Discussion on “Golden Era” Mesa V30s

[FuriousMopar1968]

Hello Everyone!

I was curious what the general opinion was on the commonly referred to “Golden Era” 2000-2004 Mesa V30s loaded in those Combo Straight / Slant OS cabs.

Are they really much better than the others?
Anyone have any experience with them compared to the modern 2020s Cabs?
Are they worth the hype?, etc.

Any and all thoughts are welcome and appreciated!

 

[Techdeth]

The OG v30s in BV still my fav compared to those . But both brands are killer

 

[FuriousMopar1968]

The OG v30s in BV still my fav compared to those . But both brands are killer

Do know how they’d compare to the Mesa ones or is more just the difference in cab?

 

[Techdeth]

Do know how they’d compare to the Mesa ones or is more just the difference in cab?

I think the cabs are a huge part but I thought the v30s in both felt the same to me not exact but felt Like home . I have a lot of v30s lol .
Now I want another Mesa cab lol . But I love the huge sound of the BV

 

[Eazy-ESP]

Just make sure you are using a tube screamer with the r trademark on the logo too. Everything has to be golden era.

 

[ZEN Amps]

Hello Everyone!

I was curious what the general opinion was on the commonly referred to “Golden Era” 2000-2004 Mesa V30s loaded in those Combo Straight / Slant OS cabs.

Are they really much better than the others?
Anyone have any experience with them compared to the modern 2020s Cabs?
Are they worth the hype?, etc.

Any and all thoughts are welcome and appreciated!

They're not better or worse, just a little less aggressive around 5-6k. If you're into smoother V30 tones, they're worth exploring. If you want more bite and sting, every other era V30 is likely more suitable.

 

[FuriousMopar1968]

They're not better or worse, just a little less aggressive around 5-6k. If you're into smoother V30 tones, they're worth exploring. If you want more bite and sting, every other era V30 is likely more suitable.

Thanks for the info! I’ve heard alot about people calling the modern V30s more fizzy I guess that could be the why then. I saw a few Glen Fricker SMG videos on those cabs but was more curious on others real world experience with them.

 

[cardinal]

I've had probably six OS Recto cabs. I loved the first one I had but sold it when I needed some space, thinking I'd just buy another one. Well, I bought several more that I just hated. Finally ended up with one that I really like again and will not be selling that one.

I don't know what years any one of them were or why I had this experience, but just putting it out there. My advice is just play as many as you can and buy the one you like.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I recently got a 2004 Mesa cab with 2003 V30s. Compared to my 2023 V30s. They were a little better, but not TOO different. I don't have any V30s anymore lol.

 

[BeZo]

Yeah, the 90s V30s are still my favorite. The Mesa V30s are the same recipe, so they are the same result.

 

[SonVolt]

I have 2 Mesa slant cabs from 2002 and I use them as the Wet cabs in a W/D/W rig. For the dry I think a Marshall 1960AV sounds better, less muffled.

 

[japetus]

How do I know that people didn't just like the cabs more?

 

[FuriousMopar1968]

How do I know that people didn't just like the cabs more?

Something about them people have gravitated towards and it was pinpointed to be a manufacturing change that took place around 2004-2005 onward with the Mesa V30. Some say it makes it harsh and fizzy and terrible for recording the cab for a good mix tone. I don’t know how much of that is hyped up or has some weight behind it so I figured why not throw out the questions, It can’t hurt haha.

 

[japetus]

Something about them people have gravitated towards and it was pinpointed to be a manufacturing change that took place around 2004-2005 onward with the Mesa V30. Some say it makes it harsh and fizzy and terrible for recording the cab for a good mix tone. I don’t know how much of that is hyped up or has some weight behind it so I figured why not throw out the questions, It can’t hurt haha.

There was a member here that did a fairly comprehensive comparison of various v30's...I'll try to find it

 

[FuriousMopar1968]

There was a member here that did a fairly comprehensive comparison of various v30's...I'll try to find it

Awesome thanks for info!

 

[valve]

my early 2004 traditional is very smooth and can be overpowering in the low mids.
horrible for low gain, great for leads. really have to race the presence with this one.
my 2000 mesa oversized is totally different. way brighter and more scooped.
I want to interchange speakers between those cabs to see how much is the speakers and how much is the cab.
i think 2 pairs of each in an X-pattern would be perfect.
never gotten around to actually do it...
but what i hear with the 2004 once, is inline what nolly says...

 

[FuriousMopar1968]

my early 2004 traditional is very smooth and can be overpowering in the low mids.
horrible for low gain, great for leads. really have to race the presence with this one.
my 2000 mesa oversized is totally different. way brighter and more scooped.
I want to interchange speakers between those cabs to see how much is the speakers and how much is the cab.
i think 2 pairs of each in an X-pattern would be perfect.
never gotten around to actually do it...
but what i hear with the 2004 once, is inline what nolly says...

Nolly is mainly what I’ve heard most about this from haha, thank you for the info!

 

[valve]

Nolly is mainly what I’ve heard most about this from haha, thank you for the info!

from my own lil experience i can only come to the conclusion that he is spot on.

look for cabs with non recessed handles and speaker jacks (that means the cab is from early 90s til 2004/5???). that change (recessed handles) happend more or less around the same time the V30 (cones???) got harsher.

i do have some older V30 16Ohm from the late 80s and early 90s, too. i also think they sound good.
V30 prices are not high, last time i checked, so i don'T think it hurts to check the ones out you're interested in.

 

[andrewd]

How do I know that people didn't just like the cabs more?

Or the tonewood materials of the cab from the era?

 

[7704A]

There was a member here that did a fairly comprehensive comparison of various v30's...I'll try to find it

That'd be @the other John Browne