question on mesa powerhouse line of cabinets

[Mr. BassmanPT]

maybe someone can clarify this doubt i have.. in the mesa powerhouse line, there are 3 type of cabinets..

the ones with the black grill labeled powerhouse



the ones with the white grill also labeled powerhouse



and the vintage powerhouse, black grill but different pattern



i would like to know what are the differences between those models please. i am referring in terms of sound.

i prefer the vintage models but it seems that to get one of those i will have to wait several months. i want a 412 but there are none available in Portugal. i can probably get a white grilled 412 but only if they are equal soundwise to the black models (the ones that are being tested in the mesa official website).

hope to have an answer soon enough. best regards

[mentalpatient]

There is no difference between the black steel grill and the vintage cloth versions, it is only a cosmetic change. I asked this when I ordered a PH410.

Just make sure you are getting the current version that is Front Tri Ported (triangular ports on the front of the cabinet). The previous generation were rear ported and some of those models had different drivers with lower power handling. They would sound different due to the different porting as well.

All of the steel silver cabinets I have seen were of the previous generation with rear porting. That's not to say you can't get the current series in silver steel. So I don't know if silver steel means it's the previous generation.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

thanks a lot... i can find the silver grill model online but if it is the previous model i am not interested..

thanks a lot mate.

regards

[mentalpatient]

Also note that you can't change the grill later.

If it comes vintage then you can't convert it to steel and vice-versa. It's not about getting the grill as a spare part but more about how they don't fit each other.

I wanted a PH115 in vintage and asked if I later could change it to steel and the dealer said it can't be done.

PH412 - Totally Awesome

[Mr. BassmanPT]

the problem is that i really want the sound from the new 12" speakers and there aren't neither 212 or 412 over here.

searched the internet and found the silver grill but not interested if it is not the same.

i prefer the looks of the vintage but sound comes first than looks. but thanks for the tip!

now i am stuck with a titan and no cabinet. and no one can give me a date of when will the 12" cabinets be available.

[bassman10096]

That's not to say you can't get the current series in silver steel. So I don't know if silver steel means it's the previous generation.

The current Mesa website lists the silver grill as an option on the current (new) cabs. The black is now standard. I think it may be confusing, because the silver grill used to be standard on the Powerhouse cabs. If I understand correctly (anybody knows better, chime in): There are a couple of different generations of these cabs - The oldest have silver grill, rear porting, a few with 400 w drivers (rather than the current 600w rating) and just a simple tweeter attenuator. The next generation also has the silver grill, front porting, 600w rating and the simple (just a single knob) tweet control. The more recent may have either silver or black grills, 600w, front ports and a rather useful tweeter control that allows both attenuation and a variable crossover (giving you bright, normal and kind-vintage tweeter sounds). Bottom line - ask questions so you get what you want to buy.

[mentalpatient]

Excellent summary Bassman10096.

That useful tweeter control is what Mesa calls the 'Player Control Network', a 3 position switch for the tweeter x-over frequency and an attenuator dial. A horn reset switch as well. Pictures on the Mesa website.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

here it is the model i am talking about:

http://www.musicstore.com/en_EN/EUR/...BAS0002471-000

i sent an email, lets see what they answer. do you think this is the latest model? one thing i noticed is that the picture is of the 610 and not the 412.

[mentalpatient]

Yeah, that's a 6x10, so the photo is useless. Description seems right.

I'd be asking if it is new in the box or floor stock. If it's floor stock and you're ok with that then get them to send some actual pictures of it, front and rear. Also if it's floor stock do they have the original shipping carton for it, these things are heavy and you want it to be shipped safely.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

so by the description, is it the latest model, same as the black grilled ones?

[mentalpatient]

Going from here where it shows the Player Control Network and describes the TRi Port design

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_In...ouseCabs05.htm

To

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_In...ass4x12-LG.htm

Looks like the specs pretty much almost match. I think they types the specs in themselves and rounded them up.

The best you can do is let them know they have the wrong picture up and get them to confirm that it's the current Tri Ported model with Player Control Network. And get them to confirm that it is in stock before putting your money down, I know it say's it is in stock but it could be an oversight if they forgot to update it on-line.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

just sent another email asking for the tri ported model with player control network.. lets wait and see. thanks for all the help mate

[bassman10096]

just sent another email asking for the tri ported model with player control network.. lets wait and see. thanks for all the help mate

That's the best idea. The good news is that the different features we are talking about are pretty easily identified. I would send them this picture of the User Control Network (the new, improved thingy): http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/B...Network-LG.htm if there's any confusion.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

talked with my dealer yesterday, asked for a solution as i really want the sound from 12" speakers and he told me the latest shipment from Mesa to Portugal didn't had any of those.

he phoned me today and i will have the powerhouse 412, hahaha

pretty good news for me as this is what i always wanted. he couldn't tell me if the cab is 8 or 4 ohm though. lets hope it is 4 ohm as i am going to use it with the titan, unlocking its full 1200W of power.. not that i will ever need that much but if the power is already there, why not be able to use it?

regards and thanks once again.

[mentalpatient]

Great that things are working out, let us know how it goes.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

yes, i could not believe they found a solution as it is very hard to get mesa stuff around here. i will let you know when the cabinet arrives

[Mr. BassmanPT]

guys,

please see this thread, i already have the PH412 and took some pictures.. i also have a question i would like someone answered me please.

EDIT: forgot the link lol

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...25#post9684725