Guitar cabinet: Do I want 2x12 or 4x12?

The X100B has switchable output: 25W, 50W and 100W. Also switchable between 4, 8 and 16 Ohm speaker cabinets.

Just be warned... while the Carvin isn't a bad sounding amp, it's not a Marshall.

You always want a 4x12 unless you need to carry it yourself.

At least a 4x12 cabinet has wheels, so at worst you heft it up some stairs... it's the damn head that weighs a bloody ton and you have to carry the entire way by yourself.

I would carry my triple rectifier over my hiwatt 4x12 any day. That cabinet needs more then wheels for help!

At least a 4x12 cab you feel reasonable asking for help when you have to lift it in/out/over, and my bandmates are nice.

The Twin is one solid chunk, but the only good lifting point is the top strap, so it's always one person, one hand... The bassist's Trace Elliot isn't much, if any, heavier, but it's got handles on the ends so it's a natural two-man job...

Ian F wrote: The X100B has switchable output: 25W, 50W and 100W. Also switchable between 4, 8 and 16 Ohm speaker cabinets. Just be warned... while the Carvin isn't a bad sounding amp, it's not a Marshall.

That's the other can of worms, now open, that I initially tried to separate from this thread (foolishly); it's not that I want a Marshall, though I'm pretty darn sure that a JCM 800 would work out just fine. It's kind of the "easy button" (if not cheap) option...

I half wonder whether the X100B's flexibility might be a good way to try some stuff out... Or maybe I'd just confuse myself. Frustratingly, there's an X100B with a Celestion-filled Crate 4x12 on CL for $375, but it's a ~3 hour drive away, which is a bit long for even a great deal on an amp I'm not sure is right for me.

Hmm... For $375 I'd probably try the Carvin. At worst, it won't work for you and you sell it. Hell... for that price, the 4x12 could be the raw materials for building the 2x12 you want.

I just remembered... when I bought my used X100B back in 1990, the seller also had a 8x12 cabinet. I'm trying to remember the brand, but it wasn't a Carvin - for some reason Hi-Watt sticks in my head. I remember he half-heartedly tried to sell it to me, but I had no way of getting it home as I don't think it would have fit in my '82 Subaru wagon.

But I agree... a Marshall JCM is pretty much the "E36 M3" of guitar amps... with maybe the Fender Twin the "Miata."

Personally, I've owned a couple of 2x12 combos over the years... it costs about $10 to add handles to the sides for easier (and two person) carrying. I've also added casters.

In reply to Ian F:

Good God if that 8x12 HiWatt was built anything like their 4x12 I had it probably weighed 200lbs! Their 4x12 was built out of 1.5" thick birch plywood and was close to 100lbs.

If your Hiwatt was like mine its ~133lbs iirc.Even with handles on both sides, its a one manner at times. Buy roadies!

Ps: That 8x12 must have been a monster!

Yeah, $40 at the Depot and that twin will roll and be able to be carried by 2.

I'd try to do something like a 'carry-on' for wheels and handles for 2x12.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Yeah, $40 at the Depot and that twin will roll and be able to be carried by 2.

But the twin will never be capable of making the sounds he wants.

The Twin already has casters (which is awesome, and reduces the carrying a lot), and I've been hesitant to start bolting additional handles to it despite the fact that I have no plans to sell it... It's not immaculate by miles, but it's a nice old vintage Twin and I hate to go molesting it unnecessarily.

It's a fair point that would add to the Twin's usability, though ditchdigger's correct that it's just not going to be the answer for the current band.

Just emailed dude about the X100B and Crate cab...