4x12 or 6x10 cab

[4-fingers]

If you are considering a 6x10, I say go all the way in for an 8x10. Easier to find used, and generally for a great price. Not easy to lift.....but easy to move. Easier than a 6x10 in my opinion. Best part is......guaranteed to cover your outdoor needs and looks great on stage!

I also have a modular Mesa rig(cabs) that does most of my gigs......I enjoy rolling out my 8x10 when the situation is right!

No bad answers or options here.

 

[okcrum]

If you're talking outdoor gigs at small venues or festivals, a 4x10 is enough unless you're playing a loud genre or have no FOH support and need to cover a large area. Any place 4x10 wouldn't be enough (for me so far) has had a rental backline of the typical SVT+fridge, and good FOH coverage.

If you're in the loud crowd, an 8x10 is actually easier to handle on level surfaces than a 6x10, as long as it fits your transport...and it will generally get louder than a 4x12 as well.

FWIW, my Acoustic 301 was way easier to handle than my Traynor 6x10.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Nice collection of Mesa cabs although I see a big Ampeg too. Nice gear! I just added a 4 string G&L Kiloton witempress body. Put flats on it. Nice guitar. Good alternative to my 64 reissue Custom Shop Jazz with round wounds.

Those are cabs from the past - the only ones remaining are the PH215 and a PH210... Regarding the Ampeg 810 - I've owned four of them, and sold every one, lol...

 

[Mortbass]

Only played a 8x10 once, sounded good.

 

[Mortbass]

I'll hold off for a while, would like another subway 15

 

[Resonance129]

I was running one 2x12 for quite a while, but recently got a second of the same model. I have no experience with 6x10's, although I've heard they're sonically great, but I've been very happy with my two 2x12's. They're stackable so theres no need for a cab stand, fairly lightweight (nice to split the weight of four 12's into 2 separate cabs - Around 50lbs each), and I've found I really like the sound of 12's.

 

[InhumanResource]

A used GK 4x12 or Ampeg 6x10 is cheaper than a used Subway 1x15?

Edit: if you’re in Northern CA or southern OR there’s a Powerhouse 4x12 on Reverb for $900.

Definitely. Those subways are expensive, even used.

 

[Mortbass]

Thanks for the input. But 38 pounds is hard to beat.

 

[Mortbass]

Thanks for all your input to an old newby!

 

[mesaplayer83]

I'll hold off for a while, would like another subway 15

Good call

 

[Chef]

Need a little more sound on stage for outdoor gigs. Use a Mesa D800 and Subway 1x15 cab which works well with a PA but not always available. Looking at a GK 4x12 cab and a Ampeg 6x10. Close in weight, which would be better for stage sound. Play in a oldies band, not loud.

Oldies band, not loud.
As many have already said, add another SW115.
They're small, light, easy to move, two of them with that head will be pleeenty loud, and very good for that sort of music.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

What ^ said.
Get another Subway 15, then you will be able to cover anything.

What ^ said
What ^ said
You’re a pro, right?
You like the sound of your Mesa? You like 2 even better.
Why risk your sound on a question mark?
Nothing wrong with the other two individually, but you already have a killer foundation.
I’d love a D800 and a pair of 15’s, just for basement noodling.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Thanks for all your input to an old newby!

BTW... Welcome to here, old newby.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Need a little more sound on stage for outdoor gigs. Use a Mesa D800 and Subway 1x15 cab which works well with a PA but not always available. Looking at a GK 4x12 cab and a Ampeg 6x10. Close in weight, which would be better for stage sound. Play in a oldies band, not loud.

I had the ampeg 610hlf. It's a good cab. Plenty loud, but farts out easy. I sold it, and have two 212s now. It's perfect. And now I have smaller show options instead of just having one big cab.

 

[Omega Monkey]

The GK 412 is a pretty great cab. You definitely should not need more cab than that unless you start playing arenas. At the same time, they are fine for "lower" volume stuff and the additional headroom gives you more flexibility with EQ. And they feel a lot lighter than they are when you're just rolling them around. They have a nice balance of mids, highs, and lows, with nothing being too overbearing or absent.

Pair of subway 15s is surely great too though. Although the 412 is going to be a bit more impressive looking on a big stage.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Need a little more sound on stage for outdoor gigs. Use a Mesa D800 and Subway 1x15 cab which works well with a PA but not always available. Looking at a GK 4x12 cab and a Ampeg 6x10. Close in weight, which would be better for stage sound. Play in a oldies band, not loud.

I much prefer 6 10s. to 4 12s. Tighter and punchier, and much better low end. I play with an oldies band as well (loud), and my 4-10s powered with 600 watts holds up just fine, even out doors.

Be sure to note the ohmage of whatever cab you buy and how many watts your Mesa is sending.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Another vote for pairing your present cab.

 

[Madhouse27]

If you get a chance, plug that Mesa D-800 into an Ampeg 610 and let your own ears decide. I ran that setup for a bit and it really punched that great Mesa sound into the mix perfectly.

 

[cheechi]

with a series cable, 4x subway 115's will make 2 ohms; the D800 can do 2 ohms. the maths are telling you what to do.

 

[jdubbass38]

I’ve owned both the GK 412 and Ampeg 610 cabs and both are great cabs. The Gk 412 was loud, easer to move then the Ampeg 610 for sure but at the end of the day I sold the 412 and kept the 610. I preferred the more classic vibe of the Ampeg 610 to the more “modern” sounding GK...really personal preference. Getting a second cab to match your current cab as others have said is a great way to go too.