"4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Mattallica

Mattallica

New member
Hello all,

I'll get right to the point here: I love 412 cabs, but they're just too damned heavy. Every time I move one up/down a staircase (jamming in basements, anyone?), it curdles my milk, man.

So! I've the idea to build a 412-sized cab, with one high-wattage 12in smack-dab in the middle. Or maybe a 15?

Is there any company out there that does something like this? Building my own is not beyond my ability, but It'd be nicer to just buy an existing product.

Please note: I'm looking for replies that answer the question in the OP, or contribute to the idea outlined in the OP *ONLY*! This means please no "just buy a 112", "just buy a 212" "blah blah blah etc." answers. Constructive development of the original premise only. Thanks!
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

If you already have a 412 you like, you could try speakers with neodymium magnets. That'd take off ~20 pounds.

I believe Randall makes/made a convertible, 412 sized iso cab with a single 12" in it.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

This idea doesn't make any sense. You want to look like you have a 4x12 but only have a 1x12? You might as well have an empty 4x12-sized cardboard box and run direct with a POD and shove a banana in your pocket while you're at it.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

If you want to browbeat me, please move on and don't even comment. That was a ****ty reply man.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Mattallica said:
Hello all,

I'll get right to the point here: I love 412 cabs, but they're just too damned heavy. Every time I move one up/down a staircase (jamming in basements, anyone?), it curdles my milk, man.

So! I've the idea to build a 412-sized cab, with one high-wattage 12in smack-dab in the middle. Or maybe a 15?

Is there any company out there that does something like this? Building my own is not beyond my ability, but It'd be nicer to just buy an existing product.

Please note: I'm looking for replies that answer the question in the OP, or contribute to the idea outlined in the OP *ONLY*! This means please no "just buy a 112", "just buy a 212" "blah blah blah etc." answers. Constructive development of the original premise only. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Load the 4 x 12" with multiple 6", 8", or 10"s which should lighten your load OR do 2 x 15"s ala the Marshall 2061CX slant front cab design (although with a 4 x 12" dimension cabinet). However, you'll still have to remain cognizant of your total overall speaker cab impedance for whichever speaker combination you choose to use.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Mattallica said:
If you want to browbeat me, please move on and don't even comment. That was a ****ty reply man.
Click to expand...

Ignore crap like that. I have toured and recorded (with subsequent radio play) with not "good" gear. No one that bought a ticket or an album ever cared that my BF Fender had no reverb, or that one of MIM Strats was stock.

Play you.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

You could take an existing 4x12" and remove three of the speakers. Screw on wooden baffles to cover the empty speaker holes. Would not be perfect, but does the single speaker really have to be in the centre?
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Animal said:
You could take an existing 4x12" and remove three of the speakers. Screw on wooden baffles to cover the empty speaker holes. Would not be perfect, but does the single speaker really have to be in the centre?
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking. Having it down in one of the lower corners would make it a lot easier to mic up.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Before you spend the money on a custom cab with your fingers crossed that you'll like it it I'd do what Animal said and get three pieces of wood to cover three holes in you current 4x12, pull all but one speaker, screw the wood over the holes using the speaker screws/mounts so you're not damaging the cab and listen to it. You may not like what you hear since that will be a lot of extra air space for a single 12" speaker. Changing the amount of air space by removing three speakers will have quite an impact on the sound since that one lonely 12" speaker is now in a giant open air box. Odds are it will end up sounding way more boomy and flabby losing tightness and punch. Another thing you can try is pulling two speakers on a diagonal and leaving the other two speaker holes open as ports. Some guys like that tone too and it will drop the weight of two speakers and be not quite as boomy as single 12 in a huge closed back 4x12 space since the other speaker holes will act as ports. Either way it won't work well for any type of music that needs a tight punchy bottom end though since more air space + less speakers = more boom. Cabs are the size they are for a reason, to work best with the quantity of speakers in them and sound as close as possible when going from 1x12 to 2x12 to 4x12 since it's all based on air space calculated based on speaker specs and not mythical mojo like guitarists like to think it is haha.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

If your 4x12 weighs say 90 lbs and it has heavy magnet speakers in it then 40 lbs are the speakers and 50 lbs are the cab. If you reduce to one speaker the net weight will be about 60 lbs. 65 lbs with a 15". If you replace your 4 speakers with say neo creambacks, the net weight will be about 66 lbs.

But I have found that its not so much the weight of a 4x12 that makes it a pain to move, but the awkwardness of it. Usually if it has side handles two people can handle it pretty good but they are not designed for one person to move.

An over sized 1x12 or a 2x12 about the size of a Deluxe Reverb weighs about 35 to 45 lbs depending on the speakers For example, the no longer built THD 2x12 is only 26" wide sounds almost like a 4x12, but weighs 45 lbs.

The materials used also matter. An over sized 1x12 made from particle board weighs as much as as an empty 4x12. plye wood weighs less.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Lake Placid Blues said:
If your 4x12 weighs say 90 lbs and it has heavy magnet speakers in it then 40 lbs are the speakers and 50 lbs are the cab. If you reduce to one speaker the net weight will be about 60 lbs. 65 lbs with a 15". If you replace your 4 speakers with say neo creambacks, the net weight will be about 66 lbs.

But I have found that its not so much the weight of a 4x12 that makes it a pain to move, but the awkwardness of it. Usually if it has side handles two people can handle it pretty good but they are not designed for one person to move.

An over sized 1x12 or a 2x12 about the size of a Deluxe Reverb weighs about 35 to 45 lbs depending on the speakers For example, the no longer built THD 2x12 is only 26" wide sounds almost like a 4x12, but weighs 45 lbs.

The materials used also matter. An over sized 1x12 made from particle board weighs as much as as an empty 4x12. plye wood weighs less.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I can easily fit a 2x12 in the trunk or backseat of my car. Its easier to carry and if you mike the cab you only really are gunna mike on speaker anyway. I like the way a 2x12 cuts through the mix and if I want more ambiance I can stack 2 2x12's side by side or spread them out like 1 cab almost facing the wall to get a natural echo effect or put 1 by the drummer at a jam so I dont have to crank my gear so loud. It just works way better for me and its easier to pack around then lugging a 4x12 and trying to fit it somewhere. I like big 2x12 cabs becouse they tend to have a bigger ambiance to the sound. You can get a small 2x12 cab for a real tight, punchy, focused sound too. Mesa Boogie built a ton of these cabs in the late 90's and theres plenty around.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

philthis said:
I agree with this. I can easily fit a 2x12 in the trunk or backseat of my car. Its easier to carry and if you mike the cab you only really are gunna mike on speaker anyway. I like the way a 2x12 cuts through the mix and if I want more ambiance I can stack 2 2x12's side by side or spread them out like 1 cab almost facing the wall to get a natural echo effect or put 1 by the drummer at a jam so I dont have to crank my gear so loud. It just works way better for me and its easier to pack around then lugging a 4x12 and trying to fit it somewhere. I like big 2x12 cabs becouse they tend to have a bigger ambiance to the sound. You can get a small 2x12 cab for a real tight, punchy, focused sound too. Mesa Boogie built a ton of these cabs in the late 90's and theres plenty around.
Click to expand...

I've been rocking an Earcandy Buzz Bomb ported 2x12 since 2006. It weighs roughly 55lbs loaded with Eminence Wizards and sounds almost identical to my '78 Marshall straight 4x12 loaded with G12H30s which tips the scales at 96lbs.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

dystrust said:
I've been rocking an Earcandy Buzz Bomb ported 2x12 since 2006. It weighs roughly 55lbs loaded with Eminence Wizards and sounds almost identical to my '78 Marshall straight 4x12 loaded with G12H30s which tips the scales at 96lbs.
Click to expand...

Can you even get those anymore? Last I heard the guy was taking an exceedingly long time to fill orders and it was like getting blood from a turnip trying to get ahold of the builder. Is the builder still in business or did things collapse in on themselves?
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

B2D said:
That's kind of what I was thinking. Having it down in one of the lower corners would make it a lot easier to mic up.
Click to expand...

IMO you'd get better projection from one of the top spots, and likely better sustain on your guitar too with the speaker a bit higher.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

I can turn one of mine on its side if I need to hear it better or if I'm using monitors I can stick one tilted up on the floor and just mike one of the speakers. I also have a vintage switch on the back which makes the speakers break up earlier and rolls off the highs and lows. Its an awesome fat jazz or blues sound. I was thinking of wiring my fender twin the same way. speaking of bulky try hauling a Twin or a big 2x12 EVH combo amp. I love the tones but I surrendered and went to Costco and bought a Dolly. Now if I'm using one or more Combo's I bring the dolly everywhere. With the 2x12 speakers I just chuck em in the back seat and bring a head along. They have handles and I can just haul them in anywere with no hassles. its much easier to haul them then a heavy combo amp.
 
Re: "4x12-sized" 1x12 cabinet

Why do you love the 4x12? If it's anything more than the looks your going to lose what you like.

Either:

-pull out 3 speakers and do what other have said OR if you really want it in the center, just make a new baffle, no need for a whole new cab and easily reversable
-Get a 2x12 and call it a day

I am in the camp of 'dumb idea' though, sorry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top