How to pick a good cab

[larry_emder]

Ok, i am looking for a 1X12 to go with my mesa boogie combo....and they arent cheap round here. Saw this unloaded cab on ebay, but dont know about the quality.....would you guys be able to have a look for me? What makes a good cab?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401433475&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Cheers, marty

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: How to pick a good cab

Of course, it'd look best to get the Mesa cab that fits under your combo, but if it's way too expensive, the one in your link will work fine. I'd probably opt for a closed back, since your combo is already an open back.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: How to pick a good cab

I can tell you this - I have a cab made with Birch - big solid cabs with good woods actually sound BETTER! you won't regret it.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: How to pick a good cab

In the description it says made of Pine wood. Which is great for Fender. Not sure what wood Mesa uses, probably depends on the amp. I think you'd be fine with this cab if you're going for a Fendery sound, but people generally use Baltic Birch with a closed back for Marshally sound. But then it might be interesting to mix & match cabs, I'm sure people get good tones with Mesa Heads and Fender style Cabs and vice versa. "If it sounds good, it is good."

Overall it looks like a good cab, but you might want to ask if the wood is voidless, a term I've heard thrown around, and what kind joints they use. Finger joined is a term I have heard associated with quality cabs.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: How to pick a good cab

Between birch plywoods...bet the money on the one with says 11-13 ply plywood over a 7-ply cabinet.

Pine is a softwood...not the best. MDF is weak @ss pressed sawdust...OSB is oriented strand board junk. MDF and OSB are cr@p, are weaker than real plywood, and are actually heavier!

The reason is that the more plys (for the same thickness) is more expensive to buy. The people who build cabs know this, and is a good indicator as to whether the manufacturer of the cab is a b*llsh*t artist for the money, or someone who cares about quality beneath the vinyl covering. This is even more important for a "cab-only", as the only profit from the sale involves cabinetry, not a slick amp or speaker in the mix.

Shoot them an e-mail to see what this really means:

"Our Cabinets Are Manufactured and Hand Finished Using The Highest Quality Materials And Fittings Available."

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: How to pick a good cab

If you have a Mark Series or one of the small Mesa 112 combos, I simply cannot recommend highly enough the Mesa 112 Theile cabinet with the EVM speaker. It will add a lot of bottom end thump and projection to your combo. I use mine with my DC-3, Mark III, and my Mark IV combos.

I prefer the EVM in this cab over the Mesa C90, so you'll want to check the speaker. The EVM is the more expensive speaker.

You won't regret spending the $$$ for a Theile cabinet--they really hold their value.

Bill