What cabinet do I need?

[dd12939]

So my rig is Digital preamp/effects->poweramp->cabinets
I play rock/blues with a little bit of heavy stuff thrown in for good measure
I have a 1x12 cab now. I want another cabinet, but I'm not sure what to get. I am leaning towards getting a 2x12, just for a bigger sound, but I am open to other things too (1x12/4x10). I don't want a 4x12 due to cost/size/weight restrictions. I'm pretty in the dark about what speakers to get/open vs closed back/etc. So any help at all would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Jay 77]

Re: What cabinet do I need?

I like the idea of a 2x12 in this case, because they're not too big to haul around. Be careful to get the right cab though because the tones are so incredibly different. If possible, try to demo cabs along with what your current setup is. You'll find exactly what you like. I tried my amp through three different 4x12's before I made the decision.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: What cabinet do I need?

How much output does your power amp have? If you play blues-rock you will probably want speakers voiced for blues rock. That would generally mean greenback 25's, G12H30's, or the 10" Jenson P10R alnico, or eqivilants. A 2x12 with these kind of speakers or a 4x10 would be fine with a 50 watt amp or less. The Eminence Redcoat eqivilants have greater power handling than their Celestion counterparts. Also an open back cab will be more usefull for gigging this kind of music in a club setting.

 

[dd12939]

Re: What cabinet do I need?

it's 50 watts per side, stereo. Excuse my ignorance, but why would the open back be better?
Thanks

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: What cabinet do I need?

In a club a setting you get a more 3D-surround sound effect from open back cabs. Closed back cabs in an small enclosed space can sometimes be too directional, bombarding some listeners with treble straight on, and leaving a muffled sound to those off axis. An open back cab gives tight enough bass for classic rock and blues, although the Greenback 25 speakers like closed back cabs. For open back use, the G12H30 is the standard for these types of music.

If your using this cab in conjuntion with another cab for stereo use, then you need a minimum total of 50 watts power handling for the whole cab. If you plan on sending one side of your power amp to each speaker then you need a minimum power handling of 50 watts per speaker.

The Eminence Wizard is voiced like G12H30, but are rated at 75 watts RMS each. Those would be a a very good choice. They work well open backed or closed back.

If you got a cab with a removable back that could be used either way, then you could use it open or closed depending on the situation.