Recto 2x12?

[shreder75]

School me on these things, gentlemen. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one eventually to pair with my powerball. Seems like people like to match them with modern, low mid heavy amps.

Is the low end punchy? Do they project well? An issue I've had with 2x12 cabs in the past is that they can sound boomy. My evh 2x12,which sounds massive, is one of the few that doesn't exhibit this problem.

I'm not opposed to a traditional sized recto cab (not really interested in the oversized), but I'd rather keep it downsized if I can.

 

[jc986]

I had a Mesa 2x12 Vertical cab several years ago and regret selling it. It was able to compete with a 4x12 as far as punch and projection go. I haven't played an EVH 2x12 for comparison, but when I was using mine the other guitarist in my band was using a Marshall 4x12 with v30's and I had no issues being heard in the mix.

 

[NewWorldMan]

Are we talking about the vertical or horizontal? I've owned both.

The Mesa 2X12 horizontal is my favorite 2X12 I've owned. Sounds great, but make no mistake it has a thick bass response compared to some others. I didn't care as much for the vertical 2X12. It was still a good size (didn't feel much smaller than my traditional Mesa 4X12!), but obviously the weight was much less. I gigged wth it once and decided for the size, I may as well bring along my 4X12 and deal with a little extra weight for the extra oomph. It's a great cab, but it was a hard adjustment after using the 4X12 version for so long.

 

[shreder75]

Oops. My bad. Horizontal.

 

[Lord Toneking]

I didn't like mine at all when I had it. Sounded boxy to me. FWIW I hated the EVH 2x12 even more. Much prefer my Splawn 2x12 over both those and that's just not the fanboi in me....it just sounds better. I've grown to love my EVH 4x12 though, much more than my SB loaded Splawn 4x12...but that EVH 2x12 had to go

The Mesa will probably work well with your new amp though

 

[shreder75]

I didn't like mine at all when I had it. Sounded boxy to me. FWIW I hated the EVH 2x12 even more. Much prefer my Splawn 2x12 over both those and that's just not the fanboi in me....it just sounds better. I've grown to love my EVH 4x12 though, much more than my SB loaded Splawn 4x12...but that EVH 2x12 had to go

The Mesa will probably work well with your new amp though

To each their own, right? I've found the evh 2x12 to out 4x12 my actual 4x12 lol

But v30s constantly come up in the conversation when I see amps like mesa and engl mentioned

 

[andross182]

I absolutely love my vert 2x12 mesa cab, can't sing its praises enough honestly.

 

[severinsteel]

I had a recto 2x12 horizontal for years. It sounded awesome, but it's super bulky. In fact, my Mesa 4x12 cab is easier to transport because it has wheels and decent handles. My 2x12 only had 1 handle in the center on top.

 

[shreder75]

I had a recto 2x12 horizontal for years. It sounded awesome, but it's super bulky. In fact, my Mesa 4x12 cab is easier to transport because it has wheels and decent handles. My 2x12 only had 1 handle in the center on top.

Portability isn't an issue. It's going to stay in Madison Square Basement

 

[Beyond Black]

I had one years ago and it was awesome. Very tight and punchy, with a big low end, without being boomy. I would think that it would kill with the Engl. Especially since it has V30's, and that's what they load their cabs with. I can't stand boomy cabs either. I've got an Avatar oversized 2x12 that's pretty boomy. How do you like the Engl?

 

[shreder75]

I had one years ago and it was awesome. Very tight and punchy, with a big low end, without being boomy. I would think that it would kill with the Engl. Especially since it has V30's, and that's what they load their cabs with. I can't stand boomy cabs either. I've got an Avatar oversized 2x12 that's pretty boomy. How do you like the Engl?

That's why I'm not a fan of oversized cabs. That bass swells all over the place lol

I'm LOVING the amp. It's a lot more versatile than I'd expected. The clean is great, and I'm starting to warm to the crunch, too. My favorite is the lead low gain, though. Snappy without being harsh. Saturated but so fluid to play , and it is nice and clear.

 

[glassjaw7]

I've used the vertical and currently own the horizontal - used both in band situations -

Vertical - was very open sounding and filled the room pretty evenly but the bottom end mushed out with my dual rectifier if I wasn't careful with the bass control.

Horizontal -I wouldn't say it's necessarily boomy...but it IS beamy/direct and narrow sounding. What you get out of it changes pretty drastically depending on where you are standing/sitting in the room. If you prop it up on a stand or something and keep it at ear level it's OK, but in a band situation it will not make everyone happy.

The plus side of this is that it's a really great cab for recording which is why I've kept mine around for years. Also, I used to use it as a stage monitor for live gigs. For jamming or practicing with a loud band I vastly prefer the vertical or a bigger, more open sounding 212 cab like a Bogner OS. (mainly stick to 412s though)

I've used most of the Mesa cabs and I prefer the Traditional size 412 over the rest. It is very punchy, balanced and tighter than the Standard OS.
FWIW I have heard two of the horizontal 212 cabs stacked and that sounds pretty good. Just my asshole..er, opinion.

 

[jc986]

Forgot to mention that when I was using the Mesa Vertical 2x12 my amp at the time was a v1 Powerball, and I can confirm that they pair extremely well together. I agree, the Ch3 Lead lo is where it's at with that amp.

 

[orangekick]

I was prepared to dislike my 2x12 when I got it. I was pleasantly surprised. It's probably one of the best sounding cabs that I've ever owned. I never would have thought that I'd like anything smaller than a 4x12.

 

[shreder75]

I've used the vertical and currently own the horizontal - used both in band situations -

Vertical - was very open sounding and filled the room pretty evenly but the bottom end mushed out with my dual rectifier if I wasn't careful with the bass control.

Horizontal -I wouldn't say it's necessarily boomy...but it IS beamy/direct and narrow sounding. What you get out of it changes pretty drastically depending on where you are standing/sitting in the room. If you prop it up on a stand or something and keep it at ear level it's OK, but in a band situation it will not make everyone happy.

The plus side of this is that it's a really great cab for recording which is why I've kept mine around for years. Also, I used to use it as a stage monitor for live gigs. For jamming or practicing with a loud band I vastly prefer the vertical or a bigger, more open sounding 212 cab like a Bogner OS. (mainly stick to 412s though)

I've used most of the Mesa cabs and I prefer the Traditional size 412 over the rest. It is very punchy, balanced and tighter than the Standard OS.
FWIW I have heard two of the horizontal 212 cabs stacked and that sounds pretty good. Just my asshole..er, opinion.

Everyone has one, right? thanks for the info

 

[shreder75]

Forgot to mention that when I was using the Mesa Vertical 2x12 my amp at the time was a v1 Powerball, and I can confirm that they pair extremely well together. I agree, the Ch3 Lead lo is where it's at with that amp.

No reason I couldn't turn the horizontal on its end if I wanted to, right?

 

[shreder75]

I was prepared to dislike my 2x12 when I got it. I was pleasantly surprised. It's probably one of the best sounding cabs that I've ever owned. I never would have thought that I'd like anything smaller than a 4x12.

I thought the same thing. Have always been a 4x12 guy. Then I tried out the 50 watt evh thru the matching 2x12 and was blown away with how well it projected, how huge it sounded, and how beamy it WASN'T. I've had combos and 2x12 cabs before and swore I'd never have one again. And here we are

 

[glassjaw7]

Forgot to mention that when I was using the Mesa Vertical 2x12 my amp at the time was a v1 Powerball, and I can confirm that they pair extremely well together. I agree, the Ch3 Lead lo is where it's at with that amp.

No reason I couldn't turn the horizontal on its end if I wanted to, right?

For sure. It would at least get the air moving a little higher up. I think the reason I find it so directional is the low profile. It's like 17" high whereas the vertical is 23 or so inches wide. So, even flipped upward the horizontal won't quite have as wide of a spread as the vertical. I've used a couple other 212s that are just a bit taller like the Splawns and they don't have that laserbeam quality.

 

[shreder75]

Forgot to mention that when I was using the Mesa Vertical 2x12 my amp at the time was a v1 Powerball, and I can confirm that they pair extremely well together. I agree, the Ch3 Lead lo is where it's at with that amp.

No reason I couldn't turn the horizontal on its end if I wanted to, right?

For sure. It would at least get the air moving a little higher up. I think the reason I find it so directional is the low profile. It's like 17" high whereas the vertical is 23 or so inches wide. So, even flipped upward the horizontal won't quite have as wide of a spread as the vertical. I've used a couple other 212s that are just a bit taller like the Splawns and they don't have that laserbeam quality.

I get what you're saying. Thy dimensions are the same as my evh, so I'm not too worried about the laser beam effect.

 

[glassjaw7]

cool