I mean I notice a lot of 2x12 combos - Marshalls and Mesa's seem to be slow to sell, and watching ebay completed listings seems 1x12s sell easier (generally) I know bedroom rockers have no need for a 2x12 (or biggerer) but I get the impression a lot of gigging players are wimps and are scared of a bit of weight to carry...a lot want 1x12 amps. My fellow bandmate is one such person - but he's getting on a bit so maybe he can have a pass on that...a lot of young pups though? Of course this is opinion..but to me a 2x12 amp alwas sounds bigger n better than a 1x12...usually more bottom end as well as spread, less boxy sounding. Do you gig with a 1x12 ? Is it weight you wanna avoid or do you genuinely prefer the sound of a smaller amp ?
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Yeah I've had both...the Marshall has nice recessed side handles though which I've always liked.
Gear manufacturers have cracked getting good to great tone at lower volumes as well.
If you aren't working in a genre that has guitar dominate the sound spectrum (like metal) then is there any real need to take more gear than you need?
I can carry my guitar, a 1x12 combo and pedalboard in one trip from the car, which is nice.
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Exactly.
Find a local metal band and you'll still get a 5150, 6505 or dual rec. But that's about it...
That said I've seen big cabs go very cheap and barely any more than the cost of the speakers or even less.
many cabs are over engineered
Recently started using a 2x10. Noticeably lighter but still a full sound.
But not only can't I do that anymore, modern PA systems and lighter amps plus mfx units mean I don't have to because no longer do your amps have to do a full backline role.
I have 3 1x12 amps, a 2x12 combo with 2x12 extn cab, and a 2x10 combo plus 1x12 extn cab. And you know what? Nowadays all I need is my Tonelab SE through the PA. Its lighter, quick to set up, gives me consistently good tone, has all the amp tones and effects I need, with preset and stomp mode options, easy A/B channel switch options, built in tuner, wah, vol pedal etc.
So why do I need to schlapp around my 2x12 and conventional pedalboard anymore? I really don't! It's nice to know I've got these amps as options, and I don't want to sell them. But things have moved on from when I was a young man and I don't need to schlap big amps around to show how rock- macho I am!
I had a big stereo rig once and it sounded huge standing in front of it. A singer I worked with referred to my sound as 'The Wall'. But off stage it sounded no bigger than a small 1 x 12 combo mic'd up through a PA system.
I'll only be using small lightweight sets ups in future.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
But then I prefer a head and cab anyway, so it becomes a moot point.
So your choice, compromise your tone or compromise your body.
Oh and as an oldie, I consciously do things that I find increasingly difficult, because if you stop that's it game over. Things like putting your socks on standing up, bending down to pick things up rather than squatting, etc....