1x12 Recommendations - Ported? Oversized?

Meeotch

Meeotch

Well-known member
As much as I dislike 1x12's, I am needing some small/portable cab(s) for travel, possibly a pair stacked or separated for a stereo rig. I have tried a number of different 1x12's in the past, and after much disappointment I gave up and have been carting around 4x12's for years. Totally worth it IMO, but I am now facing a space issue and have no choice but to downsize.

I've never felt the need for a ported 4x12 or 2x12, but I think there is a decent argument with porting a 1x12 to keep it from sounding so small and boxy. Lots of people like the Bogner Cube, and it looks like Friedman and Suhr make versions of this as well. BUT, since I usually run an EQ in the loop anyways, I'd prefer to boost lows as necessary instead of relying on a port that might cause unwanted smearing of the low end. Any help is appreciated!

I will say - I've tried the EVM12L and can't seem to bond with it, but might consider a Thiele cab with a different speaker.
 
Suhr is my favorite, by far. Bogner's design is basically a copied CAA/CAE that Suhr originally designed but with some foam on the back panel. Suhr has since tweaked his latest cab ports a bit to apparently work with more speakers. Couple threads on TGP about it. I run a mix of one V30 and one Creamback (75w). Sounds p tits IMO.

Obligator "nothing will ever sound like a 4x12".
 
I have a mesa one for sale in the classifieds. will give ya the v30 with it i had removed also. 😁(y)
 
If you can find an oversized Mesa 3/4 back cab, they are the biggest sounding 1x12 cab I’ve ever heard. For reference I currently have sets of 3/4 back, 1x12 Lonestars, 1x12 Recto cubes and 1x12 Thieles as well as EVH 1x12’s.
 
Having owned a pair of Boogie Thiele Ported 1x12s and a pair of Bogner Ported 1x12s, I gotta' say, I wish I had my Boogie Thieles back. Those were absolutely killer. The Boogie Thieles were the late 80s EVM loaded versions and they slayed. The Bogners were much newer V30 loaded, and while they sounded fine, they never had that tight Gut-Punch that the Mesa EVM Thieles had. Maybe it was the EV speakers? Maybe it was the Thiele design port? Anyway, they killed and I wish I had them back.
 
Keep in mind my only experience is with Boogie cabs, but I've had them all. A main question here is what you're playing. If it's hard rock or metal that needs a tight low end, IMO you're not going to be happy with anything but a sealed cab. In that case the cube-shaped Mesa Recto 112 cabs are the most neutral sounding ones they make.

If you're playing stuff that sounds fine with an open cab, then the Thieles are pretty cool.
 
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Thanks for all the input! I should have clarified that I play mainly hard rock, metal, and ambient clean tones. I realize at the end of the day I'll just need to experiment, but it's hard to know where to begin. Honestly it may come down to what I can find locally as I'm not too keen on buying new.

Those Mojotone cabs look pretty nice, and it would be cool to have a convertible back to experiment with. There's also an oversized Bogner 1x12 somewhat close that I may track down - again it is ported but that might be a good thing. The Recto 1x12 seems like a good option too.
 
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