2x12 enough for really high volumes?

[Cron]

Hey

I was trying a Fender Custom Shop Vibro king 2x12 extension cab
that this guy wants to sell. Although I had my heart set on a 4x12
this cab sounded really warm, is quite small for a 2x12, and is cheaper.

I play mostly high gain rock so i'm concerned that the 2x12 might not give me enough punch and power for it.

I couldnt crank my amp because i tried it in a flat in a comlex so I have no idea what it would sound like pushed to the limit.

Any of you guys found that a 2x12 was too small for you?

Also, could the fact that the cab is small for a 2x12 contribute to muddying up the sound at high volumes?

Thanx

[drew_half_empty]

maybe, is it closed or open back?

for high gain I wouldn't use a vibro king cab, or really any kinda fender cab. Yes 212's can be just as loud, or louder, depending on the speakers. 1 eminence red white & blues is rated for more watts than an entire cab full of greenbacks, so

check out avatar

[Illini1330]

Do you really need a 4x12? I mean, there so big; I wouldn't have one unless I had a rodie or something.

Are you gunna be playing any arenas? If not I think the 2x12 will suit you just fine.

[Grandor]

Yeah, as the other boys have said.
Its much more than just the amount of speakers.

I wouldnt get a fender cab if your playing hi-gain rock, unless if you try it first at the type of settings you would have live.

a 2x12 would sound just as good, if not better. Only that there wouldnt be the same sound dispersal.
But you get miced anyway, right?

[Pandemonium]

If a 2X12 won't cut it your band's too loud.

[jimmy]

if a 2X12 wont cut it, then replace the speakers with some 300 watt speakers.

[JimiHWannaBe]

get the 2X12, your back will thank me later. as long as you are playing in a place where you are miced or its not larger than lets say an autitorium that seats about 800 you should be all set. oh if you have a roadie though get the 4X12.

[RiffRaff]

Well think about this, the loudest guitar player I've ever heard played through a single 12" mesa boogie markI..... If you get a 4x12 cabinet, play in a huge arena and mic it, how many speakers are you micing? Typically one. A 4x12 may get you a bigger bottom end, but it also comes at the expense of cabinet vibrations which may conflict with the overall tone your looking for (more a problem with cheap cabinets), you need to play whatever you check out at your stage volume before making any decision, otherwise you won't know what your going to sound like until the last minute - and it may sound like crap.

[Cron]

Thanx for the replies.

Its a closed back cab and the guy just put brand new v30's in it.

Some of you said that you wouldn't use a fender cab for high gain...
Is that because of the stock speakers, or because the cab is just not built for it? Keep in mind that this vibro king cab now has v30's in it.

[Davey]

if you ask me it's going to be enough. whats the amp wattage? pure tube right? you're gonna be allright. with two V30's it's going to rock... and if you dont cut through, turn everyone else down

[B2D]

I find usually a well-placed 2x12 with some great speakers in it is more than enough.

[Thames]

for high gain I wouldn't use a vibro king cab, or really any kinda fender cab. Yes 212's can be just as loud, or louder, depending on the speakers. 1 eminence red white & blues is rated for more watts than an entire cab full of greenbacks, so

Fender cabs are built as good as anything else, what's the point ?
And 1 speaker, even if louder than 4 low-powered, will not punch and cut as good as 4 low-powered.

Cron,
Those Vibroking cabs come stock with Vintage 30, one of the best speakers for high-gain stuff, due to its tight bottom end. Moreover, they are really efficient, and will cut thru the mix anytime. If the price is right, I'd grab it anytime.

[Cron]

We'll to be honest.

The cab sounded like it didn't have enough mids at lower volumes.
Have any of you heard the same thing in v30's?
I tried my amp head through a hughes and kettner 4x12 with greenbacks (at a blistering volume) and the sound was very clear. But I cant get them where i live (anymore)

Would the v30's only reach thier full potential when cranked? or do they sound just as good at low volumes?

[Lewguitar]

I find usually a well-placed 2x12 with some great speakers in it is more than enough.

Ditto. Especially if they're efficient speakers like the V-30's...

A 4 x 12 bottem is a nightmare to move by yourself and get into a vehicle and take to the gig too.

Lew

[Thames]

BTW, speaking of size, I prefer 2x12 too. Mine is semi openback, loaded with G12H/G12M.

Speaking of tone, the V30 has a peak in upper-midrange, somewhat "honky", with not much bass, but a real strong bottom end. That's the perfect speaker IMO for high-gain.

And.... as all speakers, you'll discover its great characteristics when driving them rather hard.

[Gearjoneser]

It's not bad, although you might want to get a cabinet that matches the intent of your amp head. Fender cabs, even with good speakers, tend to be a bit flabby sounding, compared to a good Mesa, Bogner, VHT, or Avatar with the same speakers.
I have two Bogner cabs loaded with Vin 30's, a 4-12 and a 2-12. A 2-12 is adequate for moderate volumes, but doesn't have the same rich tone that a 4-12 has IMO.
All I can say is I'll use the 2-12 in places where the 4-12 looks like overkill, but I know in my head that my tone is always better with the 4-12 behind me.

[Thames]

...my tone is always better with the 4-12 behind me.

Who doesnt ?!

[Gearjoneser]

Reminds me of Yngwie. Nothin sounds better than a wall of Marshalls.

Or was that Nigel Tufnel?

[Stratcat]

Reminds me of Yngwie. Nothin sounds better than a wall of Marshalls.

Or was that Nigel Tufnel?

[echofinger]

Hey

I play mostly high gain rock so i'm concerned that the 2x12 might not give me enough punch and power for it.

Any of you guys found that a 2x12 was too small for you?

Also, could the fact that the cab is small for a 2x12 contribute to muddying up the sound at high volumes?

I have spent 15 years playing "mostly high gain rock" and the 2 x 12 I have now I can seldom turn up past 6.

It's too big!!!

No, the only one who can muddy up the sound is you. However... Open back cabinets kinda sound bath-tubish to me, as far as "high gain rock" goes. Closed back seem to apply better to us metalheads, emo guys, and general practicioners of violence.