Need some 4x12 advice

[crochambeau]

Grill cloth (and the side handle) can be replaced, though I would be concerned over the condition of that speaker that was in the path of the mighty blow.

Anyway, there's usually a budget option out there, good safety net while you're waiting out the nicer stuff.

[doommeow]

I bought a Gibson Lab-series 412 for a little over $100 two months ago.
Popped up locally on my payday, 5 minutes from our rehearsal space.
And it had wheels, so I just pushed it from the sellers place to the rehearsal space(I don't drive a car).

Sounded quite good. Don't know what the speakers are, but I like them.
Swapped two of them for some V30 I had laying around and now I like it even more.

EV's were standard in the 15" models, but I wouldn't be surprised if they used something cheaper in the 12's

[CyaNitrate]

Yeah that cab indeed seems like a great price, but I do wonder if I'd wanna deal with that weight.

Also looked up the 412. 110 lbs. Fuckin' yikes

Wheels, bro. Wheels. And a buddy (or wife, in my case) to help get it in and out of the trunk.

While I was there I plugged it into a 2x12 cab and it sounded pretty fucking enormous... not sure if going 412 would be overkill for me. Gotta say, though... having the air projection, plus just the fucking look and feel of a proper half stack. I dunno, tempting. I mean, make it a damn rock amp, right?

I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on that Orange

Two thoughts. 2x12s are swell. And if it sounds good, go for it. My Genz was great, They take up less space (usually) and sound good and are loud as balls.
Counter-point : "just the fucking look and feel of a proper half stack. I dunno, tempting. I mean, make it a damn rock amp, right?"

I have absolutely no need of a 4x12, I don't gig. But goddammit I wanted one.

Haha,
Just realized something super annoying: Orange makes a 212 open back cab, but it's narrower (speakers are slightly pushed in and angled) and the head would hang over the edges. Definitely couldn't deal w that.
.

I don't know if it matters to you at all, but the open back cabs are also made in China I believe, and the closed backs are British. That said, you could allways pull the back panel off and rig up your own jacks, like this:

Or, make convertible panels for half open.

[popvulture]

Yeah I won't be getting that 212 open back just based on the width, but the non-British made fact seals that deal. I could pretty easily just make a new two piece back for the proper 212 if I get crafty.

And yes goddammit I want the 412, haha... I emailed that Clist guy and he still has it. Who knows, man.

[CyaNitrate]

Good luck! Keep us posted. Also, it might be worth looking into the Crush series 412. I've read mixed things...they're smaller than the ppc412, and some people love them, others say they are to the ppc what the MG cab is to the 1960.

Also, being a Crush, likely made in China. However, I love my CR120H...so the China thing might not matter.

[odontophobia]

oh also mesa used to make half back 4x12s. my friend had one and it sounded great.

Those cabs are sweet. Mesa uses v30s and Black Shadows in those cabs. They sound awesome.

[ALLisNOISE]

Just to toss another option on the pile; Marshall Mode 4 cabs are great. They're oversized like Mesas and come in a 16 ohm 280w (v30MF) or an 8ohm 400w (g12k-100) version. They can be had fairly inexpensively because the Mode 4 head isn't popular.
I've got the 400w one under a Sound City 200, and a friend of mine uses the 280w one with an EHX MIG50.
They're both quiet lovely and bring the ruckus accordingly

[ognoy]

I bought a Gibson Lab-series 412 for a little over $100 two months ago.
Popped up locally on my payday, 5 minutes from our rehearsal space.
And it had wheels, so I just pushed it from the sellers place to the rehearsal space(I don't drive a car).

Sounded quite good. Don't know what the speakers are, but I like them.
Swapped two of them for some V30 I had laying around and now I like it even more.

EV's were standard in the 15" models, but I wouldn't be surprised if they used something cheaper in the 12's

I don't think they're EVs.
Some pics:

[K2000]

Another Peavey MS412 owner here, mine was $150 on Craigslist, has Celestion G12-K85 speakers (a standard option, besides the Sheffields) and seems tougher than dirt (each speaker is rated for 85 watts, and the box seems indestructible). They're a little bit scooped and dark sounding I guess (I don't have great ears for this, or a deep frame of reference). But the cab sounds in the Marshall ballpark to me. I've toyed with the idea of upgrading the speakers (at least 2, anyway) but I stopped using the cabinet and went in another direction with my music. Mine has a cloth grill, and the cabinet is resonant. I think that's considered good for a guitar cab, but bad for a bass cab (absorbs too much energy). It's very directional (closed back), so standing off-axis the perceived volume does change. But typical I think. If you need an interim cabinet, look for one of these, I think they are workable and a great deal, if the speakers are the Celestions.

[MechaGodzilla]

I like the open 212 because it's so much easier to lift with my stumpy arms. I think it's significantly lighter than the closed212.

[ricks.pics]

The Orange crush series 412 is still made out of the same 18 mm baltic birch plywood that the PPC are made out of, the only difference is the cheaper speakers, and slightly smaller dimensions.

I have two Peavey 412's, one 412m and one 412ms. The m is all solid ply, and has the Celestion g12k-85's (my fav speakers)in it. That cab absolutely crushes; super loud, killer tone, but is crazy heavy. Pretty much any Peavey cab before the 90's is going to be great, and will be very cheap. The MS is from the 90's with the metal grill and Sheffield's. Its all MDF which is not the best but is sounds pretty good. The speakers are not the best, but with the metal grill and lighter weight than the 412m its my favorite cab to tour with since its pretty indestructible and easier to move. With better speakers I think it would be a little louder. Both great cabs for being pretty much free since I got them both with matching heads and have since sold both heads for what I got the stacks for lol.

tl;dnr older Peavey cabs are excellent budget/filler cabs till you can save up for something nicer. And you can always take the badge off it you don't want to play through a Peavey.

[Ghost Hip]

I wanted to pop in here as a 4x10 fanboy and suggest looking for/trying out a Marshall 4x10 cabinet. Had one at a practice space and plugged an Orange head through and it was niiiiiiice.

Best of luck with your search!

[crochambeau]

And you can always take the badge off it you don't want to play through a Peavey.

Just swap it out with an Earth Sound Research badge.

[popvulture]

So, after a couple more Reverb sales I was able to pick up the Orange PPC 412. I had to find a way, too good a deal to pass up.

I'm glad I did—the thing's in almost brand new shape for nearly half the price. Plus the guy (who was super cool, btw) added casters and did a very pro job.

The thing is... the JMP is in the shop getting a once-over, so when I got the cab home, I decided to run my Matchless combo out into it. Holy. Fuck.

Pretty much the closest I've ever come to finding the sound. I felt high. Now I don't know what I'm gonna do, haha...

[popvulture]

So, after a couple more Reverb sales I was able to pick up the Orange PPC 412. I had to find a way, too good a deal to pass up.

I'm glad I did—the thing's in almost brand new shape for nearly half the price. Plus the guy (who was super cool, btw) added casters and did a very pro job.

The thing is... the JMP is in the shop getting a once-over, so when I got the cab home, I decided to run my Matchless combo out into it. Holy. Fuck.

Pretty much the closest I've ever come to finding the sound. I felt high. Now I don't know what I'm gonna do, haha...