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Mesa WD800 cab suggestions

jazzercountry

jazzercountry

Apr 12, 2000
1,333
699
Texas
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Lakland Basses
#1
Good morning TB! My first post of 2019 is a question. I'm moving away from my current powered cabinet setup (I love it, but I have a bit too much $$ tied up in preamps). The new rig will revolve around the new Mesa Subway WD800, but beyond that I'm open to suggestions. Looking for two cabinets, either modular (I've enjoyed 2 1x12 cabinets in the past) or 1 larger cabinet and one smaller. Whatever the smaller one is, it should be good for electric and DB.

Here are some of the contenders in my mind:

Genzler Bass Array 12-3 stack seems awesome, maybe one slanted and one straight

Bergantino TOO MANY OPTIONS! The NV212T is a standout in my mind, as is the HDN212. Not sure about which smaller cabinet, though lighter would be better.

Mesa Subway I would probably pick the single 12 and the vertical 212

Trickfish, Aguilar, EA the list goes on! Mainly looking for options that pair well with this new amp. Thanks!
 
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#4
I have had a pair of the TC112AF before, and they really are great. That said, I think I’m more drawn to the idea of a big cab and a small cab than two 112s. I’ve enjoyed using the Bodai for most large gigs and then the 45.5 for low volume or DB.
 
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#5
1) AudioKinesis. I'd go Hathor 1203 and Changeling 112T stack, maybe two of the 1203's....or a Hathor 212 and a Changeling. The Thunderchilds would be awesome too, I'm sure. I've just never used them.

2) Mesa Subway, like you mentioned. The 112/212 would be great. I prefer the 115 over the 112 though. I bet a 115/212 stack would just kill.
 
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#6
How does the Bodai 12 pair with the WD? Bypassing the speaker's power amp, how does it sound? Maybe an unpowered B12?
Otherwise yeah, AK's would be sweet. Or the Mesa Subway cabs.
 
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#8
Given that you're interested in electric and DB you may want to PM chef and see what has worked well for him. I don't think he does a lot of DB gigs these days, but his insights might prove very helpful in your quest. I do not play DB, but will echo the AK recommendations as mine works great for electric with the WD-800 and they have a stellar reputation with DB players I know.
 
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#10
jazzercountry said:
Good morning TB! My first post of 2019 is a question. I'm moving away from my current powered cabinet setup (I love it, but I have a bit too much $$ tied up in preamps). The new rig will revolve around the new Mesa Subway WD800, but beyond that I'm open to suggestions. Looking for two cabinets, either modular (I've enjoyed 2 1x12 cabinets in the past) or 1 larger cabinet and one smaller. Whatever the smaller one is, it should be good for electric and DB.

Here are some of the contenders in my mind:

Genzler Bass Array 12-3 stack seems awesome, maybe one slanted and one straight

Bergantino TOO MANY OPTIONS! The NV212T is a standout in my mind, as is the HDN212. Not sure about which smaller cabinet, though lighter would be better.

Mesa Subway I would probably pick the single 12 and the vertical 212

Trickfish, Aguilar, EA the list goes on! Mainly looking for options that pair well with this new amp. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I use a Berg HDN212 most of the time - sounds great with the D800+. It probably would with the WD800 too. It would be worth it to try the HDN112/210 rig, too.
 
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#11
Munjibunga said:
I use a Berg HDN212 most of the time - sounds great with the D800+. It probably would with the WD800 too. It would be worth it to try the HDN112/210 rig, too.
Click to expand...
I can assure you the WD-800 is outstanding with the CN212...as well as every other amp I paired it with, including the original Walkabout. As much as I like Mesa products as a matched set, the WD-800 was specifically designed (and tested) to play well with other top tier gear such Bergantino, AudioKinesis, GK and others.
 
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#17
2A147342-8D7C-455A-A58B-8D12F88A58BE.jpeg It would probably work and sound nice with any nice quality speaker cab, if it were me I would go Mesa Subway 112 and 115,
reason being is my rig is WA head with the Subways and it’s Pretty badass, if you went this route it would be badass on steroids with the WD800 :bassist:
 
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#18
As mentioned earlier the MESA cabs were designed to run with their heads... I’m seriously considering a Subway 2x12..

At the present time I’m using 2 Bag End S-15N cabs with Bag End neo drivers and Bag End S-12N with the ceramic magnets..

I have been using this brand for a very long time and like the sound of them...but there are so many great choices available..
 
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#19
57pbass said:
As mentioned earlier the MESA cabs were designed to primarily run with their heads.
Click to expand...

It was mentioned earlier, but not sure that is the case:

agedhorse said:
Speaker choice is very much a personal taste. The WD-800 was designed to play friendly with a speaker that you might prefer other than a Subway speaker if that's what you prefer.
Click to expand...

It sounds great with AK speakers. I have no doubt it will pair well with any quality speaker.
 
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