Re: Not joking... How do you move a 4x12 cab?
I have two Mesa 412 Half-Back cabs, one with C90s in the open top and EVMs in the bottom; the other one is all EVM. The all-EVM cab is a beast, and Miss Leslie (my paramour and roadie) and I together can barely lift it into my Town and Country mini-van. That one doesn't get out, LOL.
The other one is lighter, and more manageable. But the big factor is that these cabs do save a couple of pounds without the top back baffle, AND they are small 412 cabs. Smaller than a Marshall 1960A and much smaller than either Recto cab. The small size really makes a difference. And both cabs have removable wheels.
But the 212 Half-Back cab is big for a 212, nearly the same size as the 412s, so I usually take the big guy, when I need a big rig. I use a Horizontal Recto 212 V30 cab with my Mesa Maverick 212 combo, for a less powerful 412 rig. I dig this combo for the added bass of the Recto cab.
But for the past few years, I've used one of my Mesa Mark III, IV or V 112 combos with a 112 EVM Thiele cab underneath for most of my gigs and the occasional jam. The Mesas are controllable at low volume, but I'm never out-gunned if somebody wants to play volume wars.
But it all does come at a cost. Since 1970, I've driven nothing but a full-size wagon or a mini-van. And with the full PA and lights, I'm having to rent a U-Haul van or small truck. And it is a LOT of exhausting work. I'm beat after a gig, and at 66, I don't recover easily, either. It was a choice, to help my music career. But I often wish I'd owned a hot Camaro or Mustang to cruise in.
And thank God, I've got a supportive lady, and I've had the help of some life-long and dear friends. I'm blessed, and very thankful...there's no show without them.
Bill