New Cab Day - Mesa 210 + 115

christw · #1 03-01-2011, 07:41 PM

I just scored two Mesa cabs in trade. They simply say Bass 2x10 and Bass 1x15 on the back. Are they pre-Diesel then?

First impressions: Woah. These things are articulate and clear. The horn doesn't seem to add or subtract very much. Compared to my Bag Ends, they're have less deep bass rumble but really spank with low mids in a great way. (I'm convinced the Bag Ends could hold it down with a reggae band though!) I really want my Sound City fixed up so I can pair it with these.

iPhone pic:

Seller's pic:

christw · #2 03-01-2011, 08:05 PM

...and I think the left side 10 (with the dented dust cap) has a voice coil rub. Crap. Gotta do a little more testing to be sure.

Alex1984 · #3 03-01-2011, 11:30 PM

These are the Diesel cabs, and from the looks of it, have EV speakers inside (the glossy cones on the 10s).

They sound great for sure, I agree, not an excessive amount of deep lows.

christw · #4 03-02-2011, 09:55 AM

Tonally they remind me of a bit louder version of the TL606 cab with a JBL E140 in it that I had except that cab would get wild and boomy with the lows at higher volume. Seemed like the porting was wrong for the E140.

I thought these had the EV in them. If it does end up needing a recone, they're more costly than some of the other options.

Alex1984 · #5 03-02-2011, 10:46 AM

According to a local speaker shop, minor voice coil rubs and misalignment can still be corrected without requiring a recone. What was your other option?

That stack was my dream stack for a while until I arrived at the Ampeg 810, never got to hear how one would sound (traded off my 210 before I bought my 115). My favourite cab to date is still a ported 410 with those 10" drivers.

Edited: Just in case anyone else wants to know, I think the Ampeg 810 is grindier and tighter while a ported 410 with these drivers would be deeper and has more sizzle. I traded mine for a EV B-115, but I felt the 410 and the 210 had a massive difference.

christw · #6 03-02-2011, 10:53 AM

I've never heard that before. How does one solve that issue? I figured I was in for a full recone and was kind of planning on playing it til it gets worse. If I can fix it now though...

Personally, I'd describe the Ampeg like these things with a blanket over them. These are a bit clearer.

Alex1984 · #7 03-02-2011, 11:02 AM

I'm describing a flatback 810 with CTS drivers, so it might be a tad different.

rockstarbassist · #8 03-02-2011, 11:05 AM

You might be able to unscrew that driver and pop it back out from behind. Worth a shot anyway.

And yep those are the good 'ol Diesels. Not uber-low excursion friendly but mids for days!

christw · #9 03-02-2011, 11:06 AM

I was talking about a towel bar 810E.

Caca de Kick · #10 03-02-2011, 11:06 AM

Those are mid 90's Diesel cabs. The cast metal logos give it away. The older Diesel (80's to early 90's) have silk screened logo plates.

christw · #11 03-02-2011, 12:18 PM

Bonus from this deal: the seller wants me to possibly hop on as bassist for a 17 year old guitarist who's won an award for being a rising blues star. Cool. I love lucky networking.