Guitar Gear Forum

I got a Randall XXL 4x12 with K85's that I can't really use at home because it's too loud. I've been using a 2x12 with BL-80's and it makes things a bit more manageable. I was thinking of selling my 2x12 and getting a 1x12 instead. Do you guys think going from 2x12 to 1x12 for home playing will have noticeable volume differences?

I use a 1x12 and it is still loud, though it is nowhere as loud as a 2x12 or a 4x12. I think it helps, but it is still loud.
The upside to using a 1x12 is that it is easier to load the cab with different speakers

Cole

it really doesn't make that much of a difference. It's all about the taper of your master volume. I get whisper quiet tones out of my 100w DSL and 4x12 because the master volume on that amp is so good. I also have an attenuator but honestly rarely need it.

With the VH100R you should be able to turn it down enough to get a good tone at home volumes. If your master volume is bit too jumpy, maybe use the fx loop level control or one of those "Volume Boxes" through the loop.

guitarbilly wrote:it really doesn't make that much of a difference. It's all about the taper of your master volume. I get whisper quiet tones out of my 100w DSL and 4x12 because the master volume on that amp is so good. I also have an attenuator but honestly rarely need it.

With the VH100R you should be able to turn it down enough to get a good tone at home volumes. If your master volume is bit too jumpy, maybe use the fx loop level control or one of those "Volume Boxes" through the loop.

It's manageable at home with the effects loop volume rolled back. I guess I just figure that I don't need a 2x12 if I have a 4x12, so having a 1x12 as well as a 4x12 might make more all around practical sense... while also making things (even if only slightly) more manageable volume wise at home

I'll tell you this. One of the bands I play with I use my 112 widebody open back cab. When I go to my other bands practice where I plug into my 412, it is a lot louder than when Im plugged into the 112.


edit

I just thought about this, and my 112 is on the floor, and my 412 is on a 2 foot riser, so a lot of the volume difference is probably just perceived due to this.

Mike LX-R wrote: I guess I just figure that I don't need a 2x12 if I have a 4x12, so having a 1x12 as well as a 4x12 might make more all around practical sense...

Yeah. That makes sense. It won't make a huge difference with the volume, but since the small cab is for home playing, it makes sense to get something as small as possible.

guitarbilly wrote:If your master volume is bit too jumpy, maybe use the fx loop level control or one of those "Volume Boxes" through the loop.

A couple years back I bought one of those cheap "Omnisonic" volume boxes on the 'bay that did the job for that purpose (alternative taper only of course), I'm sure there are numerous alternatives floating around these days as well.

While it did the job my only gripe was that the box didn't have a footswitch on it lol.

nope, not gonna make a difference. i could play gigs with my 1x12 if i wanted to.

guitarbilly wrote: It's all about the taper of your master volume.

yup

as far as loudness for you probably not... but as far as the amount of bass freq being put out for your neighbors or those that are in the other rooms of the house it can make a difference. I find that a 1x12 def puts out a lot less bass in the corner of a room, in a closet, next to a bed or elevated on top of a crate when compared to the 4x12 :P

To a 2x12 eh... it can but it depends on your room / house

The number of speakers that you are running really have little to no bearing on how loud you will be.

A 4x12 cab is not 4 times louder than a 1x12 for example, just it will give you a bigger, fuller sound, but not necessarily more volume.

Lower wattage, or simply just turning down the volume knob on your amp is what will do it.