[Drache713]

Just curious for you guys that have 4x12's out there, do you use a straight front or an angled front 4x12? The only difference I've heard is that sound wise the straight front will sound bassier because the speakers aren't angled up towards you. I've also head about phase cancellation issues with the angled cabs because the speakers orientation is different they sound project sound in the same path (dunno bout that one...). So, whaddya use?

[Shannon]

For the last 5 years, I've been using straight cabs for 2 reasons.

1) With the additional airspace in the cab, I get more low end compared to angled cabs.

2) A straight cab gives me just a little bit more room on top to set my rack on. I always get a little nervous when my rack has to sit on top of a skinny angled cab top. It doesn't seem as sturdy, but maybe it's just me.

I've never heard of the phase cancellation thing being a problem at all. That's a new one on me.

[Drache713]

btw, how's that 7421xl working out for ya? got any gigs under her belt yet?

[Digital Black]

If your going to have just one 4x12, stick with an angled cab. It let's you hear yourself better.

[jtm45]

When i used 4x12's (i use the 2x12's these days) i had a slanted Marshall,mainly because i also have a Marshall head and they fit(and look) much better on top of the slanted cabs.

I agree though that you do get slightly more low-end with the straight-fronts.

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by Drache713

btw, how's that 7421xl working out for ya? got any gigs under her belt yet?

It's been used for band and home practices, but no shows. It's been a faithful stage backup guitar, but I haven't had to use it yet. My ESP is still my main stage guitar. It's hard to beat.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by Shannon

For the last 5 years, I've been using straight cabs for 2 reasons.

1) With the additional airspace in the cab, I get more low end compared to angled cabs.

2) A straight cab gives me just a little bit more room on top to set my rack on. I always get a little nervous when my rack has to sit on top of a skinny angled cab top. It doesn't seem as sturdy, but maybe it's just me.

both problems solved if you get the Mesa Recto 4x12 Standard Cab. It's angled, but with a full top to it.

As for the straight vs angled debate, the reason cabs are angled in the first place is so that you can have them pointed up at your head. Speakers are very unidirectional, and it can be hard to hear your cabinet, even when cranked, while playing a live show. My advice? If you have a good monitoring system, or the club(s) you play at have a good monitoring system and a competent sound guy, you're cool with going with a straight cab. If not, I would advise getting either a 2nd straight cab to stack on top (basically a full stack) or just go with the angled cab.

Either way, you have to be able to hear yourself playing live, and you'd be surprised how hard it can be to do so sometimes.

[kovachian]

This is one reason why it's important to know the ins and outs of tweaking your tone. I got the bass response of a straight cab with the projection of an angled cab. Can't beat that.

[dpm]

straight cabs are metal as fuck

[No Soul]

for the record:

The angled cab was invented just to look better with the skinny marshall heads sitting on top of them.

There is an ever so slight difference in sound but all things being equal its not even close to being a big one.

if anything the straight cab would have MORE cancelation, but the fact of you using 4 speakers blasting the same thing means you are going to have phase cancelation. Thats all part of the sound though!