Orange 4x12 for bass?

snowblinder · #1 09-08-2010, 08:09 PM

I have a lead on an early 70's Orange 4x12 cabinet, with two original speakers and two recent Celestion Vintage 30's. I've always wanted an Orange cab for guitar, but I was wondering how it would work as far as bass goes, whether the speakers could handle it, whether it would sound good, etc. I'm playing a GK 800RB currently, and thinking it might be cool to continue using my 8x10 with the GK's 300 watt section, and maybe the Orange 4x12 with the 100 watt section.

Anyone used an Orange or similar 4x12 cab for bass? What are your opinions?

smemm · #2 09-08-2010, 08:34 PM

Weird, I've actually been considering doing exactly this. Not too particular about what 4-12 cab, was leaning towards a straight marshall cab w/low wattage speakers. Currently running ric 4003 into GK800RB into ampeg 8-10.

taurus1 · #3 09-08-2010, 09:55 PM

I use a Marshall 1960B with G12T-75's for bass and it handles it no problem. Vintage 30's are 65w (I think?) so they might be a little more delicate, I would xover at about 80-100Hz and you'll be fine I'm sure.

mikenel169 · #4 03-16-2013, 06:30 PM

bringing this thread back to life to see if you have tried the orange 412 using a bass

Mr. Foxen · #5 03-16-2013, 06:33 PM

4x12s were made for bass. In an era when bass cabs were not very good and amps were 100w. You can use one if you have a guitary sort of bass tone, and don't try and eq in loads of bass, pull down any eq below 100hz or so, ad turn down if you get farting.

Forrrest · #6 03-17-2013, 09:36 PM

anyone ever swap out the speakers for bass speakers and see how that sounds as a modern high powered cab?

BassmanPaul · #7 03-18-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrrest

anyone ever swap out the speakers for bass speakers and see how that sounds as a modern high powered cab?

Typically a guitar 4x12 will have too little cabinet volume to make a good bass cabinet.

Bass_Pounder · #8 03-18-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrrest

anyone ever swap out the speakers for bass speakers and see how that sounds as a modern high powered cab?

It's not as simple as throwing new speakers in a box.

The cab is designed around the chosen speakers, not the other way around.

Forrrest · #9 03-18-2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

It's not as simple as throwing new speakers in a box.

The cab is designed around the chosen speakers, not the other way around.

oh
Mr. Foxen was saying the cab was designed for bass, but they've changed what speakers it comes with the cab a few times over the years. What kind of speakers did it originally come with?

Bass_Pounder · #10 03-18-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrrest

oh
Mr. Foxen was saying the cab was designed for bass, but they've changed what speakers it comes with the cab a few times over the years. What kind of speakers did it originally come with?

Don't know the original speakers, but you may need to re-read that post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

4x12s were made for bass. In an era when bass cabs were not very good and amps were 100w. You can use one if you have a guitary sort of bass tone, and don't try and eq in loads of bass, pull down any eq below 100hz or so, ad turn down if you get farting.

Mr. Foxen · #11 03-18-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrrest

oh
Mr. Foxen was saying the cab was designed for bass, but they've changed what speakers it comes with the cab a few times over the years. What kind of speakers did it originally come with?

Originally they came with really flimsy fane speakers, which is why you needed 8 to go with your 120w head.

Forrrest · #12 03-18-2013, 06:10 PM

ok.
it's just a Bergantino NV412 (36X24X15) is no bigger then an orange PPC412 (30.75X29.25X15). figured it's been done before. I'll have to give it a try and let you guys know.

Mr. Foxen · #13 03-18-2013, 06:16 PM

If you already have an 8x10, it isn't going to cover any new territory. Better leaving guitar speakers in it and using it for guitary tones than another really heavy cab with a really limited passband.

mikenel169 · #14 03-18-2013, 06:21 PM

anyone tried the Marshall 1960B as a bass cab. I do know its a guitar cab but wondering if it would make a good bass cab

Mr. Foxen · #15 03-18-2013, 06:22 PM

Lemmy has. Sounds like guitar.

BassmanPaul · #16 03-18-2013, 06:26 PM

I have used both the Orange 4x12 and a Marshall slant front 4x12. Had no problems being heard with either. However that was with a 50W amp (Marshall) and a 100W amp (Orange). With amps of that power you may get away with it if you're careful. Todays more powerful amps make greater demands of cabinats. I suspect the cabinets would be in danger.

mikenel169 · #17 03-18-2013, 06:29 PM

yea i have a mesa 400 non plus. About 200 watts tube, trying to find a 412 cabinet for bass where i am is difficult. I may purchase the avatar b412, just wanted to know if it was possible and or hear some sound samples....that would be nice

Calaverasgrande · #18 03-18-2013, 06:54 PM

the original 8x12 stack with a 100 watt head was designed for bass. That was back when guitarists all had 2x12 or 4x10 combos at best. So a bass with 100 watts thru 8 12" speakers was good enough. Then the guitarists did the same thing they did with the Bassman and stole it.
So this isn't whether you can get by using a guitar amp for bass. It's whether you like what bass amp technology circa 1965 sounds like.
Personally I dig the tone. I don't dig the schlep.

xuztujma · #19 03-18-2013, 07:31 PM

You can use one if you have a guitary sort of bass tone