Do smaller cabinets really work as well as their large cousins?

[BigAlonBass]

So - I'm getting on a bit, and am starting to really 'feel' the weight of my 4x10" / 1x15" stack.
Naturally, I'd like to buy some Cabs that are both smaller and lighter, but I play in a full-on Rock Band, and just wonder if the smaller stuff does the business?
When I set up and play, the speakers really 'punch' me in the back, and most times, I don't have to go through the PA, as they're powerful enough to fill in the gaps by themselves. ('Rock Trio' with Vocalist/Frontman) Fans of the Band say they love the sound I get, and the lads on stage with me always have smiles on their faces when I dig in a bit, so I'm wondering if smaller gear would compromise any of the above?
Just as an aside, it's no use telling me or the Band to turn down, as I'm nearly Deaf, not, I might add, from volume, but other Medical issues, and I can only hear loud music. Which is why I joined in the first place - apart from them asking me, they were the only Band I could flipping hear!
Help please, because I can't afford a Roadie!

[Japhet]

I used to gig with the 4x10 and 1x15 set up. These days I use a 4ohm 2x12 cab and it's every bit as loud and a lot more defined. Weighs in at next to nothing too.

[warwickhunt]

Just bought a TC RS210 cab (poss a 2nd incoming) and I have to say it has blown me away... quite literally! A pair stacked vertically will win the laws of physics competition but more importantly the drivers are at the same height as an old fashioned stack. You know where I am if you want to give a blast and in the process save your back and knuckles.

[machinehead]

I think a pair of good quality 1 x 12" cabs will easily give you enough volume and be much lighter and easier to carry.

The only downside is that they are likey to be expensive.

Frank.

[Kevsy71]

I run 2 x Baer ML112 , 16.5 kg each, or just the one in a pub. Usually I 'lend it out' to whoever we are playing with, and it cuts through beautifully. So certainly worth trying a Baer or similar that stresses the mids, e.g. a Fearful/Fearless, Bergantino, etc.

[ratman]

My Berg 1x12s wipe the floor with my old 4x10 and 1x15 rigs. And at 20kg a pop my back is happy too.

[Lozz196]

My Barefaced Super 12T (2x12) was enough on its own to easily fill out the venue we played on Friday - much more so when another band used it as well as their bassists bass must have had hotter pickups than mine. Weighs in at 40lbs. I could feel the bass thumping in my chest when they were playing.

And I`ve got two of them, the 2nd for extra big venues though I have to admit much of this is for the visuals as the sound. But lifting the S12T is a doddle, and the wheels are great as well.

I used an Ampeg SVT setup (810) just before Xmas and whilst it was great, I didn`t find it that much better than my single S12T - not used the two S12Ts together yet but I`m fairly confident I`d prefer those to the 810.

[steve-bbb]

Barefaced baby T

Be prepared to be totally gobsmacked

[Marillionred]

I too used to gig with the 4x10 and 1x15 set up. They are currently for sale on fleabay.

Now using a Barefaced Big Baby II 3rd Gen and a Warwick LWA1000, rarely need to go much above half way round the volume pot!

My ears and my back love this combination!

[leschirons]

Genz Shuttle combo + 12T ext cab. Weighs nothing and shakes the foundations with 600 watts of pure Hi-Fi quality clean or overdriven valve dirt if I need it or 375 watts without the ext cab.

Neo 1 x 12s are the future (just like garlic bread)

[paulbass]

I play in a rock band myself and i have two 2x10 cabs also a 1x15. In pubs one 2x10 is really loud enough and there is headroom left if i want more. I rarely use both 2x10's unless we play festivals and never used the 1x15. I use a RH450 amp which i can use all 3 cabs if i so wish (this amp can go down to 2ohms using all 3 cabs) but i never had the need for them all. I too bought light weight gear as to save my back a bit as i was using trace elliot gear before and that was damn heavy! If anything i have a better sound now than i did with the Trace Elliot gear and it saves my back from a hell of a lot of lifting heavy gear. Best move i made.

[chris_b]

I currently play through a Bergantino CN212 which is the lightest, loudest and best sounding cab I've owned.

Then again, a Barefaced 212 or 2 112 rig would definitely be a rock band killer.

[dadofsix]

Whatever the size of cabinet you choose, given your medical circumstances, I would definitely invest in a very good "in-ear-monitor" system.

Edited February 9, 2015 by dadofsix

[gafbass02]

Yet another here, I've gone from two trace Elliot 4x10's and a 4x5" bright box with a 400w trace head to two bergantino AE210's with an 800w digital head and its waaaaaay louder and punchier, and incomparably better tone, mostly I only need one cab!

[blue]

Some of it has to do with the drivers ( magnets) used on the speakers. I'm not sure it's always cab or speaker dimensions. Small club or big stage my GK RBX cabs seem to give me what I want to hear and feel.

Blue

Edited February 9, 2015 by blue

[Dave_the_bass]

Another convert here.

I play in a metal band with an insanely loud drummer.

For rehearsals a take a berg hd112.

At gigs I use 2 berg hd112.

[Conan]

So I guess the answer to the OP's question is ans unqualified YES!!

I'm local as well, if you would like a blast on my Barefaced Big One (1x15 and 1x6.5 in a smallish, light box).

[Monckyman]

[quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1423441901' post='2684914']
Whatever the size of cabinet you choose, given your medical circumstances, I would definitely invest in a very good "in-ear-monitor" system.
[/quote]
This. And those with "insanely loud" drummers, will be at serious risk also.
Good luck!

[charic]

Ofcourse failing all that get a big cab with wheels

[ern500evo]

Another yes here! Went from Warwick 1x15 with either a 4x10 or 2x10 depending on gig, to my current rig of either a GB Shuttle 9.2 or my TC RH750 paired with a Barefaced Big Twin 2. I'm currently playing in a rock band with 3 guitars and have absolutely no issues with being heard!! 😊

[Marc S]

Another convert here
I used to use a 4x12, valve head and a 1x15
I now use several combinations (depending on what band I'm with)

I've got a Markbass 210 combo, and a Phil Jones 4x5
Or I use the PJ cab with a PJ valve head

The Markbass alone gives me 350W, and it's a great, well-defined sound
Coupled with the PJ cab I get 500W, and find it's useful to sometimes be able to split the speaker positions...

I can't believe how lightweight the Markbass stuff is, and how loud it sounds

I too am of a "certain age" and don't think I'd ever gig again,
if all I had was the option of the old gear I used to use....
Don't risk putting your back out
Get some new lightweight gear

PS. A few months back, I was staggered at just how light the new Fender Rumble amps are!

[chris_b]

There is a Barefaced Big Twin 2 in the Classifieds.

All the cab a rock bass player needs to dominate the world.

[ern500evo]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1423478692' post='2685134']
There is a Barefaced Big Twin 2 in the Classifieds.

All the cab a rock bass player needs to dominate the world.
[/quote]
+1!
I can't believe it hasn't sold yet. They are amazing cabs, you simply can't believe the amount of oomph they deliver. You definitely wouldn't be lacking with one of these. I'm not a BF fanboi, they might not be to your taste, it works brilliantly for me but you should try as many as you can. There's some real good 2x12's on the market at the moment, I love the look of the Berg CN212, berg's always look classy.

[karlfer]

There is also Bagsieblues 2 Bergs in the amps/cabs for sale section. He loaned them to me for a gig, very impressive!

[fretmeister]

Pair of Berg CN112 would solve your problems.