StoneAge 4x12 opinions?

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Meeotch

Meeotch

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I'm looking to add another 4x12 to my collection and am willing to spend the money on something high end. I've flipped a number of cabs in the past few years, and flipping 4x12's is no fun. I like bright cabs, and so far my favorite has been the Emperor 4x12SS...super clear, articulate, and bright.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with the StoneAge 4x12? I used to own their 2x12C, and the build quality was stellar, but like most 2x12's I'm left wishing for the 4x12 version. Thanks for any input!
 
Build quality is top notch. I replaced a grill cloth on one for lolzgreg probably 10 years ago and saw first hand the build quality. (y)
 
Yeah I think the build quality is undisputed, but I'd be curious to know if that translates to a stellar sounding cab. John at StoneAge just got back to me with a quote of $825 unloaded plus $400 shipping. That's about as expensive as they come these days.
 
Meeotch said:
Yeah I think the build quality is undisputed, but I'd be curious to know if that translates to a stellar sounding cab. John at StoneAge just got back to me with a quote of $825 unloaded plus $400 shipping. That's about as expensive as they come these days.
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Actually, that price of $825 unloaded is only $26 more than when I charged $799 for unloaded cabs 8 years ago. The shipping has gone way up, though. John does use Marshall tolex (unless you do an oddball color), grill cloth, and piping. I used to do the same because the tolex, cloth and piping were the right color and more heavy duty than the generic Mojotone stuff.

In the case of the StoneAge cab, you do get what you pay for.

Jim
 
@UberschallEL34 has 2 Stone Age 412s

man shipping prices on cabs are insane these days.
 
If it cost a builder $400 to ship then what would us regular sellers get charged( besides up the ass)
 
Couple things:

1. Stoneage cabs are all I use these days. I havent played every brand of cab there ever was, but StoneAge has been my favorite out of the ones I have (mostly Mesa, Bogner, and Marshall). I have (2) 1x12's, (2) 2x12b's, and a 4x12. Still need to try his big 2x12c.

2. All of John's cabs share the same general StoneAge voice, which I would describe as traditional marshall inspired but tweaked. They are tight sounding without coming off as choked or closed. They push out a very balanced sound that is clear from bass to treble. I'm particularly fond of the way the midrange just GRINDS and rolls out of these cabs in waves. No frequency is really hyped to my ear - balanced, clear, and tight, but it's the way the midrange comes through that really excites my ear. If you're looking for accentuated low end like a recto cab, this is not it. You get out what you send in, faithfully. You cannot make these cabs flub out btw, but I don't play super low tunings.

3. John is the nicest dude ever and is passionate about cabs, and guitar/music in general. Too many companies fall short in customer service, John over delivers in both product and customer service - a rare thing in my experience.

 
Bxlxaxkxe said:
Couple things:

1. Stoneage cabs are all I use these days. I havent played every brand of cab there ever was, but StoneAge has been my favorite out of the ones I have (mostly Mesa, Bogner, and Marshall). I have (2) 1x12's, (2) 2x12b's, and a 4x12. Still need to try his big 2x12c.

2. All of John's cabs share the same general StoneAge voice, which I would describe as traditional marshall inspired but tweaked. They are tight sounding without coming off as choked or closed. They push out a very balanced sound that is clear from bass to treble. I'm particularly fond of the way the midrange just GRINDS and rolls out of these cabs in waves. No frequency is really hyped to my ear - balanced, clear, and tight, but it's the way the midrange comes through that really excites my ear. If you're looking for accentuated low end like a recto cab, this is not it. You get out what you send in, faithfully. You cannot make these cabs flub out btw, but I don't play super low tunings.

3. John is the nicest dude ever and is passionate about cabs, and guitar/music in general. Too many companies fall short in customer service, John over delivers in both product and customer service - a rare thing in my experience.

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Thanks for your input man, sounds pretty awesome. Yeah I don't need hyped low end, but I like my cabs on the bright side and while there are tweaks to be done (ie speaker swaps, EQing, etc) I prefer a foundation that cuts well in the upper mids/treble and is not bloated in the mids/low mids. Balanced and grinding in the mids sounds about perfect really.

$825 for an unloaded cab seems on par for a high end offering, but yeah the $400 shipping gives me pause when I can pick up any old LOADED Diezel/Mesa/Bogner used in excellent condition for $800 all day.

@UberschallEL34 care to chime in?
 
You should check to see how many StoneAge cabs come up for sale used...it isn't many. I hear my old NAKED cabs have quite the cult and currency following now, too bad I can't find a decent cab builder (still!).

Diesel/Mesa/Bogner cabs don't use the higher quality plywood John does, either.
 
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John4021 said:
If it cost a builder $400 to ship then what would us regular sellers get charged( besides up the ass)
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I talked to John a few months back about a 4x12 and he gave me the same $400 shipping quote. It totally caught me off guard. He mentioned he over packs them, so it kicks them into a different size bracket. That’s why it’s so much more. You can go in Reverb right now and find a new Mesa oversized 4x12 with $200 shipping. That $400 is a hard pill to swallow, but with the way FedEx and UPS are these days it’s almost worth it if you know it’s going to get there in one piece.
 
Meeotch said:
I'm looking to add another 4x12 to my collection and am willing to spend the money on something high end. I've flipped a number of cabs in the past few years, and flipping 4x12's is no fun. I like bright cabs, and so far my favorite has been the Emperor 4x12SS...super clear, articulate, and bright.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with the StoneAge 4x12? I used to own their 2x12C, and the build quality was stellar, but like most 2x12's I'm left wishing for the 4x12 version. Thanks for any input!
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I have not had personal experience with them but, I hear good things about them.
 
Meeotch said:
Thanks for your input man, sounds pretty awesome. Yeah I don't need hyped low end, but I like my cabs on the bright side and while there are tweaks to be done (ie speaker swaps, EQing, etc) I prefer a foundation that cuts well in the upper mids/treble and is not bloated in the mids/low mids. Balanced and grinding in the mids sounds about perfect really.

$825 for an unloaded cab seems on par for a high end offering, but yeah the $400 shipping gives me pause when I can pick up any old LOADED Diezel/Mesa/Bogner used in excellent condition for $800 all day.

@UberschallEL34 care to chime in?
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StoneAge are handbuilt and would rival any top builder for over-built construction and tone. I have 2 of John's cabs and love them. He doesn't get the discounted rates like the big box companies so shipping for his 4x12's is steep. I prefer to spend my money with folks I have a relationship with and can get top notch service. I'd say between StoneAge, Wizard & KSR cabs you'd be hard pressed to find a better build or group of guys.
 
fearhk213 said:
I talked to John a few months back about a 4x12 and he gave me the same $400 shipping quote. It totally caught me off guard. He mentioned he over packs them, so it kicks them into a different size bracket. That’s why it’s so much more. You can go in Reverb right now and find a new Mesa oversized 4x12 with $200 shipping. That $400 is a hard pill to swallow, but with the way FedEx and UPS are these days it’s almost worth it if you know it’s going to get there in one piece.
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He's also only had 1 claim for a damaged cab in like 10 years or something crazy. He does overpack so the cab arrives safely - versus getting destroyed by UPS, FedEx etc then you have to file a claim and wait for John to build another one. I'd rather buy from John or Rick/KSR for my money.
 
UberschallEL34 said:
He's also only had 1 claim for a damaged cab in like 10 years or something crazy. He does overpack so the cab arrives safely - versus getting destroyed by UPS, FedEx etc then you have to file a claim and wait for John to build another one. I'd rather buy from John or Rick/KSR for my money.
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I had a 4x12 get jacked-up by UPS a year or so ago. It was standard new cab packing that you'd expect. It clearly had been dropped on one of the cab's joints. It was still in one piece, but the wood was dented in some spots at the joint. Honestly, it looked like it had been dropped from high or maybe dropped a few times. I filed a claim and got the replacement. Then that one arrived and it looked like a fork lift fork went straight through the front. Miraculously, it didn't go in far and the cab wasn't damaged. Any extra packing on a 4x12 is a good thing in my book lol.
 
UberschallEL34 said:
Before the PLandemic BS one of the cabs I got was $1175 loaded plus $350 shipping. Go look on Sweetwater and look at prices on new 412's from the big builders.
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Sweetwater might ship free but you still have tax on a $1400 Friedman 4x12.
 
I would think Freight is cheaper than UPS/FedEx? But I don't know. I've had GC ship some 4x12s via UPS but some they strap to a pallet and ship freight by R&L or others.
 
I’ve playing them for a few years now and just love them!! Can’t say enough about them!!
 

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When I was doing my moving sale in late 2020, it was $335 (not including packing like John) to ship a 100 lb 4x12 from LA to the middle of Texas. Add on $45 for proper packing, and you're at $380 18 months ago.
 
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