Pair of 1x12s w/ an SLA?

[DigitalGuitarist]

I'm interested in adding a stereo SS power amp, guitar cabs & speakers to my Axe-FX, and I could use some suggestions/advice. IMHO, guitar cab & mic sims are great for recording (especially w/ Red Wire IRs). But for this addition, I'm looking for a compact yet flexible setup to get a true "in the room" live sound.

Musically, I mostly enjoy classic hard rock and metal tones -- EVH (VH1) & Metallica (MOP) come to mind. But I also enjoy in-between tones similar SRV, U2, etc. Tone quality at lower volumes is fairly important to me. But in the end, the best-bang-for-the-buck will ultimately win.

Based upon the above... The ART SLA seems like a good fit -- probably an SLA-2 for extra headroom (not volume). But for cabs & speakers, I'm thinking of going with a pair of 1x12 cabs instead of a stereo 2x12 cab. And I'm even considering to load the 1x12 cabs with different types of speakers (bad idea?). Regardless, the question is which 1x12 cabs & speakers might be the best fit for me?

TIA

 

[Sixstring]

I'm interested in adding a stereo SS power amp, guitar cabs & speakers to my Axe-FX, and I could use some suggestions/advice. IMHO, guitar cab & mic sims are great for recording (especially w/ Red Wire IRs). But for this addition, I'm looking for a compact yet flexible setup to get a true "in the room" live sound.

Musically, I mostly enjoy classic hard rock and metal tones -- EVH (VH1) & Metallica (MOP) come to mind. But I also enjoy in-between tones similar SRV, U2, etc. Tone quality at lower volumes is fairly important to me. But in the end, the best-bang-for-the-buck will ultimately win.

Based upon the above... The ART SLA seems like a good fit -- probably an SLA-2 for extra headroom (not volume). But for cabs & speakers, I'm thinking of going with a pair of 1x12 cabs over a stereo 2x12 cab. And I'm even considering to load the 1x12 cabs with different types of speakers (bad idea?). Regardless, the question is which 1x12 cabs & speakers might be the best fit for me?

TIA

It's really a personal taste, you will find that most here have a favorite cab and speaker they like. Me I like a recto style cab and a V30 for a speaker, good bottom end and lots of mids for the cut and some top end sizzle, to me a vintage 30 is the sound of rock. In a single 112 enclosure they sound really good. I built a homemade 112 based on Mesa Recto DIMM's at half the cost of a new one and it sounds really good and I push it with an SLA-2. Considering the tones your after it might be a good place for you to start.

 

[Ventanaman]

For 2 1x12's, maybe a Scumback M75 in one and a Weber Silver Bell/Scumnico or even an H75 in the other?

It is entirely a personal preference - best of luck.

 

[Sixstring]

Another speaker to think about is the EVM 12L. They weigh a ton and are exspensive but are supposed to be fairly neutral (less color) as far as guitar speakers go.

 

[Gasp100]

IF I was going to go back to power amp with regular cab(s) I would probably shoot for the EVM12L. I had an Avatar cab with an EVM12L installed (for like one day because I had already sold my AxeFX). But I used that cab with a Marshall-esque amp and it sounded really good. So, it was pretty neutral but still had big, bold low end solid mid's and pleasing highs. I preferred this much more than the Classic Lead 80's I had used which were also supposed to be very neutral (in the world of guitar speakers anyway).
If I wanted a specific type of tone (Marshally + Voxey style) for most of my patches I would probably go with a Scumback as stated above. They are not as neutral as an EV12L to my ears, but really nice speakers and work with a lot of different style amps nonetheless.

 

[DigitalGuitarist]

First, thanks for all the great feedback! So many options... :? But I'm leaning towards a pair of convertible Avatar 1x12 cabs. Perhaps Avatar's Traditional G112 Wide cabs with a Hellatone 60 (V30) and a Hellatone 30 (G12H30). Any thoughts?

Me I like a recto style cab and a V30 for a speaker, good bottom end and lots of mids for the cut and some top end sizzle, to me a vintage 30 is the sound of rock

I was thinking of a V30, too. But I wasn't sure if its upper-mids would be too much for a 1x12. Still, I would think the right 1x12 cab could make all the difference.

For 2 1x12's, maybe a Scumback M75 in one and a Weber Silver Bell/Scumnico or even an H75 in the other?

If I wanted a specific type of tone (Marshally + Voxey style) for most of my patches I would probably go with a Scumback as stated above.

I'm not familiar with these speakers, but I'll have to check them out. Are there any sound clips you recommend?

Another speaker to think about is the EVM 12L. They weigh a ton and are exspensive but are supposed to be fairly neutral (less color) as far as guitar speakers go.

IF I was going to go back to power amp with regular cab(s) I would probably shoot for the EVM12L...it was pretty neutral but still had big, bold low end solid mid's and pleasing highs

I've heard the EVM12L has a great reputation -- perhaps best within a Thiele-style cab. But I think I'd prefer the sound to have some color instead of being neutral.

 

[Sixstring]

First, thanks for all the great feedback! So many options... :? But I'm leaning towards a pair of convertible Avatar 1x12 cabs. Perhaps Avatar's Traditional G112 Wide cabs with a Hellatone 60 (V30) and a Hellatone 30 (G12H30). Any thoughts?

Me I like a recto style cab and a V30 for a speaker, good bottom end and lots of mids for the cut and some top end sizzle, to me a vintage 30 is the sound of rock

I was thinking of a V30, too. But I wasn't sure if its upper-mids would be too much for a 1x12. Still, I would think the right 1x12 cab could make all the difference.

For 2 1x12's, maybe a Scumback M75 in one and a Weber Silver Bell/Scumnico or even an H75 in the other?

If I wanted a specific type of tone (Marshally + Voxey style) for most of my patches I would probably go with a Scumback as stated above.

I'm not familiar with these speakers, but I'll have to check them out. Are there any sound clips you recommend?

Another speaker to think about is the EVM 12L. They weigh a ton and are exspensive but are supposed to be fairly neutral (less color) as far as guitar speakers go.

IF I was going to go back to power amp with regular cab(s) I would probably shoot for the EVM12L...it was pretty neutral but still had big, bold low end solid mid's and pleasing highs

I've heard the EVM12L has a great reputation -- perhaps best within a Thiele-style cab. But I think I'd prefer the sound to have some color instead of being neutral.

It's hard to go wrong with Avatar cabs. I agree with your comment on the EV 12L, a Thiele style cab is the best for that speaker and the neutrality of that speaker can be a good thing when it comes to the Axe but again it's personal preference. As to the v30 that's why I went with the recto style enclosure, a tight box with some volume makes that speaker sound good. The Scumbacks are really good as well... see what I mean, there are so many ways to go and everyone has there favorite combonation.

 

[jerotas]

I have the SLA-2 and run 2 Bogner 1x12's. Damn good sounding! I chose CL-80's in my Bogners instead of the V30's when I ordered them. Turned out to be great advice!

 

[axel]

If you go the Avatar route, I would look at the Hellatone 60L's (tamed down V30 with a lower resonant freq.). They are much rounder sounding than the Hellatone 30's. The G1230 is a very hard sounding speaker, IMO.

 

[pdouds]

i have a new fane medusa that i am using with my art sla-1 (bridge mono), and it sounds great. fane's are a little darker than a lot of speakers, but it translates into a more "natural" sound to my ears. Loud as H@ll, too. 103db. just though i'd give my 2 cents worth.