Budget 4x12 bass cab

[callofcthulhu]

Square 412s are awesome for stoner metal, if you can find ones that are actually built for bass.

I use the Marshall VBC 412 which is basically the same model of Lemmy cab mentioned earlier but rear loaded instead of front loaded, and much easier to find (though still surprisingly hard).

I have used this cab (albeit briefly) with an SVT-CL with all knobs dimed and it did not fart out.

All of which is to say if you do find a cheap used square arranged 412 in your search, don't let the geometry discourage you, as long as it was designed with bass in mind it'll serve you fine.

 

[lizardking837]

But yeah, easiest way to get loud is a pile of cones. 810 wins. Heck IIRC that amp can do 2 ohms, lol get a pair of 810s and make the whole bar deaf in single set.

My ears started ringing from reading that.....

 

[basscooker]

Exactly. OP lets hope you all wear earplugs.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Two 212s is the way to go.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Thanks for the help, I could also pick up a used 4x10 Mesa boogie, do you think I could get a good heavy sound out of that? 8x10 might end up being a bit large and with a 4x10 I may be able to add on a 1x15 later.

Old boogie 410? Word

 

[Aidenn7]

Fart in a mic and you get stoner bass.. Lol.. Jk.. Got to a speaker site.. Like a US speakers.. And get a schematic.. And speakers.. Go to cabinet. Maker give him the specs.. And see what it cost..

 

[Aidenn7]

Pm'd you..

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Peavey TVX 412. It’s an amazing cab and I own a bunch of high end cabs. If you keep your eyes open you can find them for a good deal. I got mine for 150 off Facebook.

 

[wave rider]

Wonder if there is a SWR 12-pack laying around for a good price?

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Wonder if there is a SWR 12-pack laying around for a good price?

I missed out on the SWR 4x12 a year or so ago and have been kicking myself ever since...

 

[JohnnyChatter]

SWR made a 412 that is awesome. Also GK make a 412 that I hear great things about but i have no person experience with. I personally like ported cabs for doom/stoner rock but that may be just a preference. They are less directional and fill the room better.

 

[CTBassGuy]

I'll chime in as I have both an upgraded 4x12 and an 810.

I upgraded an Ampeg V4 4x12 with Eminence Basslite s2012s for about $800 total, but I bought a used Ampeg 810 flatback for $325. The V4 is my favorite sounding cab: round, fat and warm (NCD!! I stood on the shoulders of giants and found my sound (Ampeg V4 4x12)). However, nothing beats the 810 for volume, punch and presence.

I've played both in a Classic Rock band in gigs, and for this use I think the 810 wins. It was stupid loud if I wasn't careful with my V4B. (Finally played my Fridge live; I get it)

For transport, though, the V4 is great @ only 65 lbs with the neo speakers in it. I can dead lift and carry it for a pretty good distance (and I'm in my late 40s...)

If you really want the 4x12, go for it; I love mine. The Ampeg V4, or a Vintage Vox 4x12 seem to be good candidates for speaker replacements with Basslite or Deltalite speakers, and can likely be done for under the $800 budget. BUT, for what you are looking to do, if you can handle the size and weight for moving, I'd probably go for a used 810 (or 2 at that budget).

 

[BogeyBass]

I'll chime in as I have both an upgraded 4x12 and an 810.

I upgraded an Ampeg V4 4x12 with Eminence Basslite s2012s for about $800 total, but I bought a used Ampeg 810 flatback for $325. The V4 is my favorite sounding cab: round, fat and warm (NCD!! I stood on the shoulders of giants and found my sound (Ampeg V4 4x12)). However, nothing beats the 810 for volume, punch and presence.

I've played both in a Classic Rock band in gigs, and for this use I think the 810 wins. It was stupid loud if I wasn't careful with my V4B. (Finally played my Fridge live; I get it)

For transport, though, the V4 is great @ only 65 lbs with the neo speakers in it. I can dead lift and carry it for a pretty good distance (and I'm in my late 40s...)

If you really want the 4x12, go for it; I love mine. The Ampeg V4, or a Vintage Vox 4x12 seem to be good candidates for speaker replacements with Basslite or Deltalite speakers, and can likely be done for under the $800 budget. BUT, for what you are looking to do, if you can handle the size and weight for moving, I'd probably go for a used 810 (or 2 at that budget).

View attachment 3977702 View attachment 3977703

Couldn't agree more. Basically my go to cab for long long time. SVT810E

And yes perfect also had a pair of V4
4x12 cabinets and basically loaded it with the ceramic version of the S2012
Eminence Beta 12a2

SWR did the 4x12 Goliath or 12 stack
Ampeg did the 4x12 412HE
Tranyor did a 4x12 TC412
Mesa did a 4x12 Powerhouse 412
Marshall did a 4x12 VBC412

All those cabs above are made for bass
Not guitar.
The Effciency of a 412 blows away a 410
SWR was way ahead of there time and everyone cried like babies over a bass 412 cause we use 10" blah blah blah lol.

Fender way way way back when they promoted first solid state. Used a 3 x12
And the Bassman 100 used a 4x12

Fender SWR seemed to get it early on.

 

[AudioTaper]

Couldn't agree more. Basically my go to cab for long long time. SVT810E

And yes perfect also had a pair of V4
4x12 cabinets and basically loaded it with the ceramic version of the S2012
Eminence Beta 12a2

SWR did the 4x12 Goliath or 12 stack
Ampeg did the 4x12 412HE
Tranyor did a 4x12 TC412
Mesa did a 4x12 Powerhouse 412
Marshall did a 4x12 VBC412

All those cabs above are made for bass
Not guitar.
The Effciency of a 412 blows away a 410
SWR was way ahead of there time and everyone cried like babies over a bass 412 cause we use 10" blah blah blah lol.

Fender way way way back when they promoted first solid state. Used a 3 x12
And the Bassman 100 used a 4x12

Fender SWR seemed to get it early on.

Wow, I didnt know Mesa made a Powerhouse 412! That things massive, 136lbs!
I always liked the Powerhouse 1000, loves the late 90's Les Laypool rig with two of those and two Mesa 400+

I would still rather have two Subway 212

 

[shadven]

4X12 is a good option.
But yeah, not many actually bought 4x12s and not many come up for sale.
Its too bad, because the efficiency or levels you can reach is pretty good with a 4x12

For stoner rock it would probably be easier to find a used 8x10
used 8x10 go for 400 to 500 hundred.

playing loud metal, stoner or post rock
i've
never needed more than 200 watts and a 8x10
The nice grind you get from simple solid states beats dealing with tubes.
Mark 3 would be a very fun amp cranked into a 8x10 for sure.

What he said exactly!

 

[shadven]

I thought about 15s but I still want some good mids and I’ve heard they get kind of muddy compared to other speakers. Would an 8x10 get a similar tone as a 4x12 or is it like a louder 4x10?

15’s won’t get muddy. 10’s can handle low tunings.