Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

[Mllerrin]

Before I pull the plug on a Splawn 2x12 with Celestions....

My friend told me Mesa Heads only sound best through Mesa Cabs. But I also hear Splawn quality far surpasses Mesa.

No matter what I'm downgrading to a 2x12 because a 4x12 is just too much to transport. I currently have a mesa 4x12 and don't want to buy a Splawn and have my mesa sound better.

Either way I'll prob add celestions but wanted your guys' input before i do it.

Also if it makes any difference, with the left over money and Selling my Single Rectifier and Getting a Dual Rectifier for the extra channel. I figure if the wattage is too much I can pull some tubes out to make it 50w.

What do ya guys think?

 

[Docrock]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Thats like saying a 32 Ford runs best with a 351 windsor....

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Mesas 4x12's pretty much blow IMO, and especially that oversized Rectocab crap. Overbearing on the bass, and dark sounding.

Marshall is really the industry standard, and if you can afford it, Bogner's are the best, with Splawn second. Again, all IMO.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

I've never played Splawn cabinets before so I can't give a comparison, but I can tell you that MESA does craft some of the best cabs out on the market today. Top notch stuff. Just ask anyone who's given it an unbiased month test.

 

[proxy]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Play them if you can. Its really one of those "different strokes for different blokes" sort of deal. I don't think you can go terribly wrong with either.

As far as sound what are you looking for?

 

[RGN]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

I use a Bogner cab and it is fantastic. I have heard from a couple reliable sources that the Splawn cabs sound nearly identical to Bogner and completely rock. I have no problem with Boogie cabs but there is no way a Boogie cab will sound better IMO. Boogie makes a great cab but I don't think they are quite as nice sounding as Bogner or Splawn. I think the Splawn is built EXACTLY like the Bogner.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Its really one of those "different strokes for different blokes" sort of deal.

exactly.

personally, i don't like mesa's cabinets (that's why i bought the marshall). but i'd be lying if i said i never heard anyone get good tone out of them.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

1) Overbearing on the bass

2) dark sounding

1) Turn down the bass.

2) That's why I bought it.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

1) Turn down the bass.

2) That's why I bought it.

I've tried out the cabs extensively, and turning the bass down does more than just reduce the cabinets overbearing low end. I'm not a fan of the bass response or projection on them at all, and I don't like dark sounds enough to buy a cabinet for them.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

I've tried out the cabs extensively, and turning the bass down does more than just reduce the cabinets overbearing low end. I'm not a fan of the bass response or projection on them at all, and I don't like dark sounds enough to buy a cabinet for them.

Now that's a far more intelligent and helpful answer than "Mesas 4x12's pretty much blow", now isn't it?

 

[B2D]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Tonally I always prefer Marshall cabs for stock/normal setups. I can't quite put my finger on why, but they just seem to sound better to me. After some thought I like the more defined treble, higher mids, and the tighter bass they offer. Mesa cabs were pretty good but always seemed too loose, didnt have enough highs, and the low-mids were too pronounced for me.

That being said, I currently own a Trutone 2x12 loaded with Weber C1230's and I like the tone FAR better than any Mesa cab I've ever heard and I prefer it to most Marshalls.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Better for Mesas means bleeding ears Kirk Hammett style "better tone," right?

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

When I bought my Mesa Lonestar Special head, I tried it with several different cabs like Marshall, Bogner, THD and even a Soldano. All 2x12 by the way. All of them sounded good but Mesa's own Lonestar cab seemed to open it up more and give it more clarity than the others.

I havent heard a Splawn cabinet, though so I cant really comment on that one.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

Play them if you can. Its really one of those "different strokes for different blokes" sort of deal. I don't think you can go terribly wrong with either.

As far as sound what are you looking for?

I agree 100%... SOme prefer the Recto cabs, Some prefer the Classic 1960 A/B, some prefer Booteek, and others like myself just make the heaviest badassest cabs themself and save cash that way.... It all depends on what your possibilities + abilities are, and how much you´re wanting to spend.....

My 4x12 cost about half of what a Marshall 1960 costs, and it´s heavier duty than any cab I´ve ever played....the hard part (and expensive) was finding speakers that suited it perfectly

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Mesa Heads sound Best with Mesa Cabs

I agree 100%... SOme prefer the Recto cabs, Some prefer the Classic 1960 A/B, some prefer Booteek, and others like myself just make the heaviest badassest cabs themself and save cash that way.... It all depends on what your possibilities + abilities are, and how much you´re wanting to spend.....

My 4x12 cost about half of what a Marshall 1960 costs, and it´s heavier duty than any cab I´ve ever played....the hard part (and expensive) was finding speakers that suited it perfectly

Alright, Now I have to ask for pics, how you made it, what it's made out of, and what speakers are in it?



ScreamingDaisy, you're right, I should've clarified. I'll try to work on that.