What would you do? (Cab setup)

[Jacew]

I've been trying to make my mind about cab setup I want for two years and right now I think I've even more undecided than when I started...

So first of all, I have DIY 1x12 with G12H30 that sounds killer. I also have pair for that speaker. My original idea was to simply build copy of that existing cab for two 1x12 setup. That would allow me to go for stereo in future if I feel like it. And stack for mono use.

Then again I'd hate to lug two cabs around... So 2x12 would be better. And specifically vertical. I don't really want wide cab sitting low that isn't going to help at all with monitoring.

The detuned 4x12 I recently got interested about sounds like a great option too. And 4x12's are much more easily available than 2x12's.

Then again they're not very easy to lug around either...

Now I'd be probably happy with one 1x12, if I wasn't worried I might damage the speaker... My Egnater is only 20 watter, but it has same tube layout as 30w version (two el84 and two 6v6) and it's really loud for a 20w amp, so much I've started to suspect the watt number simply refers to available headroom rather than actual output of the amp.

I wouldn't like to really push a single 30w speaker with it...

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

I've been trying to make my mind about cab setup I want for two years and right now I think I've even more undecided than when I started...

So first of all, I have DIY 1x12 with G12H30 that sounds killer. I also have pair for that speaker. My original idea was to simply build copy of that existing cab for two 1x12 setup. That would allow me to go for stereo in future if I feel like it. And stack for mono use.

Then again I'd hate to lug two cabs around... So 2x12 would be better. And specifically vertical. I don't really want wide cab sitting low that isn't going to help at all with monitoring.

The detuned 4x12 I recently got interested about sounds like a great option too. And 4x12's are much more easily available than 2x12's.

Then again they're not very easy to lug around either...

Now I'd be probably happy with one 1x12, if I wasn't worried I might damage the speaker... My Egnater is only 20 watter, but it has same tube layout as 30w version (two el84 and two 6v6) and it's really loud for a 20w amp, so much I've started to suspect the watt number simply refers to available headroom rather than actual output of the amp.

I wouldn't like to really push a single 30w speaker with it...

So, just get a 2X12 vertical and wire it with multiple jacks to be either mono or stereo. This is a common practice w/ 4X12's.

EDIT: like THIS

 

[dystrust]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

Now I'd be probably happy with one 1x12, if I wasn't worried I might damage the speaker... My Egnater is only 20 watter, but it has same tube layout as 30w version (two el84 and two 6v6) and it's really loud for a 20w amp, so much I've started to suspect the watt number simply refers to available headroom rather than actual output of the amp.

I wouldn't like to really push a single 30w speaker with it...

My Marshall Mini Jubilee has a pair of EL-34s, but it only puts out 20W instead of the 50W you'd expect because output wattage is determined by plate voltage in addition to the power tube type(s). If your 20W amp runs lower plate voltage than the similar 30W amp, it probably puts out roughly 20W at onset of clipping. Wattage will continue to increase as the power section clips, but it probably won't exceed 30W by much if at all. So unless you're playing that 20W amp cranked loud enough to distort the power section, I wouldn't worry about damaging your speaker.

 

[Demanic]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

Vertical 2x12 with a stereo option.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[Jacew]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

So, just get a 2X12 vertical and wire it with multiple jacks to be either mono or stereo. This is a common practice w/ 4X12's.

EDIT: like THIS

Wouldn't you need speakers horizontally apart for a stereo image?

There also a problem of vertical cabs being rather rare in used market and expensive...

 

[Jacew]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

My Marshall Mini Jubilee has a pair of EL-34s, but it only puts out 20W instead of the 50W you'd expect because output wattage is determined by plate voltage in addition to the power tube type(s). If your 20W amp runs lower plate voltage than the similar 30W amp, it probably puts out roughly 20W at onset of clipping. Wattage will continue to increase as the power section clips, but it probably won't exceed 30W by much if at all. So unless you're playing that 20W amp cranked loud enough to distort the power section, I wouldn't worry about damaging your speaker.

Good point. Though I very well might want to crank it up for power section clipping spmetimes.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

Wouldn't you need speakers horizontally apart for a stereo image?

There also a problem of vertical cabs being rather rare in used market and expensive...

You said stereo and said you preferred vertical....I gave a solution. Of course, for best stereo effect, horizontal is best. Vertical Straight cabs can also be oriented horizontally. I have one that I put feet on to use either vertically or horizontally.

I certainly can't speak for the market in Finland, but there are sources in the USA for reasonably priced 2X12's. What about Thomann for you? OR, you could build one (since you considered doing it for a 1X12).....must be plans omewhere on the internet.

 

[dystrust]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

Good point. Though I very well might want to crank it up for power section clipping spmetimes.

Your amp should produce 20W when the power amp starts to distort. At maximum output I'd expect around 30W, but it's hard to say for sure without measuring it. Unless you're frequently playing with the master volume near max you probably don't have anything to worry about.

 

[Sirion]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

If you are concerned about what your amp puts out, I'd recommend getting one of these to take the guesswork out:

http://zerocapcable.com/?page_id=221

 

[Jacew]

Re: What would you do? (Cab setup)

Thank you and great suggestions everyone.

I had free half saturday and started building a 2x12 cab. So thread closed and build thread coming.