As promised in another thread, here's my brief take on the new small Schroeder Light cabs that are '12' oriented... the Mini12+L (ported), the 1212L, and (indirectly) the 21012L.
I previously owned the 1212R and totally dug it. However, when Jorg introduced his Light line, I was all over it... sold my 1210R and 1212R, and moved up to the big boy... the 21012L. I've previously reviewed this cab, and continue to totally dig it.
I've been curious as to how the smaller 'Ls' sound, so here goes. I tested these with an MTD535 and a Celinder Update 5, using a WW Ultra and Thunderfunk550(a).
1212L: Same size, look, etc. of my original 1212R. MUCH lighter... my inexact weighing brought it in at 42 pounds (twelve pounds lighter than the R, which is a lot of weight reduction for a small cab). Jorg has updated the crossover (lower crossover frequency) and is still using the same selenium tweeter that I had in my earlier R version.
First, I HATED my WW through my original R (harsh and clanky to my ear), but the Walter sounds very nice through this new L version, indicating that the new L's sound at least somewhat different from the original R's. The new L seems to have a somewhat more extended low end than my original 1212R, and a much more articulate upper mid response. The lower mid bump that the small Schroeders are known far is still there, but to a lesser degree. The crossover and aggressive tweeter make this a GREAT funk/slap cab.... punchy, crisp, but not flabby. I kept turning the Walter and TF up, and it took EVERYTHING... no farting, no chuffing, no nothin'... just clean punch. I'm not kidding, I was POUNDING on the B string.... clean, clean, clean... amazing!
The 1212L is a wonderful gigging machine regarding the ratio of size/weight to volume. If you like the original medium Schroeders (1210R and 1212R) you will LOVE the new lights. If you are one who dislikes the Schroeder sound, my guess is there's enough of the original Schroeder R voicing in these that you still wouldn't dig them.
The Mini12+: This version is ported and 4ohms, with a 'bullet' tweeter. It is among the smallest of 112's that I've seen, and is VERY light... under 30 pounds. It is very loud, but does not seem to have the low end of the Epi112UL or GS112 (I'm going to bring the Mini over to LDS next week and do a direct A/B). I think this is probably due to not only the very small cab size, but also the fact that the internal volume of the cab is REALLY small... the speaker is mounted about three inches into the cab to make room for the tweeter (which is mounted in front of and at the top of the speaker), and the large handles set into the cab also take away 'cab volume'.
Quite frankly, I can't see any way that this cab would be enough to do even a small gig with on EB, at least with my tone requirements (I know some are using the Mini with EB for relatively loud gigs... I assume they will disagree with my review... don't quite see how they do it?). It is quite midrange dominant, and the tweeter is quite aggressive. It is a little too mid-aggressive voiced for me to use in a jazz type setting with an EB (I LOVE my little Bergantino for that). However, I can see where DB players might LOVE this box (especially the version without the tweeter).... very tight, almost compressed low end and lots of mid presence. I did hear a little chuffing through the port when I really started pounding on it, but that's pretty typical of any small cab that you are asking too much of!
For me, when you consider the small size and weight of the 1212L, and the relatively small cost difference between the 1212L and the Mini112+L... I would highly recommend the 1212L. The 1212L also has a much smoother mid response than the original 1212R, so for EB players, I would recommend the 1212L over the 1210L (which I haven't tried), due to the 1212L having plenty of articulation and punch, and by definition, more low end than the 1210L.
If I can get the 1212L to St. Louis (which is where my 21012L is at the moment) relatively soon, I'll do a direct comparison. My gut feel from comparing indirectly.... 21012L... similar tone, more volume and bottom!
Ken
I previously owned the 1212R and totally dug it. However, when Jorg introduced his Light line, I was all over it... sold my 1210R and 1212R, and moved up to the big boy... the 21012L. I've previously reviewed this cab, and continue to totally dig it.
I've been curious as to how the smaller 'Ls' sound, so here goes. I tested these with an MTD535 and a Celinder Update 5, using a WW Ultra and Thunderfunk550(a).
1212L: Same size, look, etc. of my original 1212R. MUCH lighter... my inexact weighing brought it in at 42 pounds (twelve pounds lighter than the R, which is a lot of weight reduction for a small cab). Jorg has updated the crossover (lower crossover frequency) and is still using the same selenium tweeter that I had in my earlier R version.
First, I HATED my WW through my original R (harsh and clanky to my ear), but the Walter sounds very nice through this new L version, indicating that the new L's sound at least somewhat different from the original R's. The new L seems to have a somewhat more extended low end than my original 1212R, and a much more articulate upper mid response. The lower mid bump that the small Schroeders are known far is still there, but to a lesser degree. The crossover and aggressive tweeter make this a GREAT funk/slap cab.... punchy, crisp, but not flabby. I kept turning the Walter and TF up, and it took EVERYTHING... no farting, no chuffing, no nothin'... just clean punch. I'm not kidding, I was POUNDING on the B string.... clean, clean, clean... amazing!
The 1212L is a wonderful gigging machine regarding the ratio of size/weight to volume. If you like the original medium Schroeders (1210R and 1212R) you will LOVE the new lights. If you are one who dislikes the Schroeder sound, my guess is there's enough of the original Schroeder R voicing in these that you still wouldn't dig them.
The Mini12+: This version is ported and 4ohms, with a 'bullet' tweeter. It is among the smallest of 112's that I've seen, and is VERY light... under 30 pounds. It is very loud, but does not seem to have the low end of the Epi112UL or GS112 (I'm going to bring the Mini over to LDS next week and do a direct A/B). I think this is probably due to not only the very small cab size, but also the fact that the internal volume of the cab is REALLY small... the speaker is mounted about three inches into the cab to make room for the tweeter (which is mounted in front of and at the top of the speaker), and the large handles set into the cab also take away 'cab volume'.
Quite frankly, I can't see any way that this cab would be enough to do even a small gig with on EB, at least with my tone requirements (I know some are using the Mini with EB for relatively loud gigs... I assume they will disagree with my review... don't quite see how they do it?). It is quite midrange dominant, and the tweeter is quite aggressive. It is a little too mid-aggressive voiced for me to use in a jazz type setting with an EB (I LOVE my little Bergantino for that). However, I can see where DB players might LOVE this box (especially the version without the tweeter).... very tight, almost compressed low end and lots of mid presence. I did hear a little chuffing through the port when I really started pounding on it, but that's pretty typical of any small cab that you are asking too much of!
For me, when you consider the small size and weight of the 1212L, and the relatively small cost difference between the 1212L and the Mini112+L... I would highly recommend the 1212L. The 1212L also has a much smoother mid response than the original 1212R, so for EB players, I would recommend the 1212L over the 1210L (which I haven't tried), due to the 1212L having plenty of articulation and punch, and by definition, more low end than the 1210L.
If I can get the 1212L to St. Louis (which is where my 21012L is at the moment) relatively soon, I'll do a direct comparison. My gut feel from comparing indirectly.... 21012L... similar tone, more volume and bottom!
Ken
Sound clean and smooth cranked. Can't beat 'em.
That's not to say i wouldn't like a little more ultra low balls, but i'm keeping the perspective of how LOUD this sucker is while at the same time being so tiny.
