Mesa Powerhouse 1200 experiences

[txoutlawbassman]

I am currently considering purchasing a Mesa Powerhouse 1200 to replace my Carvin BRX 4.10. I normally use a 2050wattt Carvin full stack with the addition of a BRX single 18. The tone is AMAZING, but unfortunately it is far to powerful for small and medium sized venue. The Mesa looks like it should provide a very simular tone as my full stack but not be a sonic demolition tool like my current stack. I plan on keeping my 18 extention cab so i can run it at the large or outdoor venues. I use a Carvin B2000, 2ohm stable 2050watt head. I also exclusively play a customized 8 string octave bass. Because of that, i favor using cabs or stacks with different diameter speakers to fully showcase the tonal range of my instrument. If you have any experience with this particular cab, please let me know.

 

[jimmyjames77]

I've had a few mesa cabs, currently gig through a 610. You simply can't go wrong with a mesa cab. It seems to be what you are looking for with the 2 different sizes also. Try it out.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

The PH1000 and PH1200 are considered to be the low end of Mesa's offerings by many that have compared them.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I've played through or owned almost every Powerhouse cab they make, and I can tell you with certainty, the PH1200 is the worst of the bunch. While it might seem that throwing a 15 in with 4 10's makes sense, it doesn't. There are many threads on that topic.
Imo, the best sounding Mesa cabs are the 212 and 412, but the 410, 610, 810, and 215 are no slouches either. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I've played through or owned almost every Powerhouse cab they make, and I can tell you with certainty, the PH1200 is the worst of the bunch. While it might seem that throwing a 15 in with 4 10's makes sense, it doesn't. There are many threads on that topic.
Imo, the best sounding Mesa cabs are the 212 and 412, but the 410, 610, 810, and 215 are no slouches either. Hope you get it sorted.

+1

Avoid the powerhouse 1000/1200.

 

[iblanky1]

Needed this ... lookimg at the Mesa 610 myself.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Needed this ... lookimg at the Mesa 610 myself.

The 610, 215, 412, and 810 are all great sounding cabs.

 

[klejst]

The PH1000 and PH1200 are considered to be the low end of Mesa's offerings by many that have compared them.

That seems to be the truth amongst the Mesa faithful because they are basically the dreaded 410 cab paired with a 115 cab all in one cab. However there are bassists who own and use them and are fine with them. I've owned and used Mesa's PowerHouse 610 and 215EV cabs and both were amazing cabinets! Just heavy weight wise so I downsized because of my back. However I would say give the 1200 a shot and play through it if its local and you are able, who knows perhaps you will like it.

 

[RickenBoogie]

That's just it though- if you play the PH1200 without directly comparing it to ANY of the other PH cab's, you likely WILL like how it sounds. It's when you actually compare it to the 610, 412, etc cabs that you'll notice how much "better" they sound.

 

[jfn77]

There's a three part Youtube video by Mesa where they play through the entire standard Powerhouse cabinet line from the 210 and the 115 to the 810. It's not that thorough, but you get the idea and basic tone of each cab from the video. From the bigger cabs the 215 and the 412 were my favorites. The 1200... not so. Google and check it out.

 

[will33]

Played through the PH1000 some years back...was a sonic mess. My Carvin cabs at the time were smoother and clearer, even though that stack was also a mishmash of a 15 and 2 or 4 10's. The Mesa wasn't any quieter, just worse, more uncontrollable tone.

Everything else I've played from Mesa has been quite good...except that 1000/1200 cab.

 

[dukeisdog]

That's just it though- if you play the PH1200 without directly comparing it to ANY of the other PH cab's, you likely WILL like how it sounds. It's when you actually compare it to the 610, 412, etc cabs that you'll notice how much "better" they sound.

A huge +1 from me.

It's not that the 1200 sounds bad, I had one for a while just after I picked up my PH610 and PH412 and had a chance to directly compare the cabs. The PH1200 just had a flubby low end baked in the cab that seemed to contribute to a lot of 'mud' in the tone. The 610 is a lot more articulate and I think would really be the best route for a medium sized cab from Mesa.

IMHO, the 412 is the go to cab from Mesa due to the power handling, ease of transportation, weight, and overall tone. It's a beast of a cab that won't be going anywhere soon.