Running two amps/speakers (now an extension cab recs thread)

[Concretebadger]

I made a fun little discovery last night - I flip between the Fender DRRI for cleans and F-50 Boogie for dirt via an LS-2. Switching between the modes, I accidentally selected "A+B mix" and routed my '78 IC muff through both amps at the same time. It sounded MASSIVE. Not in terms of volume per se, just fuller, rounder, etc.

It's possible that the DRRI and F-50 compliment each other because the eq curves/frequency responses or whatever they're called are so different - the DRRI is soft and midrangey while the F-50 is bassier with a glassy top end. Alternatively, it could simply be that two speakers sounds better than one. All I know is, I was chugging out open stringed chords all evening and grinning like a loon the whole time at this WALL OF SOUND I'd created.

I've only ever used 1x12" combos but I've wondered how my 'gain' amp would sound through a multiple-speaker extention cab. Since I don't have a 2x12" to hand, I can't test whether the improved sound is 1. two speakers or 2. two amps. Basically, I'm curious about whether I need a third amp to my rig or just get a 2x12 for my Boogie. What's the conventional wisdom on this sort of thing?

[wwrrss]

I made a fun little discovery last night - I flip between the Fender DRRI for cleans and F-50 Boogie for dirt via an LS-2. Switching between the modes, I accidentally selected "A+B mix" and routed my '78 IC muff through both amps at the same time. It sounded MASSIVE. Not in terms of volume per se, just fuller, rounder, etc.

It's possible that the DRRI and F-50 compliment each other because the eq curves/frequency responses or whatever they're called are so different - the DRRI is soft and midrangey while the F-50 is bassier with a glassy top end. Alternatively, it could simply be that two speakers sounds better than one. All I know is, I was chugging out open stringed chords all evening and grinning like a loon the whole time at this WALL OF SOUND I'd created.

I've only ever used 1x12" combos but I've wondered how my 'gain' amp would sound through a multiple-speaker extention cab. Since I don't have a 2x12" to hand, I can't test whether the improved sound is 1. two speakers or 2. two amps. Basically, I'm curious about whether I need a third amp to my rig or just get a 2x12 for my Boogie. What's the conventional wisdom on this sort of thing?

two speakers sounds better than one

I use an 4x12 and an 2x12 most of the time, but when I use another 4x12 or two it always sounds better.

[moogmusic]

I second all this with this tale: Way back when, I had a Valvestate 265R (I think) combo which I was changing for a Marshall 9000 Series rack and 1936 2x12. For a while I had both and plugged the 1936 into the speaker out from the combo which improved its sound no end.

[Benmurray85]

i used to use orange tiny terror through a 1x10 cab and my hot rod deluxe with a muff as a "drive" sound

the tt was set up crunchy, fender cleans and the muff only went through the fender. it was a great sound.

[Ankhanu]

In band practices, I've been biamping through my '72 Twin Reverb and my Peavey T-Max (though a Carvin 115), and it's awesome; the mix of guitar and bass amps, with the tube pre on the bass amp driving is fuckin' sweet. I'll almost never do this live though, given the amount of gear I'd need to haul

[aen]

MOre amps and more speakers is more good. Guitars sound weak as fuck to me now without a bass cab backing them up.

[luciguci]

I just set up two combo amps accordingly:

Kustom Defender 15: trebly, brittle, and clean
Kustom Contender 18: dark, bassy, and just a bit dirty

Sounds rad together. When I put my TurboRAT with the gain at max and filter at the brightest in front of both, it starts sounding like two guitars.

Two amps are better than one.

[Concretebadger]

Okay, I'm sold. An extension cab it is then.

For reasons of space and portability, I don't think a 4x12 is very practical...for now at least I reckon a 2x12 Celestion-loaded cab would sound great. Unless there's a buyer on this forum for my DSL combo I'll try to trade it in for an extension cab, which leaves me with a few fairly affordable options.

The main Brit amp brands do some open-backed 2x12s: there's the Marshall 1936 (GT75s), the Orange (V30s) and Blackstar do a few as well (some are V30s, others are simply listed as Celestions). I've got as far as deciding on speaker brand, but with the individual model and brand of cab they're housed in I could do with some guidance. The Marshall probably sounds like I'd expect it to, but the Orange might be a bit more solidly built? Anyone tried Blackstar's extension cabs? Or are there other brands of cabs available in the UK in the same price bracket (£250-£500) that I've missed out?