• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

4x12 cabinets?

#2
personally I think it's all smoke and mirrors. Some would argue that 15's are lower voiced, hence better for bass. Other say they like 10's better because they are more snappy.

I think that no matter what size speakers you have - it's more about how the cab is built - how many speakers, voicing of the cab.

I have owned a 412 cab a 15/6 and a 810. Of course they all sound different - but I hear no difference in "snappiness". the 412 and 810 are both of course louder than the 15/6 - but that's because they were both in 4 ohm - compared to the 8 ohm 15/6 - and the fact that one 15" doesn't move nearly as much air as 412 or 810.

The formular must be something like this - amount of speakers x Speakersize x XMAX (how much the speaker can actually physically move) = amount of air moved

100hz move at 100hz no matter the size of the speaker.
 
#3
crusie said:
I think that no matter what size speakers you have - it's more about how the cab is built - how many speakers, voicing of the cab.
Click to expand...

This is getting to the answer. Its not about the size of the speakers, but rather the combination of voicing, T/S specs (displacement being a pretty important one), number of drivers, and the design of the box around them.

Phil Jones has stuff that goes low and he uses small speakers, but it uses a lot of them to make up for the lack of displacement and sensitivity. There are also lots of other really good designs out there that use speakers of different sizes. Each is a solution to the same problem, but with different trade offs. There will be some balance of size/weight/cost/loudness that must be met.
 
#5
Decades ago..I experimented with using a 4x12 cab I own atop my 1-18 vh Sunn folded horn cab.

I could hear the 12's and feel the 18. Overall sounded more articulate/ crisp.

I just didn't need that many speakers or power in that band.

I mostly used either 2x15 for smaller and 1x18 for larger venues..stacked 4x12 over 1x18 less than 5 times.

At least 3 of those were outdoors.
 
#6
12's are getting more popular nowadays. Especially the GK NEO 12's.
I have a GK NEO 412.
It's a monster of a cab. Articulate, punchy and loud as hell. It beats my old Ampeg 810 in terms of tonal possibilities no doubt (and low end).
 
#7
I run an Electric Amp USA stereo cab that is a 2x10 / 4x12. With bass speakers it gets the job done, it is the size of an orange ppc412, which is considered "oversized" but the depth is only 14.5".
I love Eminence Delta 12LFC's very nice speakers.
If I get another cabinet it'll probably be another 6x12 size or a 4x12 that's from the same make. I fantasize about having a pair of Eminence bass and a pair of V30's. I would high pass the V30's a little bit with a capacitor, try to make a subtle enough crossover(or even leave the Eminence full range and only high pass the V30's) so that the sensitivity stays strong.
 
#9
i've used modern Ampeg 412 guitar cabs (top/bottom) with Eminence "Modeling" speakers in them without any problems.. although, the cabs are packed with 8 pounds of polyfil each, and rewired with 12 gauge wire, using the shortest lengths of wire possible.. i ran these cabs with a 400RB and i never had a problem with volume or tone..

although, i would get strange looks and rude comments about using guitar cabs for bass.. right up until they heard the cabs.. opinions changed at that point..

the only problem is the weight/bulk of the cabs.. moving them became such a drag..

Geezer Butler uses guitar 412s loaded with EVs... these are the same cabs i use minus the EV 12s..

geezer_butler.jpg
 
#11
mouthmw said:
12's are getting more popular nowadays. Especially the GK NEO 12's.
I have a GK NEO 412.
It's a monster of a cab. Articulate, punchy and loud as hell. It beats my old Ampeg 810 in terms of tonal possibilities no doubt (and low end).
Click to expand...

+1!

I own and gig the Mesa PH412 but would also definitely consider the GK Neo 412 if you're looking for a lightweight single cab solution (it's less then 100 LBS). I'm very happy with my Mesa cabs and they wont be going anywhere, though a few lbs off of them would be nice!
 
#12
The only 412 I've owned is the Peavey TVX 412.

It is a beast of a cab. It will eat an 810 alive. It is capable of achieving low end response so low that it would never even be applicable to any serious musical performance (other than maybe dubstep or industrial or something). Mine still has the original Sheffield drivers from the 90s, which have a very dark, thunderous tone. I used it for heavy alternative rock for years and it was great. More volume than I ever needed with a 500 watt SS head. My only gripe about the cab would be the tweeter - it has a protection circuit built in that, in my opinion, is a little overly sensitive. It will cut off if you are playing with a lot of treble dialed in at a loud volume.

Overall, it is a fantastic cab. I recommend buying one if you can find one.

But if you do get one... prepare your back... and your anus...

Because you may very well poop out your organs trying to lift it.
 
#16
I'd love to try that 412HE cab. I periodically troll craigslist/ebay for them but haven't been successful.

I use the Marshall VBC 412 and I freaking love it. Sounds like a 410 but better.

It is discontinued (Marshall makes 410s for bass now) but I think they're still making Lemmy signature 412s.
 
#18
Im thinking of adding a 2x12 cab on top of my 2x15. I have another seperate 15 I'd use it with as well. I'm curious to see how it sounds
Click to expand...
If your ears are like mine, you'll love it. I'm currently stacking a Mesa PH 212 over a PH 115. The 12's surpass 10s for muscle but are a little more articulate than 15s. The pairing has lots of punch and enough pillowy bottom to do whatever I need.
 
#19
Greetings from the North,

I still have a Fender 412 Bassman that I may be doing a little work on, as in replacing the speakers. And not with dedicated bass speakers since thats what it came with.

I tried out a Peavey 412 TVX back in the 90's but couldn't pony up to get onr at the time. That was one nice cab. I always wondered why no one tried to make a 'Liter' version of it with neo's and wood that didn't weigh as much as the Peavey.

Rezdog
 
#20
Rezdog said:
Greetings from the North,

I still have a Fender 412 Bassman that I may be doing a little work on, as in replacing the speakers. And not with dedicated bass speakers since thats what it came with.

I tried out a Peavey 412 TVX back in the 90's but couldn't pony up to get onr at the time. That was one nice cab. I always wondered why no one tried to make a 'Liter' version of it with neo's and wood that didn't weigh as much as the Peavey.

Rezdog
Click to expand...

GK Neo 412 weighs like 2/3 of what the Peavey weighed. More manageable shape too.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back