Should I sell my Ampeg cab for a Mesa to match a Titan

dbull · #1 05-20-2010, 03:49 PM

I am happy as a little schoolgirl.

I have a 18 mth old Mesa Titan on the way, and upon arrival, I will be selling my Ampeg Pro4 (which has been a great amp). I currently have the old (8 yrs old or so) Ampeg pro series cab, which is bulletproof. I'm wondering about the whole mix and match amp/cab thing. I don't think it is a big deal, but I was wondering if there were any thoughts about whether I should sell the Ampeg and get a used Mesa Powerhouse to pair with the Titan.

Sartori · #2 05-20-2010, 04:07 PM

I would wait until you've at the very least played the combination in a band setting. If you like the way it sounds there's no reason to sell the cab.

I have a mesa head, often paired with an ampeg cab. Sounds good.

RickenBoogie · #3 05-20-2010, 05:01 PM

Yeah, see how you like what you've got first, then get the Mesa cab.

georgestrings · #4 05-20-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Yeah, see how you like what you've got first, then get the Mesa cab.

This - I've owned 5 or 6 Ampeg cabs, and a couple of Mesa cabs, and currently own one of each: an SVT810 and a PH 610, and the Mesa cabs have always been superior to the Ampeg cabs, IMO/IME...

Pair that Titan up with either a PH 610 or PH 412, and call it a day - either way, you can't go wrong...

- georgestrings

dbull · #5 05-20-2010, 06:50 PM

First of all, I love Rickenboogie's subliminal post of "see how you like what you've got first THEN get the Mesa cab." Kind of a foregone conclusion thing.

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Powerhouse 1000. Any thoughts?

georgestrings · #6 05-20-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbull

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Powerhouse 1000. Any thoughts?

When I bought my PH 610, they also had a PH 1000 - so, naturally I A/B'd them for awhile before buying... The 610 had better lows, was much clearer voiced, and would get louder than the 1000... In short, IME/IMO the 610 is a MUCH better cab than either the 1000 or the 1200...

- georgestrings

Crabby · #7 05-20-2010, 09:02 PM

[quote=georgestrings;9154857]When I bought my PH 610, they also had a PH 1000 - so, naturally I A/B'd them for awhile before buying... The 610 had better lows, was much clearer voiced, and would get louder than the 1000... In short, IME/IMO the 610 is a MUCH better cab than either the 1000 or the 1200...

I too was disappointed with the Powerhouse1000 cab after I compared it to the Powerhouse412. The Mesa412 is just a monster. Its tone is so balanced with lots of tight deep low end, growly mids and so much volume. Once I tried it, there was no way not to buy it!

Funny thing is I a/b compared the Powerhouse1000 to the Ampeg810 back in 2006 and i greatly preferred the Mesa to the Ampeg.

Maybe its just that Mesa gear really is that good!

Gearhead17 · #8 05-20-2010, 11:51 PM

The Mesa Powerhouse cabs are LOUD! Louder than anything Ampeg has out there...... are you refering to the 410PRHLF or the 810PRHLF?

Crabby · #9 05-21-2010, 12:04 AM

I owned one of the last US made 810E cabs. Of course its a totally different design then any Mesa cab but the Powerhouse1000 just spanked it in my opinion. The ol fridge sounded pretty dull and thin compared to the sonic boom of the PH cab. I was using a Mesa 400+ at the time to compare the two cabs.

So after trying the PH cab, I ended up selling my 810 and was always planning to buy the PH until I compared it side by side with the PH412. It was no contest! The 412 beat it in every way!

dbull · #10 05-21-2010, 05:58 AM

The one I am considering selling is the PR410

dbull · #11 05-21-2010, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I was wondering whether the Mesa 412 could handle this Titan amp if I need to crank it. I'm pretty sure that the PH1000 could

georgestrings · #12 05-21-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbull

Thanks for the feedback. I was wondering whether the Mesa 412 could handle this Titan amp if I need to crank it. I'm pretty sure that the PH1000 could

I think you've got it backwards - the PH 412 will definitely get louder than the PH 1000, and *probably* handle more power... IMO, the PH 1000 and 1200 are the worst big cabs Mesa makes - they don't perform anywhere near as well as Mesa's 610, 810, 412, or 215... I would not recommend them to anyone, when there are better alternatives... Design-wise, combining a 410 and a 115 is about as bad as it gets, and never works as well as a 610 or a 215...

It looks like you're focused on that 1000 - do yourself a big favor and actually try out the others before you buy...

One last thing: I play a 700rb-II thru a PH 610, and play in some pretty loud bands - even on several large outdoor stages, I've never even approached half volume with my rig... Believe me, you'll never need more than a Titan/ PH 412 combination will put out when "cranked up" - I GUARANTEE people will be screaming at you to turn down LONG before you come anywhere near full volume(although you probably won't be able to hear them - hahaha)

- georgestrings

Sten · #13 05-21-2010, 06:49 AM

I think you need irons in your pockets for weight if you plan to crank your amp near the levels PH412 can handle.

Sten · #14 05-21-2010, 06:52 AM

Haha, yes. I think we can conlcude everything said in this thread with "get a Mesa other than PH1000/1200 and learn to read lips".

EDIT: on a more serious note, start with your current cab, it might work out perfect.

dbull · #15 05-21-2010, 09:08 AM

Will do. Thanks much for the input and advice. I think I'll wait around for a PH412. I'm on the East Coast, so they don't pop up used around here as much, so I'll just take some Rolaids for my GAS and chill for a while.