What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
My favorite 412s are the old Mesa Half-Back cabs. There were several different speaker configurations you could get. I have a slant cab with the Mesa/Celestion C90s in the top and EVMs in the closed bottom; and another slant cab with all EVMs. I like these cabs because they are smaller and lighter than many 412 cabs, though the EVM cab weighs a ton. The build quality is superb. The 212 Half-Back cab is another terrific cab.
While I like the Recto and Traditional Mesa V30 cabs, it's the Road King cab that really interests me. It is another hybrid cab: one side is open with C90s and the closed side has V30s. Great sound, mono or stereo with two amps.
The Mesas are expensive, but I don't think anyone makes a better cab these days.
I've used 412s from Peavey, Ampeg, SUNN, Fender and Marshall over the years. Depending on speakers, all could do a good job, but some held up better than others.
Bill
My favorite 412s are the old Mesa Half-Back cabs. There were several different speaker configurations you could get. I have a slant cab with the Mesa/Celestion C90s in the top and EVMs in the closed bottom; and another slant cab with all EVMs. I like these cabs because they are smaller and lighter than many 412 cabs, though the EVM cab weighs a ton. The build quality is superb. The 212 Half-Back cab is another terrific cab.
While I like the Recto and Traditional Mesa V30 cabs, it's the Road King cab that really interests me. It is another hybrid cab: one side is open with C90s and the closed side has V30s. Great sound, mono or stereo with two amps.
The Mesas are expensive, but I don't think anyone makes a better cab these days.
I've used 412s from Peavey, Ampeg, SUNN, Fender and Marshall over the years. Depending on speakers, all could do a good job, but some held up better than others.
Bill
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Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
My favorite tone is a combination of EVMs and Brit style speakers.
Depending on the size of the room, I have one of two cabs:
A Carvin Legacy (Vai) 4x12 with one EVM, and one each V30 and a WGS Retro 30. 4th Hole is blocked off. Mic the EVM and the WGS, and WOW!!! Huge and toneful.
Just recorded for the last 3 days with this setup and my Ceriatone AFD 50 Watt with JJ 6CA7s. Killer sound. It has feet on one side and casters on another. I tip it onto its casters when using it.
2nd Cab is a Genz-Benz 2x12 Folded horn (Lynch). One EVM, and one 100 watt Weber Hemp Blue Dog. Also sounds awesome! I'm doing a big outdoor event in July, and I'm hoping to use both in Stereo.
My favorite tone is a combination of EVMs and Brit style speakers.
Depending on the size of the room, I have one of two cabs:
A Carvin Legacy (Vai) 4x12 with one EVM, and one each V30 and a WGS Retro 30. 4th Hole is blocked off. Mic the EVM and the WGS, and WOW!!! Huge and toneful.
Just recorded for the last 3 days with this setup and my Ceriatone AFD 50 Watt with JJ 6CA7s. Killer sound. It has feet on one side and casters on another. I tip it onto its casters when using it.
2nd Cab is a Genz-Benz 2x12 Folded horn (Lynch). One EVM, and one 100 watt Weber Hemp Blue Dog. Also sounds awesome! I'm doing a big outdoor event in July, and I'm hoping to use both in Stereo.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
I picked other because there's three in particular that I like equally, two are on your poll list. And I have no preference between top or bottom cabs, they both have their place and uses, so I like both.
1. Marshall 1960. They have that classic thing that can't be beat. Sure there are some really good clones out there, but the Marshall 1960 is just one of those bread and butter standards that do their thing and do it well. They also respond well to speaker swaps. Right now in my 1960A and 1960B, I have a mix of V30s and G12T-75s in an X pattern. The '75 isn't my favorite speaker because it's too easy to get happy with the treble and presence, but as long as a guy minds his business, all is good. This blend makes for a fairly broad tonal response. The mids are just right, and the bottom end is bold but not loose. I've also had Texas Heats and Swamp Thangs in the A cab and when I bought the B cab it had Soldano Purples and Legend V1216s in it. All sounded good.
2. Mesa Rectifier Standard. These cabs have a grunt to them that are all their own. The larger internal volume when compared to a Marshall makes the V30s in them sound a little more broad. It brings out a little more low end, seems to shift the mid spike a little lower, and does this thing that makes you feel it in your guts.
3. Splawn 4x12. As far as internal volume goes, they're in between a Marshall 1960 and a Mesa Rectifier Standard, IIRC. I've only had the factory Man O' Wars and Governors in mine, which are supposed to be one of Eminence's takes on the V30 and G12T-75 (I think it's closer to a G12K-100). They have a more subdued top end than Celestions do, though. This cab is fairly well ballanced and sounds good with any amp I've used it with.
I picked other because there's three in particular that I like equally, two are on your poll list. And I have no preference between top or bottom cabs, they both have their place and uses, so I like both.
1. Marshall 1960. They have that classic thing that can't be beat. Sure there are some really good clones out there, but the Marshall 1960 is just one of those bread and butter standards that do their thing and do it well. They also respond well to speaker swaps. Right now in my 1960A and 1960B, I have a mix of V30s and G12T-75s in an X pattern. The '75 isn't my favorite speaker because it's too easy to get happy with the treble and presence, but as long as a guy minds his business, all is good. This blend makes for a fairly broad tonal response. The mids are just right, and the bottom end is bold but not loose. I've also had Texas Heats and Swamp Thangs in the A cab and when I bought the B cab it had Soldano Purples and Legend V1216s in it. All sounded good.
2. Mesa Rectifier Standard. These cabs have a grunt to them that are all their own. The larger internal volume when compared to a Marshall makes the V30s in them sound a little more broad. It brings out a little more low end, seems to shift the mid spike a little lower, and does this thing that makes you feel it in your guts.
3. Splawn 4x12. As far as internal volume goes, they're in between a Marshall 1960 and a Mesa Rectifier Standard, IIRC. I've only had the factory Man O' Wars and Governors in mine, which are supposed to be one of Eminence's takes on the V30 and G12T-75 (I think it's closer to a G12K-100). They have a more subdued top end than Celestions do, though. This cab is fairly well ballanced and sounds good with any amp I've used it with.
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80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
Marshall 1960a
Love the projection of the slant, love the ability to go mono or stereo, love the typical celestions and especially the 75t's
After having the Same speakers in 3 different cabinets, the Marshall sounded the best to my ears. That's my vote.
Honorable mention, Randall and Krank.
Marshall 1960a
Love the projection of the slant, love the ability to go mono or stereo, love the typical celestions and especially the 75t's
After having the Same speakers in 3 different cabinets, the Marshall sounded the best to my ears. That's my vote.
Honorable mention, Randall and Krank.
tstone2
New member
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
Currently running a Mesa Stiletto Trident Stage 1 Head through a Mesa Recto Cab W 4 X V30's, dig it.
Back in the 80's I was running a Hi-Watt Custom 100 head through 1 Hi-Watt 4 x 12 ( I recall Celestion greebacks?) and a homemade 2 X 12 cab with C-90's. That was a cool rig. I reckon anything quality made with good quality wood and speakers that suit your needs are the "best" for you ! I wish I had that Hi-Watt rig back. Anyone check the prices on Hi-Watt lately ? Wow, a lot more than what I paid and sold for back in the 80's....I guess everything now is high anyway !
Currently running a Mesa Stiletto Trident Stage 1 Head through a Mesa Recto Cab W 4 X V30's, dig it.
Back in the 80's I was running a Hi-Watt Custom 100 head through 1 Hi-Watt 4 x 12 ( I recall Celestion greebacks?) and a homemade 2 X 12 cab with C-90's. That was a cool rig. I reckon anything quality made with good quality wood and speakers that suit your needs are the "best" for you ! I wish I had that Hi-Watt rig back. Anyone check the prices on Hi-Watt lately ? Wow, a lot more than what I paid and sold for back in the 80's....I guess everything now is high anyway !
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
I'm going to put in an Honorable Mention Award for the Fender 412 Tone Master cab from the mid-90s.
And as big cabs go, the old Dual Showman 215 JBL D-130 cabs are righteous, too!
Bill
I'm going to put in an Honorable Mention Award for the Fender 412 Tone Master cab from the mid-90s.
And as big cabs go, the old Dual Showman 215 JBL D-130 cabs are righteous, too!
Bill
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
Bogner UberKab. Oddly, mine came loaded with 4 V30s instead of the usual X pattern; I was a bit disappointed until I plugged in and heard it... it's an absolute monster with a really punchy bass and slightly dark midrange but without sacrificing overall "forward-ness" and aggression.
Second favorite is the Marshall 1960V. Good balanced tone, great cut.
Surprised to see so many mentions of the Rectifier OS in this thread; I really dislike that cab. Tends to make guitars disappear in a mix while also making them really nasal at the same time.
Bogner UberKab. Oddly, mine came loaded with 4 V30s instead of the usual X pattern; I was a bit disappointed until I plugged in and heard it... it's an absolute monster with a really punchy bass and slightly dark midrange but without sacrificing overall "forward-ness" and aggression.
Second favorite is the Marshall 1960V. Good balanced tone, great cut.
Surprised to see so many mentions of the Rectifier OS in this thread; I really dislike that cab. Tends to make guitars disappear in a mix while also making them really nasal at the same time.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: What's your favorite 4x12 cab, and why?
There's two components to the sound and feel. The cab wood and construction controls the feel under your fingers and the firmness of the lows. The speakers dictate the overall voice. Most quality name brand cabs sound good, but they all have their own voice. Mixing scooped speakers with midrangey speakers covers a lot of sonic ground.
I prefer bouncy resonant cabs in the style of Bogner, Friedman, and vintage Marshall basketweave, but more modern speakers like combinations of V30, H30, G75T, and Creambacks......higher wattage handling than vintage spec speakers. My favorite sounding cabs have that mashup of vintage birch ply cab construction with updated speaker combinations.
There's two components to the sound and feel. The cab wood and construction controls the feel under your fingers and the firmness of the lows. The speakers dictate the overall voice. Most quality name brand cabs sound good, but they all have their own voice. Mixing scooped speakers with midrangey speakers covers a lot of sonic ground.
I prefer bouncy resonant cabs in the style of Bogner, Friedman, and vintage Marshall basketweave, but more modern speakers like combinations of V30, H30, G75T, and Creambacks......higher wattage handling than vintage spec speakers. My favorite sounding cabs have that mashup of vintage birch ply cab construction with updated speaker combinations.
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