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1x12 vs 2x10 cabs?

L

lttoler

Dec 14, 2005
75
1
Georgia
#1
I am putting together a new band and teaching a good friend how to play bass. I am buying him a rig to get us started but was wondering about what cab configuration to get. My bassists have always used 4x10s but I think that something smaller should be fine for small to medium clubs. What would be the pros and cons of a 1x12 vs a 2x10 cab? I usually go with Avatar when I get a new cab and for the time being we are using a GK 1101Rb head. Thanks in advance!
 
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#3
both can do an ok job but they both always leave me wanting, even the best of them. most people who buy small cabs like that end up getting a second cab anyway.

since you're springing for it, i'd get him the first decent used 410 i could buy for $200 or less. you won't run any risk of not having enough juice, and you'll save a lot of money because 410's are so common that you can always find a deal on one.
 
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#6
This is very subjective stuff, but IME a 1x12 never cuts it alone, unless the music is primarily acoustic.

A good 210 with a good amp like the GK handles small-medium clubs (less than 200 capacity) for most anything except loud rock.

A good 410 will handle just about anything except loud rock outdoors or on really big stages.

I have a Carvin BRX 210 and BRX 410. They sound virtually identical to me, the 410 is just MORE of what the 210 gives me. The smaller box gets gigged more because it weighs half of what the big one does.

If the 40 pound box will do the job why would I want to haul the heavier one?

Again, all IME and IMO...
 
#8
I play in a band with a pretty loud stage volume without any PA support. I used to run a Goliath jr @4 ohms. It served me well for 15+ years. When I finally blew a speaker (and I do mean blew, It froze in the frame from melting the voice coil) and couldn't get hold of a PAS 10, I bought an Avatar sb112 with their heaviest duty speaker and it too was a monster. It has better off axis projection and certainly holds up. Changed out for a neo and other than a weight difference, the sound is the same. I just lug 1/2 the weight of a 4x10.
 
#9
Keep in mind that everything is relative. I must admit that a well designed 2x10 or 1x12 can hold it together quite well within reasonable expectations. I prefer a 1x12 over a 2x10 in some cases due to the 1x12 sounding more muscular, but it comes down to voicing and cab design as well. 10's tend to cut better in many cases, but the right design is what really makes the difference. It really depends on how much volume you need, PA support or not, etc and what sounds right for your needs. If you start hammering a lot of lows, then will will use up a cabs handling capability in excursion and an amps headroom. Remember low end is what you feel, but some is required else its not bass to begin with.
Also depends if you want modular or cheaper and again, how much volume. As some stated, one 4x10 will be cheaper than two 2x10s or two 1x12s.
Any size cab can cut it, depending on your personal needs.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
both can do an ok job but they both always leave me wanting, even the best of them. most people who buy small cabs like that end up getting a second cab anyway.

since you're springing for it, i'd get him the first decent used 410 i could buy for $200 or less. you won't run any risk of not having enough juice, and you'll save a lot of money because 410's are so common that you can always find a deal on one.
Click to expand...
I had a 4x10" used Carvin ($150) and 'run' it with my RB800 GK amp it was great but now I'm older and I live on a third floor, now I have a 250 Black line Mark bass combo amp it has 1x15" speaker,yesterday I went to music stores and they are 2 used cabinets that I like: 1x12 Neo GK 300 watts and a 2x10" Fender rumble cabinet both are light ( the GK is lighter ) which one do you think will be better to buy ? at guitar center they have the same 250 Mark bass combo and tried it with the Rumble 2x10" ($280 used almost new) and I did really liked the 'blend' of the two different size and brand names of the speakers, I didn't test the Markbass with the 1x12" GK neo (it was at Dirt cheap Music store) next time I'll bring my combo and give it a try,but what do you think witch cabinet might be better with the combo amp ? Thanks
 
#13
filibertin said:
now I have a 250 Black line Mark bass combo amp it has 1x15" speaker,yesterday I went to music stores and they are 2 used cabinets that I like: 1x12 Neo GK 300 watts and a 2x10" Fender rumble cabinet ...
Click to expand...
The 112 will make better use of the combos power since you will only be splitting it between two cones instead of three. However, I would pick the one you think sounds best.
 
#14
winegamd said:
The 112 will make better use of the combos power since you will only be splitting it between two cones instead of three. However, I would pick the one you think sounds best.
Click to expand...

I agree, the 112 would make a better fit, but is there any chance the store could order you a 115" Markbass cab to go with your combo? It's probably best to match the speaker cab you already have. This is such a can of worms that sets a lot of TB'ers off into a tizzy.... sheeshhh....
 
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#16
There are some good 112 cabs out that are louder than some 210 cabs.
The same cab in a 212 configuration is louder than two of the 210's or their 410 version.

There are some 210 cabs that go freakishly low. Like an F3 @ 41Hz low.
Some honk like practice amps and wished they had real bass content under 100Hz.

There are some 210 that out weight 212 cabs. My 212 weighs 37 pounds, so that's a few of them.

There are some 210 cabs that don't have the clarity of some 112 cabs. Some 112s sound like there's cards in the spokes of a bicycle as soon as real powers applied.


The only thing the speaker size tells you is where to set your router jig so your hole is the right size.
 
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#17
Lowactnsatsfctn said:
There are some good 112 cabs out that are louder than some 210 cabs.
The same cab in a 212 configuration is louder than two of the 210's or their 410 version.

There are some 210 cabs that go freakishly low. Like an F3 @ 41Hz low.
Some honk like practice amps and wished they had real bass content under 100Hz.

There are some 210 that out weight 212 cabs. My 212 weighs 37 pounds, so that's a few of them.

There are some 210 cabs that don't have the clarity of some 112 cabs. Some 112s sound like there's cards in the spokes of a bicycle as soon as real powers applied.


The only thing the speaker size tells you is where to set your router jig so your hole is the right size.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, which 2x12 do you have that weighs 37 pounds?
 
#19
I have owned both Mesa PH 2x10 and 1x12 and personally prefer the 1x12. Seems like I get better projection, fills the room a lot like a 15 but has all the detail as well. Love the relative light weight of it too.

There are some great lightweight cabinets out there. I have been impressed by the GK MB series. My friend was rocking the 2x10 on stage and it sounded huge. When it came time to help him move his stuff it weighed almost nothing. I was surprised they had gotten the weight down so much without major compromises to sound.
 
#20
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