Opinions on Mesa Boogie Cabs

[fenderbender4]

What are your opinions on Mesa/Boogie Cabinets? I am looking at the vertical 2X12 cab. How's the quality, etc.?

 

[tone4days]

i cant comment on the vertical 2x12" cab directly ... but i can tell you that i own two 1x12" recto series (closed back) cabs w/ celestions that have been bulletproof for 10 yrs

highly recommend

good luck
t4d

 

[GTRJoe]

Mesa cabs are very well built. I have a pair of widebody 1X12's that are about 10 yrs. old. They've held up extremely well. Sound wise you may or may not like their cabs, but quality of construction is first rate.

 

[Strung Up]

Solidly built brick-sh**houses. With a sound to match.

They'll last forever, produce a pretty decent sound (i.e. accentuate some frequencies that will make amps sound good in a band mix, but at the expense of responsiveness, liveliness or evenness), and if you buy new, will lose resale value a lot immediately.

Unless you're buying used and are going to immediately throw this into a van tour, with so many custom builders using their ears vs. price-point for building, I'd invest a little time into finding the right one for you. Probably won't cost you more, but you'll be happier with the sonic results.

 

[fenderbender4]

I just got an OD-100 that's sitting in my room (But NO CAB!!) So I kind of want to get one soon. It's tempting me and keeping me from sleeping.

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

Originally posted by fenderbender4
I just got an OD-100 that's sitting in my room (But NO CAB!!) So I kind of want to get one soon. It's tempting me and keeping me from sleeping.

Did you get the Bruno yet?? Holy smokes....Two smoke'n amps!!!

 

[Strung Up]

For those amps, I'd go with THD or Bogner 2 x 12's. (How can your resist getting a 4 x 12 for the OD?). Or, search through the boutique builders.

 

[Matt Gordon]

4X12's are monsters to carry, tipping the scale somewhere near 100lbs, at least thats my Recto Standard w/ V30's. They need a little sound absorption material internally to dapen the ping!

 

[LSchefman]

Mesa makes some great sounding cabs; how they will work with your particular amp translates to dragging your amp to the store and seeing how it sounds.

I love their 112 wide body 3/4 back cab, and have used it in the studio with several amps over the past few years, from TRs to Bogners to a Hot Cat..etc, and also my son's Tremoverb.

I also highly recommend the Bogner 212 closed back cab, it sounds great, and the TR 212, which is a VERY well made and great sounding cab.

 

[fenderbender4]

By the TR 212 do you mean the Two-Rock w/ Tonespotters? Also I can't get a 4X12, it's just too big for practical reasons. I like the vertical design because it pushes air up higher versus at my feet. I didn't get the Bruno BTW, I got the OD-100 instead. The gain on this sounds like more of my thing versus smoother tones. I heard someone's clip here of the Bruno's gain channel while playing ZZ top, but even then it was a bit too smooth for me. I like some grit and bite to my gain. It's just my personal preference as a player.

 

[Igneous]

I used to play through a vertical mesa open back with metal grill and with g12 celestions. VERY bright sounding cab.

It certainly cuts. Better for clean imo. But it is great quality birch and will last forever.

 

[gjf]

I am with Les on the 1-12 3/4 back Mesa cab w/the Celestion Black Shadow. It is as solid as can be, fits any amp situation quite well and handles lots of power. I have used it with a wide variety of heas (nothing too high gain) and it always sounds good, plenty of nice tight bass.

 

[RGN]

I bought the Recto 2X12 from GC and tried it out for a couple weeks. I thought it was very solid but did tend to highlight certain frequencies... still a very nice cab but it went back. I ended up buying the Bogner oversized 2X12 and it just kills. It sounds better than a lot of 4X12s. I would have liked to have tried the Diezel 2X12 but didn't get a chance. I hear they are made at the same place as the Bogner cabs.

Go with the Bogner.. you won't be disappointed.

I have used a Marshall DSL50, a VHT 100CL and a Diezel VH-4 with this cab and they all sound great.

 

[The Whiz]

YOur mom is going to be pissed when you turn that master above 1.

 

[fenderbender4]

I have it sitting in my room, and it's driving me insane not being able to play it!!!! AHHHH!!!!

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

Originally posted by fenderbender4
I have it sitting in my room, and it's driving me insane not being able to play it!!!! AHHHH!!!!

Did you get the Bruno too?

Keith

 

[fenderbender4]

No, I got the OD-100 instead. I'm trying to find a good 2X12 cab. I'm wondering what speakers, between vintage 30's, Eminence Guvnor's, and maybe Fane Alnicos?

 

[cameron]

Originally posted by fenderbender4
No, I got the OD-100 instead. I'm trying to find a good 2X12 cab. I'm wondering what speakers, between vintage 30's, Eminence Guvnor's, and maybe Fane Alnicos?

Lots of people make good 2x12 cabs. I have a Dr. Z, the so-called "Z Best" and I like it a lot, but usually use a more portable 1x12.

One V30 and one GH1230 in a 2x12 is a popular configuration.

 

[fenderbender4]

It's just hard to find a cab that can be made to stand vertical as well.

 

[BPlexico]

I would humbly submit thinking about something like a Bob Burt 2*12 vertical cabinet. I got one for my Constellation and it sounds great with any amp I throw at it. The bottom is closed back, the top open back and has a Celestion G12H30 in the botton and a Celestion Blue up top. Sounds wonderful and Bob is a fantasic builder!

-- Barr


This link will give you a sense of what I am talking about:

http://www.bobburtcabinets.com/html/burt_4.html