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Mesa/Boogie Diesel 115 - recone or reload?

groovaholic

groovaholic

Protect your hearing. Protect your hands.
Supporting Member
Sep 19, 2004
5,360
9,933
Mount Prospect, IL
#1
I had a Mesa Diesel 115 fall into my lap today for $50.
I knew going in that the driver (OEM 400-watt EVM 15L) was probably DOA, but the enclosure itself is solid and intact.

Got it home and the driver measures open-circuit - so I either need to re-cone or replace the driver.

I would normally just opt to recone, but when I went to move the empty cabinet I was surprised how reasonable the weight is.
Many folks have said these cabinets perform really well with an Eminence KappaLite 3015 (non LF) - which would be roughly 14# less than the EVM.

If I recone, it would probably be a stay-at-home cab. With the Eminence, it would see gig usage.
But I question the logic of spending $250 on a driver for a $50 box...

Thoughts?
 

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#3
groovaholic said:
Many folks have said these cabinets perform really well with an Eminence KappaLite 3015 (non LF)
Click to expand...
Choose your preferred compromise.

The Kappalite is not going to sound exactly like an EVM. AFAIK, it will probably take more power and be capable of more lows.

My understanding is the difference between a 200W EVM and a 400W EVM is some sort of dope on the voice coil. The recommendation is to treat the 400W version as 200W.


groovaholic said:
Follow-up question - is there any market for "as-is/recone required" drivers?
I wouldn't want to just throw away the EVM.
Click to expand...
It's likely to depend on the type of stores and interest you have in your local are. I can't see it being worth the squeeze if you have to ship.

There is a fairly large shop near me that deals in use music gear. I traded a dead JBL E120 plus cash for a previously loved E120.
 
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#5
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#6
groovaholic said:
Follow-up question - is there any market for "as-is/recone required" drivers?
I wouldn't want to just throw away the EVM.
Click to expand...
Yes there is, there's a guy on FB Mesa Boogie Group looking for a basket! He BROKE his 😳

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

1769642169627.png
 
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#9
groovaholic said:
I had a Mesa Diesel 115 fall into my lap today for $50.
I knew going in that the driver (OEM 400-watt EVM 15L) was probably DOA, but the enclosure itself is solid and intact.

Got it home and the driver measures open-circuit - so I either need to re-cone or replace the driver.

I would normally just opt to recone, but when I went to move the empty cabinet I was surprised how reasonable the weight is.
Many folks have said these cabinets perform really well with an Eminence KappaLite 3015 (non LF) - which would be roughly 14# less than the EVM.

If I recone, it would probably be a stay-at-home cab. With the Eminence, it would see gig usage.
But I question the logic of spending $250 on a driver for a $50 box...

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
sending you a PM
 
#13
groovaholic said:
Internal dimensions are 22.25 x 17.75 x 14
The slot port on the bottom is 16.75" wide x 2" tall and 4.5" deep.

Seems like right around 3 cu ft?
Click to expand...
Ok, the Subway 15" driver will work fine as is but will work even better if you add another 1.5" to the port length.
 
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#17
I saw that guy on FB posted about his cracked frame. I responded that I have a late 90's blown 15L stashed away, but shipping would probably not be worth it. It was in an old Boogie 1516.

I still have my old Boogie 215, and for nearly a decade I’ve himmed and hawed over putting Eminence 3015's in it, as thats what the rage was here on Talkbass about 10-12 years ago. Just never did. Cool to know that the SW 15" would work, and the port is easy to mod.
 
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#18
Wasnex said:
? FYI, The webpage seems to indicate you can order the T300 in 8 ohms and the 400 in 16 ohms.
View attachment 7420562 View attachment 7420563
Click to expand...

I wonder how accurate that is? The Eminence Powerhouse 10/12/15 were gone for years and only some Walkabout speakers left.
Back in 2015 I was able to buy a set of four PH 12's, and only one PH 10 speaker, stuff was drying up quickly.
 
#19
Wasnex said:
? FYI, The webpage seems to indicate you can order the T300 in 8 ohms and the 400 in 16 ohms.
View attachment 7420562 View attachment 7420563
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about this, I don't recall seeing any but that doesn't mean they aren't there. This is the sort of thing that needs to be verified due to how long the products have been discontinued. Our customer service folks can look it up in a more accurate system, but they will want to do a physical check too.

#767100 - 8 ohm shows out of stock, though we may have a few of the #767110 - 16 ohm left because they had very low usage
#767352 - 8 ohm shows a few in stock, these were the last version used in the Powerhouse cabinets.
 
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#20
I had a Joe’s 15 (same cab) with a blown EVM 15B. Had it reconed for $140. I stupidly sold it but ended up with another TL606 with a 15L in it. It sounds wonderful. If you are in New England, I could recommend an excellent reconed.
 

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