Mesa PH 410 X 2 VS Mesa PH 810

dukeisdog · #1 10-31-2011, 09:44 PM

Just interested to see what people think on this subject.

I'm currently playing through a Peavey Tout 700, Ampeg 810e with my Spector Euro 5LX. The tone was great, but the cab needs some work. It's in rough shape cosmetically, needs a caster, and at least 1 new speaker, possibly 2. I had plans to restore the cab, but I just don't have the time like I thought I would, so it's time for a new cab.

I had planned on getting the GK Neo 810, but can't find any reviews, and getting that thing to Canada will cost almost $200 in shipping. I think I have my mind set on Mesa. All of their bass gear is awesome, and my buddy has a Mesa 412 guitar cab, the build quality amazes me.

I have the chance to pick up an 8 ohm Mesa 410 for a pretty good price, and would eventually buy another one new, or wait for a good used deal. Would I be better off getting the Mesa PH810 over two cabs? The only big stack I've ever owned was my Ampeg, and I didn't find the cab too big of a pain to move, but the Mesa is slightly bigger and heavier.

Thanks!

Gearhead17 · #2 10-31-2011, 10:16 PM

If you don't mind the weight, the Mesa 810 could kick some serious butt. The only issue being the shows you currently play. The Mesa 810 is all or nothing unlike the 810e in which you could just use half of the cab for smaller stages. If you are going to be in situations that require a 410 at most, you might want to get two 410's. If you are constantly playing on bigger stages, then by all means get the 810.

I had two Mesa 410's (the new ones too) and they served me well, but constantly lugging them around was a pain. I moved on to two DNA 210's and am much happier. Lighter weight, more volume, and better tone to my ears. The Mesa's do kick butt though.

dukeisdog · #3 10-31-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

If you don't mind the weight, the Mesa 810 could kick some serious butt. The only issue being the shows you currently play. The Mesa 810 is all or nothing unlike the 810e in which you could just use half of the cab for smaller stages. If you are going to be in situations that require a 410 at most, you might want to get two 410's. If you are constantly playing on bigger stages, then by all means get the 810.

I had two Mesa 410's (the new ones too) and they served me well, but constantly lugging them around was a pain. I moved on to two DNA 210's and am much happier. Lighter weight, more volume, and better tone to my ears. The Mesa's do kick butt though.

Well I know that the Ampeg can be run as a 4X10, but I've never used it that way. I've always used all 810's as I think it gives a much fuller sound.

If I go to a local Mesa dealer and place an order on a PH810, how long should I e expecting to wait for my cab?

Do you have any pictures of your old Mesa dual 4X10 stack?

Gearhead17 · #4 10-31-2011, 10:54 PM

In my experience, an 810 is typically fuller sounding than a dual 410 setup. The Mesa 810 would work well for you. Not sure on the lead time though.

dukeisdog · #5 10-31-2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

In my experience, an 810 is typically fuller sounding than a dual 410 setup. The Mesa 810 would work well for you. Not sure on the lead time though.

Nice, I see you play a Spector 5er too. I think I'm gonna place an order on payday, hopefully it doesn't take too long to get in.

dukeisdog · #6 11-01-2011, 01:18 AM

Also, I'd love to hear opinions on a Mesa PH 810 VS Mesa PH610.

Im quite sure the 610 would work just fine for me, but given the choice between the two, would the 810 be the better cab?

walterw · #7 11-01-2011, 01:32 AM

well yeah, the 8x10 will be "better" than the 6x10, until it's time to move it. then the 6x10 will be"better".

these days you don't need much more than a 6x10. any shows bigger than that could handle would have significant PA support anyway.

Caca de Kick · #8 11-01-2011, 02:52 AM

I have a PH810, I love the cab and sounds killer. I can roll and maneuver it anywhere just like you can your 810e, but I cannot dead-lift it. If I take my 4wd full size truck I have to have help lifting it in (or a high curb!) because the tailgate is too high. But if I have my Durango I can tip and slide it in no problem. Honestly, I'd rather handle my big cab, than having to dead-lift two 410's every where I go.

You might want to check with your Mesa dealer about the actual cost of bringing a PH810 to Canada. 173 lb is beyond regular UPS or FedEx delivery, and must be truck freighted. So that will probably soak up $200+ right there. It did for me too.

The other cab I really wanted to try was the PH412, but they're just as impossible to find.

packhowitzer · #9 11-01-2011, 03:56 AM

I have 2 ph410s. I love the sound of them. I agree about the 810 being a bit easier on the back, but I can't fit it in my vehicle. So I'm stuck lifting 4x10 everywhere i go. i do like the flexibility of being able to use just one cab though. ymmv

georgestrings · #10 11-01-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Also, I'd love to hear opinions on a Mesa PH 810 VS Mesa PH610.

Im quite sure the 610 would work just fine for me, but given the choice between the two, would the 810 be the better cab?

I can weigh in on that, since I owned both at the same time:

I ended up selling the 610, since the 810 definitely sounded better, and was barely larger than the 610... Without question, the PH810 is the best cab I've ever played thru - and I've played pretty much all of the big cabs... I play in a loud 2 guitar rock band, and although the 610 would get more than loud enough, the 810 made it easier to hear myself... Also, because of the additional height, the 810 is typically easier to load - tilt and slide, that is...

- georgestrings

georgestrings · #11 11-01-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

well yeah, the 8x10 will be "better" than the 6x10, until it's time to move it. then the 6x10 will be"better".

these days you don't need much more than a 6x10. any shows bigger than that could handle would have significant PA support anyway.

That wasn't my experience - the 810 is actually easier to move, for the most part... They both have the same wheel setup, but the 810 also has handles on the bottom, and is much easier to tilt and slide than the 610 is... Either one will require two people to dead-lift, so that's pretty much a non-issue - since cabs this size aren't meant to be dead lifted all that much, anyways - that's why they have glide rails on the back...

Regarding "need": I suppose that depends on the situation - I play in a loud 2 guitar hard rock/metal band that plays larger venues - and 810 is definitely better *for me* than a 610 is, simply because our backline is pretty loud...

I've been gigging my PH810 pretty much every weekend for over a year now, and am very happy with it...

- georgestrings

georgestrings · #12 11-01-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The only issue being the shows you currently play. The Mesa 810 is all or nothing unlike the 810e in which you could just use half of the cab for smaller stages. If you are going to be in situations that require a 410 at most, you might want to get two 410's. If you are constantly playing on bigger stages, then by all means get the 810.

My PH810 sounds great at lower volumes as well as higher volumes, and has the same footprint as a 410 - since all amps have a volume knob, I never could understand that kind of thinking... Besides, IME an SVT810e sounds better with all 8 speakers at a lower volume than it does with just 4 speakers firing...

- georgestrings

rockstarbassist · #13 11-01-2011, 10:15 AM

At this point I"m glad I downsized to two PH212's from the PH412. I've started running in-ears so I really don't need as much volume on stage now and I usually just leave one at the practice spot unless it's a bigger place then I bring both.

Really it's just whatever is easiest for you. When I had my Expedition hauling the PH412 was no problem but now I have a car so I need the modular approach. I haven't noticed really any audible differences especially at gig volumes. It's all too loud according to sound-homedude.

georgestrings · #14 11-01-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

The only big stack I've ever owned was my Ampeg, and I didn't find the cab too big of a pain to move, but the Mesa is slightly bigger and heavier.

Thanks!

FWIW, the Mesa 810 is about 20lbs heavier than the Ampeg 810 - size-wise, the Mesa is significantly shorter than the Ampeg, but is deeper - both are about the same width...

I've owned 3 SVT 810s, and sold all 3 - but have no intentions of selling my PH810, if that tells you anything... The Mesa has WAY more low end than the Ampeg, is clearer sounding, and will get WAY louder than the Ampeg 810 will - for my tastes/needs, it's a way better cab than the SVT810e....

- georgestrings

Gearhead17 · #15 11-01-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

My PH810 sounds great at lower volumes as well as higher volumes, and has the same footprint as a 410 - since all amps have a volume knob, I never could understand that kind of thinking... Besides, IME an SVT810e sounds better with all 8 speakers at a lower volume than it does with just 4 speakers firing...

- georgestrings

I will not discredit you on the sound, but at several gigs I play it was much easier to just use half the speaker amount to get the volume down a lot. Two 410's were just overkill for a small private party or a quieter style bar. I do not play any metal in my band.

georgestrings · #16 11-01-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Well I know that the Ampeg can be run as a 4X10, but I've never used it that way. I've always used all 810's as I think it gives a much fuller sound.

If I go to a local Mesa dealer and place an order on a PH810, how long should I e expecting to wait for my cab?

Do you have any pictures of your old Mesa dual 4X10 stack?

Agreed on the fuller sounding thing...

Regarding lead time - it depends on if they already have any built... When I sold my PH610 this last summer, I ordered a new PH215 to take it's place - and was quoted 6 weeks delivery time... It actually ended up being slightly over 7 weeks before it came it, but it was actually built during that time, since they didn't have any in stock... I have to say that I'm also very happy with my new PH215 - it was worth the wait...

I would imagine that if they already have one built, the lead time *should* be shorter than it was for me - although that's merely a guess...

One last thing - if you're committed to dealing with the logistics of moving a large, heavy cab - the PH810 is an outstanding piece of gear, and *to me* is worth the wait and the hassles of moving it... I'm definitely keeping mine...

- georgestrings

georgestrings · #17 11-01-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

I will not discredit you on the sound, but at several gigs I play it was much easier to just use half the speaker amount to get the volume down a lot. Two 410's were just overkill for a small private party or a quieter style bar. I do not play any metal in my band.

Again, using a volume knob accomplishes the same thing...

- georgestrings

Gearhead17 · #18 11-01-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Again, using a volume knob accomplishes the same thing...

- georgestrings

George, we are in two different worlds. You are more hard rock and metal while I am in nothing more than a cover band with a decent rock influence. I have played on MANY stages where a loud back line would be UNACCEPTABLE and would have resulted us in never getting booked again for that venue. I have done shows where I had no monitor and no room for my bass rig. I had to play 100% by what I heard from the subwoofers and from mental memory. Reducing the amount of speakers on stage worked for me perfectly.

Regardless, the OP will be able to rock the 810 without issue.

Crabby · #19 11-01-2011, 11:31 AM

I own the PH412 as well as a pair of PH410's. The 412 is only 134 pounds but is the same size as the 810. Its not bad at all to tilt and roll in and out of my car. The 410 cabs are really heavy at 100 pounds each and if you are by yourself, they are pretty frustrating to lift in and out of the car. The pair sound devastating together but I find one large cab easier to deal with then two small but heavy cabs.

The 412 has a more open sound the the 410 stack. Its hard to explain the differences but if you check out Mesa's cab comparison videos on You Tube there is a great comparison of the 412 and 810 at the end that really allows you to hear the difference in tone.

MysticMichael · #20 11-01-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Would I be better off getting the Mesa PH810 over two cabs?

IME, in these kinds of comparisons - where the make of the cab, the basic driver pattern, and the size and total number of drivers remains constant - the differences are almost always miniscule, at best.

So apply your common sense to your logistical & financial resources. In terms of tone, it very likely doesn't matter at all...

MM