Help on matching cab to mesa rig needed!

[thornag]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for another thread from 'oh mamy I dont know what to do' kind but well, I don't know what to do

I've recently upgraded my rig from

Sansamp PSA 1.1 -> Gmajor -> BBE 482 -> Marshal 9100 -> 1960 4x12" with greenbacks

to

Triaxis -> Gmajor -> BBE 482 -> 2:90 -> ???

And this '???' is a problem. Running this setup through my old halfdead marshall cab is a sin. It sounds terrible which I think is down to the cab age and the fact that it was in really excessive use.

I'm looking for something to replace it, preferably a stereo cab that can haul 90W a side (I prefere stereo setup).

Don't have any preferences regarding size of the cab.

Music I perform myself is something around Timmons, Moore, Howe etc etc

Msic with band is some classic hard&heavy

What I was thinking about was boogie 4x12" cab, stiletto or standard.

People are saying that oversized standard is good for really heavy sh**t and is not as responsive as stiletto is.

At the other hand they have said that stiletto won't work for me as it will be too muddy for solo style of playing, which brings a little concern in. Isn't Timmons using rig based around 2x12 boogie cabs?

I was thinking that the secret may be in the size of the Timmons cab.

So from

4x12" Stiletto
4x12" Standard
2x12" Standard (the cons here is that I will need to get another one later for stereo)

which will be the best for me?

I was obviously thinking about other brands but again after an error with my marshall and reading that mesa works best with mesa I decided to go for one - unless you would have some good propositions.

Carvin, Engl?

Unfortunately I will have to go for something based on review and other users experience as there is no shop left in London that would have some high-end equipment in it , also dragging my rig and guitar around city wouldn't be the nicest way to spend saturday

Thanks for help.
M

[FwuffyBunny]

Mesas do indeed sound incredible with mesas. However, the triaxis puts out such an awesome and customizable tone that you can probably get away with most anything. I use peavey cabs and get a killer sound. Any chance you have some local music stores who will let you bring the head in and try it out on different cabs?

[thornag]

Here? Nope There is plenty of shops full of cheap laneys and marshalls

Anyway I did ask here and there and from what Ive heard from other players 4x12 will be a bit overkill for me, and also 4x12 probably wouldn't give me as fas and tight response at the lower freq.

I've decided to go for mesa 2x12, and here again are 3 types of cabs:

Stiletto, Standard and Roadster. I tried to google a bit for characteristics etc but could find anything useful. Anyone has an idea what is the difference between those cabs?

[Shredragrammaton]

Different speakers, and different amp backs ie; half back open back etc.

I have th exact same setup as you minus the sonic maximiser, i would strongly advise going with the 2x12 Rectifier cab with VC30 speakers. It will DECIMATE

[Darin]

It's all subjective. Keep in mind, no matter how much money you spend, and how great your tone is, the sound guy will destroy it.

[thornag]

Originally Posted by Darin

It's all subjective. Keep in mind, no matter how much money you spend, and how great your tone is, the sound guy will destroy it.

Valid point

Originally Posted by Shredragrammaton

Different speakers, and different amp backs ie; half back open back etc.

Quoting mesa website:

2x12 Stiletto® Horizontal
Guitar Cabinet

Performance Features:

120 Watt
V30 Speakers
Closed back
8 Ohm

2x12 Rectifier® Horizontal
Guitar Cabinet

Performance Features:

120 Watt
V30 Speakers
Closed Back
8 Ohm

2x12 Roadster™ Horizontal
Guitar Cabinet

Performance Features:

120 Watt
V30 Speakers
Closed Back
8 Ohm

I was thinking mainly about recto.

Any opinion that stiletto or roadster would be better?

[///MK]

The stilleto has a tighter bottom end that blends into to a band better. The recto has massive low end which sounds thunderous on its own but som prefer I tighter bottom.
My .02 (and I own 2 of each

[shogun]

mesa 212

[RSVampire]

why don't you just try replacing the speakers in your current cab?

I'm sure the cab and wood is in decent shape but greenbacks aren't a very good high volume rock style speaker. A Vintage 30 might work out better for you.

Yes cab design and shape play a part in your tone but Darin is right the sound guy will destroy it and once you shove a mic in front of the cab a lot of the sound will come from the mic.

like I suggested earlier maybe try replacing the speakers to some good quality speakers, or even whatever is coming loaded in the Mesa cabs these days.

[speedy mcfeely]

get a Mesa 112 Thiele cab. It sounds like a 412. With a Mark IV into a Thiele... trust me. The Triaxis has a markish tone, so the Thiele would be a perfect match. It would be highly recomended also to get an EV12L for the speaker.