Quad Camparison: 4x10 vs 4x12

[scottme]

Have any of you guys done a comparison of a 4x10 and 4x12 quad boxes in terms of tonal qualities, particularly in the bottom end? I know that the speakers are a big factor here.

I'm looking for a 2x12, but I though I may broaden my range if a good 4x10 comes up, such as the Marshall C410A. I'd get a 4x12 if I could, but I am trying to keep the weight down.

[zhivago]

in my opinion, 4x10s never have the bottom end of 4x12s...they do sound more focused though....I find 2x12s to stand somewhere in the middle of 4x10 and 4x12 as far as low end frequencies.

I like loads of low end when I play, so it's 4x12s all the way for me.

[eggwheat]

I personally dont like 2x12's it's just not enough for me on stage..I prefer a 4x10 over 2x12 anyday of the week..better spread, tighter fuller sound..al ot depends on cab design, resonance etc too. The finest bass sound known to man comes out of a vintage ampeg 8x10..imho.and the speakers in those are just standard 25 watt eminence..

For example I hate all marshall 4x12's except for the one's loaded with 30 watt G12H's so there are loads of factors..

[scottme]

I'm thinking about the C410A, and I may replace the celestion G10 greenbacks with 2 weber 10A150 alnicos and 2 10F150 ceramics. That would give a pretty kick ass 200w quad.

[StevenO]

in my opinion, 4x10s never have the bottom end of 4x12s...they do sound more focused though....I find 2x12s to stand somewhere in the middle of 4x10 and 4x12 as far as low end frequencies.

I like loads of low end when I play, so it's 4x12s all the way for me.

I agree!

I like 2x12s for this very reason. They have that tight focused sound of the 4x10s with the nice, round low-end of the 4x12s.

[scottme]

I am definetly in agreement about the bottom end, but particularly when playing quiter shows or solo. In last year of playing quite loud overdriven live gigs, I am feeling that the low end tends to add to the mudiness of the mix out front, whereas the mids  tend to cut through.

[OffYourFace]

Live, I prefer open-back cabinets just for the sole purpose of hearing myself without monitoring.  Right now I'm using two old Super Reverbs in stereo.  I've done loads of gigs with closed-back 2x12s & 4x12s, all mono Marshall JCM800s.  To me, they're only good if you're directly in front of them.  You can be loud as hell but your bandmates won't hear you.  Or if you walk away from the cab, off to the side or so, you become 'disconnected' from the sound... unless you surround yourself with Stacks like J.Mascis!  The venue & stage placement has a lot to do with that of course, especially if it's outdoors.  My Supers have plenty of bottom end for me and I'm using the original CTS Alnicos. 

We did this outdoor gig once where we used a backline.  I used a JCM2000 DSL 100 halfstack and Heidi used a Mesa Tremoverb halfstack.  She was LOUD but I couldn't hear her during the entire set... except for the end when I walked over to her during the last song and realized that she was almost louder than me! 

Also, I prefer the tone of the 4x10" open-back Alnico set up because I feel that the high end is smoother whereas a 4x12 w/ ceramics (like G12H's) can be piercing if you're not careful.  For my dist./fuzz setup anyway...

[Jay]

In my last band we always set up with our amps facing across the stage (both half stacks) and it worked great both for monitoring each other and allowing the sound person to control the mix a bit without all the volume beaming into the crowd.

As for 4x12 vs. 4x10 vs whatever...  these generalizations depend a lot on what type of amp you're using as well.  My 70's Marshall 4x12" with G12M25's is not particularly loud or bassy no matter what I run to it.  My Silvertone makes much more bottom end with it's 6L6's and slightly more Fender-like circuit through just about any speaker config.  I think a black or silverface Fender will produce more bottom end than most Marshall or Vox type amps in general.

[eggwheat]

yup..my marshall 4x12 is not very bassy but my - ported - peavey 4x12 shakes the ground its has so much bottom end. Dunno I use a 4x12 and a 4x10 together live if space permits.

[scottme]

Just to complicate matters, a friend of mine has a smallish 2 x 15 box that he is suggesting will work with a Jazzmaster type sound.

I will be using a SF  Bassman100 for the time being, and I am also looking at the 4xEL34 Weber head kit, plus the discussions of the HH heads has perked my interest too.

[enormous]

I'm currently using a 2x10 / 2x12 cab and it's the first time I've ever been really satisfied.  I think I may add another 2x12 for stereo stuff though.

[luau]

Just to complicate matters, a friend of mine has a smallish 2 x 15 box that he is suggesting will work with a Jazzmaster type sound.

Not to make matters worse, but my current obsession is either a Pro atop a 2x15 or a Deluxe atop a 1x15. The Pro probably makes a little more sense because of the tubes but then neither of them make much sense for the bedroom.  I had a 70s/80sFender 2x15 I used with my TRII. Pure heaven. I never played a JM through it but it sounded incredible with a strat, especially with oodles of reverb.

[scottme]

I can buy a mostly empty Fender 70s 4 x 12 cab for $100. Problem is, it weighs as much as an Ampeg SVT cab. And the 8 flights of stars I have to get up to to get to my appartment. I wonder if I should convert it into a 2x12?

[OffYourFace]

I'm currently using a 2x10 / 2x12 cab and it's the first time I've ever been really satisfied.  I think I may add another 2x12 for stereo stuff though.

where'd you get that?  who makes it?

[enormous]

I'm currently using a 2x10 / 2x12 cab and it's the first time I've ever been really satisfied.  I think I may add another 2x12 for stereo stuff though.

where'd you get that?  who makes it?

It was made by Swanson Cabinets.  I think it's actually a large 4x10 cab with a 2x10/2x12 baffle.