I keep agonizing over whether or not to go FRFR. I run my Standard into an early 70's Marshall 4x12 through the effects loop of a THD Flexi and it sounds incredible. Maybe I'm not really missing anything. I'm going to be gigging again soon after a long break and I'd love to try just a monitor and the house PA though. Hmmmmmm. Dammit! haha
Might be able to help here, or just confuse you more.
Been doing the FRFR thing for a year now, but as the last few months I also have a Mesa 2x12 Recto home with me. And I think it breaks down to a few things and of course there is no right and no wrong, which makes it harder. Both have a place for sure.
First is feel, the cabinet wins, that simple. FRFR does have its own feel, in much the same way a 4x12 is going to have a different feel than a 2x12 open back. It is not as completely sterile as some say (IMO). Along with this there is the in-room feel, again the cab. The way a 12” speaker in a closed backed or opened back guitar cab pushes air, compared to a 12” speaker with a horn and a ported cab (in my case the Atomics)not to mention just the way the cabs themselves resonate in a room when cranked up a bit. Bottom line if you are looking for self-gratification the cab is probably for you. Great for bedroom, garage, basement, jamming with the boy’s and playing out.
Second is verity (with cabs) well yeah FRFR is going to win here of course. Also allot of amp sim’s may not sound (or I should say shine) that good with your guitar cabinet. In your case a 4x12 Marshall. Everybody is different of course but my thoughts on that: I don’t have to use every amp sim anyway and the same for cabs, you may not have the verity like running FRFR but dam you still have a ton of options. So I would never stress out about that point. However another cool thing with FRFR you can use multiple cabs in a patch and create allot of different tones and ambiance.
Sounds like I’m pretty much on the side of the conventional guitar cab, so why am I playing FRFR??
Control! Everything just sits so nice in a mix, whether it be a small bar or a larger venue plus with a conventional setup, you would typically mic your cab, that mic is picking up other things beside your cab, and of course with cab and mic sim’s don’t have this problem. I think in allot of cases, (but not all) it’s a better listening experience for the audience.
Now for my advice: DON’T sell your cab to get a FRFR setup, if you are already happy with your sound.
Maybe in the future get something and then make that decision which is going to go or even keep both, in my case I am fortunate enough were I can keep both. And there is extra work with the FRFR so keep that in mind.
John
