If you have read any of my other reviews and articles, you will begin to notice that I am always on a quest of late to downsize my gear into more manageable size. This is primarily as I gig a lot and live up a lot of stairs! So lugging gear up and down at 3am isn't my idea of fun any more, plus I am getting older :) The problem with is is basic acoustics, size, depth and weight on the whole assist to making things (especially speakers) sound tighter and deeper (which is beneficial in some circumstances...i.e. guitar cabs). It comes down to basic physics, if you want to be as literal to consider wavelengths, using something like Speed = Frequency x wavelength. If speed of sound is roughly 330m/s (at fixed temperature), to produce an 80Hz tone (low E on a bass guitar) you would need a speaker capable of generating a wavelength of 4.13 metres. That is quite a longwave length, thus the requirement of size to accurately produce this....okay enough of the acoustics nonsense. We are always dealing with a trade off, and on the whole there is some great gear out there, which does an ample job of producing a good tone.
Personally, a 2 x 12 is the perfect size cab for me, I have owned and gigged with a Marshall 1936 2 x12 Cab since 1992! Of late (the last couple of years) I downsized to a variety of different amps, and you can read the review on the site here, and I have been very very happy. But, at the back of my mine, I was missing the depth and spaciousness of the 2 x 12 (which having downsized car too I can no longer get in!), I kept looking at in a longing, but never returning. That was until I was introduced to Zilla Cabs and the possibility of having a custom built cab....and a 2 x 12 at that!! The Small Vintage really looked interesting to me particularly weight and dimension wise. So I contacted Paul at Zilla and we came up with a compromise to give me everything that I wanted in a cab!
Dealing with Paul was a complete pleasure and makes you remember why it is good to deal directly with humans who are making and selling their own produces, unlike a faceless corporations. Paul was incredibly helpful, and took time to make sure the cab was exactly what I wanted, and offered advice on how to achieve this, he went way beyond the call of duty to ensure I was happy (which I am very much) am. As I mentioned earlier, this cab is somewhat of a compromise of tone vs weight and size. I think we have nailed it, yes there is no super deep low end, but I am happy with that, the cab (with the open back configuration) fills the room and is not directional (as it is when closed), it has a nice 3D like quality to it. Loaded with Celestion V30, which are my speaker of choice, I love the way they sound, especially when on the verge of break up. I also went with the option of being able to have the cab open or closed backed should I choose, that is fantastic option there!!
The cab isn't 'light' as such, but it is very managable, with the top handle making it easier for most of the shorter distances, and up and downstairs, but for slightly longer distances or easy of moving it around, it has side handles, which is perfect (why can't other combos' etc do this). The amp fits perfectly in my tiny boot, leaving just enough space for my pedal board, so that is perfect....oh and it sound amazing!!
Best thing of all....it looks COOOOOOL!! Petite, perfectly formed and with an amazing voice! Am I happy, yes I am...VERY! I can't recommend Zilla cabs and Paul high enough, do drop them a line and I am sure they will be more than happy to help you and build you the perfect cab!
PeaceNeil