slant or straight cab, 4x12 or 2x12...

Drache713 · #1 07-15-2004, 06:16 AM

I'm just debating on a few things here. I'm planning on hopefully getting a new amp here in the near future, but I've got to deicide on a few things cab wise. I don't know whether i want a head with a 4x12 cab, or say like a 2x12 combo with a 2x12 extension cab. And if I did get a 4x12 i dunno whether to get slant or straight (i think the 2x12 combo with a 2x12 extension cab could only be straight, not slant). Could any of you guys help me narrow down my decision? My band now just had a fallout so i'm without a band right now, but likely any future bands and bands i've practiced with before i've practiced with just my amp unmiked in a practice/jam room. But I do want to play gigs, dunno what size but nonetheless places with PA's and having my cab miked. I also have a somewhat small car, a little civic sedan so the room is an issue, I had a struggle loading my 4x12 ampeg cab into it today and it barely fit at that. Any help is appreciated!

Jammy · #2 07-15-2004, 06:24 AM

I would invest in a decent 2x12 and one of those speaker/cab stand things that angle it upwards. It will save you space and also if your having your cab miced up it will be fine for gigs. $0.02

Gresh · #3 07-15-2004, 01:45 PM

A good quality 2x12 combo will likely be just fine, as mentioned. It will be more portable. I've got a 2x12 combo and 2x12 extension cab and together they sound really good. Most combos will have an open back of sorts, most extension 2x12 cabinets will be closed...or at least you'll have the option to get one with a closed back...together they sound great.

But the combo alone sounds great too, and that's what I tend to use most of the time due to the portability and I've got a stand to angle it so I can hear myself better.

That said, it's really hard to beat the tone of a great 4x12. My preference is for straight cabs because of the increase in internal volume...seems to add more to the low end projection to my ears, plus I think they look better.

Given your situation, the combo route seems the way to go, maybe add an amp stand. You can always add more speaker cabinets later if you need to or if your transportation options change. 4x12's sure sound great but they are a bear to load and unload.

Mandrak · #4 07-15-2004, 03:44 PM

Straight cabs sound better because of the extra internal space, bigger construction and because of that phase thing that happens to slant cabs.

Drache713 · #5 07-16-2004, 06:59 AM

yeah, that's another thing. I pretty sure I'd want the combo or any speaker cabinets I got to be closed back, I like the sound of those better, bigger bass and better projection of sound. Getting a cab closed back is not a problem, but i've seen few if any closed back combos before. guess I'll have to consider that in my decision as well

Gresh · #6 07-16-2004, 10:46 AM

Don't sell semi-open back combos short, though. Great for more open sounding clean tones, in general. The low end may be a little "looser" feeling but that's not necessarily a bad thing at all. I love the rhythm tones I can coax out of my mesa 2x12 combo. Not to say that adding a closed back to it doesn't help, but it certainly is what I consider to be a luxury rather than a requirement. I'd advise keeping an open mind about it and let your ears decide.