Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

[Guitar Toad]

Let's say you've got a nice little 1x12 combo that you love. Whether it's Blues Junior or Deluxe reverb or a Mesa Maverick. When you run through a 4x12 cabinet how's the tone gonna change? For the sake of this discussion lets say the 4x12 cab has the same speakers as the combo. How about the overdrive? Will it take more power to reach the overdrive point since the load is divided by 4 speakers now? I'm sure there's more to it than that.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

It's going to sound a lot more like a "big" amp than a big amp would with its master volume on 2.

In general, you'll get more low end and more volume. The answer to your overdrive question is "it depends". If speaker breakup is part of your sound, and the speakers are the same, then yes, you'll get less breakup when the power is split among 4 speakers. But if you put in 4 lower-powered speakers that break up earlier, then you'll get some of it back.

A lot more people should do this, instead of buying half-stacks. Everyone would be happier, from the guitarist to the singer, to the soundman. Small amps through big cabs rock.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

Almost any small 1x12 combo will sound infinitly better through a 4x12.

Imagine your tone going from a boxy directional small sounding crap fest to full blown room filling halfstack...

 

[emilio]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

so the sound won't change much?

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

It's going to sound a lot more like a "big" amp than a big amp would with its master volume on 2.

In general, you'll get more low end and more volume. The answer to your overdrive question is "it depends". If speaker breakup is part of your sound, and the speakers are the same, then yes, you'll get less breakup when the power is split among 4 speakers. But if you put in 4 lower-powered speakers that break up earlier, then you'll get some of it back.

A lot more people should do this, instead of buying half-stacks. Everyone would be happier, from the guitarist to the singer, to the soundman. Small amps through big cabs rock.

Almost any small 1x12 combo will sound infinitly better through a 4x12.

Imagine your tone going from a boxy directional small sounding crap fest to full blown room filling halfstack...

Small amp + 4x12 cab = good move for the guitar player and everyone else. Great info Rich. Thanks.

As long as the speakers in the cab are a good match for the amp. But, that's the pre-requisite for any amp speaker combo. They need to be a good match for each other and match the players desired tone requirement.

Thanks guys.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

I think it would sound great and allows for that versatility, but at the cost of looking kewel :banana:

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

I think it would sound great and allows for that versatility, but at the cost of looking kewel :banana:

What a sec...wouldn't a 4x12 cab increase the cool factor?! No?

edit: ok..i think I got it...more gear increases expectation...decreasing the cool factor. Is that your reasoning?

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

What a sec...wouldn't a 4x12 cab increase the cool factor?! No?

edit: ok..i think I got it...more gear increases expectation...decreasing the cool factor. Is that your reasoning?

I think he is sayin the 1x12 sitting atop the 4x12 will look goofy.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

I think he is sayin the 1x12 sitting atop the 4x12 will look goofy.

ok...i gotcha now...but there are ways to deal with that.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

Just set the amp behind the cab, problem solved.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

I think he is sayin the 1x12 sitting atop the 4x12 will look goofy.

sad but true in the eyes of the shallow minded viewer

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Running your 20w 1x12 combo through a 4x12 cab

Hey, i like the idea of a lil' Blues Jr. sitting atop a mean looking black stelth-like, Mesa 4x12 cab !!!

NOW IF WE COULD ONLY GET MESA'S OVER HERE