Epifani 212UL vs. 2x 112 UL's. Advantages-Disadvantages

Basso Gruvitas · #1 08-23-2010, 03:37 PM

Guys, I love my Epifani 212 UL cab. It sounds great, balanced, and it is never "not enough" for any gig. I get lots of compliments on my tone so the Epifani is part of that compliment.

I am frankly getting older. I keep thinking about how much easier 2 Epifani 112 UL's would be to lug around over the 212. For those that have experimented with both, what are the benefits/disadvantages of switching to 2 112's? Should I go for it and not look back, or will I miss something if I switch?

Thank you for the input!!

RickenBoogie · #2 08-23-2010, 04:45 PM

Biggest advantage with what you've got is no money spent, and a sweet all in one cab. Otherwise, the 2x route actually weighs more, but you get to carry it in halves. 2 trips is better? Not to me, love the 2x12 format. Lightweight enough, and plenty of punch.

babebambi · #3 08-23-2010, 05:36 PM

If you are wondering whether you will lose any of your tone, my answer is probably not.

The tuning and internal volume are usually close enough that the difference is so small, it's neglectable most of the time. The only exception I can recall is the Eden 2x 112 and 212; big different in tone.

In your case, I agree 2x 112 would be easier to move around. And you can stack it the tall way, so you get the drivers a little closer to your ear (in a vertical array, if that matters to you). And you can just bring one when that's all you need.

On the other hand, when you are talking about 2x410 and a 810, then in some case ppl will find it easier to tilt and push the cab into a truck instead of lifting into a truck.

Basso Gruvitas · #4 08-23-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babebambi

If you are wondering whether you will lose any of your tone, my answer is probably not.

The tuning and internal volume are usually close enough that the difference is so small, it's neglectable most of the time. The only exception I can recall is the Eden 2x 112 and 212; big different in tone.

In your case, I agree 2x 112 would be easier to move around. And you can stack it the tall way, so you get the drivers a little closer to your ear (in a vertical array, if that matters to you). And you can just bring one when that's all you need.

On the other hand, when you are talking about 2x410 and a 810, then in some case ppl will find it easier to tilt and push the cab into a truck instead of lifting into a truck.

Yup, portability is my big concern. I like the idea of a taller stack from the 2 x 112's but how much extra load in/load out time it takes.

I think the 212 is about 55 pounds and 2 x 112's would be about 60 pounds, so I don't know how much savings there is either way.

babebambi · #5 08-23-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso Gruvitas

Yup, portability is my big concern. I like the idea of a taller stack from the 2 x 112's but how much extra load in/load out time it takes.

I think the 212 is about 55 pounds and 2 x 112's would be about 60 pounds, so I don't know how much savings there is either way.

I see it like this.

In situations that you can handle the 55 pounder easily, then it is just as easy to take one 30 pounder in each hand. It's in the odd situation that 55 lb. is too difficult to handle (narrow staircase ...) than you can take two trips to move the 30 lb. cabs.

It's not really about saving time, as I see it.

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 08-23-2010, 10:21 PM

Two 1-12s

Reasons:

1. Its super easy to lift a small cab from the front seat (second cab from the backseat) onto a dolly. IMO two small cabs are much more portable to move than one bigger cab. The dolly/handcart is key.

2. On really tight stages you can stack the cabs vertically for extra height.

3. On really boomy stages you can stack the cabs vertically for less stage coupling.

4. You can take just one cab to rehearsals or small cafe gigs.

5. With the stack either vertical or horizontal you *will* hear yourself better, as the top driver is closer to your ears.

6. I have one for sale!

sobie18 · #7 08-23-2010, 10:52 PM

Rock the 212!

Basso Gruvitas · #8 08-24-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Two 1-12s

Reasons:

1. Its super easy to lift a small cab from the front seat (second cab from the backseat) onto a dolly. IMO two small cabs are much more portable to move than one bigger cab. The dolly/handcart is key.

2. On really tight stages you can stack the cabs vertically for extra height.

3. On really boomy stages you can stack the cabs vertically for less stage coupling.

4. You can take just one cab to rehearsals or small cafe gigs.

5. With the stack either vertical or horizontal you *will* hear yourself better, as the top driver is closer to your ears.

6. I have one for sale!

I've been eyeing your cab bro!

I just wanted to be confident if I let go of the 212. If I decide to sell it, I will PM you.

Nightlyraider · #9 08-24-2010, 09:27 AM

I would stick with the 212, mainly because you already have it. The 112 stack might sound almost the same, but if the biggest selling point is ease of transport you aren't gaining much.

The UL212 is silly easy to just pick up and carry to your car. Two handed sure, but it is so lightweight that I often have more trouble getting people in the bar to move out of my way than anything else.

Maybe once I move onto a micro head I'll have to get different cabs, but I figure if my 212 is the lightest of my cabs and heads; I'm doing good.

Basso Gruvitas · #10 08-24-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightlyraider

I would stick with the 212, mainly because you already have it. The 112 stack might sound almost the same, but if the biggest selling point is ease of transport you aren't gaining much.

The UL212 is silly easy to just pick up and carry to your car. Two handed sure, but it is so lightweight that I often have more trouble getting people in the bar to move out of my way than anything else.

Maybe once I move onto a micro head I'll have to get different cabs, but I figure if my 212 is the lightest of my cabs and heads; I'm doing good.

Good points here. As far as weight, it's a toss-up. And I totally agree - the tone is the bone!

But for my 48-year old back and arthritic elbows, that 2x30 lbs sounds pretty inviting.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 08-24-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basso Gruvitas

I've been eyeing your cab bro!

I just wanted to be confident if I let go of the 212. If I decide to sell it, I will PM you.

chadds · #12 08-26-2010, 01:14 PM

I often find a single cab option works even putting it on a dolly. Two is two trips or on a dolly. A medium size cab is often tall enough to roll onto the backseat or in the back of a wagon or SUV.

::::BASSIST:::: · #13 08-26-2010, 02:19 PM

I get my whole rig on one dolly trip easily. Last week I walked for 5 blocks pushing the whole thing down the street.... no problem.

Two LDS 112s
Rh450
Bass in soft gig bag

Basso Gruvitas · #14 08-26-2010, 03:34 PM

Either cab is one trip on a Rock n Roller cart. Those things are amazing!

Now, would I stack them or place them side-by-side on the rock n roller? Hmmmmm

Jim Carr · #15 08-26-2010, 11:43 PM

I think you might find two UL 112s sound noticeably different from a UL 212--at least that's my theory. Here is why: Cab volume may be greater per driver with the 112 cabs. I guess we could do the arithmetic to find out, but that seems too much like work...

I have a UL1 410 4 ohm and two Epifani 210 8 ohms. One of the 210's is Tallboys old UL1, and the other was Gruuv's NYC t-210. All but Gruuv's old cab are B&C drivers.

The two 210 cabs together have more low end booty and low mids than the 410--which BTW is no slouch. Stacked horizontally they are taller than the 410, though just as wide and just as deep. Ergo, more total internal volume.

Weight is another matter. The UL410 is about 59 lbs (IIRC), and the 210s are 38 and 54 respectively. Obviously, the weight of the pair of 210 cabs combined is a lot more that the 410. I prefer the two 210 cabs for low end, but it is actually more work.

Of course the ideal is the single 38 lb. UL1 210 in one hand, briefcase with 3.5 lb Shuttle 6.0 and cables in the other, and a dual Mono bass bag on my back!

Doug Parent · #16 08-27-2010, 12:00 AM

Two single 12 cabs are a pain in the a$* compared to just one Neo loaded 2-12 cab. Been there done that and ain't going back. Two GS112's on a dolly had to be tied together with bungee's so bumps did not cause them to fly off in different directions. Add a rack on top of that, music stand, mic stand, cord bag, blah blah......enough already! Besides all that I have no opinion either way.

::::BASSIST:::: · #17 08-27-2010, 12:37 AM

^ But those aggie cabs are on the heavy side. If you stack two 30LB 1-12s on a dolly its a breeze to move... even with the amp ontop... my amps are all micros, so that helps.

Basso Gruvitas · #18 08-27-2010, 06:09 AM

Yup, I've thought about a micro amp as well!

**jlepre** · #19 08-27-2010, 06:37 AM

I've owned the single UL112 cabs, and loved their modularity (not sure if that's even a word) It was handy having one in each hand (for balance) and my gig bag on my back with my shuttle 6.0 in the front pocket. One trip! Plus they sounded amazing!

Doug Parent · #20 08-27-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

^ But those aggie cabs are on the heavy side. If you stack two 30LB 1-12s on a dolly its a breeze to move... even with the amp ontop... my amps are all micros, so that helps.

yes I fully agree and understand...but two cabs on a dolly/flat bed can move around more and jostle. It's not a big deal, but when you are rolling through hotels, back loading docks, parking lots with rocks, etc the less stuff to jar loose the better-thats just me. Plus more importantly, with the advent of neo drivers, say like in the Epifani UL212 I just traded, thats big box was featherweight. Anyway thats just my two cents, it's a picky thing but the less things I have to pick up and load in my car the better. However a said, all the advantages of single 12 cabs for stacking on tight stages are excellent reasons to go in that direction. I have a seperate mini rig for gigs like that however, which I can add to a 2-12 cab to make a three 12 stack. YMMV!