Do I need a Tourmaster 4x12 for my Studio / Jam Room?

[EWSEthan]

And if so, slant or straight? Discuss.

 

[Fallout Labs]

yes.. because eggie's rock.

i'm thinking about picking up a tourmaster 2x12 or 4x12 when i'm in seattle in feb..

 

[evink1]

For a jam room and studio setting I would say no to the 4x12. You probably are mic'ing only one speaker in the studio. Even if using two mics because one speaker is going to sound better than the other. You will need more volume to push the 4x12 than the 2x12 so a smaller jam room/ studio will get hot sounding quickly.

There is a tad more bottom end out of a 4x12 but if your close mic'ing the cabinet you gain the proximity effect on the mic thus boosting the bottom end in the first place.

Now for your live setting I would like the 4x12 better because it moves more air. Our band actually uses full stacks on stage. It scares the sound man because they think we are going to be crazy up there. However, the ONLY reason we use full stacks is to get that second speaker up in the air pushing towards our heads.

We all have had a gig where the sound guy was asleep at the board and thus we can't hear ourselves. Well with the second speaker up in the air not only can I hear myself because the thing is ear hight but we can actually turn down.

I can't believe how much lower our stage volume has become since going with full stacks. That being said, if I was dropping the dimes on a single 4x12 I would have to be wanting it for gigging and I would go with the slant cabinet. The slant forces the top two speaker to be pushing up towards your ears a little better than a straight cabinet.

That would be the only benefit I see from a slant to a straight cabinet. I have had both and the slant helped in live gigs. So if this is for a small jam/studio room only I would not spend the extra money on the 4x12 and would get better sound at lower volumes in that setting from the 2x12. If you want this to gig, go with the 4x12 slant.

That obviously is just my two cents worth.

 

[broknstuff]

If you have loud practices then a 4x12 would work, I used my 4x12 slant in my band in high school for practice and live (it was the only cab I had). Now, however, I practice really softly since our drummer is temporarily doing drums via a midi keyboard, and I use a 2x12. I'd say for practice you could probably get by with either.

I agree with slant you hear yourself more without turning out as loud. Some people say straight sounds better, but maybe that's because the beam is shooting past your feet instead of the speaker being tilted towards their head? I've played live with both a 2x12 and 4x12, and I like the 4x12 more, even though the 2x12 is a lot more convenient.

The TM 2x12 sounds great by the way, I don't think you could go wrong with either.

 

[jmgman69]

Matt,while the 412s sound great,they are fucking heavy!!I brought one home and played it for an hour and it sounded killer!The 2 212 TMs I have under my Mod50 sound unbelievable!

 

[EWSEthan]

Thanks guys. I dont think Id carry out the 412 to play shows. Its too heavy and Im too lazy. I just always loved how monstrous a 412 sounds, I finally have the room for one in my new house, and the TMs are priced really reasonably. I guess I have no NEED for a 412. My Eggie 212 sounds great as it is, but I just always kinda wanted a 412 ever since I was a kid.

 

[jmgman69]

Thanks guys. I dont think Id carry out the 412 to play shows. Its too heavy and Im too lazy. I just always loved how monstrous a 412 sounds, I finally have the room for one in my new house, and the TMs are priced really reasonably. I guess I have no NEED for a 412. My Eggie 212 sounds great as it is, but I just always kinda wanted a 412 ever since I was a kid.

Them what the hell are you waiting for

 

[aeroic]

Thanks guys. I dont think Id carry out the 412 to play shows. Its too heavy and Im too lazy. I just always loved how monstrous a 412 sounds, I finally have the room for one in my new house, and the TMs are priced really reasonably. I guess I have no NEED for a 412. My Eggie 212 sounds great as it is, but I just always kinda wanted a 412 ever since I was a kid.

Everybody needs a 4x12. I always toy with selling my Marshall Mode4 4x12 cab w/ G12T75s and CL80s in an X pattern. Then I plug in...and I'm like...uh no . *in the voice of Dana Carvey* "Not gonna do it...wouldn't be prudent!"

Eric

 

[broknstuff]

Thanks guys. I dont think Id carry out the 412 to play shows. Its too heavy and Im too lazy. I just always loved how monstrous a 412 sounds, I finally have the room for one in my new house, and the TMs are priced really reasonably. I guess I have no NEED for a 412. My Eggie 212 sounds great as it is, but I just always kinda wanted a 412 ever since I was a kid.

Them what the hell are you waiting for

+1, then rock it! Life's too short, have fun if you can!

 

[Buckeyedog]

The problem was when you asked "do I NEED......."

Everyone NEEDS a 412 at one point........so your time is now!!

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Yep ... buy it. Why not? Get the straight front. No reason, I've just alwasy liked them better.

I just think they have more THUNK!!!

 

[evink1]

3mile you are right about the little bit more thump from the straight cabinets. I think it is because internally that does add a considerable more cubic inches of air space. When dealing with car stereo subs even a few inches internally could make or break a sound pressure level contest.

Both of my cabinets are straight but since I stack them I don't need the benefits of the slant to get it shooting at my ears. I just use the whole top cabinet to fire at me.

That is also why I can ignore my wife and get away with it. She knows I am half deaf. Well I am not but we won't tell her that anyhow.

 

[EWSEthan]

Thanks guys. I had heard that straight sounds better but I always liked the look of the slant for a 1/2 stack. Is the difference very noticable?

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Just a nicer, beefier low end. Just for the record I don't have one now, but I did for a loooong time. I don't mind living vicariously through you Nick

Any way it's not like your MOD50 is gonna lack anything through either cab, slant or straight. If you dig the slant look go for it, and then just lean on the density knob one time.

 

[evink1]

Marginal in the smaller 4x12 cabinets but in the over sized Randall's and Boogies there is a definite difference in the bottom ends tone. The straight tonally sound deeper and a little more smoother to my ears.

 

[broknstuff]

I wonder how much of the sound difference is due to the speakers being pointed more at your head. Either way matt, get a 4x12. I don't use it for practicing at home by myself, but nothing feels as great as cranking one up with a band!

 

[richedie]

I thikn it depends where you play. You can also use a 212 and a stand, problem solved. Many places ask to have the amps turned down real low and use the PA. In that case, you don't want a slew of speakers, 2 should do ya. I have owned plenty of 412 cabs but pretty much only use 212s now. I don't feel like I missed a beat. My Buzzbomb was cooking at last rehearsal and it sounded huge, similar to a 412. I have not tried an Egnater TM212 or Prt City yet so I can't compare. That said, the PS is designed to sound very big and wide. I do know guys selling their 412s for the PS 212.

I always thought the slant 412s sounded a bit thin. Straight always sounded 'right' to me and more solid/smooth....even when directly in front of the cab. I personally don't see the need for an oversized 412, and especially not small clubs which is where I would be playing. I would rather haul a 212 and save time and my back. We live on the third floor so i have spent years carrying an oversized Line 6 Vetta 412 up and down three flights - not fun late at night.

These days, I don't see a huge need for a 412.

 

[blumuz123]

Thanks guys. I had heard that straight sounds better but I always liked the look of the slant for a 1/2 stack. Is the difference very noticable?

Hey Matt!

I own both and use them in alot of different configurations with several eg head setups etc.

I bought the straight second and its a huge difference to me. The slant was way better then a new stock Marshall 4x12 vintage cab that I took back.
Then I bought the straight and it consistently reminds me that I wish I knew about the straights first, it was a remarkable improvement. I would have bought a second straight.
I did recently by a EVH 5051-3 cab which is AWESOME for the greenback thing. You feel like your on a stadium stage everytime you play it. FUN FUN FUN.

After I bought the straight I searched other forums to figure out why they are so different as well etc. It seemed to me that most people liked the straight.

I must confess that I never tried them as a stack, which my understanding now, is what the slant was really designed for back in the beginning Marshall stack days.

Now with all that said, make me a fair offer on my slant 4x12 eggie, save yourself some cash,
(like new, used in church once a week)
and I will send it your way.

thanks

 

[Kiteboarder]

Thanks guys. I had heard that straight sounds better but I always liked the look of the slant for a 1/2 stack. Is the difference very noticable?

I think the straight cab looks better. Just a matter of opinion!