1x12s verse 2x12s?

[Spaceboy]

I'm wanting a real small rig that could be heard in a band situation, and very portable for random jamming or whatever. I've got a Squier CVC with a Suhr gigbag and 44 Magnum. I'm going to be grabbing the AMT M1 Marshall-inspired preamp pedal. I'm considering getting a 2x12 but those are still heavy and bulky. Could a 1x12 still get a decent sound and be loud enough for jamming with a drummer? I would imagine that having only one speaker would have a serious tonal impact, but I've never owned a 1x12 so I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[kirk]

the 2x12 is way better,but a single 12 will keep up with a drummer ,i've had some great single 12's but the problem is it can be a straight line of sound so when your in front of it it sounds great take 3 steps sideways and its gone! i dont have as much trouble with the 2x12

 

[moltenmetalburn]

well other than the character afforded by two speakers in tandem the only difference will be a 3db loss, just turn up your amp . i scored a port city 1x12 os recently, my first 1x12 and it really surprises me how i only notice the size difference when i look at it. i am, using a 100 watt speaker.

 

[roadifier]

I have run my recto through my 1x12 thiele, and It kept up really well with a drummer, Very loud. It is much better than hauling 4x12's and 2x12's around.

 

[racerevlon]

Just did my first rehearsal with a Hughes & Kettner Switchblade 2 x 12 100W amp. Probably the best "all-in-one" amp I've used yet.

 

[marvcus]

I gigged with a Boogie Mark IIC+ 1x12 combo w/ EVM speaker for a while. Never ever had a problem cutting through w/ a heavy-handed
drummer.

 

[thunda]

I have a Pignose G60VR 1x12 combo using an Eminence V12 speaker (120 watts rated) that has no problems. Lately I've also taken to using my Heartbreaker head with a 1x12 home made thiele cab loaded with a Peavey Scorpion. Again, no problems

ty

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Depends on the speaker, but in general, Rock/Metal requires a 2x12 in my experience

 

[Shark Diver]

Thiele EVM12L - 300 watts. There isn't a drummer on the planet I couldn't keep up with. Mic it, done.

At the point you are going to get a 2x12 just get a 4x12. Takes up the same stage space, so the "small rig" equation is lost with a 2x12.

 

[Audioholic]

Never been happy with a single speaker. I have come to the conclusion that I need at least a 2x12, otherwise I feel the sound is severly lacking to where it should be. Its not so much a volume thing then it is more about a fullness of sound thing

 

[crankyrayhanky]

At the point you are going to get a 2x12 just get a 4x12. Takes up the same stage space, so the "small rig" equation is lost with a 2x12.

Disagree, my oversized Mesa vertical 2x12 is much easier to transport than my Marshall 1960av

 

[Shark Diver]

At the point you are going to get a 2x12 just get a 4x12. Takes up the same stage space, so the "small rig" equation is lost with a 2x12.

Disagree, my oversized Mesa vertical 2x12 is much easier to transport than my Marshall 1960av

I was referring to stage space only.

 

[Audioholic]

There are some 1x12's that are pretty much the same build size as a 2x12. No flat comparisons, different designs. I still think you need at least 2 speakers going to give that fuller sound, unless you are micing your amp and have a wedge blaring back at you.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

OP is talking "random jamming" which to me requires a 2x12
If you're an Allman Brother on a huge PA stage, you can use a 1x12, but that's not the case here. Most 1x12s will get run over by even medium banging drummers

 

[JakeAC5253]

I think it depends mostly on the speakers you would like to run, and I guess that ties into what sound you are after as well. I wouldnt put any of the 'tone' speakers like Greenback, V30, T75 etc into a 1x12 if your intention is to bring it outside of the bedroom. At small stage/practice volume and depending on the amp pushing it, a single one of the above mentioned speakers can begin to smear your sound. The more important idea is that once the headroom of a single speaker has been used up, you can raise the amp all you want, but it wont get noticeably louder really. These speakers would be fine in a 2x12, with maybe the exception of the Greenbacks with amps over 50w.

For a 1x12 gigging cabinet to work you would have to use k100s or Eminence Legends or a comparable speaker with a higher wattage rating and higher headroom. The tradeoff is that many people find these speakers to be pretty 'blah' sounding. Just get a 2x12...

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I have had some 112s that have had mo problems keeping up with a loud drummer.

Mk IV combo with EML12L
Earcandy 112 with V30, or for really loud with an Eminence Wizard 103 DB rating!!! Very loud, and clear with 50 watts pushing it.

The earcandy Boa 112 is slanted up a bit, and can be open, or closed back.

I think that overall 112 cabs are overlooked too often. Especially if you have 2 112s a few feet apart.

 

[Shark Diver]

OP is talking "random jamming" which to me requires a 2x12
If you're an Allman Brother on a huge PA stage, you can use a 1x12, but that's not the case here. Most 1x12s will get run over by even medium banging drummers

Every band I know of has a PA. You don't need to be the Allman Bro. to mic a cab. Most guitarist should mic for the audience/mix. 90% of the time you are mic'ing one speaker. 1x12 Thieles are fine.

 

[ke2]

I gigged with a Boogie Mark IIC+ 1x12 combo w/ EVM speaker for a while. Never ever had a problem cutting through w/ a heavy-handed
drummer.

Those can peel the paint of a wall. They're louder than a Tijuana crackwhore.

 

[blackba]

The one big draw back with a 112 is hearing myself in practice or at a gig. If you leave the 112 on the floor, the sound is a long way from your ears. This is where amp stands, chairs, etc come in to play. With a 212, I often run it vertical to get the sound closer to my ears and it seems to disperse better too.

I have done a 2 112 rig. I used it a couple of different ways, one was as a mini stack (head on top of 2 112's). I also tried having the head on one 112 and the other next to my pedal board, tilted back as a monitor. This was a pain to setup, but worked well.

 

[renegade5150]

At the point you are going to get a 2x12 just get a 4x12. Takes up the same stage space, so the "small rig" equation is lost with a 2x12.

Disagree, my oversized Mesa vertical 2x12 is much easier to transport than my Marshall 1960av

+1. Love half back vertical 2x12.