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what's with the 2x10 craze on TB?

runmikeyrun

runmikeyrun

Jan 10, 2001
1,248
55
northeast Ohio
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#1
I see a lot of threads where people are talking up or recommending 2x10 cabs. Maybe it's because I play metal, or because i'm up against two loud guitarists and loud drummer, but a 2x10 would never be enough for me in ANY situation. Also I have yet to see any bass players playing live with anything less than a 4x10. Again, maybe it's because I go to mostly rock and metal concerts but still... idk, I just don't understand it. Are a lot of you 2x10 guys church/blues/jazz players?

Enlighten me!

p.s. i'm not hating on you if you play a 2x10 ;)
 
#2
Use two 210's stacked vertically and you have something superior to a typical 410. Seriously. And you gain adaptability in your rig rather than having to drag a 410 everywhere.

And there is nothing wrong with sizing your rig to your need. If you have PA support you really 'shouldn't' need a huge rig just for on stage m onitoring.

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#3
I play in a metal band... even if I had 16x10s on stage, not a single one of them would have anything going through it... everything is FOH and IEM. The last two shows we played I just took my rack only. Only reason I have a cab at all right now is for at home practicing.
 
#9
runmikeyrun said:
I see a lot of threads where people are talking up or recommending 2x10 cabs. Maybe it's because I play metal, or because i'm up against two loud guitarists and loud drummer, but a 2x10 would never be enough for me in ANY situation. Also I have yet to see any bass players playing live with anything less than a 4x10. Again, maybe it's because I go to mostly rock and metal concerts but still... idk, I just don't understand it. Are a lot of you 2x10 guys church/blues/jazz players?

Enlighten me!

p.s. i'm not hating on you if you play a 2x10 ;)
Click to expand...

A single 2x10 would definitely NOT be enough for the vast majority of gigs I play. However I sometimes use a pair of 2x10 cabs, stacked vertically if possible.

As stflbn said, the advantage of 2x2x10 over a single 4x10 can be modularity/portability: you can bring a single 2x10 to a small jam/rehearsal. Also a pair of 2x10s can be an easier lift if stairs are involved, and an easier haul if you drive a small sedan with small trunk. However it's largely personal preference: some folks prefer to roll a single 4x10, and some prefer the look of a 4x10, especially when compared to a vertical 2x2x10 stack, which does look kinda funky (though it's doubtful the audience cares in the least).

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#11
I personally prefer the 4x12 as my cab of choice. 15s IMO dont sound great with distortion, and I just can't seem to get good bottom end out of 10s. We play a lot of small clubs and house shows with no low end PA support, so I need to move lots of air to be heard.

Since you folks are explaining it though, I suppose I do understand. If you don't need a lot of stage volume and you have good FOH support large cabs really aren't necessary for you. Moving huge cabs does get old, hence the main reason I sold my 215 and 810. 412s are slightly more portable and people are used to moving them, since they have to move guitar 412s anyways... it was getting harder and harder to convince the band that they should help me lift 150lb cabs lol.
 
#12
I'm a big cab fan, for sure. I think everyone should play with whatever cab rig satisfies them, regardless of whether they have a good PA system, regardless of whether or not they mic them, etc. But I can't deny how good it sounds to me when I use my 210, and while sometimes I miss the bigness, the tone is quite happening.
 
#13
Yup. I just hit the the 4x12 point in my career. 2-2x12s stacked vertically. More low then 10s, smaller and lighter then 15s and they driver smoother.
After a couple years the guys just don't want to help me move a huge bass cab since they 'can't hear it anyway'.
2x10s would be enough for acoustic, jazz, blues, lighter stuff.
 
#18
+1

I've been using a pair of 210s for years now - can't even remember when I made the switch. My first 410 was an SWR back in 1990 - I think - and I do remember not enjoying lifting that darn thing, so my first pair of 210s were Eden - the old white label cabs (they were making them for SWR at the time) and after downsizing even more to a combo amp (didn't cut it) - I ended up getting a pair of SWR Goliath Jr IIIs - just looked it up - those came out in 1996 and I liked the front slot port instead of the rear port on the earlier versions. Those cabs got pretty beat up even though I had covers for them. I had a pair of natural birch cabs built a couple years ago (SWR specs) and I'm still using them now. I was running Eminence Delta 10s at first, but recently bought the NEO 10s from SWR and loaded them in these cabs. They sound great and are a lot lighter for sure!

I'm also discovering that 112 cabs can be very nice sounding cabs. I have a pair of 112 cabs with tweeters that are similar to the GS112s, but a tad bigger - loaded with Kappalight 3012HOs and they sound amazing - will be gigging them this weekend. A pair of 212s would prolly sound really good, but those are over my size limit. I really like the size of 210 and 112 cabs. I really haven't done much with 15s for a long time.

IMG_0192-1.jpg
 
#20
stflbn said:
Use two 210's stacked vertically and you have something superior to a typical 410. Seriously. And you gain adaptability in your rig rather than having to drag a 410 everywhere.

And there is nothing wrong with sizing your rig to your need. If you have PA support you really 'shouldn't' need a huge rig just for on stage m onitoring.

[This invalid link has been removed]
Click to expand...

+1

Also, I drive a Honda Civic -ergo, modular is good. :D

(And love that Spector in your Avatar there stflbn!)
 

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