LightenUpFrancis
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Early 00s Mesa Horizontal Recto - 2000/2003 8ohm Mesa V30s
2022 Diezel Rear Loaded - 1993/2006 16ohm Marshall G12 Vintages
Late 90s Rivera Rake - 2022/2026 8ohm Celestion Redbacks
The Mesa 2x12 might well be my favorite cabinet of all time. About 15 years ago I had a 1994-95ish 4x12 straight/slant Recto that I reluctantly traded directly for the 2x12 prior to a multi-state move. Much as it hurt to see the 4x12 go, the 2x12 has a little more focus, and turned out to be the perfect touring cab for many years. The specific year Mesa V30s were swapped in over the course of several years until the mix couldn't get any better. It is granddaddy thump.
After 15 years of my ears being accustomed to the Mesa, the Diezel RV212 is arrestingly bright. Naturally, with a slant baffle it projects more, but the construction lends itself to lots of presence. Swapping out the OEM Chinese V30s (which still sound very well balanced and excellent in their own right) for the older worn-in Marshall G12s was the sauce for rounding out the top-end. Reminds me of a Marshall 1936, if not a little more stiff in response. When running wet/dry/wet, this is the dry cab. The added option of running the speakers in stereo, even if not isolated, is kinda cool.
The Rivera Rake is identical to a Kucklehead 2x12 in fancy clothes, and I'm a sucker for blonde nubtex - though the heinous grill cloth will be swapped out soon for something more appealing. This was my answer to a more portable solution that could handle the power of the Tone Master, Duel 100, or anything being pushed by the PS-100. With a slanted baffle and a size closer to the Recto, it sits somewhere between the Mesa and Diezel in response - good projection, but a bit softer - I'd attribute some of that to being an older cab that doesn't seal as well anymore, as well as being a convertible back that can run 2/3 open. It doesn't have the "perfect" voice of the other two, but is easily the most versatile, and gets along well with every amp I own. Initially considered G12H-75s, but the power was calling like Charlie's Mom to Frank Reynolds.
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