Mesa diesel 810 vs powerhouse 810

Caca de Kick · #1 01-20-2011, 02:44 PM

Has anyone tried both old and new Mesa 810's to notice if there is any tone difference? I like alot of growl and grit to my sound.
I definitely want to get one, of course the new ones are easier to find, but the only reason I'd want an old one is because my other Mesa cabs are old diesels. I sorta would like them to match, but wouldn't be the end of the world if they didn't. But mainly wondering if the drivers sound different.

rockstarbassist · #2 01-20-2011, 02:49 PM

It's going to sound more mid-focused, like a lot of the Diesel stuff does. The PH cabs were designed to be fuller, and to go deeper, higher, which they do.

Plus, have you checked the specs on what a Diesel 810 weighs? I think it's around like 220lbs friend. :freak: The Diesel 610 I had was like 168lbs or something.

Caca de Kick · #3 01-20-2011, 03:06 PM

My old Boogie catalogs say the diesel 810 was like 176 and the new catalog says the ph 810 is 173.
If the newer one has a fuller bottom, I may just go with that.

Crabby · #4 01-20-2011, 03:09 PM

I have a PH410 and it sure is a good sounding cab. I also have a PH412 and its the same size as the 810 but only 134 pounds. Its really not bad to move around and sounds fantastic. If weight is an issue, the 412 might be worth a listen.

rockstarbassist · #5 01-20-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

My old Boogie catalogs say the diesel 810 was like 176 and the new catalog says the ph 810 is 173.
If the newer one has a fuller bottom, I may just go with that.

Ya I think they were lying LOL. I remember reading something years back when J.C. was using his Diesel 810s and his tech was complaining about how it was easily over 200lbs.
Like I said I doubt the 810 was only a few pounds more than my 610. I had to have it freighted in b/c it was over the 150lb mark by a long ways all packaged up and not even UPS would take it. It was right around that high 160's mark when unpacked and with the 4" casters on it.

georgestrings · #6 01-20-2011, 04:35 PM

I have the PH810, and it is a phenominal sounding cab - definitely one of the best big cabs on the market, if not THE best... If you can handle the weight and transport it - which hasn't been a problem for me, yet - I don't think it can be beat... Here's mine:

- georgestrings

Caca de Kick · #7 03-02-2011, 03:10 PM

Any direct comparisons of the PH412 and PH810?

Still leaning toward the 810, but just bought a Titan and it would be easier at this point to afford a 412 *if* it could deliver the same goods. I'm talking outdoor capability, not indoors.

The tough part is no shops in the NW carries the big cabs, just small ones. And I think I blew their 212 trying out the Titan.

rockstarbassist · #8 03-02-2011, 03:14 PM

At that point it's all about preference. I love the natural grind and breakup of 12's, as opposed to the more "punch" of a 10, but agian that's just me. I use a pick and have a mid-heavy tone so it suits me. If I were more "supporting" w/ my tone, I'd prolly rock a PH610.

spaz21387 · #9 03-02-2011, 03:16 PM

the clackamas guitar center had a mesa ph8x10 just a week ago when i went in. make a road trip out of it

Caca de Kick · #10 03-02-2011, 03:20 PM

!

I'll call em!

georgestrings · #11 03-02-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

At that point it's all about preference. I love the natural grind and breakup of 12's, as opposed to the more "punch" of a 10, but agian that's just me. I use a pick and have a mid-heavy tone so it suits me. If I were more "supporting" w/ my tone, I'd prolly rock a PH610.

I think you've just about described the differences - from what I've experienced thus far, the 412 has the tendency to stand out in the mix more than the 810 or the 610... I prefer to be more of the "supportive" bassist, so I add mids 'til I stand out in the mix as much as I want to, when using 10s... With the 412, I'd have to cut mids 'til I didn't stand out more than I want to - either one will get me there, just from a different aaproach...

Also, after playing both the 610 and the 810 for awhile, they definitely sound diferent from one another - the 810 has a little upper end smoothness to it that the 610 doesn't have - I end up using running my horn attentuator on my 810 around 0db, while I run the horn around -2db with the 610 for similar results - both crossovers set @ 5k...

- georgestrings

Caca de Kick · #12 03-02-2011, 05:06 PM

Well they don't have the 810 in Clackamas....

Alex1984 · #13 03-02-2011, 05:31 PM

If you're interested in an RR 215, let me know!

spaz21387 · #14 03-02-2011, 05:38 PM

they did 2 weeks ago i guess the big mesa cabs go fast... im certain i saw it there the day i went to pick up the 6x10 i had on layaway it was feb 18th it probably sold at the presidents day weekend sale then?

Caca de Kick · #15 03-02-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex1984

If you're interested in an RR 215, let me know!

Already got a diesel 215. It's a keeper.

Caca de Kick · #16 03-02-2011, 07:14 PM

Hmmm, growl and grit with heavy low-mid is what go for too, but I didn't quite like the 212 I tried my Titan through.

I just don't want to find myself outdoor shows running out of steam anymore, wishing I had 'more'.

rockstarbassist · #17 03-03-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Hmmm, growl and grit with heavy low-mid is what go for too, but I didn't quite like the 212 I tried my Titan through.

I just don't want to find myself outdoor shows running out of steam anymore, wishing I had 'more'.

It's a different tone for sure.
I sold my PH412 I think in Jan/Feb of '10 and played the Berg NV610 until Dec of last year and just got my 2nd PH212 in January. And even though I knew I liked the tone of the 12's, it still took some time getting used to.
They disperse and "throw" very differently than the 10's (even from Mesa) and so the sweet spots are different, and then like I said the basic characteristics of the 12's are gonna be a change from 10's too. However when I mic that thing live, it's so awesome through the PA. The tone just kills.
Like george and I were saying, a lot of it has to do with what you want tonally. if you want a bigger, fuller, more bottom-endy tone and play more with fingers, I'd go w/ the 10's. I have my tone as described earlier so the 12's are a perfect fit.