New Cab Day! LDS 12-6 "Mesa Extension"

rob4001va · #1 03-01-2011, 07:19 PM

Just got my custom cab today from Don at LDS...it's awesome!

After getting tired of trying to find a matching Mesa extension for my Walkabout Scout, and not finding what I wanted from "stock" selections at a variety of the usual sources for cabs, I decided to act on all the very positive feedback I've seen on here for Don and order me a custom built cab.

I had asked Don to build something that would resemble the Mesa Scout with a 12", but to add a 6" (and no tweeter) so I'd have all the 2x12 goodness the Walkabouts are famous for, plus I get the tweet from the Scout cab and the 6" midrange from the new LDS extension.

Don went above an beyond to spec out what I wanted, communicated with me a number of times to make sure I'd be happy with the end product and the various little things (metal corners or not? feet? etc). And he also told me he could do it in Tolex and with a grill cloth that would make it look nearly identical to the Mesa. And it does! In fact, since my Mesa is fairly old, it looks better!

He also told me he went to his local store to actually check the dimensions on the Mesa to make sure the fit was perfect. Now THAT's some customer service....not like that other guy in SC who still owes me a cab

It's a tad taller, to fit the 6" in the box, it has a very nice port in the back, and makes a sweet looking stack under the Mesa.

Here's the specs we settled on:
550W at 8 ohm (corrected from orig post)
speakers: 1x12 and 6.5 mid, both NEO (3012L.F woofer and 18 sound 6.5" mid)
dimensions to match my Mesa Walkabout 12" scout combo (that is, width and depth match, height as required )
covering: black to match Mesa look.
handles: two recessed black metal handles (on sides)
black metal corners
black grill cloth to match Mesa
inputs: one 1/4" and 1 speakon.
approx weight low 30# range.
(I haven't weighed it but it seems pretty light).

I can't wait to crank it up at rehearsal tomorrow...probably with the Walkabout...but then, there's the LMII to try as well!

So, for those of you thinking about a custom cab, check out Don at Low Down Sound. Excellent craftsman!

And here's the pics (since, of course, it's not really a new cab without pics...)...they are slightly touched up iphone pics, so not the greatest (and poor lighting), but hopefully you'll get the idea.

By itself:

and with the Mesa:

**Chef** · #2 03-01-2011, 07:23 PM

That's really nice!
The 3012LF is rated for 450 watts though.

rpsands · #3 03-01-2011, 07:29 PM

Put the 12/6 on top.

**Chef** · #4 03-01-2011, 07:30 PM

With the Walkabout, that blocks all access to the controls...

Jim Nazium · #5 03-01-2011, 07:32 PM

Cool! Let us know how it sounds (although I'm sure it will be great)!

koobie · #6 03-01-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob4001va

He also told me he went to his local store to actually check the dimensions on the Mesa to make sure the fit was perfect. Now THAT's some customer service

That is really great service, nice to support that kind of business.

From my armchair perspective, there's just a couple things I might have done differently. I'd probably want the new cab on top, so as to have that mid driver that much closer to ear level. That'd mean the new cab would have the amp installed as the original does. But if you like the tweeter, I guess there's something to be said for having it up higher.

The only other thing (and this is really being picky), is that I'd want the piping on the new cab to match the grey piping of the Mesa.

Enjoy your creation, looks really sweet.

jeff7bass · #7 03-01-2011, 07:43 PM

Very cool extension!!

emblymouse · #8 03-01-2011, 08:08 PM

Thanks for posting, inquired about a second cab for mine with Don too, it's nice to see what he was describing to me. I've got a Schroeder 15+L under mine now which I like the sound of, but it has slightly different dimensions. It is a Princess and the Pea thing...

rob4001va · #9 03-01-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

That's really nice!
The 3012LF is rated for 450 watts though.

Good catch on my error, Chef.
I went by memory, rather than checking the backplate.
The cab is actually rated at 550W, per Don.
I've gone back and edited the original post.

rob4001va · #10 03-01-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koobie

That is really great service, nice to support that kind of business.

From my armchair perspective, there's just a couple things I might have done differently. I'd probably want the new cab on top, so as to have that mid driver that much closer to ear level. That'd mean the new cab would have the amp installed as the original does. But if you like the tweeter, I guess there's something to be said for having it up higher.

The only other thing (and this is really being picky), is that I'd want the piping on the new cab to match the grey piping of the Mesa.

Enjoy your creation, looks really sweet.

Yeah, I was impressed with all the care Don put into making it just right. I'm not concerned that the piping doesn't match exactly - and while I do intend to use these together, I also wanted the 12/6 to serve as a good standalone, in which case a minor variation won't matter.

I wasn't going for an exact match so much as a dimensional match and tonal complement. It was Don's creative touch to try and replicate the look of the Mesa, so I let him run with that, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

rob4001va · #11 03-01-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emblymouse

Thanks for posting, inquired about a second cab for mine with Don too, it's nice to see what he was describing to me. I've got a Schroeder 15+L under mine now which I like the sound of, but it has slightly different dimensions. It is a Princess and the Pea thing...

I have used mine often with a DRB 115 under it (which I got back when you could actually order and receive DRBs). So I hear ya on the dimensional thing. The 15+L was even one of the options I considered, but just could never quite get (to me) the perfect (or nearly so) balance of speaker selection, dimensional match, and general cosmetic match. Frankly, this exceeded my expectations...of course, perhaps I'm not as persnickety as others might be. YMMV, as always.

But if you're thinking of going the same route, well, hopefully the pics will help you out.

rpsands · #12 03-01-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

With the Walkabout, that blocks all access to the controls...

Put them on their sides then. Whatever gets the midrange driver up closer to your ear is the right choice.

Honestly though, do you really change the walkabout's controls more than once a show?

**Chef** · #13 03-01-2011, 08:53 PM

Honestly, for years, I never did much.
I've only recently started messing with them more.

Jeff Scott · #14 03-01-2011, 09:17 PM

Great looking cab! That is basically a 1-12 version of my 2-12/6.5 cab that Don made for me (different aesthetics, though), with the same drivers. The only thing I would have done differently is to not have the wider panel above the grill, it looks a bit awkward with no Mesa logo plate on it. Will the LDS logo fit there, or, if not, can Don get you one that would fit there?

rekesbass · #15 03-02-2011, 06:17 AM

does it have the passive radiator??..nice looking cab BTW..

**Chef** · #16 03-02-2011, 08:14 AM

I would think not, as that would not be aprt of a "nearFul" design.

blakelock · #17 03-02-2011, 08:46 AM

haha...
i actually store my walkabout scout on top of my fEarlful 12/6 at home. when i really want to get loud, i run them both with the walkabout head.

rob4001va · #18 03-02-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekesbass

does it have the passive radiator??..nice looking cab BTW..

No radiator. Just the rear port.

rob4001va · #19 03-02-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

I would think not, as that would not be aprt of a "nearFul" design.

nearFul. I like that.

**Chef** · #20 03-02-2011, 11:33 AM

I didn't coin the term, but it works eh