Real Mesa VS. Fake Mesa

ChrisReedSmith · #1 09-25-2001, 11:47 PM

Hey guys, I want to buy a Mesa 4X12 with Vintage 30's. But I know of some bands which use cheap ass 4X12 cabs (like Crate or Ampeg) and just load them with the Celestion Vintage 30 speakers found in the Mesa's.

Now obviously there are going to be huge differences in construction and how reliable the Mesa cabs are compared to the Crates etc. But as far as SOUND goes, will having those V30's still sound almost as good as the Mesa's or does the construction effect the sound THAT much? I imagine there will be differences in bottom end and such but I really dont know. And I really dont feel like shelling out 600$ for a USED mesa cab. Then again on the other hand, arent those V30's running 150$ a pop? well thats 600 right there for the speakers so...Unless im wrong about how much they cost but I thought thats what I saw them advertised for.

thanks
chris

winterlong · #2 09-26-2001, 01:51 AM

Construction is everything it makes a big difference(mostly wood type). *At the same I'm not really sure that the crate cabs are really put togeather all that bad. I would say go with somthing like the marshall cab, If the one with the vintage 30's is cheaper than the mesa. Alot of the higher line cabs really only cost more than the marshalls for name not quality.

Gresh · #3 09-26-2001, 10:24 AM

I think that mesa cabs are made out of 7 ply finland birch, the wood is very thick. *You could drop their cabs off a building and that's a good thing. *The bad thing is that you would have to carry them up there to do it. *They are crazy heavy, even the 2x12. *It easily weighs twice as much as you would expect.

If you are going with a 4x12, I think mesa's sound better than marshalls with the same speakers in em, but not that much better given the price differential. *But for 2x12, the mesa is much better than the marshall in my opinion, but the marshall 2x12 didn't have V30's in it like my mesa cab, so that could have been the difference. *I don't know anything about crate cabs. *I would go to a shop and a/b them side by side and see which one you like best.

mechanyx · #4 09-26-2001, 11:19 AM

Be careful buying a non-Mesa cab with "the same speakers" thinking you will get the same sound. *There is a part in the Celestion FAQ that alludes to the fact that the drivers Celestion makes for Mesa are different. *Thus a V30 coming from a factory Mesa cab would sound different than an aftermarket V30 or a V30 any other manufacturer would use.

Later, Rich

ChrisReedSmith · #5 09-26-2001, 02:31 PM

I see your points. Maybe instead I could get 2 2X12 Mesa cabs and either stack those to make a 4X12 or put one on one side of the stage and one of the other. So I could take advantage of my stereo setup. They also would be a lot lighter to carry. Either way I'm thinking I do want to go with a real Mesa cab. But how expensive are the 2X12's?? Is it gonna cost a hell of a lot more to buy 2X12's then just buying a 4X12?? I cant find prices for Mesa on the internet anywhere because I dont think anyones allowed to post them. Thanks for the help guys.

Leary · #6 09-26-2001, 03:59 PM

I like the 2 2x12 idea as well. *I just got my new Legacy 2x12 in the mail yesterday and it sounds great. *Plan is to get another in the future to give the option of 4x12 stereo at gigs. *Should be sweet. *It will be my first stereo rig ever. Aside from headphones

Mikael Jurman · #7 09-27-2001, 06:25 PM

First of all, ask yourself if you really need a 4x12 and why? Is it because of the sound, the looks or because you like Mesa logo's

Mikael

RSVampire · #8 09-27-2001, 11:51 PM

I think the 4x12 because it's traditional and you get the angle on top and the straight on the bottom......but the 2x12's I like because of it's smaller size and more portability.....

robochimp · #9 09-28-2001, 09:47 AM

OR, You could do what I did. Get FOUR mesa 1x12s.
two open backs with stock celestians, and two thieles with EVs. For me, it's the perfect set up. I really like the versatility it offers.I got the thieles used.Got lucky with the price.they ARE expensive, and, like Gresh said, unGODLY heavy, but IMHO, completely worth it.And talk about taking advantage of Your stereo set up, well,...DUDE!

Shane Regal · #10 09-30-2001, 09:28 PM

Why don't you just get a Carvin Legacy cab with the V30's in it???
They sound fantastic! *I A/B'd mine with a Marshall, loaded with v30's, and it smoked it hands down! *The Marshall's bottom end started breaking up at loud volume. *The Legacy stayed nice and tight. * Cab construction plays a major part in the sound. *Carvin makes a really nice cab at an incredibly affordable price.

ChrisReedSmith · #11 10-01-2001, 03:44 PM

I plan on using a Mesa 50/50 poweramp and I'd like to have it running either a 4X12 in stereo or 2 2X12's in mono. I feel that will give me more then enough power to play any small to medium size gig I wanted. Even for small rec halls Id probably switch the Mesa to Lo Power so its running 20/20 watts. That way I can crank it. whaha....

By the way, I saw a pair of Mesa 2X12's on ebay for 750.00. Thats perfect for me so Im hoping to get in on a deal like that.

Gresh · #12 10-02-2001, 05:50 PM

Just be careful and make sure you know what you are bidding on, without question. *Mesa makes or has made several versions of the 2x12 cab, some vertically stacked, some horizontal, with varying options from half backed to semi closed to fully closed, and different speaker configurations. *The 2x12 rectifier cab is fully closed and has vintage 30's in it, that seems to be the most popular one, the speakers are side by side, not vertical in that cab. *Sorry if I am restating the obvious, but some people think all mesa 2x12's are the same. *New rectifier 2x12's are 499 and you will wait for a long time to get one new, used is the best bet as long as you can find a good one or two.