Advice on getting a 4x12 vs a 2x12 guitar cab - Help

[guitarmike]

depends on which 4 x 12 and which speakers. If you are looking for speaker breakup,the 2x12 will brake up sooner and will give a more cranked sound a at lower volumes. I have an avatar 4 x12 and a mesa 2x12 and in my opinion the mesa sound bigger and fuller. For apartment playing the 4x12 is overkill.

+1 on the speaker break up. Thats one of the first things I noticed when A/B'n a 2x12 -vs- 4x12. It all depends on application. I totally agree you can get a great 2x12 that will sound just as full and open as a good 4x12. 4x12 will just be able to go louder and larger sounding if the venue/room can handle a cranked 4x12.

If the 2x12 and 4x12 have the same speakers I am not sure you will notice any difference in speaker break up.

If you never owned a 4x12, a 2x12 will sound fine. I am practicing right now (5:30am) in my house with a BFG modded 50 watt Marshall through a 4x12 and have no problem getting a good tone without waking the wife and kids. In my opinion a 4x12 is overkill only if it is a hassle to move. Any speaker cab can be overkill if you play loud enough to bother your neighbors.

 

[Spaceboy]

There could be quicker breakup from splitting 100 (or whatever) watts across two speakers instead of four, but I don't know.

 

[acalaf]

there is definitely quicker breakup on a 2 x 12 than a 4 x 12 with the same speakers, unless you are talking about speakers with higher watt capacity designed not to break up. Speaker breakup does not occur at all at practice volumes, especially at 5:30 in the morning trying to not wake up the wife and kids. LOL. The amp has to be cranked at least to band practice volume for this to happen.

 

[richedie]

Another vote for 4x12. Bought a 2x12 thinking it would be ok at lower levels, I was wrong. I find a 4x12 sounds best in any situation.

I went baco and forth and it took a while but I much prefer a 412. Way more inspiring!!! Better and bigger sounding. Best to have one of though. I have a Bogner 212, Stone Age 212 and one Sawn 412 cab - one straight and one slant onto be ordered soon. So my goal is two 412s.

 

[richedie]

Don't forget. One of the best ways to run a 412 is detuned. Run it with only two speakers. Sounds like a massive ported 212.