/ Register

Advise: I have one 2x10 coming .. my 2nd cab should be:

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by SamJ, Dec 20, 2014.

Your second cabinet should be:

  1. Mesa Powerhouse 2x10 (400w)

    44 vote(s)
    93.6%

  2. Mesa Powerhouse 1x15(600w)

    3 vote(s)
    6.4%

  3. It won't make a big difference in tone

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 20, 2014 #1
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    FIRST, let me give you my parameters so we can try and keep this thread on topic.

    - I CANNOT buy a 4x10, or lug a 4x10, or anything big due to space limits in my car.

    - I have absolutely no need for more than a 2x10 when at home practicing, I just want the 2nd cab for when the Drummer and Guitarist are part of the mix

    - I am going to be using Mesa Boogie's new Eminence based Powerhouse cabs with a Strategy 88 head.

    - I will not be playing extraordinarily loud, or with any overdrive, or anything more than compression and EQ. My main goal is clear sound, with lots of overhead.

    - I play clean, generally prefer brighter tones, mids scooped, clean low's both finger style and slap, no pick.



    The question is do I go with a 2nd 2x10 (400w), or will I gain something from a 2nd 1x15" (600W) cab?
    The 1x15 is marginally more money, slightly bigger and heavier, all strikes against it.. but as I've only been able to hear it once, my memory of the tone was that it was "big" and not as defined as the 2x10 tone... was I just having a bad day?

    Keeping the above in mind, what would you get and why?
     
  2. Dec 20, 2014 #2
    KaseOfBass

    KaseOfBass Put some stank on it... Supporting Member

    Jan 8, 2007
    Austin, Texas
    The general consensus is that mixing driver sizes can be a crapshoot, I'd stick with 10s and get another 2x10 cab. Then, I'd stack them vertically if possible.
     
    Mvilmany, Laklandfan, Coolhandjjl and 11 others like this.
  3. Dec 20, 2014 #3
    scottfeldstein

    scottfeldstein Roots and fifths and a little extra.

    Jun 20, 2011
    West Bend, Wisconsin
    What he said ^
     
    blindrabbit, maestrovert, mbelue and 1 other person like this.
  4. Dec 20, 2014 #4
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    If the company has a 212 cab in the same line it might be voiced similarly and work well together and move more air than another 210. Gives you 3 options. 210 for home practice and small gigs. 212 for larger places. And combined 210 and 212 for the largest.

    I have TC electronic cabs 212 and 210. I think they work together great and I like the different options.
     
  5. Dec 20, 2014 #5
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    the 2x12 is far too big... I"m limited to 2x10 and 1x15 in size.


    Yes, I've heard mixed sizes isn't popular, and I'm interested in the science/logic behind this... On the Mesa demo videos' they actually do mix them, and they even said the 2x10 was made to work with other cabs "including the 1x15"...
     
  6. Dec 20, 2014 #6
    scottfeldstein

    scottfeldstein Roots and fifths and a little extra.

    Jun 20, 2011
    West Bend, Wisconsin
    One of the problems with mixing cabs like that is that they have different physical limitations. Let's say your 15 will blow with your volume knob at noon. But your 210 will blow at 3 o'clock. You either never get the most out of your 210…or you blow your 15. There are other more technical problems that can occur, but that one is almost always present.
     
    sleepyEDB, DwaynieAD, blindrabbit and 1 other person like this.
  7. Dec 20, 2014 #7
    vmabus

    vmabus

    Nov 1, 2013
    7200'
    Another one, exactly like the other one.
     
    joebar, interp, DwaynieAD and 4 others like this.
  8. Dec 20, 2014 #8
    maestrovert

    maestrovert

    Jun 26, 2007
    West Branch, Mi
    'Tis best to go with an identical 2x10...
     
    interp, DwaynieAD, SamJ and 1 other person like this.
  9. Dec 20, 2014 #9
    dieselman

    dieselman Supporting Member

    Nov 13, 2012
    Yacolt, Wa.
    G.O.F. #123 T Bird Club #692
    I believe there is a current thread on this. You should check it out. Very good information there. Mixing driver sizes.
    ;)
     
    Downunderwonder and SamJ like this.
  10. Dec 20, 2014 #10
    blindrabbit

    blindrabbit

    Apr 22, 2011
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Another 2x10, period. Its just that simple.
     
    interp, DwaynieAD and SamJ like this.
  11. Dec 20, 2014 #11
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    Well after talking to the Mesa store in Hollywood I've decided it's going to be a 2nd 2x10. My only hope now is that they're in stock. Found one in Hawaii but the cost of shipping is prohibitive.
     
    maestrovert and vmabus like this.
  12. Dec 20, 2014 #12
    AlexanderB

    AlexanderB

    Feb 25, 2007
    Sweden
    Severe OT... You really live in three places so far apart? Wow...
     
  13. Dec 20, 2014 #13
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    I do...

    I work as a pilot based in Honolulu (where I have an apartment and spend quite a bit of time), I'm from the Bay Area where I still have a home in San Mateo and were I am out at least a few days every month, and my wife and kids and I reside primarily in Portland where I spend most of my time.

    While in HNL I fly all over the place.. from New York, LA, Seattle to Tokyo, Auckland, Sydney, Beijing and Seoul...
     
    AlexanderB likes this.
  14. Dec 20, 2014 #14
    FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    What's the impedance of the Cab? How low can your amp go? Does your amp have a Balance Knob?
     
  15. Dec 20, 2014 #15
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    My 2x10 is 8ohm and the Head has a single 8, or 2 4's / 2 2's outs.. I don't have a Balance knob / control.
     
  16. Dec 20, 2014 #16
    FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Then I agree with the above suggestions of a second 2X10 with matching Impedance. Then you still have room to expand to two more 8 ohm Cabs. I'll get flamed for this but two 1x15's could sound great along side the 2 2x10's.
     
  17. Dec 20, 2014 #17
    Downunderwonder

    Downunderwonder

    Aug 26, 2009
    New Zealand
    From what I gather you haven't heard the 1st cab yet. So all bets are off.

    When you get hold of it, the up close in your face sound is the only reliable indicator of tone.

    Seeing as you only play relatively quietly, you should be able to eq plenty of low end into it. I'd be surprised if you don't wind up with a pair.
     
  18. Dec 20, 2014 #18
    SamJ

    SamJ Founder - Fender MIA Club

    Apr 22, 2006
    SFO / HNL
    No .. I've heard it.. heard all the options, I'm just trying to get a 2nd opinion before I spend the $$ as my own ears told me I didnt' like the 115 addon option.

    so far I've heard:

    1 x 210
    1 x 410
    2 x 210
    1 x 210 + 1x115

    I liked 410 one best but can't carry it.. so 2 x 210 makes sense, right?
     
  19. Dec 20, 2014 #19
    Downunderwonder

    Downunderwonder

    Aug 26, 2009
    New Zealand
    A whole heap of sense, except for opening another thread.
     
  20. Dec 20, 2014 #20
    Downunderwonder

    Downunderwonder

    Aug 26, 2009
    New Zealand
    Be sure to stack them tall as possible. Side by side makes a beam machine.
     
Page 1 of 3