15" Cabinet Choice

[jhines]

I have, lately, been considering getting a new rig for shows where backline is needed (for me, this is not all that often, surprisingly). I am leaning toward a 2x15 setup but leaning toward two separate cabinets. I know there are a bunch of folks that don't care for the 15" cabinets and lean, rather toward the 4x10 setup. For me, now, I think I will stray from that path - gotta try new stuff to experience new things.

I currently have only a GB-600 head and Dr. Bass 1260 cabinet. I don't want to make a huge investment because of the afore mentioned not needing backline all that often. I have an opportunity locally to get a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1x15 cabinet for about $350. That would make the 2x15 setup cost about $900-1000 (given the $600'ish price point of the single 15" cab). I could, optionally, get Carvin's 15" cabinet for the same cost making two cabs ~$700. There are, of course, other options (like Bag End) that are not available in my area.

So, I guess, thoughts on the Mesa vs. Carvin options or others that might suit me at $1000 or less for a set?

Thanks

[RickenBoogie]

Mesa Powerhouse cabs are just plain awesome, but so are the older Deisel series cabs, which can be had (used) for alot less money. I've been using a Mesa Deisel 215 for several years, and it always makes me smile when I hear it thumpin'.

[lbwdog]

Or set that 1260 on top of the Powerhouse 1x15. That should sound darned good, and cost only $350.

[Frankie Fender]

Dual 15s rule. I love them and one Mesa cab is better than 2 Carvins IMHO. Get the powerhouse.

Here's what I drive.

[mcm]

i like my bag end s15d and s15xd stack. very balanced and loud as hell. extremely portable

[babebambi]

Are those S15B-D ?

Originally Posted by Frankie Fender

Dual 15s rule. I love them and one Mesa cab is better than 2 Carvins IMHO. Get the powerhouse.

Here's what I drive.

[Frankie Fender]

Originally Posted by babebambi

Are those S15B-D ?

No, They are S15L-D

Kind of in between the regular and the B, about 50lbs 18.5 x22.5 x 18.5

[Dan Knowlton]

IMHO, Carvin cabs are just adequate. again, IMHO - the Mesa is a MUCH better cabinet that is very underrated.

Dan K.

[PSPookie]

My inclination would be to try to find a used pair of Mesa or Bag End 1x15s. Either should be pleasing to the ear though I wouldn't mix the two.

[singlemalt]

I very much like having 2 cabs with 15's rather than one 2-15 cab.

They both fit in the back seat of the Corolla, no way the 2-15 was going in there. Each one of my TL-606/3015's weighs about 45lb, so going up and down stairs isn't a two man job.

I usually end up only needing one, so one can stay home and one can go live at the practice space, and if I'm lucky, get loaded into the van going to gigs.

For outdoors, both cabs are more than enough. With a good head this is a rump kicking, booty bumping rig.

If you are even a little bit handy with tools, the TL-606 build is very simple, basically the same cab as the Mesa.

I built two, slightly modified TL-606 cabs and loaded them with new 3015's ($130 each), the whole project came in at about $360 for both cabs. That's with the new drivers, nice speakon connectors, handles, stacking corners, speaker grill and hardware and paint. Oh, and there was speaker cable and male connectors to make up three speakon speaker cables too. About $100 order from parts express, the drivers from BLT sound.

The plywood was leftovers from other projects, the face of one of the cabs is a salvaged laminate cabinet door. Scraps that I had laying around the garage/shop. Maybe eight hours into each including paint.

A fun project if you have the space and tools.

There's tons of cab building threads that deal with the 606 and the 3015's.

I'm excited to build a oversized 606 to go with a 3015LF, and see what I can get out of the lowest end notes.

I've tried 4-10's, and 1-12's, but I keep coming back to 15's.