1X12 cabinets

[Sufenta]

Exactly my experience. But Mike Dimin makes some excellent points, specifically that you really need to try them all, or as many as possible, before you form your own opinion. Everybody digs differently, dig?

Also a great point...unfortunately it's not practical to expect to be able to try various cabs out on a gig. In fact pert near impossible. So when trying 12s in a store environment, don't just stand right on top of the cabs. Make sure you get back as far as is possible. 12s tend to "throw", man. Most importantly, use your own amp for the trial! If they don't have one of yours (and I do mean the exact same model), then bring your own. It amazes me how few people do this.

Yep, I always liked the way my 2 Aggies sounded, but I recently got a Shure wireless and have been able to get off stage and check the mix from the audience perspective. Out there my tone is much louder, clearer, and 'chest thumpin'' than I could ever appreciate from on stage even with a 20' cable. I also realized I needed a bit more lows dialed in than I thought from on stage. I'm not saying its just the cabs, but as the last process in the signal, they tie in every process coming from upstream remarkably well.

 

[tombowlus]

Yep, I always liked the way my 2 Aggies sounded, but I recently got a Shure wireless and have been able to get off stage and check the mix from the audience perspective. Out there my tone is much louder, clearer, and 'chest thumpin'' than I could ever appreciate from on stage even with a 20' cable. I also realized I needed a bit more lows dialed in than I thought from on stage. I'm not saying its just the cabs, but as the last process in the signal, they tie in every process coming from upstream remarkably well.

I'll be honest and tell you straight up that the main reason that I use a wireless (also a Shure, BTW) is that if I use a cord, I am tripping over it all night - I tend to move around a lot, and have big feet, to boot. However, it is very nice to be able to get out in front of the PA and give things a listen. I can also help a new sound tech get a better feel for how we like to sound. And of course, when we run our own sound (which I generally try to avoid), a wireless is invaluable.

 

[Craig Garfinkel]

Yep, I always liked the way my 2 Aggies sounded, but I recently got a Shure wireless and have been able to get off stage and check the mix from the audience perspective. Out there my tone is much louder, clearer, and 'chest thumpin'' than I could ever appreciate from on stage even with a 20' cable. I also realized I needed a bit more lows dialed in than I thought from on stage. I'm not saying its just the cabs, but as the last process in the signal, they tie in every process coming from upstream remarkably well.

Exactly. Since going with the GS112s, I've yet to do a gig where someone hasn't remarked at how clear, fat and punchy my sound is out front. I've been doing some outdoor gigs with a Tower of Power cover band (fun!!!) on Thursday nights, and they sound especially sweet outside, eliciting the usual comments. What's remarkable about these cabs is that they're so warm, yet when I incorporate the occasional slap or pop...it's "sizzle city". After last night's gig I sat in with some old friends at a club nearby, and their bass player's Ampeg rig was, well... , yoo dig?

 

[Sufenta]

Exactly. Since going with the GS112s, I've yet to do a gig where someone hasn't remarked at how clear, fat and punchy my sound is out front. I've been doing some outdoor gigs with a Tower of Power cover band (fun!!!) on Thursday nights, and they sound especially sweet outside, eliciting the usual comments. What's remarkable about these cabs is that they're so warm, yet when I incorporate the occasional slap or pop...it's "sizzle city". After last night's gig I sat in with some old friends at a club nearby, and their bass player's Ampeg rig was, well... , yoo dig?

I only throw in an occasional pop/slap into my playing, but that may be what sounds the most improved between on stage and out in the audience. It has made me think about tastfully expanding that realm of my playing.

 

[MascisMan]

who here uses 1x12's in a club environment with a full blown pro PA,pro soundboard and maybe around a 300+ occupancy? Basically how do these cabs perform as stage monitors in a loud stage mix? Also in this situation how do the 1x12 cabs fill a room of this size?

 

[tombowlus]

who here uses 1x12's in a club environment with a full blown pro PA,pro soundboard and maybe around a 300+ occupancy? Basically how do these cabs perform as stage monitors in a loud stage mix? Also in this situation how do the 1x12 cabs fill a room of this size?

Given enough wattage, two 1x12's should do fine in this scenario. I have puhsed my two Epifani T-112's with my PLX 3002 (3,000w in bridged mono), and they had no problem keeping up with a loud stage mix. In fact, they took to the headroom quite well. Of course, I have a close eye and ear on the gain settings, as that much power into two 1x12's can be dangerous if you are not careful.

Conversely, the same two cabs driven by my 300w Walkabout in the same club tend to get a little bit muddy and somewhat lost in the mix. For even slightly smaller clubs, though, the Walkabout can push them fairly well.

 

[Craig Garfinkel]

who here uses 1x12's in a club environment with a full blown pro PA,pro soundboard and maybe around a 300+ occupancy? Basically how do these cabs perform as stage monitors in a loud stage mix? Also in this situation how do the 1x12 cabs fill a room of this size?

Surprisingly well. I power my GS112s with an Aguilar DB750, so that's 750 watts into the 4 ohm load. My rig is capable of being too loud for any room.

My band opened for Maceo Parker at the Webster Theater here in Hartford, CT. It's a 1200 capacity room (a cavernous room actually) with a very large stage and "full blown PA". The cabs sounded great...didn't even break a sweat. And actually, the bigger and better the PA, the smaller your rig needs to be. If everything's going through the monitors and everyone has their own monitor mix your rig should actually be functioning as your "personal monitor" anyway.

I've played all kinds of rooms in the last year, and my GS410/GS210 cabs have rarely left the house. And I didn't really "need" them even then.

 

[MascisMan]

Thanks Tom. Yeah if I were to go the (2) 1x12 route I would be putting anywhere from 500-800 watts into each cab with a PLX1602 (depending on ohmage, stereo, bridge, etc.).

I play in a fairly loud rock band. We play out often and I am sick of lugging my SVT-410HLF around (110lbs!). Looking to keep the same stage volume with more portability. I tried playing on (2) 2x10's but they didnt have the same depth as the 410HLF so now I am looking at 12's in smaller boxes.

 

[tombowlus]

Thanks Tom. Yeah if I were to go the (2) 1x12 route I would be putting anywhere from 500-800 watts into each cab with a PLX1602 (depending on ohmage, stereo, bridge, etc.).

I play in a fairly loud rock band. We play out often and I am sick of lugging my SVT-410HLF around (110lbs!). Looking to keep the same stage volume with more portability. I tried playing on (2) 2x10's but they didnt have the same depth as the 410HLF so now I am looking at 12's in smaller boxes.

I hear you. I used to lug around my Mesa Boogie 4x10 AND my Eden 212XLT. This does grow tiresome, especially once I got rid of my truck. Now, I can get by with much smaller cabs (though in truth, I am usually using some combination of my older EA VL-series cabs, or my Accugroove Whappo, Jr.). The Epi cabs (two T-112's and a T-110UL) do make it out of the house, too.

 

[MascisMan]

Thanks Craig and Tom again.

Craig~ Yeah exactly what I was thinking. Given the huge house PA's at the clubs we play, the only need for my cab would be for stage monitoring. The 110lb Ampeg is going to kill me I think. lol.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Some excellent points in this thread. Mike Dimin brings up a good point. Stages (especially hollow ones) do influence how a rig sounds. A great rig can sound boomy as hell once it couples with the stage. Lenny from String-It told me the best $40 he ever spent was investing in an Auralex Gramma Pad. After using one now for the past 2 months, I couldn't agree more. Before purchasing one I read the pros and cons on this site so I had my reservations. This will always be the platform which I stack my Berg HT/EX combo. By the way, since I am endorsed by no one, I have no bias per se'. I tried the Aggies, but they weren't quite the sound for me. The two Berg's with a GK 1001RBII, is one of the best rigs I have ever used. I know some say to use tons of power, but that GK at 700W is barely working. I can't ever see the need for more power in my particular situation. The compliments I have received on the tone of this rig with my Modulus Q5, have been nothing short of amazing. People look at this tiny set up and walk away shaking their heads. I am pleased!