Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

ESPzach

New member
I'm looking into buying a quality V30 2x12 for my 6505+ 120w head and my 6505mh. I've narrowed it to these to and was looking for some input or suggestions from anyone that's tried either or both. Thanks
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Don't narrow so narrow & buy used

Speakers matter more than cab, as long as the cab isn't sloppily made

Consider MESAs or reloaded cabs with a v30/c90 pairing. Other cool speakers to mix with are k85/k100 and g12-65
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Most used cabs are trashed around here. The reason I want to buy new is bc I'm looking for one to keep for a long time. The Avatars are $550 new shipped vs $799ish for the Mesa. Most Orange ppc212 I've saw lately are Chinese made. Which is why I won't consider one of those lol
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Go Avatar. You basically get a custom built cab (minus wood options) for $500 bucks and everything I got from them has always been high quality.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Avatar makes nice cabinets. I have two. But if you aren't in a hurry, it'll probably go on sale before too long.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Check these guys out. They build cabs for Two Rock and other boutique builders:

https://reverb.com/item/14400022-vboutique-usa-vcube-2-x-12-w-celestion-a-type-speakers

You can change the speakers to whatever you want, and you can also change tolex and grill cloth colors for no additional charge. Check out the pics they have of those items in the ad. I can order a cab from them with the same tolex and cloth as a Friedman amp, with Greenback speakers for $499 total. The cab is $299 unloaded. They make different style cabs too, just look at their other offerings. $499 is better than $899 for a new Friedman cab. And the Two Rock cabs are no joke; seriously nice cabs.

Edit; hell, I didn't even realize they were 15% off right now. Even better.
 
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Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Most used cabs are trashed around here. The reason I want to buy new is bc I'm looking for one to keep for a long time. The Avatars are $550 new shipped vs $799ish for the Mesa. Most Orange ppc212 I've saw lately are Chinese made. Which is why I won't consider one of those lol

Trashing a cab outside of cosmetics is a challenge beyond the talents of most garage enthusiasts... except for tearing up a speaker, everything else is usually just the tolex/vinyl/carpet and grille cloth (if present)

Avatar uses Chinese speakers afaik.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Trashing a cab outside of cosmetics is a challenge beyond the talents of most garage enthusiasts... except for tearing up a speaker, everything else is usually just the tolex/vinyl/carpet and grille cloth (if present)

Avatar uses Chinese speakers afaik.

Avatar uses whatever speakers you tell them to put in it.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Avatar uses whatever speakers you tell them to put in it.

The only retail source for new UK V30s is Mesa/Boogie's website, even Celestion won't sell em direct

Not sure if they sell to competitors, so....
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

I'll check em out as well. I jus really don't want to pay $400 for a used Mesa that's beat to death tbh. I knew there was a difference between the U.K. And Chinese V30 but I didn't know how much considering the orange uses the Chinese ones and it's as popular at the Mesa. Everyone around here has Orange so I haven't got to try a Mesa also.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

It's a wooden box. Trashed 98% of the times means it looks torn up...the box is fine. A mesa cab is made from 13 ply marine grade ply. Unless somebody has taken a sledge hammer to it..........

Source: I have a mesa cab.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

I am physiologically unable to buy a cab or amp with damaged tolex and can understand where the OP is coming from. If I was given the choice between a decent new semi-custom $500 cab and any decent used torn up $300 used cab that I'm stuck with a much more limited range of options, I'd choose the $500 cab.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

^^^Exactly haha A scratch or dent doesn't effect the drivability of a car but who wants to buy something damaged when you don't have to.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

I'll check em out as well. I jus really don't want to pay $400 for a used Mesa that's beat to death tbh. I knew there was a difference between the U.K. And Chinese V30 but I didn't know how much considering the orange uses the Chinese ones and it's as popular at the Mesa. Everyone around here has Orange so I haven't got to try a Mesa also.

I very much doubt there's any difference between chinese and uk celestion. Didn't they actually moved the very same machinery they used in uk to china?

Even if there was, is it anything meaningful? No. It still sounds like V30.
 
Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

8 ohm Mesa UK V30s definitely sound different than any other production V30.
Lots of info on the net regarding different cone codes and their resulting tonal differences.

FWIW, the new Avatar Signature cab design is the t¡ts.
Load it with two Hellatone 60s and you're set.
 
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Re: Avatar contemporary 212 vs Mesa 2x12

Something else to consider is the cab's internal size, which is very important to the voicing of a fully closed-back especially.
 
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