Best sounding 4x12s?

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Usually use a Marshall 4 x 12 but prefer V30's in them if they have them, more often than not though they don't. I put 2 x V30's in my 1960B cab and it made the tone a lot brighter and cut through in the mix more. Recently I been using Orange PPC412's a lot and lucky enough to have a friend who has one I can borrow anytime.

Not been fortunate enough to play through a Mesa but I heard combined with a 6505+ its heaven!

 

[NjuiMusic]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

from what I have tried if you like low end always go with a straight, not slanted cab.

Bogner, Marshall and Mesa have been my favourite 4x12s I have tried.

 

[The Convert]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

2 Thoughts...

1: I buy a cabinet almost exclusively for the cabinet itself. I can't think of the last time I used stock speakers, even ones that people seem to like (V30s/G12T-75s/etc.) except for certain, high-end Fender combos. The cabinet is both the mechanism of supporting the speakers and the way to reinforce the sonic qualities I'm seeking. Ignoring the ones I've built myself, I tend to have the best luck with Marshalls for classic/hard rock & metal. But I admit this is extremely subjective. (In fact, I did one mid-quality 4x12 for a friend...an MX series slant, and it turned out pretty nicely. Not amazing, but not at all bad. I was surprised at the value in that line. I also have an MX112, but that's for certain utility stuff, as it's very durable, somewhat light, and inexpensive enough that I wouldn't be upset if it takes lumps...sounds alright once the speaker gets changed.)

2: I do as much sound work as I am a musician. I'm not saying that this applies to anyone here, but guitarists that emphasize "lows" are sometimes unaware that, unless their composition is complimentary or interwoven with instruments we expect to be in the basement (bass, kick, etc.), it's very common in my experience for a guitarist on stage or in a recording to be trampling the bass and leaving the upper registers vacant. I try to intercept this when I can, but sometimes people need to hear it go bad first. The electric guitar is an interesting animal. An oboe has a frequency range that's pretty static. Since our instruments are interpreted through circuits, it's possible for us to expand the "normal" range of the guitar beyond it's typical expectations. This is fine and great if everyone is on board and we do it on purpose, but it can also make a band sound...let's say sonically confused...if the guitar periodically drops down and competes with the bass, etc. I like to remind some players, if you really are developing your ears, you can go back to those classic songs you love, and you'll probably find that those guitar tracks were mixed with a much higher bottom end than you remember. I love to crank the bass EQ when I'm practicing or just screwing around on my own, because the fuller sound is nice, but I've also learned to switch that off (on the amp and in my head) when I'm writing, practicing, or on the board. Just something to think about, I guess. No criticism intended.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Ive not played thru a multitude, so cant say where they rank in the grand scheme, but I have a Carvin 4x12 and have a Splawn 4x12 and they both sound amazing!

 

[chadd]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Recto 4x12... specifically, the oversized slant version. It's darker and smoother than the Orange, which sounds like what you're after.

The size of the cabinet makes a huge difference too. The smaller recto cabinets don't have nearly as much low end.

 

[dave74]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

The size of the cabinet makes a huge difference too. The smaller recto cabinets don't have nearly as much low end.

Yeah they sure don't.

It's never made sense to me that so many people say the over-sized-cabs "handle" lows better, when in fact they produce more lows, not handle them better.

The traditional-size cabs will actually help keep low-tuned (like below C#) setups under greater control, whereas with the over-sized it can become tough to not lose lower-mids when you're forced to drop the bass due to the extra low-end extension that's inherent in the design.

Being someone who likes more medium tunings and string-sizes I enjoy the extra uumph in the big cabs.

 

[B2D]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

2 Thoughts...

1: I buy a cabinet almost exclusively for the cabinet itself. I can't think of the last time I used stock speakers, even ones that people seem to like (V30s/G12T-75s/etc.) except for certain, high-end Fender combos. The cabinet is both the mechanism of supporting the speakers and the way to reinforce the sonic qualities I'm seeking. Ignoring the ones I've built myself, I tend to have the best luck with Marshalls for classic/hard rock & metal. But I admit this is extremely subjective. (In fact, I did one mid-quality 4x12 for a friend...an MX series slant, and it turned out pretty nicely. Not amazing, but not at all bad. I was surprised at the value in that line. I also have an MX112, but that's for certain utility stuff, as it's very durable, somewhat light, and inexpensive enough that I wouldn't be upset if it takes lumps...sounds alright once the speaker gets changed.)

2: I do as much sound work as I am a musician. I'm not saying that this applies to anyone here, but guitarists that emphasize "lows" are sometimes unaware that, unless their composition is complimentary or interwoven with instruments we expect to be in the basement (bass, kick, etc.), it's very common in my experience for a guitarist on stage or in a recording to be trampling the bass and leaving the upper registers vacant. I try to intercept this when I can, but sometimes people need to hear it go bad first. The electric guitar is an interesting animal. An oboe has a frequency range that's pretty static. Since our instruments are interpreted through circuits, it's possible for us to expand the "normal" range of the guitar beyond it's typical expectations. This is fine and great if everyone is on board and we do it on purpose, but it can also make a band sound...let's say sonically confused...if the guitar periodically drops down and competes with the bass, etc. I like to remind some players, if you really are developing your ears, you can go back to those classic songs you love, and you'll probably find that those guitar tracks were mixed with a much higher bottom end than you remember. I love to crank the bass EQ when I'm practicing or just screwing around on my own, because the fuller sound is nice, but I've also learned to switch that off (on the amp and in my head) when I'm writing, practicing, or on the board. Just something to think about, I guess. No criticism intended.

Great post overall and I get exactly what your saying.

The two main instruments I have right now are solid players but they're both on the bright side of things. In the band I play with, I have to do a lot of single-note lines and double stops/triads and full chords less often so I want to make sure those notes have body and my cab is reproducing all of the lows coming out of my speaker output jack. I generally run my amp (100w Marshall JVM) with lows and mids on about 6 and treble on about 5, with presence at 3 and resonance at 6 or so.

I've observed that my tone with this rig tends to sit a little but too much on the bright end of things, so I'm making some subtle adjustments towards shifting the frequency range where my rig sits slightly more towards a darker, richer sound. I've had multiple people (some in the band, some not) tell me that my tone is great but it can be a tad too bright sometimes.

The first thing I'm doing it switching to an all-Emi Governor setup. I currently have those and Man-O-Wars in an X pattern, and the MOW produces more highs than the Governor does. I also like the Gov better on it's own as well. After that I'll look at differences in some tubes for the amp and then maybe if I really need to I'll try out a cab that could help me zero in more of what I want.

I use 10-46 or 10-52 tunings in Eb or Drop C# so I'm tuned down but not a whole lot. I just want my sound to be a little more darker and richer than it is now and I think the cab is going to be a part in that - I've played other cabs that I liked more than mine but had similar speakers for what I'm aiming for.

Small adjustments, one at a time. This has been a very useful thread overall!

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Best 4x12s I've ever heard and played through were ~1968 Marshall cabs that AFAIK were original and well broken in. Don't know for sure what was in them, but if they were stock, the specs should be reasonably well known.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

I use the marshall 1960 AV and the marshall 1960b.

call me "not picky" but it sounds great to my ears!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

The Covert said it well.. That's one thing Ill have a prob with if I ever get in a group.. I like to dial up the low end cuz I like the thump, but it will probably goof me up when I play with a bassist. The saving graces for me is that: A) I use a Splawn, so its pretty middy by nature, so even with the thump, it wont be in the bass realm like I imagine a tri rec may be.. and B) sadly, Ill prolly never be at a level to find out...

Wanted to add something else too.. Kinda opposite of the spectrum, but ... This is kinda the same reason the JB gets so much hate.. It can be bright when playing alone, but in a band, it lays in its place and carves thru like a scalpel...

 

[B2D]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

I played an Orange PPC412 with the stock vintage 30's tonight. Smoooooooth! Just my thing, very smooth and rich sounding. The V30's mids popped out a little more than I would've liked, but knowing how V30s usually sound I can say this cab made those speakers sound better than I've ever heard them. I was really surprised at how rich this cab sounded despite the smaller size.

Now I just have to try a Mesa oversized 412 to see how that compares! I've gotta be on the lookout for an empty Orange cab though, just in case I need to snag it and drop my Emi's in there.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Now I just have to try a Mesa oversized 412 to see how that compares! I've gotta be on the lookout for an empty Orange cab though, just in case I need to snag it and drop my Emi's in there.

Aim for the slant version. The straight cab is known for getting boomy, yet for some reason the slant is relatively tight.

 

[B2D]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Aim for the slant version. The straight cab is known for getting boomy, yet for some reason the slant is relatively tight.

Yeah I hear ya... I've been taking careful notes. Thanks for the input!

 

[B2D]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Little bit of an update:

My Carvin cab is now running 4 Eminence Governors instead of the mix I had in there. I do like running a quad of those better for my sound, overall. The sound seems to pop more and it's slightly less bright, and the mids are more pronounced, but in a way that I like.

That being said, I think my cab is influencing that bright edge I'm trying to smooth off and definitely not bringing out the bass as much as I would like.

I spoke to another guitar player in my social circle who uses both Orange and Avatar Contemporary cabs, and he likes them about equally. Though for me, he said he'd recommend getting the Avatar unloaded and with the dovetail construction option instead of waiting for an empty black Orange cab.

I may have to go that way anyways, as I think a MESA oversized 4x12 of either configuration may be too big to fit in my trunk. I have to confirm whether the specs on Boogie's site are with casters on or off, and the back seat in my car (at least the one I take to gigs) does not fold down.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

I have an empty Randall Warhead oversized 4x12 cab sitting in my garage currently. Sizewise, it's very comparable to the oversize Mesa Boogies. If you want, we can get together and load it up with your speakers to see if it's your thing. Biggest difference between this and the Boogie is that this has the metal grate grill instead of cloth. Very good, high-quality cab. I just like my other two cabs better, though I think the stock V30s wasn't doing it any favors. I've thought of putting new speakers in it, but really don't need three 4x12s... or do I??? :scratchch

 

[dave74]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

Little bit of an update:

My Carvin cab is now running 4 Eminence Governors instead of the mix I had in there. I do like running a quad of those a lot better for my sound, overall. The sound seems to pop more and it's slightly less bright, and the mids are more pronounced, but in a way that I like.

That being said, I think my cab is influencing that bright edge I'm trying to smooth off and definitely not bringing out the bass as much as I would like.

I spoke to another guitar player in my social circle who uses both Orange and Avatar Contemporary cabs, and he likes them about equally. Though for me, he said he'd recommend getting the Avatar unloaded and with the dovetail construction option instead of waiting for an empty black Orange cab.

I may have to go that way anyways, as I think a MESA oversized 4x12 of either configuration may be too big to fit in my trunk. I have to confirm whether the specs on Boogie's site are with casters on or off, and the back seat in my car (at least the one I take to gigs) does not fold down.

The mesa measurements are indeed without the casters, which is fine because they pop off in literally a few seconds anyways.

As for your friend's suggestion about the dovetail joints,,,,,,,,,,,I really don't think it's needed.
The standard Avatar construction is basically the same as any other top-notch cab (rabbet, dado)

The mesa traditional is about the same size as an Avatar contemporary, maybe an inch difference, but basically the same.

Getting the Avatar unloaded is an option, although getting it loaded lets you snag four new Celestion speakers for about $60 each! (Emi is more for whatever reason)
At that price they're not hard sell if you don't gel.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

I'm liking the Randall Diavlo cabinets, especially the ones with V30s. Really juicy sounding and mic up wonderfully.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Best sounding 4x12s?

The heaviest, lowest, thumpiest.... Is that a real word??? Cabinet I ever played personally was a Krank rev 1..... not sure what speakers were in it. But it rattled the walls like a bass rig.

I built my own clone of that rig with a very heavy (literal weight) Randall cab, originally had the jaguars in it.... but i pput Eminence speakers in it. It hit very hard and sharp as well. Too hard, i had to swap it up to match my band better.