Are 4x12 cabinets a dying breed?

[Figaro]

I've noticed that some local music stores are full of used 4x12 cabinets. They are not buying them and are not allowing much for them in trade. Are 4x12 cabinets a dying breed?

[somedude]

More supply than demand.

Lots of people have sold their gear to pay bills, plus cabs take up a lot of retail space. It's not like people are lining up to buy used gear, so a lot of it just sits there collecting dust.

[lspaulsp]

Would you rather carry 4x12 cabs or PA cabs?
I think sound systems are at the point they are covering everything even with a Fender Champ.

[zorak]

Not as much demand due to smaller venues and better P.A. Plus, digital interfaces are replacing head/cab combos for a lot of people.

That being said, if you have a Marshall or the like, nothing beats the sound of a 4x12 moving your pants leg. It's the tone!

[Geek USA]

Modern rock/metal guitarists still traditionally use 4x12s, and that's not going to end anytime soon. It does seem like 2x12s and combos are gaining popularity, and of course here on TGP you don't too many 4x12s, but most gigging guitarists in rock/metal are still using them.

[hktk]

I think it depends on what you are doing.

I play in a heavy rock band and life got better for me the day I sold my TSL half stack for a lunchbox head and 2 1x12 cabs. Apart from being more versatile and easier to transport I have found that I get along with sound guys a lot better now.

just my 2c.

[Leftyman]

I dig 4x12's however, I personally like the sound of a 2x12. I think it is because they are tighter. Doesn't hurt that I am using Stoneage. Best sounding 2x12 I have ever played through. I ended up getting another one and run different speakers. Sounds awesome. I have no desire for a 4x12 other than they look cool.

[sixty2strat]

I see a lot of crap cabs for sale, crate line 6 low end marshall. But the good stuff mesa, marshall 1960's etc. seems to more. Maybe 10 15 years ago younger players were buying them, to fig the image, now they buy a combo or get a quality cab. I su pect a lot of cabs are people clearing out their extras. I know a few guys who had a home cab and a rehersal cab. Times are tight that is now luxury.

[alamere]

Yes.
Even smaller coffee shops these days have large and capable PA's sometimes.
The 4x12 is just too much most of the time...

Personally, my amps have gotten smaller and smaller to the point that I now play through mostly 1x12 amps. For the large shows, I bring 2 of them.

[barron]

Originally Posted by sixty2strat

I see a lot of crap cabs for sale, crate line 6 low end marshall.

That's what I've been seeing aswell.

[Jon Silberman]

Yes.

[MichaelThomas]

I think people might be realizing that even at larger gigs all it takes is a great 1x12 or 2x12 combo with a mic on it; while listening to what a well rounded sound guy tells you to do. And most of the "pros" wanting an even bigger sound can just run an 800 into Palmer cab emulators. Half of the huge full stack walls you see on stage these days are made out of cardboard and plywood with a combo behind them.

[Zounds Perspex]

they're not dying, but they sure smell funny.

[ledzep618]

As others have said, for me it is just too much to carry. I have an oversized 2x12 from
Mojotones that weighs about the same as a 4x12 and it is a staple of my home guitar room, but it hasn't left the house in over a year. Any gig I get I can cover with my DRRI mic'ed through the house PA.

[jcat5503]

I'll never use one again. Just too much. I struggle at with sound guys at some gigs (decent sized venues) even with my 1x12