Is a 212 the best one-size-fits-most cab?

[Jeff Scott]

If it weren't for age and health issues catching up with me I'd still have this cabinet.

 

[Flog]

Barefaced super twin user. 2 12" cover everything. The kickback wheels and handle are perfect on the cab....if you are under 5'. Installed a telescoping luggage handle on the back that works great. One trip from car to stage for all my gear for the smallest gigs/coffee shops to large outdoor stages.

 

[brisonic]

Really want to try one of the AccuGroove 3 way cabs with a 12, a 6, and tweeter(s).

 

[groovaholic]

I used 215 cabs for many years, then had a 212 cab built for me from LDS. I had everything vertical; 12's and tweet on top. I was playing in a 7 piece, wedding/ festival band and it covered everything... I forget what the tweeter was, but the 12's were Eminence 3012HO's. The cab was also taller than most 212's so I heard it better

That cab is still kicking @$$ and taking names; loud, lightweight, great dispersion onstage...
To answer your question, the tweeter is an 18Sound XD125:
Link Removed

[Right now, it's crossed over at 2750 Hz; I might replace the crossover and/or driver to drop the crossover frequency a bit, but that's a topic for another thread]

But IMO, there aren't many gigs that a good 212 couldn't handle.

I have another 212 that I built in my garage, and it sounds great for at-home practice, but it's not nearly as capable as the LDS cab - hence my caveat specifying a good 212.

 

[HDtoyman]

At an outdoor Jerry's bday gig, I've had 4 guitar players and a fiddle player ask me to turn down my Bergantino Forté and HDN212. I wasn't even plugged into the PA, and one of the drummers complimented how well it filled the space without being too loud.

 

[GreyBeard]

I've been wondering if I could get away with downsizing my total equipment by finding one cabinet that I could use for (basically) everything: rehearsals, small clubs, large clubs, outdoor with PA support, etc. I've never had anything with 12s before, but based on specs and research, I'm starting to think a single 212 could do the job, while having a decent enough form factor that I don't mind lugging it everywhere.

My current arsenal is a 1x15 and a 4x10 which I use interchangeably or (rarely) stacked. It works, but I often feel like the 15 is not quite enough, but the 410 is overkill. Of course I've considered a pair of 12s but I doubt I'd use a single 12 often enough to warrant having separates.

Any thoughts? Anyone doing the one-cab-to-rule-them-all approach?

(I'll mention that the GK Neo 212 or Ampeg 212AV are the ones that catch my eye as seeming to hit the right size, weight, quality, tone, and price for me.)

For a while I used a pr of Bergantino single 12's. They did the job well.

 

[jeff7bass]

I think I'd rather have two 1x12s than one 2x12s, if those are the two options I'm deciding between. More flexibility, easier to load in and out of the vehicle.

More expensive but yes, I prefer two 112's also.

 

[jeff7bass]

View attachment 4260280 View attachment 4260280 The 2x12 that is the bottom piece in this pic is all I need for most gigs. Only for larger outdoor gigs do I need to add the additional 12 that's on top.

How is that Carvin working for you?

 

[chuck3]

How is that Carvin working for you?

Great. Given their bankruptcy and the Genzler products that came out shortly after I bought it, not sure I would have done it if I'd had a crystal ball. But no complaints - it's very powerful, has a very useful EQ structure, and when I add that third 12 it can go to 2.67 ohms with the push of a button on the back. When the rig you see in the pic is fully engaged, it's all you could need for any type of gig. But 2x12 is enough for most.

 

[jeff7bass]

Great. Given their bankruptcy and the Genzler products that came out shortly after I bought it, not sure I would have done it if I'd had a crystal ball. But no complaints - it's very powerful, has a very useful EQ structure, and when I add that third 12 it can go to 2.67 ohms with the push of a button on the back. When the rig you see in the pic is fully engaged, it's all you could need for any type of gig. But 2x12 is enough for most.

I sold my Carvin BX1200, which I regret, but I'm moving and can only take what fits in my SUV so off it went, along with my DRB cabs. It was a great amp.

 

[jeff7bass]

If it weren't for age and health issues catching up with me I'd still have this cabinet.

View attachment 4260319

View attachment 4260320

Beautiful cab. It's got it all. Sorry about the health issues.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Depends on your average normal gig size honestly. A pair of 1x12 cabs would be a better fit if you do more small to mid sized shows. For me a pair of 2x12 cabs is a better fit as we do more mid size and larger shows but having a extra 1x12 cab on hand wouldn't be bad to have either for the rarer small gig so we wouldn't blast everyone away and have abit more room on a cramped stage.

 

[brisonic]

Depends on your average normal gig size honestly. A pair of 1x12 cabs would be a better fit if you do more small to mid-sized shows. For me, a pair of 2x12 cabs is a better fit as we do more mid-size and larger shows but having an extra 1x12 cab on hand wouldn't be bad to have either for the rarer small gig so we wouldn't blast everyone away and have a bit more room on a cramped stage.

It is hard to imagine needing 2 2x12s for stage unless there is no PA or you're outside?

 

[Uncle Ernie]

I have 2 Genz Benz Neox 112, they really punch, and when I need only one... I take the Walkabout!

 

[Anemic_SluG]

7 pages of yes a 212 will work just fine. And if it gets lonely buy him a little 112 friend. Mesa D800 - Bergantino CN212 - CN112

 

[agedhorse]

I used a Mesa Subway 112 for 80% of my gigs and would pair it with a Mesa Diesel 115 when I needed it. Didn't want to invest in a lightweight cab for the occasional two cab gigs, so I tolerated the weight when needed. I like having two separate cabs because many 212 cabs are 4 ohm.

A 4 ohm 212 is no different than 2 x 8 ohm separate 112 cabinets.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

It is hard to imagine needing 2 2x12s for stage unless there is no PA or you're outside?

I play in a metal band with two guitarist running either half stacks or full stacks depending on the venue size. Cabs are more for front of stage fill or poor pa support generally but it comes in handy for larger stages and out door stuff too.

 

[2tonic]

Folks, we are 26 replies deep, and there have been no major disagreements. Is this really TalkBass or did I stumble into some alternate reality?

No....you are completely wrong!
Although it's possible you are totally correct.

 

[GMC]

It really depends on the Stage SPL that you need and what drivers are loaded in the cab. A cheap and poorly matched 12" driver for bass in a 2x12 configuration could well max out wattage to low frequency cone movement well before a quality and well suited for bass 1x12". So in effect, some 1x12" cabs can go lower and louder than some 2x12" cabs. It really depends on the driver specs and the cab it sits in.
Personally, I use a 1x12" cab that I specced and built myself. I know it can handle the wattage and the low frequencies that I want. I have a 2nd cab if I need it, but I haven't used that pair for quite a few years. Most of my gigs have been low stage volume with a good FOH PA. In fact I've had a few times where my Phil Jones Cub BG-100 has done me fine.

 

[AdamR]

I play in a metal band with two guitarist running either half stacks or full stacks depending on the venue size. Cabs are more for front of stage fill or poor pa support generally but it comes in handy for larger stages and out door stuff too.

Glad my guitarists went to 212 cabs lol. Looks odd for a death metal band but it's much more enjoyable, both stage volume wise and those around