Two 1x12 cabs together. Has anyone tried that?

[spideyjg]

For most things 2 1X12;s cut it but sometimes help is needed.

 

[Benjamin Strange]

Does Mesa use their own drivers, or are these an OEM Eminence ?

Mesa has custom drivers made just for them. Methinks they are Eminence, but don't quote me on that.

 

[chadds]

My 2 cents, since I've compared quite a few 2 x 112 and 212 rigs to various 410 rigs on the gig.

So much has to do with playing style. If you are a player that plays primarily fingerstyle, goes for a nice, well balanced, tight tone, and never really digs in or pumps in slap transients, I've found a good quality 2 x 112 rig with decent power (500+watts) can handle just about anything that a good quality 410 can with the same wattage input.

However, if you really dig in or slap, I've found that the 2 x 112 rig (and most 212's) will compress and totally reach their limits (i.e., almost sounding like someone has a compressor on at too high of a setting) versus a 410 that just keeps cruising right along at those peaks.

IME! No simple 'yes or no'. My guess is, for most 'metal' styles of playing, 2 x 112 will not do the trick... not even close.

+1 I used to wonder why my EA Cxl112 would give great tone one minute and the next be near farting and sounding as you said compressed. Even at low volumes. The lighter touch I use the better my 2 1x12s sound. 3x10 etc. just take it and give it up. My playing style includes many touch changes throughout a tune so the bigger cabs come to my wine bar gigs.

The Guild Ashbory brings a different thing. Huge fundamental but quick decay allows me to play really loudly with 12s with no apparent compression effect.

 

[woody357]

My 2 cents, since I've compared quite a few 2 x 112 and 212 rigs to various 410 rigs on the gig.

So much has to do with playing style. If you are a player that plays primarily fingerstyle, goes for a nice, well balanced, tight tone, and never really digs in or pumps in slap transients, I've found a good quality 2 x 112 rig with decent power (500+watts) can handle just about anything that a good quality 410 can with the same wattage input.

However, if you really dig in or slap, I've found that the 2 x 112 rig (and most 212's) will compress and totally reach their limits (i.e., almost sounding like someone has a compressor on at too high of a setting) versus a 410 that just keeps cruising right along at those peaks.

IME! No simple 'yes or no'. My guess is, for most 'metal' styles of playing, 2 x 112 will not do the trick... not even close.

I have not found this to be a problem I sat in with a group, and the bass player was using a Behringer kick back with a 12 in it. I was really surprised at the sound, there was no farting when I slapped, and it sound ok when I played finger style, and they were loud. I'm not a Behringer fan, but i would think it would have started to give out playing loud, but it didn't. I said all this to say if the Behringer held up, then a better rig should be fine

 

[iriegnome]

I use 2 single 12 cabinets in my rig all the time. I actually run 3 8Ohm all 12" cabinets. I love it...

 

[chadds]

I have not found this to be a problem I sat in with a group, and the bass player was using a Behringer kick back with a 12 in it. I was really surprised at the sound, there was no farting when I slapped, and it sound ok when I played finger style, and they were loud. I'm not a Behringer fan, but i would think it would have started to give out playing loud, but it didn't. I said all this to say if the Behringer held up, then a better rig should be fine

The difference KJung pointed out is playing style. How hard you strike etc. Whatever the cause I've found this compression thing to be a reality.
Indeed with same wattage the multiple 10s just do it easier. The cab size may be a factor with their actually being more volume of cab with the tens over two 1x12s.
Besides attack there is also what no pre or what pre in bass. How's eq set? This makes for a lot of factors. I know same gig same bass same pre there is a noticeable difference. So I take the 12s when a drummer isn't going to be bombastic or for a singer songwriter gig where the bass can sound huge while being low in volume.