Advantages of adding a 1x12 cab to your combo?

[pilgrimx]

I'm going to purchase a cab to sit under my combo, and I'd like to know what to expect. What are my options and what would you suggest? I'm hoping to thicken and tighten up the bottom end. Will this help?

 

[screamingdaisy]

I'm going to purchase a cab to sit under my combo, and I'd like to know what to expect. What are my options and what would you suggest? I'm hoping to thicken and tighten up the bottom end. Will this help?

That's been my experience. Adds bottom end, thickens the tone, helps remove the 'boxy' sound one can get from using a single speaker.

I don't know if it tightens the tone so much as it makes the thump a little more pronounced, which I suppose indirectly gives you the impression that things are tighter.

 

[Ploki]

closed back perhaps?

 

[Shaner30]

Ya I play heavier stuff and 7 strings. I went from a 4x12 with a dual rec to the mark V combo and was dissapointed...until I got a widebody closed back 1x12. Now I think this rig gives the 4x12 a run for its money on the heavier stuff. On extreem mode it is unreal.

 

[boogieman60]

I agree.. the Mesa widebody cab with the front port is awesome. Gives a huge sound, to an already great sounding combo. Have been using mine in 45watt mode and getting killer sound. Did some recording on a CD at Mojo Studio and the guys there were blown away by the ease they had of getting a good sound to put down. If you have the combo get the bottom. then you also have the option of unplugging the combo speaker and using the closed back cab....more sounds...

 

[litesnsirens]

Another option for live band situation, is to put one cab on each side of the stage. My other guitar player and I were having trouble hearing each other because we set up on opposite sides of the stage. We were going to mic our guitars just to put a bit of guitar in the monitors, but our drummer suggested getting a couple more cabs. So we did, I sit my amp on top of the other guys extra cab and he does the same. Not only can we hear each other now, which is great because with my amp on top of his cab I still hear more of my guitar, but it gives a wider dispersion to the audience.

That being said, if your looking for more bottom end your gonna want to stack them up, there's something about having the speakers working together in close proximity that enhances the bottom end. So I just offer my suggestion as another example of the flexibility you get with an extra cab.

 

[boogieman60]

Thats right...when you separate them even though it's mono it sounds huge. Thats a great idea of swapping cabs. used to do that when I worked with another guitar player. I still separate them somtimes if the bass player wants to hear me better...but I love my mini stack...Helps to get the amp off the ground a little too.

 

[pilgrimx]

Another option for live band situation, is to put one cab on each side of the stage. My other guitar player and I were having trouble hearing each other because we set up on opposite sides of the stage. We were going to mic our guitars just to put a bit of guitar in the monitors, but our drummer suggested getting a couple more cabs. So we did, I sit my amp on top of the other guys extra cab and he does the same. Not only can we hear each other now, which is great because with my amp on top of his cab I still hear more of my guitar, but it gives a wider dispersion to the audience.

That being said, if your looking for more bottom end your gonna want to stack them up, there's something about having the speakers working together in close proximity that enhances the bottom end. So I just offer my suggestion as another example of the flexibility you get with an extra cab.

That makes sense. The other guitarist and I have been setting up side by side, putting the bass player on the other side of the drums. I never really considered separating the cab from the amp, but my bass player would probably appreciate it.
What cab are you using and which have you tried? I'm thinking closed back, ported... Someone else suggested a Port City, but they seem to be pretty pricey. I thought that the Thiele and a ported 1x12 were the same, but I've heard recently that they're not, though I never heard what the differences were. Right now, any closed/ported/3/4 backed cab would do, preferably in cream and tan. 8)

 

[babow2]

+1 on a widebody closed back 1x12 under the combo. It isn't a theile design, but it is designed to fit under the Mark V and "approximate" the vibe of a theile under an older Mark amp. So, I loaded mine with an OEM EVM-12L. It really did add the depth, bass and richness. Highly recommended!

I also have an open back 1x12 on the other side of the stage. I use the slave/send and power a small Crate powerblock amp. It is meant just to be a monitor for the keyboard player, so he can hear the guitar and control the volume and tone (as we hate the guitar tone through the monitors). Even at a low volume just intended for the keyboard player, it actually broadens the soundstage of the guitar and makes it sound bigger. I can only imagine running a REAL amp at a reasonable volume.

 

[theroan]

Also with the combo elevated you'll be able to hear yourself better.

 

[wilerty]

I agree with the comments about the Compact Widebody 1X12 ported cabinet ....

 

[pilgrimx]

I agree with the comments about the Compact Widebody 1X12 ported cabinet ....

"I see your Schwartz is as big as mine."

 

[litesnsirens]

I actually didn't try too many cabs, they had the express 1X12 cab in stock at Long and McQuade, it was the exact same footprint as the amp so I got it... definitely didn't want the amp hangin over the edges of the ext. cab and I didn't want anything wider. Sometimes we play some pretty cramped spaces so I figured if I have to fit my map there anyway the extra cab isnt going to take up any more space except vertically. From what I have read on here the compact closed back front ported 1X12 sounds great and appears to be the same size as the express, so that would probably be a good option.

 

[phyrexia]

I put my combo in a tilt stand and place my thiele, on its side, to the right or left of the combo.

like this (except for the stand)