Mesa Oversize vs. Mesa Traditional vs. Bogner (4x12s)

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

I'm trying hard to decide on which one to buy. I'll be using it with a 5150. Something tells me the Bogner and Mesa traditional will sound pretty similar. The oversized is tempting because of it's massive low end, but I hear it's a bit "scooped" sounding.

Is it really drastically different from the traditional? Thoughts?

-Joe

 

[Random Hero]

I can only go on what I've owned, but my Bogner sounds tighter, but also a bit smoother and fatter than my old Mesa oversized did. I can only explain it as the Mesa having a slightly more "metallic" edge to it over the Bogner. The Mesa had a bigger low end, more scooped and was more biting

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

as far as the 5150, i can tell you from owning one....I have a late 70's HIWATT cab, Front loaded, 7/8" birtch, traditional size. actually its a full half inch less on the cabinet depth. I have owned over sized cabs too with the same head, most of it IMHO is going to depend on speakers. but I feel the traditional cabs will give more tightness to your sound. I think i would definatley go with 1) bogner 2) mesa trad. 3) mesa recto

 

[nbarts]

Something tells me the Bogner and Mesa traditional will sound pretty similar.

I don't think so

 

[jazzgear]

Something tells me the Bogner and Mesa traditional will sound pretty similar.

I don't think so

+1 They sound nothing alike....I've owned both Mesa 4x12s and have played the Bogner. The Mesa Oversized has a lot of low end but very mid scooped...and the Traditional the opposite. Personally I preferre the Traditional for what I play.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

I just thought that they had similar construction, stupid me !

Can you guys comment on how they compare sound wise?

-Joe

 

[redrol]

You could always do what I did and replace 2x of the v30s in the oversized recto cab and get some GT75s. Brings out the mids and high end while keeping the massive bottom end.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

You could always do what I did and replace 2x of the v30s in the oversized recto cab and get some GT75s. Brings out the mids and high end while keeping the massive bottom end.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not interested in mixing speakers really. I had this combo in a Marshall cab and didn't like it much.

-Joe

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

You could always do what I did and replace 2x of the v30s in the oversized recto cab and get some GT75s. Brings out the mids and high end while keeping the massive bottom end.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not interested in mixing speakers really. I had this combo in a Marshall cab and didn't like it much.

-Joe

i think it would make i big difference in the recto cab. i had it in a marshall too and thought it was ASS. but the recto cab (correct me if i'm wrong) is made of birtch and thicker wood at that. but yes, having to get more speakers and wire them can be a pain in the ass if your not into it.

 

[redrol]

You could always do what I did and replace 2x of the v30s in the oversized recto cab and get some GT75s. Brings out the mids and high end while keeping the massive bottom end.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not interested in mixing speakers really. I had this combo in a Marshall cab and didn't like it much.

-Joe

i think it would make i big difference in the recto cab. i had it in a marshall too and thought it was ASS. but the recto cab (correct me if i'm wrong) is made of birtch and thicker wood at that. but yes, having to get more speakers and wire them can be a pain in the ass if your not into it.

Took me about 20 mins total with a power driver. Don't even need to solder, but I did, its truly easy as it gets. The sound is a LOT better than when it was stock.

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

i agree soldered or conectors, its cake. but some people just dont like to fuck around with the inside of cabs. I used to be one of those dudes.

 

[fearhk213]

I'd go Bogner. The Mesa Traditional isn't bad, but I'm not a fan of the oversized. Besides being a bit scooped it's noticeably looser than the other two once the volume goes also.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

The wiring isn't an issue for me at all. I've wired cabs before. I'm just not interested in mixing speakers really. Fearhk, I've heard the same about the oversized cab.

I'm becoming more and more interested in the Bogner.

-Joe

 

[D-Rock]

I really like my Mesa trad. It's so tight and clear sounding. No shortage of bass response with this cab either. The oversized is boomier and looser sounding than the trad. size.
I've never played a Bogner.

 

[Zorran]

ive owned all 3 cabs as well and played them extensively live. the bogner is the best build and the best for recording. it is just so clear and has none of that low mid kinda 200hz mud. on the other hand, the 5150s voicing is a touch on the scooped side of things, and the dark all v30 mesa cab would be a better match imho. i own a bogner now and sold my mesa to get it. but..i use a mark IV. if i had a 5150 id use it with a mesa cab for sure. i know its a hard one coz the construction and projection on the bogner is better, but youd cut through more with the mesa. come to think of it, it really depends on one thing. if you want a more modern tone, go bogner, if you want a rawer tone, go mesa. you cant go wrong with either cab honestly. both very good cabs and both right up there with the best.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

ive owned all 3 cabs as well and played them extensively live. the bogner is the best build and the best for recording. it is just so clear and has none of that low mid kinda 200hz mud. on the other hand, the 5150s voicing is a touch on the scooped side of things, and the dark all v30 mesa cab would be a better match imho. i own a bogner now and sold my mesa to get it. but..i use a mark IV. if i had a 5150 id use it with a mesa cab for sure. i know its a hard one coz the construction and projection on the bogner is better, but youd cut through more with the mesa. come to think of it, it really depends on one thing. if you want a more modern tone, go bogner, if you want a rawer tone, go mesa. you cant go wrong with either cab honestly. both very good cabs and both right up there with the best.

Thanks for the comparison man, it really helped. Just to clarify, when you refer to the Mesa cab are you referring to the oversized or traditional? This will be mainly for recording and jamming right now anyway. I guess I can't go wrong with any of em.

-Joe

 

[rickenbacker198]

Well I can compare the Mesa Traditional and Bogner.
I used to have both and had to let one go so I did many a-b comparisons.

amps used
Mesa TOV
Diezel VH4
Jmp-1 w/ Mesa Strategy 500
Marshall 2203

These cabs both have v30's so they do sound similar but with all amps I found some differences.

The Mesa Traditional is more defined, it cuts much better in a band situation. It also can handle more bass without farting out. Sometimes it can have a slightly metallic high end if you get carried away with the presence or have a bright amp (2203) but the extra highs also make the cleans nicer.

The Bogner... sounds more classic, like the utimate marshall cab, a little muddier than the mesa but it never has a hint of being metallic sounding. This cab records well and is clear sounding but compared to the mesa it gets lost in a live situation.

So which one do 'i still have?? I wish both .. it really was a tough decision.... I had my buddy play them a/b with the vh4 on stage whille I walked around the room (~800 people) for me it was the mesa... it is just bigger sounding... more agressive, chunky and as long as your careful with the highs also records well. I have never regretted going with the mesa.. it's a killer cab

 

[Drkorey]

This thread has piqued my interest as well. I checked the boogie price list and they don't mention the oversize. Would the Stiletto cab be the traditional by default and the Rectifier cab the oversize by default as well, and where would the Roadking cab fit in size wise?

 

[Code001]

This thread has piqued my interest as well. I checked the boogie price list and they don't mention the oversize. Would the Stiletto cab be the traditional by default and the Rectifier cab the oversize by default as well, and where would the Roadking cab fit in size wise?

Yes, the Traditional has been renamed the Stiletto cabinet. The RK cab is the same size as the Recto cab, but it has 2 C90s and 2 V30s + an open back design.

 

[nwright]

ive owned all 3 cabs as well and played them extensively live. the bogner is the best build and the best for recording. it is just so clear and has none of that low mid kinda 200hz mud. on the other hand, the 5150s voicing is a touch on the scooped side of things, and the dark all v30 mesa cab would be a better match imho. i own a bogner now and sold my mesa to get it. but..i use a mark IV. if i had a 5150 id use it with a mesa cab for sure. i know its a hard one coz the construction and projection on the bogner is better, but youd cut through more with the mesa. come to think of it, it really depends on one thing. if you want a more modern tone, go bogner, if you want a rawer tone, go mesa. you cant go wrong with either cab honestly. both very good cabs and both right up there with the best.

Your ears must be destroyed by that Mark if you call a 5150 "a bit on the scooped side".