Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

[3'scompany]

After selling my soul to school and then my job over the last 8 or so years (and getting rid of my amps in the process as I had no time to play live), I've decided to get back in the game and start playing with people again. I'm about *this* close to pulling the trigger on a high(ish) gain 50 watt head, and am strongly leaning towards the Mesa TC50 head. I am wondering what cabs people have run them through and their thoughts. My amp experience before has all been 100+ watt heads, with the exception of when I re-tubed my former Mesa Triple Rec with 6V6s (I understand this probably brought it down to 60 or so watts). That was more than enough wattage to push my 4x12 Marshall cab I had at the time, and I really like the sound of it.

I'm leaning toward another 4x12 (old habits die hard), but am curious what people have liked. Also, I'm guessing that if I re-tube the TC with 6V6s, that will still be enough oomph to push a 4x12, but this is new territory to me. I'm leaning toward an Avatar with V30s and G12H30s. When I was still playing years ago and paying attention to the gear at the time, people liked the Avatar stuff, but feel free to let me know if they've fallen out of grace over the last few years.

Also open to other suggestions for heads to look at. I used to be in the know about all the hot gear, but I've been out of the game so long I don't know if I'm overlooking something I don't even know exists.

Thanks!

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Sure is nice to see you again bud, after all this time. Avatars are very solid cabinets, but i agree with Lampy.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

IMO, Mesa amps tend to sound best through Mesa cabs. 4x12 or 2x12, both sound great.

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Sure is nice to see you again bud, after all this time. Avatars are very solid cabinets, but i agree with Lampy.

Thanks! Feels a little weird after such a long absence.

IMO, Mesa amps tend to sound best through Mesa cabs. 4x12 or 2x12, both sound great.

I remember really liking my Recto 4x12. I've been wanting to try the V30/G12H30 combination for some time now. Any experience with that set-up with a Mesa high gain head?

 

[daenius]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Thanks! Feels a little weird after such a long absence.



I remember really liking my Recto 4x12. I've been wanting to try the V30/G12H30 combination for some time now. Any experience with that set-up with a Mesa high gain head?

I run my Mark 5 Mini through a 1x12 Recto cab, which I THINK has V30 in it.

Phenomenal sound, you will NOT be disappointed!

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

I would recommend the Vertical Recto 212 with V30s.

The Horizontal Recto 212 is good, but the Vertical Recto gets my vote because it puts the amp's knobs at an easier to read level. The Mini-Recto 112s are not wide enough for the TC-50 head, but they sound great. I have a Mark V:25 full stack with the 112 slant and straight cabs. Really fun to play wide open!

Another option if you are set on two 12" speakers is two 112 cabs. I have several different Mesa amps and I like using my 112 combos on top of my 112 EVM Thiele cabs. So I have the open back combo and the closed and ported Thiele. It's really the best of both worlds. But you can do the same with a head and two cabs. I have a Mesa Mark V combo with the C-90. I use it with a Mesa Wide-Body Closed-Back cab with a V30. This cab is also Thiele ported. Personally, I prefer the tone of this rig over the Mark V head + the Mesa 412 Recto cab. Add the Wide-Body Open-Back on top of the WBCB cab for a stack that, while bigger than a 212, might be more manageable. And you have flexibility to leave one cab at home and take the other to practice.

Or....opt for the TC-50 COMBO...and add a cab underneath...open or closed.

If you like this combination of OB + CB cabs you can try to find one of the older Mesa Half-Back cabs--open top with a closed ported bottom for the 212. The 412 has a non-ported bottom. The 412 is a small 412, smaller than a Marshall 1960 cab. Speakers configurations were by special order, so you may see a mix of C-90 (Celestion), 200-watt EVM, 150-watt MS-12 (Eminence) and 50-watt Vintage (Jensen, I think).

My 212 Half-Back is C-90 top and MS-12 bottom. The MS-12 kinda reminds me of a JBL, with a really smooth mid-range. The C-90 adds some British grit and slice. It's the predecessor of the Vertical Recto 212...same size. The Mesa cabs are big for a 212, but I think they are fantastic.

I have two 412 H-B cabs: one has the C-90/EVM combo (which I love!) and the other is all EVM. This one is a freaking AWESOME cab tonally, but it weighs about 9,000 lbs.!

The Half-Back cabs are VERY well made, but they can be pricey--even used. Mine have wheels. They needed a bit of touch-up to the tolex and I repainted the metal grills and handles when I got them. They had been rode hard before I got them, but the cabinetry is just superb and rock solid. Still look great and going strong after a lifetime of rock and roll.

The TC-50 is an awesome amp. You would be well served witb a Mesa cab.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Thanks! Feels a little weird after such a long absence.
I remember really liking my Recto 4x12. I've been wanting to try the V30/G12H30 combination for some time now. Any experience with that set-up with a Mesa high gain head?

Not specifically. I've tried V30/G12T, V30/G12M and V30/MC-90. All were cool, but I personally prefer using a single driver type. More focused. Mixed drivers thickened the sound at the cost of some clarity, and it's not like the typical Mesa needs help sounding thick (IMO).

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Bogner builds the V30/ G12T75 4x12 Cabinet dedicated for the Uberschall. I don't like the idea of the V30/G12H for teh Mesa.

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Marshall 1960 cabs are very solid and are ubiquitous enough to not be insanely pricey. They usually come with good speakers; even if they're not what you want you can probably sell them to help finance the speakers you DO want.

I am totally infatuated with (another way of putting it is "won't use anything else") the old celestion G12-80s. The bad news is that they are hard to find, particularly the 16 ohm version. But I'll tell you something: the set I have used to be in the #1 backline cabinet of a production company I used to mix for. We had artists who used that cab... more than one of them... try to buy it off of us. And everyone who used it was very complimentary. I'm not the only one who loves these speakers. If you ever run across a cab loaded with them give it a go.

 

[Kruspe]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

I do own TC-50, 2x12 mesa cab sounds killer, 4x12 will be even better, Marshall cab with mesa head is usually not the best combination, the marshall cabs are more mid range sounding than the mesa stuff. I would get mesa 4x12 if you want big cab and be done with it.

 

[chadd]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

I've got an avatar with creambacks, love it.

 

[dave74]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

I do own TC-50, 2x12 mesa cab sounds killer, 4x12 will be even better, Marshall cab with mesa head is usually not the best combination, the marshall cabs are more mid range sounding than the mesa stuff. I would get mesa 4x12 if you want big cab and be done with it.

The Mesa traditional-size 412 cabs (be them Stiletto or Recto labeled) are waaaay more middy than any 1960 cab I've ever played, even counting the 1960v.
Your point was directed at the oversized Rectos which are scooped in comparison to the traditionals,,,,,,but the typical gt75 loaded 1960 is even more scooped IMO.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Most Marshall 412s are 16 ohm cabs. A Mesa amp typically has one 8-ohm output, and two 4-ohm outputs. Thus, a Mesa amp will not produce full power into the Marshall cab. You would have to re-wire the Marshall cab or get new speakers for the optimum 8-ohm load.

AFAIK, Mesa cabs are all wired 8-ohms. One 412 Recto cab would be plugged into the 8-ohm output. Or use TWO 212 Horizontally Recto 8-ohm cabs by by plugging each one into one of the 4-ohm output jacks. TC-50 combo with a Mesa Wide Body 112? Plug the combo's cable and the extension cab into the 4-ohm jacks.

EASY!

Bill

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

The Mesa traditional-size 412 cabs (be them Stiletto or Recto labeled) are waaaay more middy than any 1960 cab I've ever played, even counting the 1960v.
Your point was directed at the oversized Rectos which are scooped in comparison to the traditionals,,,,,,but the typical gt75 loaded 1960 is even more scooped IMO.

Given a similar size, the sound of a cabinet has more to do with the speakers inside than the box itself. A used 1960 cab can be had for way less than an equivalent Mesa (which go out for completely STUPID prices), and if you don't like the speakers it comes with it'll at least be something you can sell to help pay for replacements.

 

[dave74]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Most Marshall 412s are 16 ohm cabs. A Mesa amp typically has one 8-ohm output, and two 4-ohm outputs. Thus, a Mesa amp will not produce full power into the Marshall cab. You would have to re-wire the Marshall cab or get new speakers for the optimum 8-ohm load.

AFAIK, Mesa cabs are all wired 8-ohms. One 412 Recto cab would be plugged into the 8-ohm output. Or use TWO 212 Horizontally Recto 8-ohm cabs by by plugging each one into one of the 4-ohm output jacks. TC-50 combo with a Mesa Wide Body 112? Plug the combo's cable and the extension cab into the 4-ohm jacks.

EASY!

Bill

Actually you can get full power with a mesa through a Marshall-type cab that doesn't have the 4ohm-mono setting.
(well of course you can if the mesa has a 16ohm output,,but I'm talking even if it doesn't)

Just run two cables to the same cab,,,,,,,,each cable goes from a separate 4ohm out into one side of the cab set to 8ohm/side stereo.

This way it's the exact same (to the amp) as running two separate 8ohm cabs.

I've always had to do that with my single recto when using marshall or marshall-type cabs that DON'T have a 4ohm mono setting.
Only works if the cab has a stereo switch or stereo wiring of course.

 

[dave74]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Given a similar size, the sound of a cabinet has more to do with the speakers inside than the box itself. A used 1960 cab can be had for way less than an equivalent Mesa (which go out for completely STUPID prices), and if you don't like the speakers it comes with it'll at least be something you can sell to help pay for replacements.

Yes. That's basically why I'm saying that it's hard to call a Marshall cab (t75-loaded) more middy than a mesa which has v30s. (tons of mids)

His point (I think) was that the recto-oversized are scooped in comparison to traditional sizes cabs (like marshalls),,,,or maybe he's just always heard a more middy tone coming from Marshalls in general (which is understandable if it's being powered by one of the classic Marshall amps).

Plug a recto into a standard 1960 (w/t75) and try to find some mids in there lol.

Apples to apples though would be more like; Mesa traditional-size slant (stiletto a few years back) vs Marshall 1960av.
In that case I'm still saying the Mesa will be a bit richer and fuller in the mids,,,,,,,and the Marshall 1960av will be a bit brasher in the upper-mids/lower-treble range.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Mesa cabs can be more expensive than other cabs, true...but I don't know if I would call them "stupid" prices.

First of all, they're built really well. Quality drivers. No MDF here. You get what you're paying for.

Second, they hold their value really well. Why? There's great demand for these used cabs because they're well built and they sound good! So cost of ownership is pretty reasonable over time because they hold that value. And I tend to think that a matched set of gear sells for more than a mis-matched head and cab.

They tend to wear well. My late '80s 212 and 412s still look almost new. But I will admit that I'm careful, and easy on my gear...and I take care of it. The vinyl holds up. The metal corners on the old cabs hold up a lot better than the Marshall's plastic corners. The newer amps use easily replaceable leather corners which not only hold up well, but are easier on walls and doors than metal or hard plastic corners.

The Marshall 1960 cabs are good cabs, I agree. If I had a DSL or TSL head, I'd probably look for a 1960 cab. But there are some SMART reasons for matching a Mesa cab to a Mesa amp...even if its initial cost might be a little more.

Bill

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

Mesa cabs can be more expensive than other cabs, true...but I don't know if I would call them "stupid" prices.

First of all, they're built really well. Quality drivers. No MDF here. You get what you're paying for.

Second, they hold their value really well. Why? There's great demand for these used cabs because they're well built and they sound good! So cost of ownership is pretty reasonable over time because they hold that value. And I tend to think that a matched set of gear sells for more than a mis-matched head and cab.

They tend to wear well. My late '80s 212 and 412s still look almost new. But I will admit that I'm careful, and easy on my gear...and I take care of it. The vinyl holds up. The metal corners on the old cabs hold up a lot better than the Marshall's plastic corners. The newer amps use easily replaceable leather corners which not only hold up well, but are easier on walls and doors than metal or hard plastic corners.

The Marshall 1960 cabs are good cabs, I agree. If I had a DSL or TSL head, I'd probably look for a 1960 cab. But there are some SMART reasons for matching a Mesa cab to a Mesa amp...even if its initial cost might be a little more.

Bill

A lot of those reasons don't work for me... for one thing I don't sweat resale value. I use gear until it's not really usable anymore. Also, I don't give a squirt what speakers it comes with because there's almost no chance it's the ones I want. One reason I go with bargain basement cabs is that I WILL replace the speakers, which kills the value anyway.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

So you buy a $175 junk Crate cab and load it with four $170 Celestion Creambacks? And the time it takes to change them? Too much work, lol!

Makes a used Mesa V30 412 for $600 look like a really sweet deal!

Bill

 

[dave74]

Re: Mesa Triple Crown cab choice

So you buy a $175 junk Crate cab and load it with four $170 Celestion Creambacks? And the time it takes to change them? Too much work, lol!

Makes a used Mesa V30 412 for $600 look like a really sweet deal!

Bill

And for that $600 you can find them in near showroom condition and easily sell it at the same price years/decades later,,,,just as Bill already said.
It's hard to even find a used Marshall cab that doesn't have cracked jack-plate corners,,,,,,,,seriously almost every darned one does! lol