4x12 sized cab; two 15s and two 10s?

[RandomHero]

Ever since I saw Crate's 2x15 cab, meant to act as a bottom to a full Blue Voodoo stack, I've been thinking about this one.

I mean, bassists have been running woofers and tweeters, and bi-amping things for years now. (The trend seems to be that bassists are a bit more forward-thinking than us. XD) Wouldn't it make just as much sense, especially for those of us who like unnaturally low-tuned and seven-string guitars, to start employing a wider range of speaker sizes?

I do think the tens would fit in the cab, in the corners not occupied by the 14s. That would be a killer combo!

[flateric]

Err, wrong section for this post? 2 x 15's and 2 x 10's is a killer combo, imo. Look how coveted those old Fender Bassman valve amps are now for big fat lead guitar tones.

[RandomHero]

Wow, I can't believe I posted that in the wrong spot.

Unless I'm mistaken, weren't Bassman amps just an open-backed 4x10?

[RJB]

Talking to a bassist friend of mine, his comment was that he prefers 10s over 12s or 15s, because he can get a more focused low-midrange sound. His take on 15s was they seemed a bit muddy.

However most guitarist prefer 12s. Why? To enhance the somewhat weaker low end of the guitar. Basically "fill out" the sound more.

The concept for bi-amping or using a crossover is such. To have a single element work across the whole audio spectrum WILL result in some compomises. But to use elements that are specific to a 'band' will usually result in less compromises and better clarity. There are of course exceptions (Bose!), but the exceptions are usually expensive.

To get the best clarity/performance it is generally believed that sending only the information of choice to each element is desirable. This is so that the element does not try to reproduce a frequency out of it's intended working range. Enter the crossover circuit. Either before (biamping) or after the power amp. The result is higher fidelity.

But IMHO this needs to be taken with a grain of salt by us guitarists that love that wonderful amp distortion and speaker breakup ;D.

[UnklMickey]

some things that bass players like, make good sense .... Ampeg SVT 8-10 cabinet SuhWeeeet!

10s have less mass, so the highs are reasonably present.

there are 8 'sources', so the highs aren't too 'beamy'.

there is lots of total cone area so the lows aren't lacking either.



other things they like, not-so-much ... passive crossovers - harsh and nasty IMHO.

HF horns on bass cabinets? ew...IPITF

[ux4484]

Just say no to crossovers.....

I'm still in the flat response Bass Amp camp.

If I was still gigging, I'd probably feel different, but for my use I want one amp/cabinet combo that I can use for everything: Guitar, Bass, and Vocals (I really miss my old Wilder with 4x10 cab, it was nigh-perfect). That's why using my Tube P.A. works the best for me. I let my Digitech do the "sound" for guitar and vocals, and (at this point) I'm still a Bass minimalist when it comes to effects.
I do have a couple programmed Bass User settings on my Digitech, but it's mostly Leslie and chorus, and that's just for a few songs. In my longing for that old Wilder cabinet, I'm sealing up my current 2x12 cab to fill my unique niche.

RH,
I'd say the only way to tell for sure is to go and play at your local GC or SA, I mean, c'mon.....it's not like you'd need much encouragement to do it. I see lot's of guys bringing their own axes in to try amps, the trick is to go on a weekday morning when you'll be (practically) the only guy noising up the place.
Our GC has a rack of heads mounted on an island over a bunch of cabinets with a patch panel; one side Bass, the other guitar (we have a small GC). With a long cord you could easily patch between them...and see if any of the Bass cabs tickle you the right way.