Like Mesa Boogie, but not.

willsellout · #1 02-09-2011, 05:47 PM

So I really like the way the Mesa cabs sound, but it seems they are mostly special order, with lead times upwards of 2-3 months. There is a local GC with a 2X12 in, but I'm looking for a 1X12. It doesn't seem like many people carry them...actually none that I can find.

To put it plainly, I'm not willing to wait that long for a Mesa cab when i'm positive there are other options along the same tonal range. Any particular suggestions as far as brands? I'll be playing through an Eden WT550.

Thanks!

Dan

dukeisdog · #2 02-09-2011, 05:48 PM

Order one from basscentral.com? The wait time shouldn't be too bad, they have tons of gear in stock.

willsellout · #3 02-09-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Order one from basscentral.com? The wait time shouldn't be too bad, they have tons of gear in stock.

I forgot about them...I'll try them, thanks!

ataunton · #4 02-09-2011, 05:55 PM

Not sure if they ship or not, but Gelb music in Redwood City has a 112 in stock.

57pbass · #5 02-09-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

So I really like the way the Mesa cabs sound, but it seems they are mostly special order, with lead times upwards of 2-3 months. There is a local GC with a 2X12 in, but I'm looking for a 1X12. It doesn't seem like many people carry them...actually none that I can find.

To put it plainly, I'm not willing to wait that long for a Mesa cab when i'm positive there are other options along the same tonal range. Any particular suggestions as far as brands? I'll be playing through an Eden WT550.

Thanks!

Dan

Dan I agree ..they do take a long time to get Mesa product to the customer. I think cabs are built as needed.

They just dont understand GAS and inpulse purchasing...their loss.

I have a EDEN WT 550 head and use two Bag End S 15 D cabs with a P Bass..This has been my main amp for a few years now..Very portable and it sounds great. Search the forums for Bag End..loads of fans on board..

Goo luck

Dan P

AgressivePassiv · #6 02-09-2011, 06:12 PM

I run my WT550B through 2 Ampeg SVT 112he cabs(300 watts @ 8 ohms w a tweeter) and a Svt 115e. For smaller gigs I just use one 1x12 and I always get compliments on my tone. If you can find one it is a great cab.

RCCollins · #7 02-09-2011, 06:17 PM

even the world's biggest Bag End fan won't claim they can approach equivalent Mesa cabs in terms of low end.

rockstarbassist · #8 02-09-2011, 06:23 PM

Btw, who spot you the 2-3 month wait time? They usually build bass cabs in bunches not individually to order as someone mentioned above. But BC can probably get you one quicker than anyone if they don't have it in stock. Both of my PH212s were floor models so no wait but when i got my ex PH412 it came straight from Mesa and I had it in under a week.

willsellout · #9 02-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

Btw, who spot you the 2-3 month wait time? They usually build bass cabs in bunches not individually to order as someone mentioned above. But BC can probably get you one quicker than anyone if they don't have it in stock. Both of my PH212s were floor models so no wait but when i got my ex PH412 it came straight from Mesa and I had it in under a week.

Two different places said the wait time for most Mesa stuff was 60-90 days, but they said the cabs might be there earlier. They wouldn't know until they placed an order though

We shall see...

jamesjamuel · #10 02-10-2011, 02:06 AM

Check Ebay or your local craigslist, I got lucky and picked up an old 1516 from GC for $350 and it still rocks as hard as it did in the 90's.

oddgrowth · #11 02-10-2011, 09:34 AM

used, used, used.

I've owned 4 mesa cabs, 2 mesa amps, & 2 mesa shockmount cases. I live in Colorado, not exactly great for used mesa gear.

BUT...they were all bought used. Take the time and search exhaustively, it will pay off in the long run, and your wallet will thank you.

rockstarbassist · #12 02-10-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oddgrowth

used, used, used.

I've owned 4 mesa cabs, 2 mesa amps, & 2 mesa shockmount cases. I live in Colorado, not exactly great for used mesa gear.

BUT...they were all bought used. Take the time and search exhaustively, it will pay off in the long run, and your wallet will thank you.

True, but it comes down to 1. if you need a cab now, and 2. think about how many of those cabs are actually available in that model, and then b/c they're so /win, how many people actually want to sell 'em? Diesels are going to be a lot easier to come by, as are Mesa's 410s, 212s, 210s and 215s.
I can count on one hand how many used PH112 cabs I've seen F/S, including here, eBay, and all TX Craigslist ads in the last say 6-9 mo's.

rockstarbassist · #13 02-10-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Two different places said the wait time for most Mesa stuff was 60-90 days, but they said the cabs might be there earlier. They wouldn't know until they placed an order though

We shall see...

Hrm, that does suck.

I got lucky in that I have 2 stores locally that carry Mesa gear and they each had a 212 in stock, so I was able to buy one from each.

KsPiNeSh · #14 02-10-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

even the world's biggest Bag End fan won't claim they can approach equivalent Mesa cabs in terms of low end.

Interesting - I enjoy their amps, but am not a fan of their cabs. They always left me unimpressed when playing them in the store and the one gig I played with an M6/ PH1200 left me yearning for my Uber 410... that PH cab did NOT like my downtuning.

Calaverasgrande · #15 02-10-2011, 11:00 AM

They dont so much build to order as they really only have one woodshop. So this whole week they might be just making 2x12 guitar cabs, next week is 4x12 bass cabs, week after is head cases for dual rectros. Then they get around to bass 2x12" in early march. At least thats the way it was when I worked across the street from them at Lagunitas Brewery.

They also dont allow their retailers to discount old stock so most retailers arent willing to go deep on Mesa stock. They instead will only buy a few "sure bets" and then count on customers to custom order the rest. I second the suggestion to check out basscentral as well as sweetwater. I am sure you could look up some other etailers and retailers on the mesa site as well.
I'm a long term Mesa guy myself but am actually looking at going Aguilar for my next rig.

MysticMichael · #16 02-10-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

To put it plainly, I'm not willing to wait that long for a Mesa cab when i'm positive there are other options along the same tonal range. Any particular suggestions as far as brands?

While I have no basis in experience for the following, I get the impression that the new Baer 1x12 and 2x12 cabs have a lot in common with Mesa Powerhouse sound. If you haven't yet scoped those out, you might want to take a look...

MM

rockstarbassist · #17 02-10-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

Interesting - I enjoy their amps, but am not a fan of their cabs. They always left me unimpressed when playing them in the store and the one gig I played with an M6/ PH1200 left me yearning for my Uber 410... that PH cab did NOT like my downtuning.

That's bc you were playing a 1200...

Try a 610, 810 or 412 and then report back.

My 212's take my low G like nobody's business. They'll do uber-low tunings all day.

Bigduke · #18 02-10-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

That's bc you were playing a 1200...

Try a 610, 810 or 412 and then report back.

My 212's take my low G like nobody's business. They'll do uber-low tunings all day.

I agree with this!!!

KsPiNeSh · #19 02-10-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

That's bc you were playing a 1200...

Try a 610, 810 or 412 and then report back.

My 212's take my low G like nobody's business. They'll do uber-low tunings all day.

I've tried (not gigged) the 610 and was equally unimpressed. I will concede, however, that the M6 combo I played sounded great, and that is essentially a PH 212.

georgestrings · #20 02-10-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

That's bc you were playing a 1200...

Try a 610, 810 or 412 and then report back.

My 212's take my low G like nobody's business. They'll do uber-low tunings all day.

Agreed 100% - although I "only' go down to low B, both my PH610 and PH810 have handled anything I've dished out, and have never farted out - and that's playing in a couple of LOUD 2 guitar bands...

- georgestrings