Full Stack Cabinets- Slanted and Straight

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Right now I have a halfstack; a Peavey 3120 head and Avatar 4x12 "straight" cabinet.  I wanna upgrade to a whole stock.  Is there one benefit to having a slanted cab as to going with another straight?  Obviously, with a slanted cab design, the sound is going to be dispersed over a different "path" than with a straight cab design, but is there an advantage to one over the other?

I'd like to get another cab (preferably an Avatar, but they don't make slant cabs) but can't decide which design I should go with.    I'm currently running two Celestion K100s and two Celestion Vintage 30s in my straight cab.  If I got another cab, I'd obviously also need speakers, which, of course, brings about another decision I would need to make.  Given my penchant for playing a lot of Metal, I would wanna go with something that really cranks out a good, chunky "thrum."

 

[Cagey]

I think the slanted 412 cabs were originally designed for use in "arena" type venues, where stage volume was important and your audience was mainly seated and rose up as it went back. Angling some of the speakers up a bit helped even out the dispersion, as 412s tend to be pretty directional.

These days, backlines are mostly just props.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The slant cabs also make it easier to hear the high end of what your playing.  I have a straight and a slant of the Marshall 1960 style, I like the slant better.  The straight is better for volume, because it isn't aimed at me, only my knees.  I watched craigslist for them and then bought one when the price was good.  I knew I was going to gut them and redo the insides, so I didn't care to much about the speakers.  The speaker combo you have in your avatar cab is an Ubercab but one level nicer.  That is basically what I have in my 1960A but with knockoff celestions.
Patrick

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

The slant cabs also make it easier to here the high end of what your playing.  I have a straight and a slant of the Marshall 1960 style, I like the slant better.  The straight is better for volume, because it isn't aimed at me, only my knees.  I watched craigslist for them and then bought one when the price was good.  I knew I was going to gut them and redo the insides, so I didn't care to much about the speakers.  The speaker combo you have in your avatar cab is an Ubercab but one level nicer.  That is basically what I have in my 1960A but with knockoff celestions.
Patrick

Yes, the straight cab is aimed pretty much at my knees, but if I stand back far enough, the sound hits me square in the face, and it's very "ice-picky."  If I'm standing off to the side of the cabinet or "on top of" it, the sound is totally different.  I guess I'd like to try to direct the sound differently so it doesn't sound "ice-picky," regardless where I stand.

As long as I'm not standing directly in front of the cab, I absolutely love the sound I'm getting.  That changes once I'm standing directly in front of the cab.

 

[Great Ape]

I am REALLY curious--Where the hell are you guys playing that you can even imagine using a full stack? I was honestly not aware that there were still venues that called for that kind of stage volume...

 

[Cagey]

Good question. That's what I was alluding to when I mentioned earlier that those cabs were designed for arena work.

There aren't nearly as many bars/clubs that even host live bands around here as there used to be, and those that do usually won't even let you in the door with a rig like that.

 

[Great Ape]

Yup, and, I think ya gotta be under 30 to be willing to transport gear like that-or someone ELSE is doing it for you!! I've been gigging for years with a Blues Jr. or a 20w 1X12 Swart, and they're both conveniently light, more than loud enough, and of course the all-tube tone is just right for the blues...if I happen to play a hall or small theater, then mic 'em up, and boogie...

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Good question. That's what I was alluding to when I mentioned earlier that those cabs were designed for arena work.

There aren't nearly as many bars/clubs that even host live bands around here as there used to be, and those that do usually won't even let you in the door with a rig like that.

Well, I wouldn't be playing ANYWHERE where I'd need something like that.  It all boils down to when I was a kid and dreamed of having that big "Marshall stack" one day.  :help:

While most people are asking, "Why," I'm asking, "Why not?"  It boils down to this; it's BECAUSE I CAN.  :icon_tongue:

Yes, it's an absolute waste of money, but I've worked hard over the years, and I like to reward myself every now and again.  Some people reward themselves with exotic sports cars capable of achieving well over 200 mph, yet those cars will never see the high side of 125 mph, while others reward themselves with audio/video equipment, music gear, etc.

So, here I am, 25 years later after being that 15 year old kid and wanting a "Marshall stack," and I still haven't gotten it.  It's time to cash in.  ccasion14:

 

[Cagey]

Hehe! Yeah, I can understand that. Been there, done that. Glad I don't have to do it any more and wouldn't do it again, but not sorry I did it when I could.

Thing is, I didn't have the choices then that I do now. If I would have, I'd have not gone that route because it wouldn't have made sense.

Not that everything I've ever done has been sensible; far from it. But, us ageing rockers sometimes feel compelled to pass along what we've learned so as to make the up and comer's lives easier.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Oh, I have them, they don't move.  They don't ever make a stack, and the volume doesn't go very high.  But they sound nice, even at low volumes.  My live amp is a tiny combo.  I am of the opinion that the audience can't tell the difference, so who cares.  One dirty sound, one clean sound and I am there.  Hey the amp has Reverb, that is a treat!  Two guitars, a cord, and a number of picks fills out my rig.  The other stuff is fun to get sounds at home through.
Patrick

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Hehe! Yeah, I can understand that. Been there, done that. Glad I don't have to do it any more and wouldn't do it again, but not sorry I did it when I could.

Thing is, I didn't have the choices then that I do now. If I would have, I'd have not gone that route because it wouldn't have made sense.

Not that everything I've ever done has been sensible; far from it. But, us ageing rockers sometimes feel compelled to pass along what we've learned so as to make the up and comer's lives easier.

But that's where you and I differ.  You have "been there," I haven't.  It's an absolutely senseless expense to even be thinking about, and there are certainly other outlets where the money could be used far more wisely, but why are we working?  Work to live, don't live to work!  ccasion14:

Oh, I have them, they don't move.  They don't ever make a stack, and the volume doesn't go very high.  But they sound nice, even at low volumes.  My live amp is a tiny combo.  I am of the opinion that the audience can't tell the difference, so who cares.  One dirty sound, one clean sound and I am there.  Hey the amp has Reverb, that is a treat!  Two guitars, a cord, and a number of picks fills out my rig.  The other stuff is fun to get sounds at home through.
Patrick

And that's what it's about for me, Patrick.  I love the sound.  While that Master Volume dial may not ever even see the "halfway" mark, it just sounds good!  I just like to plug in and "play a show" for myself!  :headbang1:

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Well, consider that you also have to transport all this gear around too!
I had a couple of 4x12 cabs when I was touring, for the past year, I downsized to a 2x12 firing from side stage, brought our stage volume down significantly, important especially for club gigs, and I found a better clarity.  The other guys could get a monitor feed if they needed, to taste, rather than the former onslaught of volume.

Consider one of these: http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/cabinets-custom-shop/Mojotone-Angled-Guitar-Amplifier-Speaker-Extension-Cabinet

 

[Cagey]

I don't think he wants to move them around. I think he just wants the stack, kinda like some guys want a '70 Barracuda with a 429 in it, or a '69 Camaro with a 396. Horrible cars, but sexy as hell. You don't buy into one for practical reasons.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Well, consider that you also have to transport all this gear around too!
I had a couple of 4x12 cabs when I was touring, for the past year, I downsized to a 2x12 firing from side stage, brought our stage volume down significantly, important especially for club gigs, and I found a better clarity.  The other guys could get a monitor feed if they needed, to taste, rather than the former onslaught of volume.

Consider one of these: http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/cabinets-custom-shop/Mojotone-Angled-Guitar-Amplifier-Speaker-Extension-Cabinet

I don't think he wants to move them around. I think he just wants the stack, kinda like some guys want a '70 Barracuda with a 429 in it, or a '69 Camaro with a 396. Horrible cars, but sexy as hell. You don't buy into one for practical reasons.

Cagey's right, Tony, but thanks for the suggestion!  No, I'm definitely not looking to move them around (very often...), though I'm sure they'll occasionally leave the house! 

Most of my friends live back in Delaware, where I'm originally from.  The problem with dragging all my equipment out there to jam with a buddy isn't a matter of loading or unloading it, but where to put it!  My parents have a fairly nice, mid-sized home, but the problem is the (lack of) room.  All of the rooms have wound up as storage areas for toys (the grandchildren, aka my nieces) and they have a lot of toys. 

Between their toys, clothes, and double beds in small bedrooms, there is absolutely NOWHERE to stash a stack.  The garage is filled (not that I'd leave it out there anyway...), every corner of the living room has furniture in it, the dining room is stuffed to the gills with a table that's too large for it, there's no room in the kitchen, etc. etc.  Basically, it would be sitting right in the middle of a room somewhere, making it quite difficult to navigate around.

And Cagey, you mean a '70 'Cuda with a 426ci in it, right?  :laughing3:

Yeah, I sure do wish I had $1,000,000 for a '70 Hemi 'Cuda! 

 

[Cagey]

When you get up in the 420+ CID big block range, a few cubes one way or the other is like the difference between jumping off the 47th or 48th floor of a building. The end result is equally predictable. But, you're right. It was a 426 Hemi. The 427 was GM's offering, and the 429 was a Ford engine. Just marketing/one-upmanship.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

D.O.O.
Thanks for the clarification.

Still, I think Mojotone is a nice option in that you can get custom coverings and such that are a bit different from the mainstream retail offerings.
For instance, I want a 4x12 in Fender Style Tweed (Cloth, not tolex) and Oxblood Grill Cloth, not something you see that often.
http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/cabinets-vintage-british-style/British-Style-Guitar-Amplifier-4x12-Slant-Speaker-Extension-Cabinet#c=y+t=2+g=+f=+h=undefined+r=+b=

There are several options to choose from, and you can load them with your speakers of choice.

Kind of nice to have more options to choose from, especially if you don't foresee transporting them often, you can get a lil more bling and know that it will remain in nice condition over a longer period of time.

 

[Great Ape]

Good question. That's what I was alluding to when I mentioned earlier that those cabs were designed for arena work.

There aren't nearly as many bars/clubs that even host live bands around here as there used to be, and those that do usually won't even let you in the door with a rig like that.

Well, I wouldn't be playing ANYWHERE where I'd need something like that.  It all boils down to when I was a kid and dreamed of having that big "Marshall stack" one day.  :help:

While most people are asking, "Why," I'm asking, "Why not?"  It boils down to this; it's BECAUSE I CAN.  :icon_tongue:

Yes, it's an absolute waste of money, but I've worked hard over the years, and I like to reward myself every now and again.  Some people reward themselves with exotic sports cars capable of achieving well over 200 mph, yet those cars will never see the high side of 125 mph, while others reward themselves with audio/video equipment, music gear, etc.

So, here I am, 25 years later after being that 15 year old kid and wanting a "Marshall stack," and I still haven't gotten it.  It's time to cash in.  ccasion14:

Well, hell-- That changes EVERYTHING! GO FOR IT!! 

 

[bagman67]

Get ready to pull a Marty McFly:

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

When you get up in the 420+ CID big block range, a few cubes one way or the other is like the difference between jumping off the 47th or 48th floor of a building. The end result is equally predictable. But, you're right. It was a 426 Hemi. The 427 was GM's offering, and the 429 was a Ford engine. Just marketing/one-upmanship.

And here's some other trivia!  Chrysler did NOT have the first hemispherical-headed engine, Ford did!  Did you know that Ford and Chevy both offered 427ci engines?

And then, of course, there was the 396ci, which was actually a 402ci.

 

[AutoBat]

And here's some other trivia!  Chrysler did NOT have the first hemispherical-headed engine, Ford did!  Did you know that Ford and Chevy both offered 427ci engines?

Ford first offered a hemi in 1947.

Hemispherical cylinder heads have been used since at least 1901; they were used by the Belgian car maker Pipe in 1905 and the 1907 Fiat 130 HP Grand Prix racer.
The Peugeot Grand Prix Car of 1912 and the Alfa Romeo Grand Prix car of 1914 both were four valve engines also, Daimler, and Riley were also using hemispherical combustion chambers.
Stutz, beginning in 1912, used four-valve engines, conceptually anticipating modern car engines.
The BMW double push rod design, taken over by Bristol Cars, the Peugeot 403, the Toyota T engine and Miller racing engines are other examples.