Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
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Skaforlifeologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
yep, because hot dogs 'n' speakers are directly related:lmao:
yep, because hot dogs 'n' speakers are directly related:lmao:
James Rock
Active member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
As far a I can tell with some british amps like VOX's they used a 12 and then for more power they just double it (ac15 1x12 to ac30 2x12). I guess 10's and 12's were more portable then they doubled everything to get more volume I don't have a real answer though
As far a I can tell with some british amps like VOX's they used a 12 and then for more power they just double it (ac15 1x12 to ac30 2x12). I guess 10's and 12's were more portable then they doubled everything to get more volume I don't have a real answer though
hanumanlangur
New member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
Just wanted to add in that some of the Fender 15-inch combos sound amazing! The 15-inch Twin Reverb, and the Vibroverb.... much better than the 12-inch combo Fenders I've heard. Clearer, cleaner, fuller, more even, and just better in every way. When it comes to cleans, it doesn't get better than those amps.
Just wanted to add in that some of the Fender 15-inch combos sound amazing! The 15-inch Twin Reverb, and the Vibroverb.... much better than the 12-inch combo Fenders I've heard. Clearer, cleaner, fuller, more even, and just better in every way. When it comes to cleans, it doesn't get better than those amps.
pixelpusher
New member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
because rock is still about the size of the kings foot cuz that's who's in charge ... and an actual "Foot" or two or four of the kings appendages kicking your ass beats saying 30.48 cm of Gabriel Mouton's practical precise units of measurement is kicking your ass.
four kings feet in your face! or at least 2 ... anything less is a practice amp. (not counting 80's boogies that will rip your face off).
because rock is still about the size of the kings foot cuz that's who's in charge ... and an actual "Foot" or two or four of the kings appendages kicking your ass beats saying 30.48 cm of Gabriel Mouton's practical precise units of measurement is kicking your ass.
four kings feet in your face! or at least 2 ... anything less is a practice amp. (not counting 80's boogies that will rip your face off).
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
I'd say as a general rule they are the right mix of punch and fullness.
I'd say as a general rule they are the right mix of punch and fullness.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
In my world of weirdness and reality constructed entirely on my own perceptions, 10inch speakers are the standard. I know the 12 will give you more bass response, and move more air, but there is something about the control and the response of a 10inch speaker that just works for me.
Funny you bring this up, as I am in a struggle to decide what I want to buy as a cab for my amp, either running it as a 2x12 or a 2x10.
In my world of weirdness and reality constructed entirely on my own perceptions, 10inch speakers are the standard. I know the 12 will give you more bass response, and move more air, but there is something about the control and the response of a 10inch speaker that just works for me.
Funny you bring this up, as I am in a struggle to decide what I want to buy as a cab for my amp, either running it as a 2x12 or a 2x10.
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Skaforlifeologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
i'd say, mix it up! depending on what your running of course. i don't remember too well, but your amp already has a 10, right? get a 2x12
i'd say, mix it up! depending on what your running of course. i don't remember too well, but your amp already has a 10, right? get a 2x12
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
Actually, that brings up another point... why are 1, 2, or 4 same size speakers pretty much the standard?
I mean, old speaker towers were typically a 10in or 12in woofer, 8in loudspeaker, and then a tweeter or horn. I can understand not wanting a tweeter in a guitar cab, but why not mix speakers more?
I'm asking all this because I saw some old Mesa cabs the other day. One was a Mark I 1x15 combo, which reminded me of the old 15in Twins. The other was a 1x12/4x8 cab with a single V30 in the centre and four 8in speakers in the corner (I'm guessing they were 8... could be wrong).
i'd say, mix it up! depending on what your running of course. i don't remember too well, but your amp already has a 10, right? get a 2x12
Actually, that brings up another point... why are 1, 2, or 4 same size speakers pretty much the standard?
I mean, old speaker towers were typically a 10in or 12in woofer, 8in loudspeaker, and then a tweeter or horn. I can understand not wanting a tweeter in a guitar cab, but why not mix speakers more?
I'm asking all this because I saw some old Mesa cabs the other day. One was a Mark I 1x15 combo, which reminded me of the old 15in Twins. The other was a 1x12/4x8 cab with a single V30 in the centre and four 8in speakers in the corner (I'm guessing they were 8... could be wrong).
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
They make a bass cab with the same concept. It has 4x10 in the corners, and a single 15 in the center.
I think the reason why 2 or 4 of the same speaker has become standard is because people figure if they like the sound of their 12 inch, 4 of them should be four times as awesome, lol.
They make a bass cab with the same concept. It has 4x10 in the corners, and a single 15 in the center.
I think the reason why 2 or 4 of the same speaker has become standard is because people figure if they like the sound of their 12 inch, 4 of them should be four times as awesome, lol.
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
Because it sits nicely between 10 & 15 inch speakers in size ???
I still want a 2x15 or 4x15 reallll bad !
"ring, ring, ermmm, yes, hello Electric Amps, can i speak to someone in your cab building depertment . . . "
James
Because it sits nicely between 10 & 15 inch speakers in size ???
I still want a 2x15 or 4x15 reallll bad !
"ring, ring, ermmm, yes, hello Electric Amps, can i speak to someone in your cab building depertment . . . "
James
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
Randall is making a 2x12/1x15 right now !
James
Randall is making a 2x12/1x15 right now !
James
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
I'll be honest about what I think, even though I will probably get flamed for it, as I know it is not what 99.9% of guitarists think probably, but works for me.
I personally don't understand why guitarists are super hung up on bass response. I'm not talking no bass response at all, but I have always found that to fit nicely in a live mix, I always ended up having to turn down my bass and sit in the high-mid register to really fit well. I want to make it clear that I am not saying no bass ; but I feel that if you have a bassist on stage, yourself, a drummer, maybe another guitarist or keys player, I don't see why you would want to push 15s. I could however see how it would be useful if you play alone at home, or in different settings where you don't have any instrument to cover the lows.
I know you might not agree, but for me, 12s or 10s(my obvious preference) will give you that tightness control and the right range to take your place within a live sound, with just the right amount of bass and low ends.
I'm sure some of you feel differently and make 15s work, but this is just my 2cents worth.
I'll be honest about what I think, even though I will probably get flamed for it, as I know it is not what 99.9% of guitarists think probably, but works for me.
I personally don't understand why guitarists are super hung up on bass response. I'm not talking no bass response at all, but I have always found that to fit nicely in a live mix, I always ended up having to turn down my bass and sit in the high-mid register to really fit well. I want to make it clear that I am not saying no bass ; but I feel that if you have a bassist on stage, yourself, a drummer, maybe another guitarist or keys player, I don't see why you would want to push 15s. I could however see how it would be useful if you play alone at home, or in different settings where you don't have any instrument to cover the lows.
I know you might not agree, but for me, 12s or 10s(my obvious preference) will give you that tightness control and the right range to take your place within a live sound, with just the right amount of bass and low ends.
I'm sure some of you feel differently and make 15s work, but this is just my 2cents worth.
Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
The frequency response of different speaker sizes are different. That's a rulle of thumb, there are exceptions. A 4-10 cab, like some here have pointed out, will sound tighter, but there would also tend to be extra high end which might sound fizzy. OTOH, 4-10's sounds pretty good when playing a Strat into an amp with a smoother blues overdrive. That's why 4-10's is a popular arrangement on tweed amps that blues guitarists use. You hear a little more of the snap and ping of a Strat.
12's have that nice warm clasisc midrangey sound.
15's can be a little on the bassy side, so they didn't end up the no. 1 speaker choice for guitar amps for a few decades.
In the last 10 years or so, with the sound of rock guitar changing from the midrangy chunk of the 70's and 80's to the more bassy downtuned sound of the 90's and now, companies like Rivera and Randall have introduced amps with 15 inch speakers. I recall seeing a Rivera amp with a 1-15 cab and a 2-12 or 4-12 cab. One cab for the body, one for the low end.
Actually, with downtuned and scooped tones being popular now, I'm surprised guitar amp companies havent introduced amps with a combination of 15 and a 10" or two. You'd get the big bass, the high end sizzle, and you could still dial in the mids if you wanted. Granted, that setup wouldn't be for every player. But I bet players into downtuned and scooped sounds would find it easier to get a more extreme tone.
The frequency response of different speaker sizes are different. That's a rulle of thumb, there are exceptions. A 4-10 cab, like some here have pointed out, will sound tighter, but there would also tend to be extra high end which might sound fizzy. OTOH, 4-10's sounds pretty good when playing a Strat into an amp with a smoother blues overdrive. That's why 4-10's is a popular arrangement on tweed amps that blues guitarists use. You hear a little more of the snap and ping of a Strat.
12's have that nice warm clasisc midrangey sound.
15's can be a little on the bassy side, so they didn't end up the no. 1 speaker choice for guitar amps for a few decades.
In the last 10 years or so, with the sound of rock guitar changing from the midrangy chunk of the 70's and 80's to the more bassy downtuned sound of the 90's and now, companies like Rivera and Randall have introduced amps with 15 inch speakers. I recall seeing a Rivera amp with a 1-15 cab and a 2-12 or 4-12 cab. One cab for the body, one for the low end.
Actually, with downtuned and scooped tones being popular now, I'm surprised guitar amp companies havent introduced amps with a combination of 15 and a 10" or two. You'd get the big bass, the high end sizzle, and you could still dial in the mids if you wanted. Granted, that setup wouldn't be for every player. But I bet players into downtuned and scooped sounds would find it easier to get a more extreme tone.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Why is a 12in speaker the standard?
Nothing stopping you from trading or getting one. 4x10s are the unsung hero of the guitar cab world.
Nothing stopping you from trading or getting one. 4x10s are the unsung hero of the guitar cab world.
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