2x12 vs 4x12?

[TheJayGibbs]

What are your thoughts on this? I'm in a heavy band and starting to play bigger places now.

My other guitar player has a 4x12 just not sure if I should get another 2x12 or upgrade to the 4x12.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I like having the choice between a 2x12 or a 4x12.

 

[TheJayGibbs]

Yeah, I just don't know what my Rectifier will sound like with a 4x12 thats all. Plus if I get the 4x12 its going to be easy to move around because it will have casters on them.

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

Why don't you plug into his 4X12 to hear what it sounds like?

 

[screamingdaisy]

Assuming we're talking about Recto series cabs.... the 2x12 and 4x12 have the same basic tonality. The biggest difference is that the 4x12 produces a bit more midrange and the 2x12 is a little more scooped.

 

[TheJayGibbs]

Why don't you plug into his 4X12 to hear what it sounds like?

He has a Crate 4x12 and yeah thats what i'm going to do this Week when we get together, but I know its going to sound different then a Mesa cab.

I guess i'm just trying to find out which one would sound better plus be easier to move around as well.

Also right now i'm looking at getting one of the AfterShock cabs.

 

[forty6and2]

Use both! Stack the 4x12 on top of the 2x12. Sounds pretty good

 

[TheJayGibbs]

Yeah I wish I could get both but I have to get just one. I guess right now I just need to find out what one will be better for me.

a 2x12 is easier to move around and sounds just as good. But a 4x12 looks really nice on stage but also hard to move around as well.

To be real about it, we aren't going to be playing bigger places that much and even if we do they mic the amps anyway right? So a 2x12 would be ok.

Plus if I get the 2x12 I wont have to wait that long and be able to get it sooner as to saving up for a 4x12.

Plus I don't want to regret my choice as well.

 

[tomprs]

2x12 = a slap 4x12 = a punch :twisted:

Don't even think about it as long as you have enough space home and in your car for a 4x12. Plus I don't think a 2x12 is much easier to move around: a good one will also be very heavy and if it has casters you will have to crouch to move it around. Last thing but also important is that if you're not correctly miced in a concert you will have a very hard time hearing yourself.

 

[TheJayGibbs]

2x12 = a slap 4x12 = a punch :twisted:

Don't even think about it as long as you have enough space home and in your car for a 4x12. Plus I don't think a 2x12 is much easier to move around: a good one will also be very heavy and if it has casters you will have to crouch to move it around. Last thing but also important is that if you're not correctly miced in a concert you will have a very hard time hearing yourself.

So just save up for a 4x12 then? Got it. Thanks guys!

 

[shimmilou]

I've seen Mesa 4x12s that have the option of using only two, or all four speakers. Best of both worlds. :idea:

 

[Tommy_G]

I have a closed back diagonal 2x12 and 4x12. Its not with rectifer tones, but with classic tones.

You can get the tone in your head a lot cheaper with the diagonal 2x12. Part of the quest for tone is finding out what speakers you love the most and which one's mike up the best for what you're hearing. a 4x12 is a lot of speakers to buy and try.

The 2x12 diagonal sounds like a 4x12 but is smaller, lighter, better sound dispersion on stage, and a 4x12 gives more apparent loudness - meaning you get more power tube action with a 2x12. I can run my amp on stage in the sweet spot with a 2x12 with 40W tubes (EL34's). I have to drop to 20W (6v6's) with the 4x12 and run the amp below the sweet spot. Some of that is speaker sensitivity, too, but my speakers are not 3dB differences, so I'd say 50% of the difference is # of speakers, and the other 50% is speaker sensitivity.

 

[jeffguy]

You can't go wrong with a Mesa Rec Straight 4x12. a 2x12 isn't much less to move around at all - and if you were to get a second 2x12 it will be way taller then a single 4x12.

Grab the 4x12 and be done with it!