4x12 or 2x12? And some other questions....

[Tom Gilroy]

Roite then, here's the situation. I've been working like a madman all summer to buy myself a new Cornford Hellcat. Now, the current situation. I have enough to buy the head itself (I've decided that tubes in the same enclosure as the speaker would probably be a bad idea, so I went against the combo), and with a few more weeks work, I'll have enough to get the matching cab for it. But then this is the question, should I go for the 2x12 cab or the 4x12?

And I'll put it to you this way, I fully expect that this will be my main amp for at least the next ten years. Keep that, and the fact that the Hellcat is considerably lower wattage than most high end heads (35W) in mind.

Also, I shan't be able to afford it any time soon, but I've decided that I'm sick of multi effects units, and that I'd like to replace what I use with individual pedals. First on the list obviously, would be a distortion/overdrive. Think Richie Kotzen, Paul Gilbert and early Andy Timmons to get an idea of the tone I'm after, but factor in a little Brian May into the mix. Sweet, singing British tone with plenty of bark is what I'm after. Something that would really compliment the Hellcat.

As or other pedals, well, I would like I wah, but a damn good one. I've never played a crybaby that I've liked, and Vox are a bit meh. So other suggestions please.

[pawel]

I would go for a 2x12 - it will be loud enough for most situations, and you'll thank yourself if you ever need to travel with your rig. I have a 1x12 widebody and I find that a pain to move around...

I personally like the Maxon SD9 quite a lot and find it incredibly versatile, though it has some faults, which is why I plan to get it modded by Analogman one day. There are tons of very good overdrive/distortion pedals though, Guthrie Govan uses the Barber DD with the Hellcat, but often he doesn't use anything to drive it at all. You will know better what you want (if you do want something) when you get the amp. Hard to suggest anything now,

I haven't played a wah I like yet. I heard good things about the Fulltone Clyde, the Budda wah, and the RMC ones, and I think that one of them might be "the one". Tough to get your hands on one to try, but I'd look into one of these 3 manufacturers if I was you.

[Tom Gilroy]

Originally Posted by pawel

I would go for a 2x12 - it will be loud enough for most situations, and you'll thank yourself if you ever need to travel with your rig. I have a 1x12 widebody and I find that a pain to move around...

I personally like the Maxon SD9 quite a lot and find it incredibly versatile, though it has some faults, which is why I plan to get it modded by Analogman one day. There are tons of very good overdrive/distortion pedals though, Guthrie Govan uses the Barber DD with the Hellcat, but often he doesn't use anything to drive it at all. You will know better what you want (if you do want something) when you get the amp. Hard to suggest anything now,

I haven't played a wah I like yet. I heard good things about the Fulltone Clyde, the Budda wah, and the RMC ones, and I think that one of them might be "the one". Tough to get your hands on one to try, but I'd look into one of these 3 manufacturers if I was you.

I wasn't planning on using the overdrive predominantly, the Hellcat itself has plenty or natural distortion. More for the rare instances. I'll be plenty happy with the amp dry. I wouldn't buy it if it wasn't exactly what I wanted dry. Just something to add a slightly different colour.

I've heard good things about the Budda too, and from clips I've heard it sounds amazing. But then, it'd be damn hard to get any hands on experience testing it, and I don't like ordering blind, even though being in Ireland often means you have to. I'm so thankful I got to test a Hellcat properly.

I was thinking 2x12 too. I think I'm too skinny to lug a 4x12 around. lol.

[supermau]

I'd say 2x12 too. It's enough.

[jaxadam]

I'd say go for the 2x12's.

I have 2 2x12 cabs running stereo, and it sounds pretty cool when you add some panning, etc.

[560licious]

Ok, going against the grain.

The 4x12 is great, and the difference is, you will get a better thump out of it versus the 2x12. That is if that is the style you are playing. I play in a band with my 4x12 and the other guitarist has 2 2x12 cabinets. He has a good sound, but the one thing he can't get is that low Pantera sounding thump. But with my 4x12 and my line 6 flextone amp, I can get massive thumping sounds or tone it down to match his more thin sound. I think the 4x12 is more versitle in that aspect.

[pawel]

I don't think anyone is looking for a Pantera "thump" if they buy a Cornford amp...

[NaHuELoidE]

for the style you play, I would go for the 2x12... it kicks hard enough, but it hasn't so much "hoooompf"....also, it's a lot easier to find a good place for it at home or bedroom ( I use my laney hc 25r as a little table for my lamp) hehehe

the amp dry itself it's almost enough. I would use two or three different pedals depending on the situation. OD's don't sound quite right to me for heavy rythm, but they are great for solos ( TS 9 style) and a distortion device have more defined bass range.
well, that's what I do for my rig. I use two OD's and a distortion and it works great.

[560licious]

Originally Posted by pawel

I don't think anyone is looking for a Pantera "thump" if they buy a Cornford amp...

Well it is called a hellcat, lol. I figured it had more bite in it! What was I thinking? Please go limit yourself with a 2x12

[Lefty Robb]

I went with a 2x12 just because I didn't want to lug a 100lb + 4x12 around...Plus its easier if you want to go stereo with 2 2x12's.

[GilkyBear]

2 X 12, you can always add another one if needed...

[Tom Gilroy]

Originally Posted by 560licious

Well it is called a hellcat, lol. I figured it had more bite in it! What was I thinking? Please go limit yourself with a 2x12

It's got plenty of bite, and can do metal easily. However, it's hardly Pantera (who I don't particularly think much of) style metal that will come out of this amp (Opeth or Racer X however, would be a treat on this thing). Metal is regardless, not my biggest concern.

I'm thinking more and more that I'll go for the 2x12, and might get a second if I ever need it.

[JoeJoe]

Yep, i'd go with the 2x12 too. I use a 2x12 with my Marshall JCM900
(50 watt), and it's plenty loud, plus it's not nearly as heavy as a 4x12 so much easier lugging around.


And when you hit it big, you can always add more

[Algiman]

I have both. Depends on the sitution which one I use, but both are wired to run in stereo. The 2x12 is way more portable, but I prefer the sound of the 4x12 when I'm playing in a venue big enough to really crank the volume - a 4x12 running a lower volumes sounds pants to me. It is rare that I need that much oomph, but by 'eck is it fun!