Thoughts on VH4 w Mesa Recto cab?

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RyeDaddy

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Anybody have any thoughts/experience with running a VH4 through a Recto cab? Seems like what I read is a mixed bag, some love, some hate.

I’ve got a 2019 VH4, and a Herbert MK3 and have 2 Diezel FL 412 cabs, one K100, the other cab V30. looking for a deeper more growly sound to layer with the VH4.

Love the FL cabs, both of them. K100 preferred with the VH4, V30 with the Herb, but looking for another alternative that’s not as in your face but still aggressive and big sounding.

I play mostly in D standard/Drop C in sludge/stoner type stuff (Down, Mastodon) but also Lamb of God/ Killswitch Engage type faster paced technical riffs.

I’m really only concerned the Mesa “Oversized“ straight cab might just be too boomy and slow for something like a Diezel. Also looking to the future as I may pick up a Mark V and would be going with the Recto cab for that. It’s been about 20 years since I’ve owned a Mesa cab, and back then it was with a Dual Rec which I’m not as into anymore, I don’t boost amps much these days.

Thoughts appreciated.
 
UberKab sounds mega with all my high gainers including the Diezels.

OS Mesa is a default cab for many.

Fryette D412 loaded with V30s + G25s is also incredible.
 
I use a boogie over sized straight slant cab with a vh4 sometimes. It sounds good. I think it adds a little length to the notes and sound. The vh4 isn't a sloppy amp by any means, If you’re micing up the amp a boogie oversized will add some lower midrange to the sound. It doesn't slop up as much as other amps with that cab combo. Last album we shot the boogie cab out over 9 or 10 other cabs its consistently one of the best under the mic. Plus its famous for being a brick shit house, Last through the apocalypse and still kicks ass. Its a great tool!
 
Works for Adam Jones of Tool, for like over 20 years. The Mesa OS is perhaps the ultimate modern rock cabinet. Those needing tighter toanz may prefer the "traditional," but the fact is the Mesa has the OG V30 speaker formula, and the newer variants to not express the same degree of excellence.
 
My slanted Mesa OS with VH4 or Herbi si a killer combination. I'm pretty conservative with the bass settings on the heads and the cab is on wheels but so far no flub unless I crank the bass or depth control.
 
Alright, I’m in. With the supply line problems everyone is having I just went ahead and ordered, should be here in about 2 weeks.

Dealer said Mesa isn’t taking any new orders till they get caught up with supply chain problems so looks like it’s time to get while the getting’s good.

Thanks guys.
 
RyeDaddy said:
Alright, I’m in. With the supply line problems everyone is having I just went ahead and ordered, should be here in about 2 weeks.

Dealer said Mesa isn’t taking any new orders till they get caught up with supply chain problems so looks like it’s time to get while the getting’s good.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
I got mine, a 2003 slant, with like-new slip cover and one small blem for $400 used.
 
To follow up: my brand new Mesa straight Recto 4x12 arrived today! (It‘s a Standard or “Oversized”) Backordered it a little over a month ago when I started this thread.
Only had time to check it out a little before I had to leave for work, no break-in time, just get right into it with my VH4 and Herbert Mk3.

First impressions: dark, smooth top end with lots of low mids and a cavernous bottom end. This cab REALLY wants the decibels UP. Cool, very different from my 4 other V30 cabs. didn’t really gel with it with the Diezels after being used to their FL cabs. The darker nature of the Mesa cab needs an all different EQ setting and comes across much muddier and a little slurred in comparison. Better with volume to ear bleed levels where the FL cabs can get a bit pointy. Of the 2 heads it was better with the VH4 I thought, Herbert is too dark with the settings I’m used to using for this cab.

Looking forward to trying it with different amps, will probably make a Youtube comparo video of this cab vs Orange, Diezel FL, Marshall 2551 and Marshall Mode 4. All different configs of different models of V30.

EDIT: After a few months with this combo I have fallen completely in love with the Recto Cab / VH4 combo. So guttural and nasty. It sounds like what I think of as the VH4 sound I originally craved (Tool, Limp Bizkit’s Unquestionable Truth).
 
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