Mesa Cabinet Build Quality?

[Digital Jams]

Tom had me looking for a RK cab for years, that is a very cool concept.

My last ten years I have heard 100s of cabs and you know what? YOu never know until you plug in. Some have been road warriors for years and the speakers are broken in nicelyand sound awesome and have heard basement $$$$$$$$$ cabs suck the living soul out of an amp. Heard an Engl cab which gets no fanfare here sound so much better than 2 of the biggest darlings of the internet.

Keep playing cabs and you will find one, do not look at labels only imo.

 

[steve_k]

For standard-size, readily available cabs, good used price - the Bogner's are tough to beat.

 

[lolzgreg]

need to hit up Greg again, hopefully he will reply soon.

Howdy

I never found my Recto cab boomy really. I've used it with every amp I own with success. The traditional may be a bit "tighter," but I like the traditionals mid shift down a tad. It really keeps things from getting boxy or honky.

The Mills cab, under a microphone, sounded like a less impressive Mesa Recto cab. I preferred the Recto cab, hence why I still own it. The Mills in the room was pretty cool, but the Recto cab still wins.

Good luck.

 

[steve_k]

See there, just goes to show you, opinions don't mean shit. You just got to try stuff out and see for yourself.

 

[glpg80]

need to hit up Greg again, hopefully he will reply soon.

Howdy

I never found my Recto cab boomy really. I've used it with every amp I own with success. The traditional may be a bit "tighter," but I like the traditionals mid shift down a tad. It really keeps things from getting boxy or honky.

The Mills cab, under a microphone, sounded like a less impressive Mesa Recto cab. I preferred the Recto cab, hence why I still own it. The Mills in the room was pretty cool, but the Recto cab still wins.

Good luck.

I trust your ears, seems like i will be making a decision against a Roadking cabinet as i really like that split 2x12 idea in an oversized design, a Recto cabinet, or a Stilletto/Traditional.

I really enjoy a tight rear loaded cabinet, they mic well and play great too. I went to Erock's page for all of his recordings and TBH i get the same attitude under a microphone compared to yours. Mills is out, back to Mesa for sure. at this point i will make some phone calls and then do my best to try them out in person and see where it goes

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[glpg80]

See there, just goes to show you, opinions don't mean shit. You just got to try stuff out and see for yourself.

yes this is true as i have a few things on file from Greg that shows the proof is in the pudding when it comes to mic time. Sadly though in the room and under a mic are two different ballgames.

Wish i could demo all three and that there were some great recordings of the traditional as well as the roadking

 

[The Hoff]

See there, just goes to show you, opinions don't mean shit. You just got to try stuff out and see for yourself.

With that in mind, I've been happy with all the Mesa cabs I've owned.

 

[JakeAC5253]

You can check the link in my sig for extra clips on the Recto cab. All recorded with my Recto cab and my 5150. I think you will find that there isn't a 'woof' or a 'boom' in this cabinet once dialed properly, especially with such a compressed amp like the 5150. On the contrary, it adds tons of flavor at high volumes, a very unique flavor that makes me smile since the first time I heard it.

 

[ACShreds]

All i have to say is that my traditional recto 4x12 made it through a cross country tour without a road case and is just fine...

 

[glpg80]

You can check the link in my sig for extra clips on the Recto cab. All recorded with my Recto cab and my 5150. I think you will find that there isn't a 'woof' or a 'boom' in this cabinet once dialed properly, especially with such a compressed amp like the 5150. On the contrary, it adds tons of flavor at high volumes, a very unique flavor that makes me smile since the first time I heard it.

Thanks Jake, will do. So far i believe you're 100% right, most of them tend to add a fullness under the mic but do not carry over much or barely any of the boom/woofiness character of, for example, an oversized marshall cabinet or Mills cabinet.

tight is the name of the game here though. An oversized cabinet that is mush is not something i would enjoy - like Steve said it will have to come down to making the drives across NC to try them all and see how it goes.

I have to say although any of them will probably do better than what i have now, its definitely not an easy decision.

 

[Motorpud]

tight is the name of the game here though.

If you're looking for tight I'd check out the VHT Fatbottom first, that's the tightest cab I've ever owned. Actually I stil regret getting rid of it to this day

 

[glpg80]

tight is the name of the game here though.

If you're looking for tight I'd check out the VHT Fatbottom first, that's the tightest cab I've ever owned. Actually I stil regret getting rid of it to this day

As many times as it has been recommended, and tightness being the most important factor here, i might make it the first cabinet to try that all of the mesa cabinets will be compared to.

downside is when it comes time to recording. I wouldnt mind hearing some controlled environment recordings of - any speaker - front loaded and rear loaded to see how badly of a difference there is.

hell if it boils down to it ill just get one recto cabinet and one VHT fatbottom and be done with it

 

[Motorpud]

tight is the name of the game here though.

If you're looking for tight I'd check out the VHT Fatbottom first, that's the tightest cab I've ever owned. Actually I stil regret getting rid of it to this day

As many times as it has been recommended, and tightness being the most important factor here, i might make it the first cabinet to try that all of the mesa cabinets will be compared to.

downside is when it comes time to recording. I wouldnt mind hearing some controlled environment recordings of - any speaker - front loaded and rear loaded to see how badly of a difference there is.

hell if it boils down to it ill just get one recto cabinet and one VHT fatbottom and be done with it

As funny as that sounds it might be your best bet. I think the VHT FB are pretty underrated, a lot of people have a love/hate thing with the P50E, I happen to love them The Mesa cabs are a dime a dozen really.

Another cab you might put on your list is the Splawn 4x12. You won't find a better built or sounding Mesa style cab and they're only a little over half (loaded) of what a Mesa costs new. I took mine apart and posted some build pics in Ann for OJ last year and it's built like a tank, might be able to find them with a little digging. Oh yeah another plus is that they're hand built in the USA by Americans

 

[glpg80]

tight is the name of the game here though.

If you're looking for tight I'd check out the VHT Fatbottom first, that's the tightest cab I've ever owned. Actually I stil regret getting rid of it to this day

As many times as it has been recommended, and tightness being the most important factor here, i might make it the first cabinet to try that all of the mesa cabinets will be compared to.

downside is when it comes time to recording. I wouldnt mind hearing some controlled environment recordings of - any speaker - front loaded and rear loaded to see how badly of a difference there is.

hell if it boils down to it ill just get one recto cabinet and one VHT fatbottom and be done with it

As funny as that sounds it might be your best bet. I think the VHT FB are pretty underrated, a lot of people have a love/hate thing with the P50E, I happen to love them The Mesa cabs are a dime a dozen really.

Another cab you might put on your list is the Splawn 4x12. You won't find a better built or sounding Mesa style cab and they're only a little over half (loaded) of what a Mesa costs new. I took mine apart and posted some build pics in Ann for OJ last year and it's built like a tank, might be able to find them with a little digging. Oh yeah another plus is that they're hand built in the USA by Americans

I thought about splawns first, and even called scott's shop one day to have some dude who was not scott, explain the history of how and why they build them the way they do. I am actually allowed to stop by and demo anything they might have in the store built at the time - all i have to do is give a phonecall headsup before i come to check in first. Scott's about a 30 minute drive from my area, i used to visit his old shop all the time when it was in the basement of a what looked like a townhouse shack. Never been to his new place before though.

Still though Splawns are out of the question

Greg knows why

 

[Motorpud]

tight is the name of the game here though.

If you're looking for tight I'd check out the VHT Fatbottom first, that's the tightest cab I've ever owned. Actually I stil regret getting rid of it to this day

As many times as it has been recommended, and tightness being the most important factor here, i might make it the first cabinet to try that all of the mesa cabinets will be compared to.

downside is when it comes time to recording. I wouldnt mind hearing some controlled environment recordings of - any speaker - front loaded and rear loaded to see how badly of a difference there is.

hell if it boils down to it ill just get one recto cabinet and one VHT fatbottom and be done with it

As funny as that sounds it might be your best bet. I think the VHT FB are pretty underrated, a lot of people have a love/hate thing with the P50E, I happen to love them The Mesa cabs are a dime a dozen really.

Another cab you might put on your list is the Splawn 4x12. You won't find a better built or sounding Mesa style cab and they're only a little over half (loaded) of what a Mesa costs new. I took mine apart and posted some build pics in Ann for OJ last year and it's built like a tank, might be able to find them with a little digging. Oh yeah another plus is that they're hand built in the USA by Americans

I thought about splawns first, and even called scott's shop one day to have some dude who was not scott, explain the history of how and why they build them the way they do. I am actually allowed to stop by and demo anything they might have in the store built at the time - all i have to do is give a phonecall headsup before i come to check in first. Scott's about a 30 minute drive from my area, i used to visit his old shop all the time when it was in the basement of a what looked like a townhouse shack. Never been to his new place before though.

Still though Splawns are out of the question

Greg knows why

Well, to each his own. I'd still at least stop by since you're so close, you might be pleasantly surprised

 

[glpg80]

Well, to each his own. I'd still at least stop by since you're so close, you might be pleasantly surprised

Been meaning to bring a camera and make a video out of the trip for anyone who has not been before. He's a cool dude, they do stay busy though as do i. Not a fan of the amplifiers at all, since he is so close you can imagine the used splawn's around in this area and charlotte, just not my cup of tea. I do like his speakers though.

 

[Les Zombie]

I bought a recto cab last week in brand new condition for 300.00 and i love it, i had the stilletto/traditional cab before and it was nice but i like the recto cab better, it sounds bigger and i like the highs better, my only complaint is that its a large cab and is really heavy to lift.

 

[Motorpud]

Well, to each his own. I'd still at least stop by since you're so close, you might be pleasantly surprised

Been meaning to bring a camera and make a video out of the trip for anyone who has not been before. He's a cool dude, they do stay busy though as do i. Not a fan of the amplifiers at all, since he is so close you can imagine the used splawn's around in this area and charlotte, just not my cup of tea. I do like his speakers though.

I haven't had a chance to get any time in on one. I've been interested in picking up a quickrod for quite some time though, just to give it a run through and see what they're all about. One of my buddys had one but he moved it before I got to check it out. He said I wouldn't care for the lack of gain that it had so I'd probably wind up boosting it

 

[glpg80]

arent you too old to be needing a boost

 

[supes0328]

I'd also throw a vht deliverance cab in the mix. Best cab I've ever owned. Perfect for live performance and great sound for recording. I personally think its even tighter than the far bottom cab. Also I'm surprised alot of people don't mention orange cabs alot on here. I think I just saw a 4x12 with gk100s rear loaded for $600! That's awesome.