We’ve been searching through all the cabinets on the market to bring you this list of our best 1×12” guitar cabinets.
A guitar speaker cabinet is a huge part of a guitarist’s sound. These components contain the speakers that convert the electrical signals to the air that moves our ears, essentially becoming the final stage of the electric guitar process.
Guitar cabs come in all kinds of sizes and configurations. A 1×12 guitar speaker cab is a great choice for many reasons. It’s a great size for a lot of different styles of playing and it’s also very portable and requires less power.
I tested # products and found Orange PPC112 to be the best 1*12” guitar cabinet.
This is a beastly cab for sure. The included vintage Celestion speaker offers a full, deep tone. Sounding great whether clean or dirty, this Orange cab is a great pairing with any amp head and works for a huge array of musical styles. It comes in either an orange or black finish (i love the orange).
Pair it with an Orange Micro Terror Preamp and you’re ready to rock!
I think amp cabinets are one of the most underrated pieces of gear when playing guitar. People often forget about the importance of a high-quality cabinet for their guitar tone. Having a nice guitar is great, but you won’t be able to get a huge sound without a decent amp head and cabinet!
This guide looks at the best 1×12” cabinets. You can find guitar cabinets in many sizes. We’ve also written guides relating to other sized guitar cabinets, so check those out for more inspiration. (best 2×12 guitar cabinets)
1×12” cabinets are great because they save size, use less power, and are easy to transport. They do lose some volume and tone potential, but many quality models still have a competitive sound.
Keep reading for our full lineup of the best 1*12” guitar cabinets
Alternatively, check out my post about the best guitars for beginners.
Or have a read about the best guitar accessories!
Best in our tests
- Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister TM112 60W 1×12
- Marshall Amps Guitar Cabinet (M-MX112R-U)
- EVH 5150 112ST 1×12 Guitar Speaker Cabinet Ivory
- Orange Amplifiers PPC Series PPC112C 1×12 60W Closed-Back
- Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 80-Watt 1×12-Inch Guitar Extension Cabinet
- Peavey 112-6 1×12
7 Best 1×12 Guitar Cabinet Reviewed in Detail
1. Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister TM112 60W 1x12
Description
The TubeMeister TM112 single speaker cabinet is the perfect companion for your TubeMeister combo or head. It uses a 12” speaker and solid plywood construction to offer you the finest tone and the best quality. With its unique, retro design, this cab will easily become an eye-catcher in any environment.
Hughes and Kettner created TubeMeister cabinets to be used with their amplifiers, but the design of the cabinet is so perfect that it will work with other amps as well. The sound is crisp, clear, and well-rounded. Hughes & Kettner also made sure to keep the cab lightweight so it can be moved around with ease.
The TubeMeister cabinet is the perfect speaker for anyone looking to make their guitar setup more mobile or streamlined. This compact 1-12” guitar cabinet features a sweet 12” Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, which delivers warm, yet detailed sound reproduction. It’s the perfect speaker to pair with a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister amp head.
Specifications
- Speaker : Celestion vintage 30
- Power Handling : 60 watt
- Design : Closed Back
- Weight : 31.6lb
Pros & Cons
- Tight, modern sound
- Durable, rugged construction
- Anti-skid feet design
- Sounds good but more expensive
Summary
The TubeMeister TM112 60W 1×12 cab was designed by the best in the biz, Hughes & Kettner, and promises to deliver a tight and punchy sound – perfect for your tone.
This lightweight cabinet sounds great for modern sounds. It has warm mids and a full-range low end which is excellent for hard rock and other high gain performances. The sturdy construction ensures it will endure even the craziest punk rock gigs. This is highly recommended for any guitarist with a heavy playing style.
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2. Marshall Amps Guitar Cabinet (M-MX112R-U)
Description
These 1*12” guitar cabinets from Marshall are an excellent addition to their already wide range of top-of-the-line amplifier heads and cabs. Marshall is no stranger to the amplifier game. They’ve been making their iconic amps for decades.
The MX112R is a part of Marshall’s low-wattage lineup, which features an 80-watt output. The MX112R features a 12 inch Celestion G12P speaker and a closed-back cabinet with a specially designed port to pump out the signature Marshall sound.
Our review team found that the Celestion speakers offer a warm and fat clean sound, and with a head and cabinet combo, this set is perfect for small gigs. These closed-back cabinets offer a tight mid-range which is great when used with effects pedals. They have a relatively full-range tone, although the seeker cone does lack some of the highest frequencies.
This 1*The 12” guitar cabinet is the perfect complement for the Marshall amp heads and has the power rating to match. Whilst only using a small space, this cabinet has enough extra wattage to fill a room.
Specifications
- Speaker : Celestion G12P
- Power Handling : 80 watt
- Design : Small carry
- Weight : 29.8lb
Pros & Cons
- Classic marshall tone
- Loud sound with a small footprint
- Ideal for a home studio
- Average highs and bass reproduction
Summary
Marshall is a worldwide company with a long history of designing and building premium amplifiers. Whether you’re at home or on the go, there’s no room for your sound to escape with Marshall’s MX112R cabinet. With a Celestion speaker and classic Marshall styling, this cabinet will fit right into any electric guitar setup.
The durable build quality and other features come at a fair price, giving this amp good value and making it one of the best on the market today.
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3. EVH 5150 112ST 1x12 Guitar Speaker Cabinet Ivory
Description
Stack ’em up! The EVH 5150 cabinet is the latest addition to the EVH family. This handcrafted, 16-gauge, welded steel cabinet delivers everything you’ve come to expect from EVH. Big old-school heavy metal tones with a great bottom end, clear chunky mids, and crisp highs. And it looks outstanding!
This 1*12” guitar cabinet was made in partnership with Eddie Van Halen, so you know it has his seal of tonal approval. It was released as a part of the EVH 5150 series of guitar amplifiers. Pair it with a classic EVH amp head and you’re in for a truly huge sound!
The EVH 5150 III 1×12 cab is rated at 16 ohms and is loaded with a 30W Celestion G12H Anniversary speaker. It features a 1/4″ input jack, 1/8″ headphone jack, and can be operated at up to 16-ohms for increased versatility.
Celebrating 50 years of Celestion speakers in the EVH the Celestion G12H speaker offers a fantastic sound quality. Albeit it is at a higher price, it’s worth it for the extra tone the speaker cone provides. These 1*12” guitar cabinets are even more compact versions of their 2×12 and 4×12 big brothers.
Specifications
- Speaker: Celestion G12H Anniversary
- Power Handling: 30 watt
- Design: Compact carry
- Weight: 38lb
Pros & Cons
- Eddie Van Halen approved
- Beastly metal tones
- High powering
- Portable
- Too metal styled for some genres
Summary
If you are looking for a cabinet that sounds big, has a big stage presence, and is built with quality components, you have come to the right place. The EVH 5150 cabinet is designed specifically for EVH amps. This cabinet will give you the best sound possible from your EVH amp. Although, it works just as well with other brands. Blackstar amps are another great pairing with this electric guitar cab.
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4. Orange Amplifiers PPC Series PPC112C 1x12 60W Closed-Back
Description
A speaker cabinet is not just a means to amplify the sound of your guitar – it’s an expression of who you are as a player. This guitar cab combines the authentic tone of Orange Amps with a classic, no-compromise form. It has the looks, sound, and features you need to stand out on any stage.
The Orange PPC112 Guitar Cab is a robust, affordable, and great-sounding small guitar cab for use in the home, studio, or stage. Its compact dimensions and lightweight make it ideal for rehearsal or small gigs. If you’re looking for a little power with a big sound, the PPC112C is the amp for you.
The Orange PPC112 guitar cabinet is perfect for any guitarist who wants to pump up the volume of their cabinet. The Power Projection Cabinet (PPC) line has been designed with the guitarist’s needs in mind. With its improved power rating, this PPC112C cab can provide up to 60 watts RMS of power, with a rated power projection of 120 watts. The cabinet is constructed using high-quality materials to provide superior sonic performance.
Also, you gotta hear some effects pedals running through this!
Specifications
- Speaker : 12” Celestion Vintage 30
- Power Handling : 60 watt
- Design : Closed Back
- Weight : 11lb
Pros & Cons
- Classic Orange tones
- Super high build quality
- Portable
- Attractive fitted cover
- High price, although good value
Summary
If you’re looking for a versatile speaker cabinet that can go from gigging to rehearsing, the Orange Amplification PPC112C Compact Closed-Back Guitar Speaker Cabinet is perfect for you.
With its 1×12 closed-back design, 12” Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, and 60W power handling, this cabinet will be able to handle it all. Orange cabs are known to be some of the best in the industry, and the Orange PPC112 certainly maintains that reputation.
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5. Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 80-Watt 1x12-Inch Guitar Extension Cabinet
Description
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 has been around for decades and is still the go-to amp for many guitarists. With a classic Fender tone, this amp packs a punch and pushes your guitar signal to shake the pictures off the walls.
The cab was designed with flexibility in mind, to be used with any level of any guitar player. Many amp heads work with this, I think particularly something like a Fender Super Champ.
The Hot Rod Deluxe 112 Enclosure features a 12” Celestion® G12P-80 speaker for all-around use with a variety of combo amps. It fits neatly under the Hot Rod Deluxe and Blues Deluxe combos, adding bass response and thump, apparent volume, and stage coverage, with surprisingly compact dimensions.
The enclosure features versatile pairing options for either angled or straight cabinet orientation. The speakers used in this semi-open cab offer a sweet vintage tone with a sparkling resonance.
With high-quality sound, this enclosure will work brilliantly with any amp. The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Enclosure gives you the best bass response and thump. Just plug in that speaker cable and get rocking!
Specifications
- Speaker : Celestion G12P-80
- Power Handling : 80-watt
- Design : Semi-open
- Weight : 40lb
Pros & Cons
- Classic vintage fender cab sound
- Faithfull retro aesthetics
- Rich, warm tone
- Wide projection
- Average distortion handling
Summary
A re-imagined classic, the newly redesigned 112-watt Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III offers the classic Fender cab sound in a lightweight, portable package. With a full range of tones, this versatile cab design delivers the fat sound and response you need for any gig or rehearsal.
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6. Peavey 112-6 1x12
Description
Peavey is an American company that manufactures and sells musical instruments and amplifiers. The company is known for its range of electric guitars and bass guitars, as well as its line of amplifiers.
The Peavey 112 c 1×12, a high-performance speaker cabinet, is made from wood and heavy-duty plastic. These are workhorse cabs, and whilst nothing spectacular, they get the job done.
This is a stage-ready speaker cabinet that is perfect for solo guitarists and bands. It has a black Tolex covering with metal corners.
The speakers are mounted on a baffle board to improve sound quality. There are two top handles for easy transport and rubber feet to prevent the cabinet from moving or skidding.
This 1×12″ Peavey cabinet comes at an incredible value, with a price that makes it affordable to any guitarist. 150 watts of power from a Celestion Greenback 25 speaker driver, combined with a heavy-duty 18mm plywood construction and a tough Tolex covering, all come together to create an impressive sound.
The peavey 112c speaker cabinet offers a rich and full sound, perfect for any style of music. The back of the cabinet is convertible, so you can switch this between open-back and closed-back modes.
Specifications
- Speaker : Celestion Greenback 25
- Power Handling : 150 watt
- Design : Either open or closed-back
- Weight : 27.7lb
Pros & Cons
- Switch between open and closed back.
- Decent peavy tone
- Not as interesting sounding as others
Summary
The Peavey 112-6 1×12 is a live performance beast, delivering the perfect balance of size, power, frequency response, and durability. Great for any gig situation. This affordable cab is a great pick for many situations. We recommend this for beginners or those on a budget.
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Why Choose A 1×12 Guitar Speaker Cab?
A 1*The 12” guitar cabinet is the perfect choice for any guitarist looking to get the most out of their sound whilst maximizing portability and minimizing size.
These cabs are commonly used in quiet situations because they provide a more focused sound than their bigger counterparts, which can be useful for large gigs and recording.
A 1×12 guitar speaker cab has a number of advantages over other sizes of cabinets. They are lighter, smaller, and cheaper than larger cabinets which makes them easier to transport when on tour or when playing live in different venues.
This size cab also performs better at lower volumes, where a larger cab may struggle to produce a decent tone without cranking the volume.
What About A DIY Build Guitar Cab?
With the right knowledge, tools, and materials, you can build your own guitar cab.
The materials that are needed to build a guitar cab are not that expensive. You will need wood, screws, glue, and paint. The cost of these materials is around $150-$200. The DIY build guitar cab is a project that can be done by anyone with the right tools. It doesn’t have to be an electrician or a carpenter, just someone who has the will to do it.
DIY guitar cabinets are a great way to save money and build your own custom guitar cab. DIY guitar cabinets can be a great way to make your own design and style. However, some people might not have the time or the skills to build their own cab, so it is worth considering hiring someone who can do it for you.
Some people might think that it is not worth building their own DIY guitar cabinet because of all the work that goes into it, but if you have the time and skills then this can be a really fun project to try out.
DIY guitar cabinets are not for everyone. They require a lot of patience and skill to build. You need to know how to use power tools, have decent skills in woodworking, and have an understanding of how sound waves work in order to get the most out of them.
Building your own guitar cabinet is a time-consuming process, but it can also be rewarding. It will take some time to build the cabinet, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself.
1*12” Guitar Cabinet Buyers Guide
There are many different options when you’re looking to buy a speaker cabinet. But there are some features that you should consider before buying a 1*12” Guitar Cabinet.
- Size of the space you have available for your guitar cabinet. Cabs come in different shapes and sizes so make sure you have enough room.
- Size of the speaker. You can find speakers in all different sizes, from 8” and above. The size of the speaker changes the tone, and the frequency range it can produce. Larger speakers are better for lower pitches.
- The amount of power that the speaker will need to produce sound at an adequate volume level for your needs. Increased power = louder. Make sure you get enough loudness, but not too much!
- Brand: Different brands are known for different styles of music. Some are designed for heavy genres, others prefer to be clean. Brands have their own unique heritage based on their designers and the musicians who used their gear. You may have your own preferences already, but if not you could research the history of various amp manufacturers.
- Speakers: Each style of speaker has its own signature sound. Much like guitars, speakers have personalities too. The differences between them are quite nuanced, so it takes a little experience to work out what you are listening for. The best way to work this out is by experimenting with different cabs and working out what sounds best for you.
Conclusion
Overall, I thought the best 1*The 12” guitar cabinet was the Orange PPC112.
This is just a cracking cab. Orange amps are known to be seriously high quality, and this sure is too.
These cabs pair beautifully with orange amp heads, although most heads will do the trick. You really can’t go wrong with this cab. Despite its small footprint, it still has a mighty roar that can fill a practice room or small venue. Whether you want to play low and warm, or high and bright, this cab can handle any range you throw at it.
Check out the Orange PPC112 online today!
Don’t forget to pair it with an Orange Micro Terror Preamp for a killer Orange tone!
Looking for a cab with more power? Check out our guide on the best 2×12 guitar cabinets!
Noah is an accomplished audio engineer with several years of experience producing music for major companies and independent artists. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of audio engineering topics to help musicians and music producers create great music.