Oversized 2x12 cab help. Bogner/Suhr

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Nitrobattery

Nitrobattery

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So I'm on the hunt for a 2x12 cab. I have a few 4x12's but the idea of something a little smaller/lighter is appealing for certain situations. I live in Portland, OR where cars are regularly broken into....so I like the idea of a guitar in a gigbag on my back, a head in one hand, a cab in the other and going to and from the car all in one shot.

Now, I can't go into a store and turn one up to full band volume, so I wanted to ask guys that have cabs like the oversized Bogner or the Suhr Pete Thorn cab how close they sound to a 4x12? If the bigger cab really does make a considerable difference, then I'd definitely be interested in picking one up. If not, something smaller like a Mesa 2x12 would probably make more sense just as far as real estate in the car.

What do you guys think?
 
Rezamatix":1d8v12sl said:
Here is my thoughts on this.

1. 2x12 is plenty loud for anywhere small enough that you are not going to be miked up.
2. 2x12 is totally fine for when you are going to be miked up.
3. no 2x12 is going to sound like a 4x12 ever.
4. don't get an Orange if you want something LIGHT to carry. :)
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Oh I realize that it's not going to sound like a 4x12. I worked in and managed music stores for over a decade and have played with a lot of fun toys over the years. In my last band we were playing 900-1,200 person clubs...and I was the idiot carrying around a 4x12 while the other guitar player sounded just as good with a 2x12. I'm just asking if those of you who have an oversized 2x12 feel it makes a justifiable difference over a standard sized 2x12. I had a compact Recto 2x12 cab for a while and while it sounded good, it was a little too boxy sounding for my taste. If the general consensus is that they just sound like 2x12's, I'll save a few hundred bucks and grab a Mesa again.
 
IMO, the OS sound bigger but still not a 4x12. You won't be carrying it with one hand with the head in the other and guitar on your back. They are big and heavy and mine has side handles like a 4x12. They really aren't that much easier to move than a 4x12, especially if you have casters. IMO, casters are almost as needed as with a 4x12. But they do save room in the car. I have one, use it, and like it but I'd be misleading if I said they were WAY easier than a 4x12.
 
It kills me when guys say they want to switch to a 2x12 to have a smaller stage footprint.

O_o

Same surface area taken up on the floor whether it's a 4x12 or a 2x12, save for *maybe* one square foot, which is trivial. Saves room in the car for sure where space is limited.

Only problem I had with 2x12 cabs is not being able to hear them as well when on a smaller stage. Angled/slant 4x12 solves that issue by pointing the top speakers more towards your ears. YMMV
 
There's no way you are going to carry most 2x12s by one hand. Mesa, orange, evh, and oversized 2x12 are still heavy as hell.

I really like my Marshall 1936 2x12. It's about 2/3 the size of the 4x12, but so much less weight it's about 50 lbs compared to around 80 lbs for the 4x12.
 
For me, I really like how tall the OS 2x12 cabs are. I had a Mesa 2x12 cab for many years, but the lack of slanted baffle and overall shortness (in comparison) bugged me enough to get rid of it. I ended up, for the last two years putting it on top of a milk crate so it would be elevated enough for me to actually get a decent monitor reference and to be able to make amp adjustments on the fly. I currently have a 2x12 StoneAge that I love. The only thing I wish the StoneAge had was a recessed handle on the top so I could carry it in with one hand. The Splawn 2x12 cabs have that option, though, as well as a slanted baffle, AND are made well. You may want to look into those.
 
sahlomonic":18qvxfzs said:
Angled/slant 4x12 solves that issue by pointing the top speakers more towards your ears. YMMV
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The only problem with this is the phasing issues inside the box that can occur from the slant. Not a huge issue if you don't mind a little less punch, but you are right, the projection is definitely more prominent.
 
garey77":vdys261t said:
For me, I really like how tall the OS 2x12 cabs are. I had a Mesa 2x12 cab for many years, but the lack of slanted baffle and overall shortness (in comparison) bugged me enough to get rid of it. I ended up, for the last two years putting it on top of a milk crate so it would be elevated enough for me to actually get a decent monitor reference and to be able to make amp adjustments on the fly. I currently have a 2x12 StoneAge that I love. The only thing I wish the StoneAge had was a recessed handle on the top so I could carry it in with one hand. The Splawn 2x12 cabs have that option, though, as well as a slanted baffle, AND are made well. You may want to look into those.
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I've been looking at a Splawn 2x12 also. I'll be using this cab primarily with a Splawn Quick Rod so the matching factor would be fun. I'm still going to be gigging with a 4x12, this would just be used going to and from a shared rehearsal space where I don't want to leave gear there. The handle on top is definitely helpful on the Mesa/Splawn/Bogner cabs. Carrying it in one hand and a head in the other is the goal.
 
I've had dozens of 4x12 cabs, played a Bogner 2x12 OS cab for a few years, I even A/B'd the Bogner OS with a quad in the studio, there was no difference in "hugeness" off the mic. Now I play a Shiva sized 2x12 open back cab, which I actually prefer over the Bogner O/S. To answer your question I don't think that the O/S cab is of any benefit, just more weight to carry around IMO. My other suggestion would be a CAA 2x12 cab, they sound nice also.
 
supersonic":2mkn8d4c said:
I've had dozens of 4x12 cabs, played a Bogner 2x12 OS cab for a few years, I even A/B'd the Bogner OS with a quad in the studio, there was no difference in "hugeness" off the mic. Now I play a Shiva sized 2x12 open back cab, which I actually prefer over the Bogner O/S. To answer your question I don't think that the O/S cab is of any benefit, just more weight to carry around IMO. My other suggestion would be a CAA 2x12 cab, they sound nice also.
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Awesome, thanks. That's all that I was after. I'm still going to gig with a 4x12, this will be just going to and from a rehearsal space. If the oversized cab provided any extra fun thump in the room, then I would go that route. If it doesn't, I can snag something smaller and it'll take up less space in the car.
 
Nitrobattery":4ujaldly said:
supersonic":4ujaldly said:
I've had dozens of 4x12 cabs, played a Bogner 2x12 OS cab for a few years, I even A/B'd the Bogner OS with a quad in the studio, there was no difference in "hugeness" off the mic. Now I play a Shiva sized 2x12 open back cab, which I actually prefer over the Bogner O/S. To answer your question I don't think that the O/S cab is of any benefit, just more weight to carry around IMO. My other suggestion would be a CAA 2x12 cab, they sound nice also.
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Awesome, thanks. That's all that I was after. I'm still going to gig with a 4x12, this will be just going to and from a rehearsal space. If the oversized cab provided any extra fun thump in the room, then I would go that route. If it doesn't, I can snag something smaller and it'll take up less space in the car.
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Best to try some if you can as this is just my experience, you may prefer the OS. I found the O/s the be a little thicker in the bottom end, almost boomy, where the regular size has more punch and clarity but still enough bottom for my needs.
 
I own and currently use the OS Bogner. Great cab no doubt but other than saving me some car space, it's heavy. And IMO not that much easier on the back than a 4x12 in fact might even be worse to carry considering it's size and balance. I know, sounds odd but with a 4x12 you gotta use your arms, legs and back...with the OS 2x12, it's kinda all arms. You'll be using the castors as much as possible, same with a 4x12. However it does sound good.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably get a smaller 2x12...something like the Splawn for my purposes.
 
port city OS is the hugest 2x12 i have heard but its not a sealed cab. for sealed the bogner is the standard.
 
nigelpkay":3087losg said:
There's no way you are going to carry most 2x12s by one hand. Mesa, orange, evh, and oversized 2x12 are still heavy as hell.

I really like my Marshall 1936 2x12. It's about 2/3 the size of the 4x12, but so much less weight it's about 50 lbs compared to around 80 lbs for the 4x12.
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My Splawn 2x12 has the cool recessed handle up top. I can carry it with one hand...for a few feet then I'm done
 
I've owned many 4x12's but personally just prefer 2x12's tonally. They just feel tighter and clearer sound to me.

Playing live in smaller venues they are plenty loud and punchy and if the venue is big you are most likely going to mic up anyway. For home use I prefer 2x12's also.

I've tried alot of different cabs and for me personally the Bogner OS 2x12 and Mesa Rectifier Horizontal 2x12 do it for me.

The Bogner OS 2x12 is killer but do not let the smaller size of the Mesa 2x12 fool you. They sound huge also. Love both cabs.
 
I agree. I think the 2x12 will feel tighter and clearer everything else being equal.

In your situation Nitro - I would not bother with an O/S cab. That doesn't really seem to meet your requirements.

I've heard lots of great things about the Port Cities though.

A Splawn 212 cab with Small Blocks def warrants your attention :D

It will be similar to your old Mesa but better.
 
Is a 1x12 out of the question? If you're looking to carry your rig in one trip, I'd think a 1x12 would be the way to go..

Have you checked out the Mesa vertical 2x12s? That might be up your alley.
 
Ok, so I have had the Bogner o/s as well as the port city o/s, and currently have a custom audio 2x12. Wherever possible my main cab is my Friedman 4x12 hooked up to a SS100. Today I have set up the rig and A/B the 2 cabs. Needless to say the 4x12 wins for overall depth and punch, but if you let your ears re acclimatise and slight eq the. The CA will get me 90% there. Probably the Bogner and PC may get you "95%" there, but they were so big I had no justification to have that and a 4x12
My point is there is nothing like a good 4x12 but consider what you want from the 2x12. For me portability came into the equation as otherwise I'd always struggle up those stairs with a 4x12
On NYE, the 4x12 is going out, purely because it's an easy load in/out. The following day, the 2x12 as it's the opposite and I will be equally happy....well nearly lol
 
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