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Looking at Moving up to playing a 4x12
- Thread starter Breslin dp
- Start date
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
I'm sure there is, because a 4x12 is likely to be built a bit small for the drivers. Companies want to save wood, have a cab that doesn't look too large, and save on shipping. There would be an economic motivation to scrimp on the size...if they make one at all.
A 2x12, on the other hand, is roughly like a tall 1x15. Much more likely to be a well-designed cab.
Also, there are many 2x12s to try; there are very few 4x12s.
I disagree with this entirely. My Peavey 412 has almost EXACTLY twice the internal volume of my Avatar 410. A 412 has only 1.5 times the surface area of a 410.
While I know that it isn't scientific (I'll let GB handle that), the 412 is hardly starved for air. At approx 165lbs., I don't think that Peavey really cared about making it small OR saving any wood.
If you get a 412, it WILL be a beast of a cab as the physics dictate that it must. I have not seen a small 412 that was meant for bass yet... My 412 literally dwarfs my guitarists.
IHMO, The real reason to go with 4 112s or 2 212s is for portability... and that is a great reason. Do you really need a 412? Probably not... but they ARE fun!
Ox.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
You're oversimplifying this. There's way more to cab design than just that.
And I didn't intend to say a company would definitely skimp on the size. Probably so, though.
I wonder when the last time was that he had to move that himself (if ever)
It's Lemmy, he just glares at it and it moves itself.
I have, and love, a GK Neo412 - BUT seriously wish I would have gotten a 212 combo with an external 212 for flexibility and mobility!
I think a mesa 4x12 is way more portable than a 2x12 or 4x10. It has wheels built in to it and you simply tilt it back and push. Smaller cabs you have to carry, and even if they do have wheels, you have to bend over to push it.
That being said, the mesa is great. Definitely a different beast than 4x10's. It depends on the sound you want. I needed something with punch, agression, yet be able to reproduce my downtuned lows without farting out. It does all that, in style.
That being said, the mesa is great. Definitely a different beast than 4x10's. It depends on the sound you want. I needed something with punch, agression, yet be able to reproduce my downtuned lows without farting out. It does all that, in style.
I hate to quote myself but... that is why I said what I did. The fact is that saying a 1 412 will sound less than 2 212s based on an arbitrary set of premises is just wrong and misleading.
As a matter of fact, I DO own a Peavey 212 as well and the 412 is OVER twice as large (as a matter of fact, it is has almost 2.5 times the internal area). Now, the 212 is quite a bit older, but they are both using BWs. So lets assume that the speakers get more efficient as time goes on... Then that particular 412 has PLENTY of space in relation to a 212.
I realize that I am leaving A LOT out of my premises, but at least there is some objective measure to it... and my ears don't lie. The 412 will handle my low B with ease and can take more than I can fire at it. It simply is not starved for space and was designed with its use in mind.
So there you have it: A user with a 212 and 412 from the same manufacturer and no... they did not cut corners on the 412.
Listen, I already said that 2 212s makes more sense for portability. I will even go far enough to say that in the long run may be a better idea. But to make a blanket statement that a 412 can't keep up with a 2 212s (all other things being equal) because the size will be smaller to save wood is just plain silly. People who buy 412s know what they are getting into.
Do you have a concrete example to refute this with?
Ox.
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
Agreed, because theirs is similar to an 8x10 fridge. But a square 4x12 has to go sideways through a door!
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
With the Aguilar GS series, the 412 sounds better than the 212, which sounds better than a 1x12 pair. By far.
Aguilar 4x12s are awesome.
Personally I opt for the 2x12 x 2 for portability and choice. If I was in a big band, itd be a 4x12
Personally I opt for the 2x12 x 2 for portability and choice. If I was in a big band, itd be a 4x12
How do you guys think 2 Avatar 2x12's sound together? I have one 2x12 and am thinking about adding another 2x12 or a 2x10. What do you guys think?
I had one of those Sunn 412LH cabs that JE used (not one *HE* used, but one of those make/model). I have to say, it sounded GREAT - but it wasn't a straight cab - the speakers were not front mounted, they were in baffles - The cab was *big* and a pain to schlep, but it sounded *great*. I broke windows with that cab...
The Aggie 4x12 is the only one I've tried with my old SVT head - and it sounded great. Amazingly similar to my JBL 15"s with the tweeter off.
I'd like to try the marshall.
I'd like to try the marshall.
I think all 12s will almost always sound better than 10s + 12s. It is hard to find an EQ setting that will make both of the cabs sound their best if they have different drivers. A 412 (or 2x212) is just like a 212, but you get speakers closer to ear level while still having floor coupling ... and you can run less power into each speaker to get the same volume, giving a less compressed, more coherent sound. You'll love it.
