1x12 for high gain amps

ratherdashing

ratherdashing

Kablamminator
Do any of you run your high gain heads (Mesa, Splawn, 5150, Engl, etc.) into a 1x12? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

The Mesa 4x12 sounds great, but we're barely ever playing gigs that can accommodate it any more. 99% of the electric playing I do nowadays is for recording anyway. I don't intend to downsize my amp (the Mark V can be switched down to 10W if the gig calls for it), just the cab.

I'm thinking one of these would be a good match:

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Guitar Cabinets/COMPACTcabs/Widebody-ClosedBack-1x12-LG.htm

Thoughts?
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

i use an orange ppc112 and a mesa transatlantic 23" open back. i've been happy with them. if you need tons of bass, the orange might get flubby, but otherwise i've been pleased with it. it's very directional, though. the mesa open back i really really like, and it sounds great with high gain heads, but won't be as tight as the closed back orange cab. i can mix and match them, too, which is a great option. i like this modular approach for a few reasons - the mix sounds good, lower weight, easier to cart around, options, etc.

just my $.02.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I'd get a theile with an EV. That cab excels at that application.
 
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Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

^
+1 for the EVM-12L in a Compact Theile.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

When I go to my uncles house to record, I only take one cab. It's a decent cab with a swamp thang in it. I'm using a VHT Pittbull CL/50. It is what I would call a high gain amp. I have no problem at all filling his 20'x20' room.

We went to jam with some guys in the evening, about 4 months ago. All I had was the 1x12 to play a semi-gig with. It held up pretty well, outside, with a P.A. They were using some 500W Peavey P.A.. I did not have to mic my amp. We were playing mostly 80's hard rock and metal.

I can say, there was something missing. Just felt like the low end wasn't quite up to where it should be. Other than that, it was no problem at all.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I sometimes run my Splawn Quick Rod or SLO clone into a part open back 1x12 with a Celestion Classic Lead 80 in it and get pretty good results
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I also think the tHeile comes in an extended version, so the head won't stick out over the sides and look weird, but I'm not sure. As far as the ported design in the link, I'd bet it sounds very big, because my front ported 2x12 George Lynch cabinet has more punch than just about anything.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

Ive played that particular widebody cab and a mini rec 1x12 at the LA Amp show... both were great, loud, and really fat sounding for being 1x12's. Any reason you dont want a 2x12? The Road King 2x12 cab with the partial open back on one side is one of the best sounding cabs ive ever heard. My buddy swears by it for recording.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

Last weekend I used my Orange AD50 into a Randall 1x12 with a Celestion Heritage G12H55 in it for a gig. Good sound mic'd close, but a touch too loose and sloppy in the bass/distortion with open back. Celestion seems to need closed back. I had considered rewiring one of my 4x12 cabs to allow only running one 12 at a time, just so I could keep the proper airspace and damping behind the speakers.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

SteveAlysis said:
Ive played that particular widebody cab and a mini rec 1x12 at the LA Amp show... both were great, loud, and really fat sounding for being 1x12's. Any reason you dont want a 2x12? The Road King 2x12 cab with the partial open back on one side is one of the best sounding cabs ive ever heard. My buddy swears by it for recording.
Click to expand...

Mainly because a 2x12 and a 4x12 take up about the same amount of space on stage. Also cost.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I play a mesa 1x12 mini recto cab. It lacks some of the punch that you get from a 4x12, but the vibe of the mesa 4x12 is still there.

For me, the perfect compromise is the Mesa Rectifier 2x12. By far my favourite cab ever.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I would also vote for a Thiele, even the one with C90 speakers kicks ass. A Mesa Mini Rec and 1x12" Thiele were my grab and go small rig for ages, and I did plenty of recording with that setup too.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I am having a StoneAge 1x12 made right now, to run my Mesa 5:50+ through. I will see how it goes - i am converting the 5:50 combo to a head and keeping the speaker. Have heard great things about these cabs and may get a 2x12 also down the road.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

I use a Widebody 1x12 open back stacked on a 1x12 front ported. Both sound great, but the Royal Atlantic 1x12 sounds better.
 
Re: 1x12 for high gain amps

phil_104 said:
I play a mesa 1x12 mini recto cab. It lacks some of the punch that you get from a 4x12, but the vibe of the mesa 4x12 is still there.

For me, the perfect compromise is the Mesa Rectifier 2x12. By far my favourite cab ever.
Click to expand...

I agree on the Mesa Rectifier 2x12 being outstanding. I pair it up with a Orange Rocker 30 head and the results are great. My only gripe is the weight of the 2x12 is 75+ lbs. With only a center handle it is heavy. I also use an Orange PPC112 for smaller gigs and it's good but does lack the bottom end a bit.
 
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