Mesa Powerhouse 212 cab question

[gridpower]

I am finally getting back into jamming/rehearsing from a long hiatus and will plan on playing some gigs in a few months time. This would be for PROG Rock/Funk stuff.

I recently ordered a Mesa TT-800 and was considering ordering a Subway 112 for practice and rehearsing with the possibility of ordering another 112 for bigger gigs as they come along.

However, I have a chance to purchase a Mesa standard PH-212 cab in very nice shape that would certainly take care of most, if not all, gigs as they come along for a lot less money than (2) 112 SW or a (1) 212 SW for that matter.

Other than the weight difference and the fact that Mesa doesn't seem to offer replacement speakers for the PH line any longer, would the PH 212 be a good choice for the short and long haul paired with the TT-800 ?

 

[two fingers]

There would he nothing "wrong" with it, per say. But the weight would eventually be a bummer for me. I don't "need" a featherweight cab. I'm in good shape. But grabbing a Mesa Subway 115 in each hand and not even straining is nice, I have to admit. And the Subway cabs sound sooooooooooooooo good!

 

[MrKpawz]

Wanting to hop on this train and "sub" since I've been thinking a very similar question just with a tube amp

 

[agedhorse]

I am finally getting back into jamming/rehearsing from a long hiatus and will plan on playing some gigs in a few months time. This would be for PROG Rock/Funk stuff.

I recently ordered a Mesa TT-800 and was considering ordering a Subway 112 for practice and rehearsing with the possibility of ordering another 112 for bigger gigs as they come along.

However, I have a chance to purchase a Mesa standard PH-212 cab in very nice shape that would certainly take care of most, if not all, gigs as they come along for a lot less money than (2) 112 SW or a (1) 212 SW for that matter.

Other than the weight difference and the fact that Mesa doesn't seem to offer replacement speakers for the PH line any longer, would the PH 212 be a good choice for the short and long haul paired with the TT-800 ?

If you do this, be sure the drivers are original and in good working order (undamaged). We do sometimes see cabinets with random drivers installed which can end up becoming an expensive problem.

 

[Wasnex]

I am finally getting back into jamming/rehearsing from a long hiatus and will plan on playing some gigs in a few months time. This would be for PROG Rock/Funk stuff.

I recently ordered a Mesa TT-800 and was considering ordering a Subway 112 for practice and rehearsing with the possibility of ordering another 112 for bigger gigs as they come along.

However, I have a chance to purchase a Mesa standard PH-212 cab in very nice shape that would certainly take care of most, if not all, gigs as they come along for a lot less money than (2) 112 SW or a (1) 212 SW for that matter.

Other than the weight difference and the fact that Mesa doesn't seem to offer replacement speakers for the PH line any longer, would the PH 212 be a good choice for the short and long haul paired with the TT-800 ?

Concerns about weight aside, AFAIK the PH and Subway cabs are voiced different. So the answer is dependent on the type of tone you want. If possible, try both before you buy.

 

[agedhorse]

Concerns about weight aside, AFAIK the PH and Subway cabs are voiced different. So the answer is dependent on the type of tone you want. If possible, try both before you buy.

Correct, the Powerhouse is more mid aggressive. The Subway is more balanced and has more sophisticated mids.

 

[stubborne]

Correct, the Powerhouse is more mid aggressive. The Subway is more balanced and has more sophisticated mids.

Yeah, I like my mids more sophisticated...

 

[Al Kraft]

I am finally getting back into jamming/rehearsing from a long hiatus and will plan on playing some gigs in a few months time. This would be for PROG Rock/Funk stuff.

I recently ordered a Mesa TT-800 and was considering ordering a Subway 112 for practice and rehearsing with the possibility of ordering another 112 for bigger gigs as they come along.

However, I have a chance to purchase a Mesa standard PH-212 cab in very nice shape that would certainly take care of most, if not all, gigs as they come along for a lot less money than (2) 112 SW or a (1) 212 SW for that matter.

Other than the weight difference and the fact that Mesa doesn't seem to offer replacement speakers for the PH line any longer, would the PH 212 be a good choice for the short and long haul paired with the TT-800 ?

The PH 212 is slightly less polite in its presentation (especially mids) than the SW cabs but the TT-800 can easily help compensate for that IME. I own two PH 212's and they are excellent cabs IMO...I would expect them to work fine for your style of music. Size and weight aside they should be very satisfying. Just be sure they are in good shape, haven't been abused, and have the original drivers.

 

[mikeswals]

I have two PH212 cabs as well. They're the best sounding Mesa cabs I have or owned.

Psst, they have wheels! I dont 'carry' cabs, I roll them into the clubs.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I have two PH212 cabs as well. They're the best sounding Mesa cabs I have or owned.

Psst, they have wheels! I dont 'carry' cabs, I roll them into the clubs.

+1.
And if you don’t already own one, consider buying a hand truck that converts into a dolly, IMO they make a world of difference if you gig a lot.

Even when I’m transporting my smallest, lightest amp setup, I still take my hand truck/dolly along. I can stack everything on it, and bungee my basses on top. It makes the load-in a single trip. And on the load-out, that single trip back to my pickup truck is so nice.

I have three different dual cabinet setups. My pair of Mesa PH212’s is my biggest setup. I use them for when I need my amp to carry my bass sound for the room. (I almost never have PA support for my bass signal,)

The PH212s are awesome cabinets. Each weighs 78 pounds, but their handle placement makes them pretty easy for me to lift them by myself.

Those added mids make a huge difference for me in the live mix. Like the other folks have posted, make sure they’re in very good shape, and that they have their original drivers, and that they’re in working order.

 

[musicman556]

I am finally getting back into jamming/rehearsing from a long hiatus and will plan on playing some gigs in a few months time. This would be for PROG Rock/Funk stuff.

I recently ordered a Mesa TT-800 and was considering ordering a Subway 112 for practice and rehearsing with the possibility of ordering another 112 for bigger gigs as they come along.

However, I have a chance to purchase a Mesa standard PH-212 cab in very nice shape that would certainly take care of most, if not all, gigs as they come along for a lot less money than (2) 112 SW or a (1) 212 SW for that matter.

Other than the weight difference and the fact that Mesa doesn't seem to offer replacement speakers for the PH line any longer, would the PH 212 be a good choice for the short and long haul paired with the TT-800 ?

I don't know if you're talking about the PH212 hooked up to the M6 Carbine over at Corner Music or not. I was there over the weekend and a dude was playing it with a Player Plus Meteora and it sounded GREAT. I mean.... FRIGGIN GREAT. If weight is not a concern to you, and the cab checks out at AgedHorse suggests to confirm, I wouldn't hesitate to go for that.

I also have a Subway 115/210 stack and it's fantastic as well... but man, that Powerhouse 212 is absolutely wicked sounding. I'm sure the M6 had a lot to do with it but the depth and punch at low volumes, along with those meaty mids that the cab put out, were really impressive. I don't know what it sounds like pushed hard, but I imagine it's pretty dang good at higher volumes as well.

With my back issues, I'll never carry a heavy (40+lbs) cab again and I'm not un-satisfied with my Subway and GK Neo cabs. But man... 20 years ago me would rock that PH212 with glee!

 

[Al Kraft]

The PH212 is an awesome cab. I own two of them and with any of the Carbine heads they generate some serious bass and speak clearly, with great authority.

 

[gridpower]

I don't know if you're talking about the PH212 hooked up to the M6 Carbine over at Corner Music or not. I was there over the weekend and a dude was playing it with a Player Plus Meteora and it sounded GREAT. I mean.... FRIGGIN GREAT. If weight is not a concern to you, and the cab checks out at AgedHorse suggests to confirm, I wouldn't hesitate to go for that.

I also have a Subway 115/210 stack and it's fantastic as well... but man, that Powerhouse 212 is absolutely wicked sounding. I'm sure the M6 had a lot to do with it but the depth and punch at low volumes, along with those meaty mids that the cab put out, were really impressive. I don't know what it sounds like pushed hard, but I imagine it's pretty dang good at higher volumes as well.

With my back issues, I'll never carry a heavy (40+lbs) cab again and I'm not un-satisfied with my Subway and GK Neo cabs. But man... 20 years ago me would rock that PH212 with glee!

I was looking at a used PH212 from GC, but it's tough to see the condition from just on online photo.

I did play that Mesa M6 Carbine and PH212 at Corner Music about a week ago and just LOVED the sound. So much so, that I went back over there and bought it yesterday. That stack almost looks brand new. I called Mesa and they confirmed that the Carbine from that era had no recalls.

 

[Al Kraft]

I was looking at a used PH212 from GC, but it's tough to see the condition from just on online photo.

I did play that Mesa M6 Carbine and PH212 at Corner Music about a week ago and just LOVED the sound. So much so, that I went back over there and bought it yesterday. That stack almost looks brand new. I called Mesa and they confirmed that the Carbine from that era had no recalls. View attachment 4780663

Nice score! My M6 is in the Mesa headcase as well. I know it's heavy, but it makes the whole set-up look as cool as it sounds.

 

[mikeswals]

Yeah, nice score!

 

[musicman556]

I was looking at a used PH212 from GC, but it's tough to see the condition from just on online photo.

I did play that Mesa M6 Carbine and PH212 at Corner Music about a week ago and just LOVED the sound. So much so, that I went back over there and bought it yesterday. That stack almost looks brand new. I called Mesa and they confirmed that the Carbine from that era had no recalls. View attachment 4780663

Congrats, Dude! Yea man that pair was just friggin killer. Also in fantastic condition. Almost looked NOS!