Battle of the 2x12s!

  • Thread starter Thread starter King Loudness
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King Loudness

King Loudness

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Hey guys,

For some time now I've wanted to upgrade my 2x12. It's made locally by a guy who does cabinetwork around here... and while it's nice, I find that it was never designed with the purpose of high gain styles in mind at loud volumes. Now that I've picked up my Mesa Boogie Mark Five, I'll be on the hunt for a decent cabinet. My research has narrowed it down to these three:

Whitebox Engineering 2x12 - $399 new
Mesa Boogie Rectifier 2x12 - Approximately $400 used if I look

Or, the cab I would really like... but don't want to outlay the cash on unless I'm sure...

Port City 2x12 (preferably with Scumback M75s.) - Around $750 new, plus extra for the Scumbacks if I went that route.

What say you guys? Which cabinet should I pursue? I'm leaning towards the Whitebox because they're a USA built, very well priced cabinet that will only cost me $400 + shipping/duties. The Port City is about double the price, and I'm not sure if it's justified, but I'd really like one. The Mesa cab I'm considering because it would probably match well with the MkV, but it would have to be a used one as I'm not paying what they go for new around here.
 
FWIW, on the Boogie Board they love the living shit out of the Port City 2x12's. There is a guy that is a good player to start with that has posted a few vids of the PS OS2x12 and they sound great. There is also a few posts about a guy in NC that builds knockoffs, Theiles, and basic cabs. He covers them with them with some Rhino Liner type stuff.

I have played thru the 2 cabs of 1x12 Thieles and was very surprised at the thickness that those little 1x12 cabs deliver. Have not found a PC to try out.
 
The good thing about the Port City is you can easily lift it with one hand and it won't kill your back. 2x12's like the Mesa or a Bogner OS 2x12 are friggin heavy and also, they take up the same floor space as a 4x12. I've played the 2x12 merry-go-round for a while and felt like even at home at low volumes, I'd rather have a 4x12. I've had a Port City OS and standard with Scumback's H75/M75, Bogner OS 2x12, Mesa's, and a few Avatar's, I'm back to a 4x12 and the difference is substantial. Even with the Port City, it's still a cut below a good sounding 4x12. The reason i could see someone really wanting a 2x12 is you can fit them easier in a car.
 
I'd save up the extra cash and get the port city. there the best cabs around. the price is justified. I have played through all his cabs.
 
danyeo":197xe8pb said:
The good thing about the Port City is you can easily lift it with one hand and it won't kill your back. 2x12's like the Mesa or a Bigner OS 2x12 are friggin heavy and also, they take up the same floor space as a 4x12. I've played the 2x12 merry-go-round for a while and felt like even at home at low volumes, I'd rather have a 4x12. I've had a Port City OS and standard with Scumback's H75/M75, Bogner OS 2x12, Mesa's, and a few Avatar's, I'm back to a 4x12 and the difference is substantial. Even with the Port City, it's still a cut below a good sounding 4x12. The reason i could see someone really wanting a 2x12 is you can fit them easier in a car.
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I agree the Port city is nice and light...I don't mind carting it to practice every week.

I've been playing a Port City OS 2x12 for awhile and actually prefer it over a 4x12 now...especially at home in an average room. I feel like the Port City is more open and in your face, where's the 4x12 was very directional. I will admit that my 4x12 cab is a cheapy 1960bx, but it was loaded with Scumback M75/H75 in an X. Anyway, different strokes I guess.

I've also got a Mark IV with a 1x12 open back and a 1x12 Thiele and it sounds great. The Mark does sound better through the Port city, but those little 1x12 cabs are so easy to carry around. I think they've got some larger 1x12's that match the Mark V...you might want to check them out.
 
I have had the opposite experience with my port city.

No 4x12 have put it up against has been able to compete with it at all. Great fn cabs, i have two. Got a few of my non believing friends to convert after letting them a b it against their cabs.

I also have a forte ported cab on the way which seems like it will be killer and is less money than the port. Check them out.
 
Are you opposed to Bogner cabs? They make some of the nicest sounding cabs I've heard.
 
Badronald":17prrers said:
Love my Hermida ported 2x12.
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Hermida 2x12 are the best for the price. Cheaper than the White cab. What is really cool is their size. Your MarkV would fit nice on it as the Hermida is a few inches less wider compared to most.
I have had a CAA 2x12 ported and it really kicked ass. I now own a Port City OS2x12 and it sounds huge. The sound disperses all around giving such a huge sound. With modulation effects is where it really shines. The Port City is the shit. If it is about getting something ceap and American made, I would go with the Hermida. They are about $300.00 empty maybe less.
 
I guess I'm a party pooper..........but I didn't like the Port City I had. It was much less punchy/focused than other 2x12's I have owned. Didn't gel with it at all for medium/high gain.

Its hard to beat the Orange or Splawn 2x12's (for more money). There are a ton of builders out there as well that do custom work for cheap.........Lopo, Mather, V-Boutique, etc.......
 
A used Ear candy cab? Have seen a few pop up in the classifieds. I have an Ear Candy 2x12. Its the best one I have tried thus far, though I haven't used a mesa or Port city. Mine is not heavy and easy to lift, and came wired with a variety of ohm options. Pretty sure you can find a nice one for about 4 bills
 
MARK1970":1cupyjww said:
Badronald":1cupyjww said:
Love my Hermida ported 2x12.
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Hermida 2x12 are the best for the price. Cheaper than the White cab. What is really cool is their size. Your MarkV would fit nice on it as the Hermida is a few inches less wider compared to most.
I have had a CAA 2x12 ported and it really kicked ass. I now own a Port City OS2x12 and it sounds huge. The sound disperses all around giving such a huge sound. With modulation effects is where it really shines. The Port City is the shit. If it is about getting something ceap and American made, I would go with the Hermida. They are about $300.00 empty maybe less.
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The Hermida is very light and sounds very big. Great low end. My Triple Rec fits on it perfectly. It's nice and small. Easy to carry around. I record with it quite a bit as well. I want another. :thumbsup:
 
Being a Mesa Boogie 2x12 owner, I would strongly suggest something else. If you check out Big Rich's Mark V videos I think that a substantial part of his tone is coming from the Bogner OS 2x12 that he is using, which is significantly taller than a MB 2x12. I think Avatar Traditional 2x12s are of similar size to Bogner OSs so that might be a cheaper option.
 
I'd go with the Whitebox. Your choice of speakers and I've heard nothing but good things about them.
 
I would look around for a mesa 4x12. I found my mesa Straight cab for $375. You just have to look around for really good deals.
 
Bogner and Suhr cabs are made by the same person, so will the new cameron cabs... all of those are top quality cabs, so are Diezels, Orange and Mills
 
Randall MTS oversize 2x12 with 1/3 of the back removed.
Priced decent and sounds huge and clear.
 
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