For me, there's a presence (sound wise not physical), projection and 'room filling' sound of the 4x12, it pushes out so much air - it's unique.
I agree with the points of 80s hold over from the 70's monitoring. When I gigged 87 onwards, unbelievably in pubs in the UK - I'd be using a Marshall 50w head (Jubilee) and 2 4x12 cabs. My bottom cab was under the top cab of the other guitarist and his bottom cab was under mine - and that was how we monitored.
Looking back it's horrific stage volume, not just stage - it was too loud in the car park outside!
But that was the perceived wisdom for local bands at that time.
The few times in the last 10 years I've played through a half-stack, wow! It's the sound of rock n roll for me, cranked Marshall into a 4x12 - but...
There is no way I'd have one now, they're just too damaging - hearing wise (remember EVH said he never used the top cabs to try and keep the sound away from his ears) and also just moving the things! I used to have to take all the seats out of my car to get them in - they are large, heavy and very awkward.
But for IR production? Yes please.
For me it's like so many things, why are they part of 'that' sound? Because that's what we're conditioned to hear, if Hendrix had played a whiteguard Tele through a blackface Twin - we'd be used to that, but he took a different direction...
I agree with the points of 80s hold over from the 70's monitoring. When I gigged 87 onwards, unbelievably in pubs in the UK - I'd be using a Marshall 50w head (Jubilee) and 2 4x12 cabs. My bottom cab was under the top cab of the other guitarist and his bottom cab was under mine - and that was how we monitored.
Looking back it's horrific stage volume, not just stage - it was too loud in the car park outside!
But that was the perceived wisdom for local bands at that time.
The few times in the last 10 years I've played through a half-stack, wow! It's the sound of rock n roll for me, cranked Marshall into a 4x12 - but...
There is no way I'd have one now, they're just too damaging - hearing wise (remember EVH said he never used the top cabs to try and keep the sound away from his ears) and also just moving the things! I used to have to take all the seats out of my car to get them in - they are large, heavy and very awkward.
But for IR production? Yes please.
For me it's like so many things, why are they part of 'that' sound? Because that's what we're conditioned to hear, if Hendrix had played a whiteguard Tele through a blackface Twin - we'd be used to that, but he took a different direction...