Who else here uses 12s and 15's?

[Ric5]

I used 15s and 12s in the 70s. but in the 80s and 90s I grew to prefer 10s and 18s. I love the tight bass low end of 10s. 12s and 15s can get boomy.

 

[Korladis]

Most people who can afford a Mesa 4x12 or Ampeg 8x10 new could afford to get a pair of nice 2x12s instead and be able to scale down.

I think there are very few people out there who can only afford one huge cab rig - generally speaking they've got as much invested in that large cab as they would have invested in two smaller cabs.

The nice part is if you go modular you often do not have to buy a combo amp, and part of your backup rig its done for you, if you need one

It's not for everyone, but in my opinion most of the people who use giant cabs these days don't need them for ANY venue they play. Just my two pence from never seeing an 8x10 user get louder than a 4x10 woulda been.

For the record I don't use an 8x10. I use a 1x15 and a 2x10. And therefore, de facto I have a smaller rig if I just use the 1x15.

However, if I could afford it, my rig would be at least a 4x15, possibly an 8x10 as well. I'd probably have to sell my old gear to get this stuff, though.

A large rig works just as well for playing quietly as a small one. A small rig doesn't work just as well for playing loudly as a large one.

Many people are fortunate to always have good PA support with good monitors. Others are not.

 

[bass4worship]

I'm been playing since '65 and found that each player has his own reasons for the gear he own. Some of us love the big rigs and most of us use the small rigs cause our back are out. LOL

 

[rpsands]

For the record I don't use an 8x10. I use a 1x15 and a 2x10. And therefore, de facto I have a smaller rig if I just use the 1x15.

However, if I could afford it, my rig would be at least a 4x15, possibly an 8x10 as well. I'd probably have to sell my old gear to get this stuff, though.

A large rig works just as well for playing quietly as a small one. A small rig doesn't work just as well for playing loudly as a large one.

Many people are fortunate to always have good PA support with good monitors. Others are not.

I didn't say a large rig didn't work fine for playing quietly, but it is a pain to carry and it tends to take up a lot of space on stage and in the hauling department.

You're kidding yourself if you think there are that many places where you need more than a loud 4x10

 

[Korladis]

I didn't say a large rig didn't work fine for playing quietly, but it is a pain to carry and it tends to take up a lot of space on stage and in the hauling department.

You're kidding yourself if you think there are that many places where you need more than a loud 4x10

Different people have different volume requirements. Don't hate.

The footprint for big cabs isn't all that much larger than smaller ones. An 810's footprint on stage is pretty much the same as a 4x10. And actually, having hauled around an 8x10 and a 4x10 (helping out other dudes, since I don't own either), I found the 8x10 easier to move, due to it having wheels.

And to many people, their big cabs are worth moving them around. Also, some play through big cabs not because they need that much volume, but because they like the sound of those cabs. My friend uses his SVT rig whenever possible, not because he needs to blast it, but because he likes the way it sounds (as well he should, because it sounds amazing).

I'm young and fairly strong. Why shouldn't I use a big cab if I want to? I can downsize when I'm old and decrepit, though I plan on trying to stay in shape. Cabs aren't that much work for me to haul. Unlike lots of furniture, most of them are equipped with handles and the bigger ones with wheels.

If people like their powerful bass rigs, who are you to fault them? What happened to "If it sounds good, it is good"?

 

[Retroblaster]

My Carvin 410BXR NEO 76 Lbs. of pure bottom B string!!!!

 

[rpsands]

Different people have different volume requirements. Don't hate.

The footprint for big cabs isn't all that much larger than smaller ones. An 810's footprint on stage is pretty much the same as a 4x10. And actually, having hauled around an 8x10 and a 4x10 (helping out other dudes, since I don't own either), I found the 8x10 easier to move, due to it having wheels.

And to many people, their big cabs are worth moving them around. Also, some play through big cabs not because they need that much volume, but because they like the sound of those cabs. My friend uses his SVT rig whenever possible, not because he needs to blast it, but because he likes the way it sounds (as well he should, because it sounds amazing).

I'm young and fairly strong. Why shouldn't I use a big cab if I want to? I can downsize when I'm old and decrepit, though I plan on trying to stay in shape. Cabs aren't that much work for me to haul. Unlike lots of furniture, most of them are equipped with handles and the bigger ones with wheels.

If people like their powerful bass rigs, who are you to fault them? What happened to "If it sounds good, it is good"?

All cool - do whatever you want as should everyone. The only point at which it really affects me is when I'm the bass player in the band after the guy with the 8 space rack, pedalboard and 8x10 who takes forever to get off the stage because he needs help to move the cab.

Again, people can use whatever they want; but my experience is that most people who use huge cabs don't know any better. They really think they need an 8x10 for stage volume and it has nothing to do with not being able to get the sound some other way. People on this board are in my experience very likely to be exceptions to general rules when it comes to being informed about things.

If you're an exception, that's great. If it sounds good and it makes you happy go right ahead.

 

[Ozonbass]

I still have 10's in my Eden's Metro and a 210 cab....however, I don't use it much. Using a Genz-Benz 212 most of the time and also use a couple of DB112's.

 

[tifftunes]

I recently got rid of my 4x10 and in it's place got a 1x12 and a 1x15. I couldn't be happier! when I talk to people who play bass and random people at music stores they're weirded out by my combination. they seem to think if i'm going to use a 15 then i've GOT to put a 2x10 on top of it, or buy an 8x10 etc...

personally the only way my setup could be any better was if i traded my 1x12 for a 2x12.... but otherwise... who's permanently left the 10 inch band wagon?

To answer the OP's original question, I left 10s behind 30 years ago in favor of various 18" cabs, then 15" cabs, and within the last decade a combination of 12s and 15s, both mixed and otherwise. I find a single 12 in an optimized cab, works perfectly well with a single 15 in a cab optimized for it. I also pair a 2x12 cab with a 1x15 that works extremely well, when more volume is needed. My preference is to keep the rig as small as possible and still fit the needs of the gig. Its embarrassing when the rig is too small, but I don't lose any sleep over it.

Here is one of my current choices - 1x12 over 1x15:

I'm seldom in need of more volume or deeper frequencies with this set-up.



I'm absolutely amazed at the width and breadth this thread has wandered AWAY from the OP's question! Proving, once again, we all see and hear what we want to, and not necessarily what IS!

.

 

[Korladis]

All cool - do whatever you want as should everyone. The only point at which it really affects me is when I'm the bass player in the band after the guy with the 8 space rack, pedalboard and 8x10 who takes forever to get off the stage because he needs help to move the cab.

Again, people can use whatever they want; but my experience is that most people who use huge cabs don't know any better. They really think they need an 8x10 for stage volume and it has nothing to do with not being able to get the sound some other way. People on this board are in my experience very likely to be exceptions to general rules when it comes to being informed about things.

If you're an exception, that's great. If it sounds good and it makes you happy go right ahead.

Yeah, pretty much my preferences in amps and cabs go by the following priorities:

1. Sound/tone. Pretty simple. How good does it sound to me? And does it sound good with the rest of the band?
2. Volume. Again, simple. Am I present in the overall sound or not?
3. Price. What's the best thing I can afford?
4. Portability. How easy is it to move?

The order of priorities may change.

Big rigs can take more time to get off stage, but this really just requires a bit more organization to be done in a timely manner. Lots of experienced bands I've seen, even with big setups, have developed a routine for taking their gear off the stage that enables them to get it done quickly.

Our method is to first turn off the amps and let the tubes cool down while all of us help take apart the drum set. This works well because it seems to me like drum sets take the most time to set up, while not very much time to take down. Then we take instruments and pedals and other odd ends off stage, and then get the heads and cabs. We all help with each other's gear.

My friend's 8x10 that he uses with his band is actually one of the fastest things to come off stage, due to the fact that it can just be levered down over the front. The key, I think, is to have it figured out how you're going to move everything offstage before you actually do it. Taking too long to tear down is mainly a problem of people not being organized or having a plan or in general knowing what they're doing. Lots of equipment can really exacerbate this.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Most people who can afford a Mesa 4x12 or Ampeg 8x10 new could afford to get a pair of nice 2x12s instead and be able to scale down.

I think there are very few people out there who can only afford one huge cab rig - generally speaking they've got as much invested in that large cab as they would have invested in two smaller cabs.

The nice part is if you go modular you often do not have to buy a combo amp, and part of your backup rig its done for you, if you need one

It's not for everyone, but in my opinion most of the people who use giant cabs these days don't need them for ANY venue they play. Just my two pence from never seeing an 8x10 user get louder than a 4x10 woulda been.

It's funny, the last few years I have seen an inverse weight to dollar ratio on the used cab market. Seems the heavier/more unmanageable the cabinet, the less it goes for. I picked up my GK 4x12 'fridge' for $100. My Mesa 1516b was $200. In both cases the sellers were happier with smaller cabinets. They complained the big cabs were not only too big, but too loud!

 

[jnammy]

I play through 12 and 15 cabs and love it as well. They are easier to carry than a single 4x10 and they have plenty of mids because they're neos. Depends on the maker, but I feel that many of today's 10 neos are too honky and midrangey, especially if they're in a smaller enclosure. If I was playing through non-neo speakers, I would probably prefer 10s.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Love the sound of my 12 and 15. These are sonically matched and sound terrific. Made by Don @ LDS.

Specifications:

15/6 - 23.5" W x 22.0" T x 18.0" D, about 45 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3015LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -3db, L-pad on side
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, plastic corners

12/6 - 16.0" W x 23.5" T x 18.0" D, about 35 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3012LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -7.5/8db, L-pad on back
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, tilt-stand, plastic corners

 

[woody357]

IMHo one of the main reasons for the large back line is for effect, not so much because of sound. If you think about it, most people will remember what they saw more than what they heard. I mean if you went blind today, what you would remember most about a show would be what you saw, a lot of groups back in the day had that wall of amps behind them, and a lot of young players want that look also. I said younger players because after you get to a point in your life you wont want to move that big stuff, I know. I have a Acoustic 370, with the 301 cabinet, and it sits in my storage, I've used it once in two years, I love that amp, but I hate to lug it around. Lets face it 4-10s don't look as impressive as 8-10s.

 

[rpsands]

One will note that the only well engineered stack you'll see in this thread is Ukiah's The speakers share very similar phase characteristics and the midrange drivers are lined up well, and the drivers share very similar characteristics (both are thermally limited before being displacement limited for bass guitar, and have the same thermal limit). the sensitivity is different, but frequency response is almost identical because of the all important midrange...they use the same exact midrange driver, which takes out the normal nastiness of mixing two speakers with different midrange characteristics, phase, and polar response and such

 

[Brad Johnson]

IMHo one of the main reasons for the large back line is for effect, not so much because of sound. If you think about it, most people will remember what they saw more than what they heard. I mean if you went blind today, what you would remember most about a show would be what you saw, a lot of groups back in the day had that wall of amps behind them, and a lot of young players want that look also. I said younger players because after you get to a point in your life you wont want to move that big stuff, I know. I have a Acoustic 370, with the 301 cabinet, and it sits in my storage, I've used it once in two years, I love that amp, but I hate to lug it around. Lets face it 4-10s don't look as impressive as 8-10s.

And if you went deaf today...?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Love the sound of my 12 and 15. These are sonically matched and sound terrific. Made by Don @ LDS.

Specifications:

15/6 - 23.5" W x 22.0" T x 18.0" D, about 45 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3015LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -3db, L-pad on side
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, plastic corners

12/6 - 16.0" W x 23.5" T x 18.0" D, about 35 pounds
Emminence Kappalite 3012LF and 18Sound 6ND410
Crossover @ 800 hertz; padding about -7.5/8db, L-pad on back
Black Tolex, metal grill, fixed-bar handles, 2 Speakon jacks, tilt-stand, plastic corners

Nice stack. It wouldn't surprise me in the least that it sounds great. Love my Joey Nahas-designed 12/15 stack.

 

[Chef]

Why is there always an Eon lurking in the bushes somewhere...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Why is there always an Eon lurking in the bushes somewhere...

The little suckers work. Tough too.


That was a private party gig out in the mountains in VA. I got clowned by another TB member for playing in someone's backyard... again. I'll take all the $500/person backyard gigs I can get.

Ah, memories.

 

[woody357]

And if you went deaf today...?

You would wish you had not played so loud, or you took ear plugs with you.