4x12 cab "dilemma"

  • Thread starter Thread starter NeubyWanKaneuby
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NeubyWanKaneuby

NeubyWanKaneuby

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Would you rather:

1. Buy an expensive cab with nice speakers in it? OR 2. Buy a cheap cab and add speakers?

I'm thinking about getting a 4x12 to go with my Magnatone head, and have been looking at a bunch of different options (kind of liking a Fryette with F70s in it), but was wondering if it might be better to buy a cheap cab, and then I can mix/match speakers, etc... What do you think?
 
I have been debating the same thing myself, because I would like to try some speakers that dont usually come in new cabs.
 
Definitely buy a good cab as a starting point. Even the best 60's 20w GB's or 417B's can't save a subpar sounding cab, but there might be some underrated, cheaper cabs out there that sound solid. Others here can maybe recommend some

I have the same approach with guitars. Get the one that inherently sounds as good as you can find (you can tell most of what you need to know playing it acoustically usually) and then optimize with the best pickups and other electronics you can get for it
 
Thanks! I might look at some unloaded cabs, too. I hadn't thought about that route.
 
Don't waste your time and money with a cheap cabinet.

If budget is a concern, look around for a nice used one. They're big, heavy, and expensive to ship. I see some great deals pop up locally from time to time because someone just wants to get rid of one.
 
If you’re looking for a sleeper, Avatar Traditional or Carvin (late 80’s to present). They hold their own against expensive cabs I’ve owned (Diezel, Mesa, VHT).

Check Guitar Center Used online, shipping is like $40 for a 4x12.
 
My Egnater Armageddon 4x12 cab is built like a tank. Peavey 5150 cabs are great, too.
 
To echo the other posts on here: Get the nicest 4x12 you can. I would personally go 'unloaded' and would then slam in some Avatar speakers. You can get 4 of them for like $299 right now. I'd mix in some AV75s with something. Good luck on your tone hunt!
 
Splawn sells unloaded 4x12 cabs in your choice of tolex, grill cloth and piping for $750.00. I have 2 Splawn 4x12s (loaded with different speakers) and I find them to be excellent cabs. Very high quality build construction, solid, no odd vibration issues. Not sure where you live, how much shipping would be or if you are within driving distance to pick one up. He also may have a few ready to ship if you are not committed to custom cosmetics.
 
Get a good quality built cab. The construction and wood make all the difference.

Do it once and do it right. You'll waste less $$ and time buying and selling cabs.

As PDC mentioned, Splawn sells unloaded cabs. I've got their 412 and a 212. Their 412 went on the road with me back from 2006 to 2009 and never once it failed me. Still have it to this day.

Good luck
 
Thing is cabs are just built differently. Size (traditional vs oversized), baffles (floating vs fixed), front Vs rear loaded, internal baffles, ply thickness, etc.

And so they sound different. The most expensive cab you can find might not work for you depending on how it's built and what you like.

But it's kind hard to try them out since 4x12s are sort of a dying breed and a lot of stores just don't have them anymore.

You're best bet might just be to think about some of your favorite tones and home in on the type of cab they used.
 
I don't believe cheap cabs sound cheap. I feel the speakers are more important.

Out of all the cabs I've owned or played the best sounding cab I've ever used was a Peavey MS412 with a back panel made of MDF which everyone talks crap on. The speakers made the cab.

With that said these days swapping speakers is nothing more than a pain so if I had the extra cash I would buy the cab you want with the speakers you want already installed.
 
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