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

[Econ]

Hi folks:

I really need advice on a guitar cab purchase I need to to for a Friedman Brown Eye and a Cameron CCV I have on order. I live in a 2 level condo penthouse, where I have a big walking closet room on the second level that I have converted into a music room. The room is really big, so I have plenty of space for music gear. The dilemma here is with what size cab should I purchase, a 4x12 or a 2x12. Right now I have a chance to get a mint CAA 2x12 with Scumback speakers (M75 and H75 speakers) for a great price. I could pair that cab to the Friedman Brown Eye. For the CCV, I could order a Cameron 2x12. But I also could just purchase a Friedman or Cameron 4x12 to use with the two amps.

I dont gig anymore and basically just play at home for fun. I hear people telling me that for home use, a 2x12 is more than fine and that a 4x12 is overkill, but also some people say that for the best tone and because of the 2 monster amps I will be using, the 4x12 is the way to go.

I would appreciate any feedback you can provide me with this issue.

Thanks!

 

[chunktone]

After years of playing 4 4x12's, I have never been able to be happy with less than at least 1 4x12. You can't get the same lowend from a 2x12. YMMV.

 

[Thorny]

I just went through this same dilemma. I bought a 2x12 with scumbacks in it for my 50 watt plexi. My thinking was that I would be able to get the speakers moving at a lower volume. I never was quite happy with the sound (boxy). I sold the 2x12 and bought an Avatar vintage 4x12 with celestion greens. HUGE difference. Broader fuller sound by far. Oh and I would suggest a straight cab, you get more bass!

 

[BeZo]

Even at lower volumes, you still get more thump out of a 4x12. They just sound better to me.

 

[Econ]

A 4x12 it will be!

 

[supersonic]

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.

 

[acalaf]

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.

 

[RockStarNick]

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.

I agree with this. Totally depends on the cab.

My Bogner 212 absolutely kills. Thunk and chunk out the wazoo. And I've heard plenty of 412 cabs that kinda sound like ass.

I'm pretty sure CAA and Bogner use the same maker for their cabs, and it's super high quality.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I have a Port City standard 212 with Scholz speakers, and it sounds killer. The spread of the sound from the port city cab is amazing. I had an Earcandy buzzbomb before, and it was like a laser beam from the front of the cab. I also keep my cab on an auralex GRAMMA. I am not sure how much it helps with the low end, but it prevents the sound from going through the floor to the main floor of my house.

It really depends on the cab, and the speakers to which one sounds better, and for me I just prefer 212s for some reason.

 

[Spaceboy]

I actually prefer the low-end of 212s. Just seems tighter and clearer, IMO.

 

[tripstan]

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.

 

[miguelr]

Mills 2x12 def keeps up with most 4x12s. Agree also depends which speakers. v30s sucked for me a low bedroom volumes.

 

[philnz]

A Scumback loaded cab will be an awesome pairing for the Friedman.
I have a OS Bogner 2x12 with M75's & it kills, no shortage of low end.

I think it would also work great with the CCV or you could just get a Cameron 4x12 for the hell of it as well.

 

[Econ]

My options are:

1. A 4x12 Friedmann with Scumback speakers
2. A 2x12 Custom Audio Amplifiers with Scumback speakers
3. A 2x12 Cameron with Scumback speakers

So, would you go for the 4x12 or the 2x12?

 

[blackba]

^ I would go with the Friedman 412 from that list.

I too find 412's sound better in general than 212's. The only thing I don't like about 412's is moving them around, particularly up stairs. So if you are just playing a home and now moving a 412, than that is the way to go. It may sound strange, but my one 412 has never left my basement, I have always gigged with my 212 cabs.

I do wish 412's were easier to ship. If you are looking used, many sellers won't ship a 412. Since I don't live in a big city, that makes 412's a bit hard to come by compared to smaller cabs where people will ship.

 

[Econ]

Shipping charges are going to be high, but I'm willing to pay for the right cab.

 

[D-Rock]

My favorite cab setup is a closed back 4x12 running with a partially open back 2x12.
You get the focused forward throwing punch of the 4x12 as well as the widely dispersed, thick sound from the 1/3 back 2x12.

 

[philnz]

From your list I would go Friedman 4x12 with Scumbacks.
Since the cab will be at the house, the hassle of size & weight won't be an issue.

 

[Ah Via Musicom]

I love my Orange 2x12 it's got good tight bottom end. Not as good as my old Marshall BX cab but still really good.

 

[DeezDemos]

I have a Marshall 1960B, Mesa Trad 4x12, Bogner OS 2x12, and Mesa 1x12 open back. Nowadays I prefer either the Mesa 4x12 slant, or 1x12 open back because my hearing is getting worse and I have a hard time hearing the straight cabs. The Bogner sounds as big as the Mesa to me for a 2x12 but unless I'm standing far enough away, I just can't hear myself that well anymore. Getting old sucks.