Half Stack vs Full Stack - Triple Rectifier

[Anonymous]

Alright, so I've got a TR and a Recto 4x12 and I love the way the combination sounds, but the problem is that past a certain volume, it really seems like the cabinet can't handle what the TR is dishing out. Now, the cab is only about a month old, and the speakers are still pretty new; do you think that as speakers break in, they are able to handle the amp better, or do they just sound smoother and fuller?

To the point though, to those of you who have played a Recto into a full stack and a half, do you think there's a significant tonal benefit of having 8 speakers? I'm really thinking this is what I want to do, but if someone's actually played around with this already, I'd love to hear your input. I'm going for a metal tone that doesn't have to be super tight, but can't be muddy. Right now, I can get up to about 10 - 10:30 and have amazing tones, but past that, it seems like it should be good but the speakers just can't handle it.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Holy Diver]

I definitely prefer going through the full stack rather than the half. Not sure if it's the fact that the head is outputting at 4 ohms or what, but for a given volume I do find that there is a different response from the full stack. Definitely a more focussed tighter attack - kinda even less gainy. Also I'm combining a straight and a slant so it seems to be a nice overall blend between the two.

Do it i'd say!

 

[Anonymous]

Haha, I want to! Thanks for the reply

 

[Silverwulf]

I say don't do it. Dragging around an extra 4X12 to shows can be a pain in the...so, anyway. What volume are you cranking to that the cab can't handle it? What speakers are you using? How high is your bass on the amp?

My Mesa 4x12 w/V30's has no trouble handling my Triple Recto at high volumes and stays tight, and we play metal.

 

[Anonymous]

I say don't do it. Dragging around an extra 4X12 to shows can be a pain in the...so, anyway. What volume are you cranking to that the cab can't handle it? What speakers are you using? How high is your bass on the amp?

My Mesa 4x12 w/V30's has no trouble handling my Triple Recto at high volumes and stays tight, and we play metal.

I don't think I'd bother with it for shows as much as have it for recording & band practices. No, it's not the best idea for being efficient with money, but I think it would make me happy enough to be worth it! I'm getting the amp pretty loud, maybe at about 10:30 - 11:30. I've got V30s and - I know this will sound stupid - I love running the bass higher than necessary, between 2 - 3.

Now granted, I can dial it in so that the bass is lowered and get great near-cranked tones, but the best tone I've found so far has been at about 9:30 with the bass raised. Volumes past that start to break up the cab, and I'm thinking the full stack would be able to handle a lot more. For gigs, I'd still only use one 4x12, and maybe even a 2x12 if the place was small enough, but when I practice with my band at my house and can turn the volume up a little without fear of hurting someone's ears - we all wear earplugs anyway - then why the hell not!?

Thanks for the food for thought!! Anyone else have a few words of wisdom?

 

[JMC-Third]

I think it depends on how close you are to the cabinets. If I was able to walk about 7-10 feet away from the cab's I enjoyed having (2) 4X12's side by side. It was great because I could make the sweet spot wider so I didn't feel like I had to just stand in a small 12 inch spot. If you are standing closer to the cab's I would recommend just getting a 2X12 and placing it underneath the 4X12. This gets the speakers a little closer to your head. You can run at the same volume (I actually ended up turning down a little this way) and it ends up being louder in your head. (Plus it's nice to feel it in your shoulders) I'm like you though. I just like to get stupid when I'm just rehearsing at my rehearsal place. I run (2) 2X12's and (2) 4X12's with (2) Triple Rectifiers during practice. It's just AMAZING!!!!!! I'd never run it like this at a show but, it just makes the guitars sooo big and me HAPPY!!!!!

 

[Holy Diver]

Just do it!!! Ha ha

 

[jdurso]

I say don't do it. Dragging around an extra 4X12 to shows can be a pain in the...so, anyway. What volume are you cranking to that the cab can't handle it? What speakers are you using? How high is your bass on the amp?

My Mesa 4x12 w/V30's has no trouble handling my Triple Recto at high volumes and stays tight, and we play metal.

I don't think I'd bother with it for shows as much as have it for recording & band practices. No, it's not the best idea for being efficient with money, but I think it would make me happy enough to be worth it! I'm getting the amp pretty loud, maybe at about 10:30 - 11:30. I've got V30s and - I know this will sound stupid - I love running the bass higher than necessary, between 2 - 3.

Now granted, I can dial it in so that the bass is lowered and get great near-cranked tones, but the best tone I've found so far has been at about 9:30 with the bass raised. Volumes past that start to break up the cab, and I'm thinking the full stack would be able to handle a lot more. For gigs, I'd still only use one 4x12, and maybe even a 2x12 if the place was small enough, but when I practice with my band at my house and can turn the volume up a little without fear of hurting someone's ears - we all wear earplugs anyway - then why the hell not!?

Thanks for the food for thought!! Anyone else have a few words of wisdom?

I would go two ways.... either one get speakers with a high breakup point or a different cab. A speaker with a higher breakup point will let you dial in more bass but will also retain clarity as you trun the amp up. The v30s in your cab have that great growl but they also breakup sooner. A great option would be to just swap out two of your four speakers and replace those 2 speakers with somehting like a g12t-75 or maybe even a eminence legend. If you set it up in an X pattern you will get a nice balance between the speaker characteristics and the blend of the early breakup bark of the v30s and the extended clarity of the 75s or legends make for a sweet mix. For the longest time I have used two 2x12s or a 2x12 and a 4x12, mainly so i could mix my Basson cab that had the eminence legends with a v30 loaded cab.

The other way I'd go is to get a Mills Acoustics cab. I say this because you like turning up the bass but also like power and clarity. I was just recently turned onto these cabs by Mike (Fixxer667) and let me tell you... THEY ARE THE BEST CABS EVER!! Well maybe not for everyone but if you looking for a cab that can handle any amount of bass and that can translate that bass into a clear, powerful low end then look no further than a Mills Acoustics Afterburner. Paired with the power of your Triple Rec, that makes a brutal pairing that can slay small animals with one power chord. Since I've gotten mine, I now run Channel 4 Modern on my roadster with my Bass around 3 oclock, mids at noon and treble at 2. Now other cab i've tried can handle the bass in channel 4 modern that high without farting out. The Mills cab can handle that much and more with no problem.... the more Bass i dial in the more power the cab has which is a greta thing for chugging rhythms and big sounding rock and roll.

So even if you do want a full stack make sure yopu consider the Mills cab. With their new factory direct pricing they will cost you the same as a Mesa or VHT (which to me are right behind Mills in terms of quality and tone). If I were in you shoes I'd get the Mills, if you love it (which i know you will) you can decide if the Mesa cab you have now is even worth keeping. If you dont like it (which i highly doubt), you can just return it... David Mills is a class act and makes a great product that he stands behind 110%. if your not pleased he will refund your money with no hesitation.

If you wnat to read my review of the cab here is the link: http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32739

 

[Areola]

Wow.... you guys are crazy...

If it were me, i'd be lugging a 2x12 to the rehersal room when its not important and be bringing the Full stack to the show. Its all about the ****** appeal. Full stack looks so much cooler.