Is this a good deal? EVM-12L for $200

SgtThump

SgtThump

Real OG
I have a new Mesa Thiele cab with the C90. I dig it. Saw this EV speaker for sale locally and I can get it for $200 to try in the Thiele cab.

Is this a “good one” and is $200 fair?
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I can't tell by eye. The ones I've liked the most are the Mesa "Black Shadow" branded ones and the Black Label Society sig ones which this one isn't. I think both tend to have slightly extended bass compared to some other versions, but there have been a LOT of versions.

The Series II is supposed to be like the current Classic, which is brighter.
 
Here's the Series II compared to the Classic.


The cone in your pictures looks really clean from the front, aside from that I can't tell for sure, nothing sticks out as definitely wrong.
 
They got no give whatso-ever so if you like speaker breakup alot or a little you won't with those.
I had one in a Mesa MK III combo and i found it not usable.
And they weigh 50 lbs lol.
 
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They are the complete opposite as far as "give" compared to celestions so be prepared.

it's similar to playing a really "tight" amp in that the headroom just keeps going and going - this works great with some amps and styles, and doesn't work well with others.

I've played both the II and the classic series, they both sound great imo.
 
Someone said to keep your eyes open for ev pa cabs for sale on Craigslist and pawn shops. You can find a set of 12l’s for cheap possibly. I have never been that lucky but anything is possible.
 
Hm. All the talk online about “a Thiele cab isn’t a Thiele cab without the EV” has me curious.

maybe it’s not as good of a deal as I thought. I figured this may be a highly desirable version, but maybe not.
 
Someone said to keep your eyes open for ev pa cabs for sale on Craigslist and pawn shops. You can find a set of 12l’s for cheap possibly. I have never been that lucky but anything is possible.
Yep. I bought a pair of EV PA cabs for $100 NZD and they had 12Ls in them. Score. The EVs went in my Mesa halfback 4x12.
 
A guy on the Mesa-Boogie Facebook page replied with this about this speaker:

"Not only is that one a series II which people disliked so much they forced EV to start making them the old way again, but this particular one has been re coned with a B cone, essentially making it a 12B. That cone is thicker and missing the ridges and won’t have the same level of articulation that made the originals famous.
Don’t ask the seller if it was re coned, they never tell the truth. Do a little research and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
For $200, that would maaaaybe be fair for a legit original with a fresh L cone but I definitely wouldn’t spend that much for a B (unless it was for a bass cab)"
 
Yep. I bought a pair of EV PA cabs for $100 NZD and they had 12Ls in them. Score. The EVs went in my Mesa halfback 4x12.
The halfbacks with c90’s and 12l’s are my all time favorite cabs. My number two is the halfback loaded with ms12’s. That’s a fuckin ripper of a cab.
 
A guy on the Mesa-Boogie Facebook page replied with this about this speaker:

"Not only is that one a series II which people disliked so much they forced EV to start making them the old way again, but this particular one has been re coned with a B cone, essentially making it a 12B. That cone is thicker and missing the ridges and won’t have the same level of articulation that made the originals famous.
Don’t ask the seller if it was re coned, they never tell the truth. Do a little research and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
For $200, that would maaaaybe be fair for a legit original with a fresh L cone but I definitely wouldn’t spend that much for a B (unless it was for a bass cab)"
And then someone replied with this... LOL

I have NO IDEA what's true and am too lazy to jump into the details.

"That is not true - the Series II is the OG speaker. I don't know what you are talking about with the 'ridges' being missing - wot?? No. Incorrect. Its not a B recone either - that is either the OG or an official recone kit... which is identical to the OG cone. I have included a photo of an OG - Series II (9460) EVM12L. I don't normally post like this but your post is literally incorrect on every single point."
 
While I'm NOT an expert on this, I may be able to shed a bit of light. AFAIK, the "Series II" is the OG speaker. There never was a Series I used for guitar in any numbers or as OEM equipment by any manufacturer I'm aware of.

That looks like a 12L cone. I think the first guy was on crack.

This is NOT a Mesa suspension speaker - so you may still find yourself wondering if you got the classic Thiele sound.

I would recommend listening to this video:


The TL806 cab they're using is a very close relative of and the inspiration for the Thiele. IMO they are functionally identical. In that video if you like the "classic" you should get either a new production Classic or an old Series II. That's the "SRV/Steel String Singer" sound. Often times Series IIs are used open back. If you like the Black Label you should get a Mesa, 300W Pro Line, or new production Black Label. That's the "Zakk Wylde" sound.

I will say there's a notable difference between my C90 Thiele I got for my daughter and my Black Label TL806. The C90 is totally functional clean and gain, I like it, and she'll dig it for Christmas. But I like the Black Label cab more. Just something about that infinite speaker headroom paired with a pretty desirable (IMO) EQ curve. They are a bit bassier than Classics are and I do find myself EQing different at the amp though.
 
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I saw the ad from High Ridge if thats the one you're looking at.
That looks like a recone to me. Nothing per say wrong with recones depending who does them but that drops the value.
 
I saw the ad from High Ridge if thats the one you're looking at.
That looks like a recone to me. Nothing per se wrong with recones depending who does them but that drops the value.
Yeah, that’s it. Look at the guys profile. On his picture it says he does speaker repair. Very sus as the kids say.
 
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