroeder 1212 does this beautifully.

[rockstarbassist]

2x12s are the shizzle. I got 2. They rock.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by ZiggyDude

Thoughts on 2x12 over 2x10?

As I understand it, the smaller the driver, the wider the dispersion. So 10s will have broader off-axis dispersion than 12s - if that's important for you.

Originally Posted by mjones06

Personally, I think stand alone 2x10's are really out of question for live gigging.

I just did an acoustic-ish gig at a restaurant a few days ago. I played my fretless Jazz through a single 210 cab, which was standing vertically. I had to tilt it back a little, but it easily filled the room and - judging by the recording - was quite full and clear sounding throughout the house. Anything more would have been overkill.

I doubt it would work as well in a club or larger venue, but for smaller gigs, a 210 can be fine.

[BassmanPaul]

The trouble you are going to face is getting new drivers that will work in the Sunn cabinet.

there is absolutely nothing wrong with rear facing ports as long as you place the cabinets 6" to 8" away from any wall behind the cabinet.

I do use the 2x10 format but as a vertical stack takes up the same stage room as one I always use a pair. They are safer that way.

[Mousekillaz]

When you say it doesn't have tubes, I am assuming you mean it just has two holes cut out in the back. If that is the case, you would want to install port tubes cut to length for the desired Hz. for the cabinets internal volume. Very generally speaking I would shoot for a tuned frequency of about 35-40Hz (you can always cut them down) to start with. There are several programs available online to do the calculations and display a response graph. One tip from an experienced cabinet builder, is to add roughly 10% to the length of the tube, i.e.: 4"X11.5" = 4"X12.6".
Sunn products were very sturdily built. I worked as a bass player for a Sunn endorsing/sponsored artist back in the early 80's and used Sunn bass gear exclusively, for those tours. I never experienced any failures at all.
I'd say if the price is right buy it and have fun experimenting.

[logie48]

Originally Posted by mjones06

hey Ziggy,

Just went over this myself. I recently purchased a GK 2x12...I had entertained the thought of a 2X10 cab for price reasons. However, with the linguring doubt of truely being to upgrade my "thump" with a 2x10 compared to my 1x15, I decided a 2x10 was out of the question. As much as there's more speaker face, they are only 10's and I'm not confident they're great for providing a thump for mid-sized gigs.

Personally, I think stand alone 2x10's are really out of question for live gigging. I would look at a good combo 115 like the GK MB115 and compare if you want a 1x15 or a 2x12. I chose the 2x12 and I'm happy.

Of course, this all depends on your genre ;P (I play rock)

mJ

Yeah, I agree with this.

Was mulling over an Ashdown Neo 2x10 cab and felt that it didn't give me the bottom end.

Ended up trying and buying an Aguilar GS 2x12. £200 of a difference mind you, but I never looked back.

[mattsk42]

I would also say that a 2x10 is just fine for a lot of gig situations if you have PA support and good monitors/stage mix. I've rarely used more than a 2x10 live. Especially if you get a Schroeder or something similar, they can get very loud.