Need some Mesa Boogie advice

[rrhea]

I know this the EB forum, and all... but, well, I think EB forum members are smarter on average than your garden variety forum members.

Plus, I know you a lot of you guys play through Boogies. In a previous thread I mentioned my Mark III combo. I am now looking for a good 4x12 Mesa cabinet to go with it. My Mark III is a simul-class 60/100watt green stripe (or dot) with a power section that is very similar (supposedly) to the Mark IIC+. It has three speaker outputs, an 8ohm and two 4ohms.

Any suggestions? I don't have access to a lot of Boogie gear here, so I can't really go and try a lot of stuff.

Oh, and I like high gain stuff with lots crunch and low-end. James Hetfield comes to mind, and he was the main reason I bought my Boogie to begin with back in the early 90's.

Thanks for any info!

Ryan

 

[Norrin Radd]

Standard Boogie cab loaded with Vintage 30s. Very nice cabs. Although I'm not sure of the ohmage on those. Have you checked their website?

 

[rrhea]

Yeah, I checked the website but there are several 4x12s and I just wasn't sure which one to go with. Standard, Recto... slanted, straight? Then there is the speaker selection.

I have heard Vintage 30s and like them. What about Green 20s and 25s?

As far as ohmage, isn't it possible to rewire the speakers to balance the load? Not sure how to do this, but I read it's possible.

Thanks for the suggestion, Norrin!

Ryan

 

[Norrin Radd]

The bigger cab is preferred by guys seeking more bottom end, generally, so that is a personal preference for you to decide.

The 20 and 25s will break up a lot sooner than the 30s will. They will sound more vintagey (is that a word?) though, and if you are going that route, I'd suggest the G12H30s. Man, those are some nice speakers!

Personally, I play through an Orange 4x12 with v30s. It is a little oversized and has some ridiculously good bottom end. Of course, it's constructed about twice as thick as most cabs and weighs in at a very svelt 112 lbs.

If it's me (and I like things to match), I'm going with a straight Boogie cab (I just prefer the sound dispersal over the slanted). And I'd get the bigger boogie cab, and I would load it with two v30s and two G12H30s in an "X" pattern. I think you can order it like this from Boogie, actually. Check with your local (well informed) dealer on that though. If you could get it, that would be one sweeeeeeet cab!

 

[francric]

Where do you guys buy your Mesa's??????? Also, do they have something in a combo around 100 watts??????

 

[rrhea]

If it's me (and I like things to match), I'm going with a straight Boogie cab (I just prefer the sound dispersal over the slanted). And I'd get the bigger boogie cab, and I would load it with two v30s and two G12H30s in an "X" pattern. I think you can order it like this from Boogie, actually. Check with your local (well informed) dealer on that though. If you could get it, that would be one sweeeeeeet cab!

Nice! Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to order my cab that way. Sounds like just what I need.

RR

 

[SteveLINY]

V30's are OK at best with a Mark 3.
You should seriously look into finding an original Mark series cabinet...
They are the older ones with the heavy metal grill.
They come loaded 3 ways.
1. Mesa MC90's
2. Mesa MC90's and EVM's
3. Mesa MC90's and Vintage 50's.
Get the #2 choice.
I personally have 3 of these and they are absolutely amazing and will literally blow away any MB V30 loaded cab by far. Way tighter, way more bottom end, and way more overall articulation....
And the best part is that they are a hell of alot cheaper than the newer cabs...
But, they weigh twice as much...LOL
You can see two of mine in this pic on the far left along with a 2x12 version loaded with a pair of EVM's....

 

[Norrin Radd]

Do they have a Guitar Center in Memphis? If so, I would go and check out a bunch of different Mesa cabs out WITH your own head. Spend some good time there and check out what they have. I would also be inclined to take liberal advantage of their 30 day return policy, and see if they will give you that liberty on a special ordered cab. It's worth asking about.

 

[dfrady]

If you are looking for alot of crunch and low end i strongly recommend one with a closed back. I have the 2X12 rectifier cab from mesa,
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Guitar Cabinets/LgrRIGHT-Cabs/2x12Rect-Lg.htm
and it is AMAZING it will produce ALOT of thump !!

 

[rrhea]

Wow! What a room! Love it. Anyone with Angus Young hanging on the wall deserves some props. Nice gear, man.

Sooooo. If I were unable to find one of those orig. cabs you speak of, could I just get a new cab from MB loaded with those particular speakers? Is the cab design that different on the old ones that the news ones would not sound as good? Looks like MB still uses those speakers in some of their models, so I assume I could request that mix in a new cab, right? Just curious.

RR

 

[rrhea]

Do they have a Guitar Center in Memphis? If so, I would go and check out a bunch of different Mesa cabs out WITH your own head. Spend some good time there and check out what they have. I would also be inclined to take liberal advantage of their 30 day return policy, and see if they will give you that liberty on a special ordered cab. It's worth asking about.

Yeah, we have a GC but we also have a local shop that has all the good dealerships, and MB is one of them. I hate to say this, but I prefer GC over this other shop since the guy that owns it and his people are just ****heads to deal with.

But, I'll probably have to go that route regardless if I want to play any MB cabs. I just hate going in that store...

I have made some good contacts at my GC (I pay their light bill every month ), so I could probably lean on them to special order me a cab and get the 30 days, maybe. Usually they won't on special orders, though. Worth a try, anyway.

RR

 

[Norrin Radd]

I have made some good contacts at my GC (I pay their light bill every month ), so I could probably lean on them to special order me a cab and get the 30 days, maybe. Usually they won't on special orders, though. Worth a try, anyway.

RR

Well, if you were ever going to lean on them, this IS the time! Use those contacts and explain this is a HUGE purchase and you really can't afford to be locked in. It will help if you promise to purchase A cab there (it will, I used to work at GC). That's what I would do.