FEARLESS F212 vs the new vertical Mesa Subway 2x12

[henrynlouisville]

I've had a LOT of GAS over the last few months.
I think I've decided on the new Mesa WD-800

I want to fill medium shotgun type of bars with <500 people.
I also want zero regrets

I'm down to three options for my cabinet:
1) keep my Invalid Link Removed for free - 64 lbs
2) buy the new Mesa 2x12v for $1200 - 52 lbs
3) spend the extra $600 over the Mesa and get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - 57-67 lbs

What would you do?

Note: the Greenboy price includes estimates on options, packaging, and shipping.

 

[GuitarJay]

I have to admit I'm curious why you're not considering the Barefaced Super Twin? High power handling capability and even lighter than any of the choices you have.

 

[agedhorse]

My suggestion is to try them all and see which one feels right to you. If gigging is your thing, be sure to try them in a gigging situation also.

This is a general suggestion no matter which cabinets you might be considering.

 

[BassAndReeds]

How much do you care about looks? $1200 much? If so, get the matching 2x12 with the amp head. If not, stick with what you got. Can't imagine the cab change would be much of an upgrade.

 

[Jim Carr]

3) spend the extra $600 over the Mesa and get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - 57-67 lbs...

You will never regret the Greenboy decision. My 12/12/6/1 sings with a first generation D-800.

 

[henrynlouisville]

I have to admit I'm curious why you're not considering the Barefaced Super Twin? High power handling capability and even lighter than any of the choices you have.

That's a great point. I always thought of Barefaced as exactly like Greenboy...but built in the UK.
However, the price looks like $1233.56 including shipping to USA...so, it really might be the 'real' bargain.
Very interesting, thanks for your comment.

 

[mmbongo]

I have to admit I'm curious why you're not considering the Barefaced Super Twin? High power handling capability and even lighter than any of the choices you have.

You'd have to get the Big Twin II to compete with the Mesa, which weighs about the same as the Mesa but costs $400 more.

 

[Jim Carr]

That's a great point. I always though of Barefaced as exactly like Greenboy...but built in the UK.
However, the price looks like $1233.56 including shipping to USA...so, it really might be the 'real' bargain.
Very interesting, thanks for your comment.

Proprietary drivers! Beware.
Typically replacement drivers disappear once the builder changes design, as I have experienced with Sunn, SWR, and Epifani.

Greenboy designs are using Eminence Kappalite 3012LF's and industry standard mid/high drivers, that are non-proprietary.

 

[henrynlouisville]

Proprietary drivers! Beware.
Typically such drivers disappear once the builder changes design, as I have experienced with SWR and Epifani.

Greenboy designs are using Eminence Kappalite 3012LF's and industry standard mid/high drivers, that are non-proprietary.

I thought that SWR golights used normal Eminence ?
( SWR Golight 800w 56lbs 105s -- Eminence 78014000 -- Foster horn 48847000 )

 

[Jim Carr]

I thought that SWR golights used normal Eminence ?
( SWR Golight 800w 56lbs 105s -- Eminence 78014000 -- Foster horn 48847000 )

The SWR case I refer to are the PAS 10's for the Goliath II. Foster horn is stock.

 

[Vanceman]

My suggestion is to try them all and see which one feels right to you. If gigging is your thing, be sure to try them in a gigging situation also.

This is a general suggestion no matter which cabinets you might be considering.

I have a question....

During design and testing, using the WD800 as an example, what cabs do you test with or design for? Only Mesa, other brands, specific models, or what? My thought, which may be right or wrong, is that the best performance might be obtained by matching brands of amp/cab. Any truth/proof to that?

 

[henrynlouisville]

My suggestion is to try them all and see which one feels right to you. If gigging is your thing, be sure to try them in a gigging situation also.

This is a general suggestion no matter which cabinets you might be considering.

Right, I should take my GB over there and see if I can tell the difference between the ceramic drivers vs. Neo. The GB is pretty darn light for having ceramics. BTW, AgedHorse is THE BOMB!

 

[agedhorse]

I have a question....

During design and testing, using the WD800 as an example, what cabs do you test with or design for? Only Mesa, other brands, specific models, or what? My thought, which may be right or wrong, is that the best performance might be obtained by matching brands of amp/cab. Any truth/proof to that?

Every amp/speaker is designed with other amp/speaker in mind. We test with as many different amps/speakers as possible too. As many different brands too.

Right, I should take my GB over there and see if I can tell the difference between the ceramic drivers vs. Neo. The GB is pretty darn light for having ceramics. BTW, AgedHorse is THE BOMB!

Absolutely compare your Focus to both the Subway and also the Fearless.

The Focus used a light weight ceramic driver design that I helped develop in advance of the shortage of Neo material about 8-10 years ago. The ceramic material and the shape of the components in the magnetic circuit are a bit different (and more expensive) than conventional designs but imo it was a reasonable compromise of tradeoffs once the cost of Neo exploded.

 

[Vanceman]

Thanks for the reply. I'm gassing for a WD800 and 2x12v, but might have to purchase them as funds become available or other gear is sold. I will not sell my Walkabout though. Well maybe....

 

[Chef]

1) very few people are going to have had hands on experience with the Mesa SW212. It's not been out for long.
2) if the Mesa SW212 is more or less equivalent to two SW112; the Fearless product is a very different thing from that. While I don't have a Fearless 212, I do have a fEARFul 12/6/1 and 12 sub, and I did have two SW112's. Either are very good; but they are pretty different. I feel the fF have more and bigger native lows and more treble extension; and that the SW 2x112 was more low mid focused.
Whether that's good or bad, for you, is not a qualitative thing but a personal pref.
Nice to have so many choices.

I have no experience with the GB speakers.
I do think the new ones with a woofer and the mid driver line array look very good, and that I'd probably like those.

 

[InhumanResource]

I've had a LOT of GAS over the last few months.
I think I've decided on the new Mesa WD-800

I want to fill medium shotgun type of bars with <500 people.
I also want zero regrets

I'm down to three options for my cabinet:
1) keep my Invalid Link Removed for free - 64 lbs
2) buy the new Mesa 2x12v for $1200 - 52 lbs
3) spend the extra $600 over the Mesa and get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - 57-67 lbs

What would you do?

Note: the Greenboy price includes estimates on options, packaging, and shipping.

I'm cheap, but I just don't see the return in spending a couple grand on a stage cabinet. Would probably heavy the mesa if I really didn't want to keep the 410.

 

[okcrum]

I've had a LOT of GAS over the last few months.
I think I've decided on the new Mesa WD-800

I want to fill medium shotgun type of bars with <500 people.
I also want zero regrets

I'm down to three options for my cabinet:
1) keep my Invalid Link Removed for free - 64 lbs
2) buy the new Mesa 2x12v for $1200 - 52 lbs
3) spend the extra $600 over the Mesa and get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - 57-67 lbs

What would you do?

Note: the Greenboy price includes estimates on options, packaging, and shipping.

It's too bad there are no GB Neo 212s near you. That's a real sweet cab, and when they're available (used), the prices are outstanding. On that basis, I'd go for the Mesa.

EDIT: you *could* get one [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to a GC near you for ~$400.

 

[agedhorse]

Used GB cabinets are an option but be sure the drivers are in good shape otherwise it may not be worth what you pay if you have to factor in the cost of new drivers.

(this applies to all used speaker purchases really)

 

[henrynlouisville]

I'm cheap, but I just don't see the return in spending a couple grand on a stage cabinet. Would probably heavy the mesa if I really didn't want to keep the 410.

So, if I read you right, you're saying that you'd pickup the Mesa for sure but keep the GB 4x10.
That's a good statement. IF I could get $300 out of the GB then I'm still out $900 if I went to a more narrow/lighter Mesa 2x12...regardless of tone/loudness. I'd be saving 14 lbs but out $

BTW, I am selling my CTR500-115T for about $325 delivered. It's spotless.
I took it twice to my Sunday gig and it just couldn't push itself + FCS410T combined. It was a letdown
I then borrowed a guys GBE1200 and hooked it to the FCS410T and it was ample/really nice.
Perhaps the FL-F212 IS the ultimate...but not for the venues I play and the $.
I better start by selling the CTR500 and dishing out the +700 for the WD800 and try it out at the gig.
Might just be happy stopping there

 

[Handyman]

It's too bad there are no GB Neo 212s near you. That's a real sweet cab, and when they're available (used), the prices are outstanding. On that basis, I'd go for the Mesa.

EDIT: you *could* get one [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to a GC near you for ~$400.

Those are great cabs - and that's even the later version in tolex. Weighs in at 53bs, about the same as the Mesa for 1/3rd the price.

If the drivers are shot GC would likely be refunding any shipping in a return. GC has their issues, but their return policy is solid.