• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

12's?!! For Bass?!! Oh come now! Really?!!

Yeah I gotta say that I always enjoyed most cabs I've tried, but on a whim I gave a Mesa 2x12 a go. All I can say is it blew my mind! IME best of both worlds...but it could be that it's a Mesa hahahaha
The Mesa Powerhouse 2x12 is a deep punchy sounding cab. A bit heavy but in 4ohm configuration, it slays.
 
So you're trying to tell ME, that a 2x12 cab. is gonna be deeper, punchier, warmer and clearer than a 1x15? (or two 1x15's)? I'm a firm believer that 15's are the ultimate cones/cabs for Bass guitar, and now someone comes along and tells me that 12's are where it's at for Bass! Are you serious? :cool::cool::woot:
An anecdote: I had some really great results with 12's for bass guitar in 1992. I was a huuuge fan of John Entwistle and Steve Harris - both of whom used 12's on 4x12 cabs to the best of my pre-internet knowledge.
I sold a bunch of stuff and bought 4 JBL 2206's and crunched the #'s in a program called "Woofer." I had a 4x12 cab built to spec for those 2206's. Then I bought an empty 4x12 off of C.List. They said that it was Rod Stewart's bass players cab. I loaded it with 4 JBL K120's. I stacked both 4x12 cabs and played through a Pearce BC-1 - kinda like Sheehan.
I had wonderful, loud tone.
I've long since sold all of that gear. The 12's out there now are better in some ways.
So, yes, 12's are cool for bass. I use a 2x12 stack sometimes nowadays. But I prefer to gig my single cabinet 2x15 over the 2x12. They are all the same design.
 
Here's mine I just built , 212 Deltalites and an Eminence tweeter in a 46 pound cab .

S7300742.jpg
 
The Mesa Powerhouse 2x12 is a deep punchy sounding cab. A bit heavy but in 4ohm configuration, it slays.

I use a pair of 8 ohm Powerhouse 212's, and I agree, they definitely slay. They have a great tone and massive punch. I power mine with a Crest CA9, so each cabinet gets fed about 600 watts. For weighing in at 78 lbs each, they really aren't bad to move, and they're a very well built cabinet.
 
My fEARful 12/6/1 is great. My 1969 era Marshall Major 200 watt head with the 812 (412 slant face + 412 square cab) was not.
A single Acoustic 301 118 replaced the two 412 greenback cab stack and sounded way way better the the same head.

So students, what have we learned today. Some twelves are good and some twelves are not so good. Duhhh......
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon
Isn't it all about coloration in the mids the different sized speakers do?
For some the 15" is just the thing they love, smaller size different breakup and stuff...
Improve alsomthe punch in the face sound of an amped 810 - just OnSong want to carry it ;)
I justnplay a small sized 12 long throw plus compression drivér combo and it's fine. Not impressive by size or weight but good enough for my needs.

Edit: damn AutoDefekt typos... I don't even know what exactly I wanted to write to correct it -.-
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: madjazzbass
I have a Fender Bassman TV-12, which happens to be my favorite combo, I sold my 2-10 and 1-15 combos.

When I need to use something a "little" stronger I usually go with my SVT Classic through one or two SVT 212AV cabinets. I still have a SVT 810E and love it, but it doesn't come out to play as often. I've owned 1-15" and 4-10" cabinets, but these days my ears are very happy with my 12"s.

Your mileage may vary.