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Volume question: Combo vs Cab

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 1:45 am
by snipelfritz
So I'm playing through a Vox AC15 and I love it. My only concern is that I want to start gigging soon and I'm wondering if I'll have enough volume in general. I don't want to deviate from Vox and I definitely don't want to spring for a AC30, so I'm considering getting an external cab and running the internal and external speakers parallel to each other. I know my amp is capable doing this running through a 16ohm cab on the 8ohm setting(so it's split over two 16ohms).

My question is how big of a difference will this make? Running 15W RMS, how much of a difference will there be between 1x12 vs. 1x12+2x12 or possibly 1x12+4x10? It's more likely I get a 2x12 because I really don't want to lug around a 4x10.

I'm not planning to make any purchases at this point. This is more for curiosity, so I just want to get some more experienced opinions.

Re: Volume question: Combo vs Cab

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 2:30 am
by theavondon
More speakers are really the way to go if you want more volume with what you've got, and my rule is always the more the merrier. I'd get a 1 or 2x12. Now, an AC30 with a 2x12 extension cab...that would be loud.

Re: Volume question: Combo vs Cab

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:13 pm
by The4455
It won't be louder in terms of wattage, but you will be moving more air, so to speak, so it will sound/be louder. I'd go with a 2x12. And if the places you play at have a PA then may not matter. But I agree with the more the merrier in terms of speakers :thumb:

Re: Volume question: Combo vs Cab

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 6:16 pm
by mauerkraut
The4455 wrote:It won't be louder in terms of wattage, but you will be moving more air, so to speak, so it will sound/be louder. I'd go with a 2x12. And if the places you play at have a PA then may not matter. But I agree with the more the merrier in terms of speakers :thumb:


+1
It won't matter too much if you're being mic'd up. But I personally would recommend it. You won't be louder, persay, but "bigger" sounding if that makes sense? It will widen out your sound. So if you're looking for an overall better guitar presence, get the cab.

If your enjoy that, try putting the extension cab on the other side of the stage, it will make you're guitar sound huge. adrianlee runs a stereo set up and its incredible how much atmosphere it adds. We can accomplish the sound of multiple guitars via one.