Mesa convert

[Fletz]

Hello all -

Just a quick little tale. My entire bass playing career (30+ years) I was an Ampeg fan - probably because that's what my Dad played. I started by playing Yorkville in the 80s, Hartke in the 90s and 2000s and the finally got an Ampeg rig in 2010. I sold it because it was awesome but didn't live up to all I wanted. I then went to a Genz head with Markbass cabs. Loved the head, liked the cabs, primarily because they were light.

I sold my Markbass cabs and was playing a 410HLF again (because I thought I should ) and was on the hunt for a practice cab when I found a Mesa Powerhouse 212 at Guitar Center for only $499. (Story is here http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/mesa-2x12-hmmm-1027093/) Bought the 212 but not terribly portable.

I fell madly in love with the Mesa 212 sound but still needed a practice rig. So, this past week while in NYC for work I spent an hour in the bass room at Rudy's on 48th going back and forth between the Mesa 115 and 210 Powerhouses. The 115 was sweet but felt with the 212 (if ever combo'd) would be too boomy. The 210 was cool but felt thin to me (unless paired with the 212). I then played the 112 and was blown away.

Now, if I was looking for a stack, the 210 would have been my choice but I wanted something with some umph for practice and for use in small room gigs. This Powerhouse 112 feels right for that.

So, now, after all these years, I think I have found love in my amplification (I just recently settled on my four perfect basses but that's a story for another time). I've always heard great things about Mesa but never tried them for some unreasonable bias.

Anyway, I am a convert. Shouldn't have missed so many Mesa years!

I know, no picture, no cab:

image (1) by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr

phone2 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr

 

[CL400Peavey]

If I was ever to play commercial cabs again, Mesa would be at the top of my list as long as some one else moves it.

 

[Fletz]

If I was ever to play commercial cabs again, Mesa would be at the top of my list as long as some one else moves it.

Yeah. Heavy stuff.

 

[lomo]

Nice sounding cabs, built to withstand a 10 megaton blast. Be careful.....if you try some Mesa heads you may fall in deeper

 

[Fletz]

Nice sounding cabs, built to withstand a 10 megaton blast. Be careful.....if you try some Mesa heads you may fall in deeper

I have been very wary of that ... if the right deal comes along, I may be done for.

 

[HeyyyyyJoe]

Congrats on the rig!!

I'm torn if I should make the leap for a Mesa PH112 to go along with my Walkabout or maybe look in another direction like a Bergantino 112 or Ampeg 112AV. Do you find the PH112 versatile, full sounding, and lots of low end?? Or is it more of a trebly punchy cabinet? thanks

 

[chaosMK]

I then played the 112 and was blown away.

The 1x12 is the bomb. For the longest the PH410 was my favorite cab. I think the 1x12 sounds just slightly better, a little tighter where the 410 is bigger and darker. I'd love to get a second one to see how it delivers against my 410 at loud cut-through-metal-drummer volume.

 

[svtb15]

PH112 is the best 112 that i ever played..It blows away my old Aguilar GS112 and DB112s in full spectrum, punch etc

 

[Fletz]

Congrats on the rig!!

I'm torn if I should make the leap for a Mesa PH112 to go along with my Walkabout or maybe look in another direction like a Bergantino 112 or Ampeg 112AV. Do you find the PH112 versatile, full sounding, and lots of low end?? Or is it more of a trebly punchy cabinet? thanks

That was big concern about a 112 - that it would be just punch. But this puppy has real boom. The hour spent at Rudy's was amazing. The 210 had great punch and would be great paired with my 212, but I was looking for something that could work on its own in both rehearsal and small room settings. This seems to be it. The 112 is also more articulate than the 115 (and more transportable/smaller).

 

[Jim Carr]

Nice sounding cabs, built to withstand a 10 megaton blast. Be careful.....if you try some Mesa heads you may fall in deeper

M9 suitcase nuke highly recommended.

 

[georgestrings]

Yeah, Mesa gear rocks - I could play pretty much anything I want, and play Mesa(and Genz-Benz) by choice...


- georgestrings

 

[Fletz]

Tonight the little monster gets it's full rehearsal.

 

[HeyyyyyJoe]

Let us know how it goes! How many people are you playing with and kind of music?

 

[Fletz]

Let us know how it goes! How many people are you playing with and kind of music?

It's a five piece doing Classic and Alt Rock (bass, guitar, guitar/keys, drums, vox).

 

[Fletz]

Let us know how it goes! How many people are you playing with and kind of music?

Played the 112 and my Genz in rehearsal last night. Two words: Wow and woah. Thump for days, crystal clear note articulation, controlled top end and a huge smile on my face. Loved it. As the title of my thread says: totally a Mesa Convert.

 

[BGeetr169]

Love Mesa cabinets and amps! I have owned and played many configurations. 410, 610, PH 1000's paired with M9 or Titan. I have settled on 2 ph212's and the PH1000. Love the build quality and clarity with my B string. I also use a TC Electronic Blacksmith that sounds awesome with any of my cabinets.

 

[Alexander]

GO Flyers!

Glad to hear you're liking the Mesa cabs.
I might have to give them a listen.
I need to get to Rudy's when I'm seriously ready to buy.

I loved my 400+ for 14 years.
In recent years I became more discerning about bass tone.
And less in love with the sound of the 400+.
Sold it and am sitting on the cash.
I'm planning to try a Prodigy in a proper music store environment.
I can't imagine I would not like the Prodigy, but for that kind of money it would be unwise not to test one first.

I have been considering the NV115 entirely due to the great reviews it has gotten on here.
I know what I sound I want; I just need to approach with an open mind and not hear with my eyes.
I would be quite surprised to hear a 112 cab that I like.

EDIT: Slam on the brakes and think about things awhile.
I just read the thread questioning why so many recent NV115 buyers are now selling.
Especially how one reply states he was running out of headroom with a Prodigy and one NV115.
I was damn close to just ordering up an NV115 just because I liked the concept and TBers initial opinions.
Yep, I need to calm down with the GAS and travel to do some playing and listening.

Don't give up on those Berg cabs. Sure, one 115 at 8 ohms can only go so far. But two (or an NV610 or 412) would sound huge. A lot of cab to haul around, but with tube heads, they're about as good as it gets as far as I'm concerned. My NV

 

[Snakeman1066]

I too am a recent convert to Mesa....

My guitard switched over to a Mesa Triple Rectifier and Mesa 4x12 cab

no matter what i tried i kept getting buried in the mix....so i figured wth i will fight fire with fire...

lol now he can't keep up with me..

i couldn't make up my mind between the PH 4x10 or the PH 2x12 so i got one of each!

 

[svtb15]

Those are great cabs...
I was running Aguilar GS112s x 4 or DB112s x 2.. And always twisting knobs... Demoed a pair of the Mesa PH112s and was sold. .The Mesa ``1s where less expensive, Louder As much bottom but punchier mids and a top end that didn't float over the cab... PH112s are fantastic.. Im converted.

I have owned a number of 112 cabs and these are by far the best I have played through. This little stack is really something. I actually sold my PH412 this year because I just don't need anything more then my pair of PH112 cabs. They really are fantastic cabs and the Walkabout is the perfect compliment to them.

 

[drea2304]

I had never owned or played any Mesa gear before. Recently got a Prodigy and the traditional ph610 and have only 2 practices with them so still getting a feel for them. Quite a bit different than my svt-vr. A lot more mid presence but a little less punch. If that makes any sense. I just need to spend more time getting used to the Mesa but I think the 610 would sound good with a lot of different heads. I need to try my Streamliner with it.