Will a 2x12 w/Greenbacks get close to the magic of 4x12 w/Greenbacks?

[jimmyohio75]

Lots of people have mentioned that a 4x12 cab with Greenbacks provides a 'glorious" sound. Especially with Marshall style amps.
Will a 2x12 with 2 Greenies get me close?

Will there be a fear of "farting out" at higher volumes with a 40+ watt amp?

 

[studiodunn]

No IMO. I've found that with Greenbacks they really need a quad in bigger volume cabs to have the magic sound and feel. In a 2x12 I've always needed to mix the 12M with another speaker to sound as big.

 

[Nuclearfishin]

I just picked up a 4x12 with greenbacks from a guy here on TGP and it just roars. I never had a 2x12 with Greenbacks, but I have one with a V30 and a g12m70. I use a 50w Blankenship Variplex. The 2x12 hurt my ears at higher volumes, the 4x12 I can crank and it just gets better with volume. Nice and spongy and with the voltage turned down to around 90v, I get some great sag that comes on and sustains forever. I don't think a 2x12 will fart out with greenbacks (assuming 50 watt max head), but you will miss some of the lows that the larger cab helps accentuate. Good luck!

 

[Earplayer]

there is something magical happening in a 4x12 cab. a 4x12 with g12ms is worth all the pain and hassle i guess. after playing different cabs today i think that a 4x12 with g12ms is probably my favourite cab.

 

[Jan]

Try a Dr Z "Z Best" 2x12. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[scott1568]

What about 2 Greenbacks in a vented cab like Port City? I assume you might loose low end "tightness" but would the thump be there?

I'm interested in this question too, since I drive a Mustang and gigging with a 4x12 is not feasible.

 

[oneleftnut]

I have green berets in a port city 2x12 os. To my ears it's huge. I'm using a Dr Z Remedy (Plexi style). I'd love to do a side by side with a 4x12 to see.

 

[Jan]

I have not seen inside a Port City but I understand it has some directional baffles?

The Dr Z Z Best can be loosely called a Theile Ported 2 x 12. I have one (Z Best), and I have studied Neville Thiele's and Richard Small's work; and have built quite a few boxes around D.B. Keele's designs. Hence my use of the term, "loosely". The Dr Z cabinet is one of remarkable quality.

 

[michael.e]

Heh, nope. Just invest in a good 4-12 and throw some good Greenies in it.

 

[Leftyman]

It is never going to sounds as good as a 4X12. Companies have been trying to make a 2X12 that rivals a 4X12 for years and I just don't think it is possible. However, that doesn't mean you can't get in the ballpark. Has a lot to do with the type and size of the cabinet.

 

[jimmyohio75]

It is never going to sounds as good as a 4X12. Companies have been trying to make a 2X12 that rivals a 4X12 for years and I just don't think it is possible. However, that doesn't mean you can't get in the ballpark. Has a lot to do with the type and size of the cabinet.

I have an Avatar Vintage 1x12 cab and it sounds every bit as big as some 2x12 cabs I have played. Maybe the 2x12 Vintage cab will compete with a 4x12?

 

[sickboy79]

No IMO. I've found that with Greenbacks they really need a quad in bigger volume cabs to have the magic sound and feel. In a 2x12 I've always needed to mix the 12M with another speaker to sound as big.

Agree. A 2x12 GB loaded cab is awesome but, there is nothing like a 4x12.

 

[riffmeister]

Agree. A 2x12 GB loaded cab is awesome but, there is nothing like a 4x12.

Double agree. Big baffle moves a wide swath of air.

 

[scott1568]

screw it, (don't mean to HiJack), but I 'm gonna try 2x12" Scumback's in a ported cab I think - see how she goes.....

 

[scott1568]

I have green berets in a port city 2x12 os. To my ears it's huge. I'm using a Dr Z Remedy (Plexi style). I'd love to do a side by side with a 4x12 to see.

thanks man

 

[flcmcya]

Absolutely 2x12 GB's Rock !

 

[psychodave]

Nope. Never. It is impossible to get two speakers sound like, or as good as four. If there were a 2x12 that could replace a 4x12 I would get rid of the ten 4x12's I currently own

 

[GrecoVee]

Nope. Never. It is impossible to get two speakers sound like, or as good as four. If there were a 2x12 that could replace a 4x12 I would get rid of the ten 4x12's I currently own

Amen on that brother!!!

 

[voojo]

There's no replacement for displacement!

 

[countandduke]

My ears still have yet to hear a 4x12 with some nice greenbacks (yeah I know...!!!) but I just don't think 2 speakers will sound like 4. Here's a question though, in terms of ease of portability, would 2 2x12 cabinets sound closer to a 4x12 cabinet? I would think it would and one could even separate the cabs for a little more dispersion...

I think a 4x12 cabinet just has a certain resonance and "feel" that makes it sound a certain way. Not better or worse than anything else, 4x12's just sound like 4 12's...

Hope that makes sense...

Chris