Modern cabs voiced like vintage Mesa?

[ghunter]

Is anyone making a mid-forward cab that are close in voicing to the older Mesa Road-Ready and Powerhouse series cabs?

I'm wanting to match the new 800D with something more "vintage Mesa" sounding than the Subway cabs. I've owned the Subway 2x10, 1x15, and 1x12 searching for the KILLER Mesa tone I remembered from my youth, and when I connected a Powerhouse 2x10 it was a lot more of what I was looking for. I swapped out my Mesa TT-800 and those cabs for a '65 Ampeg B-15 (no regrets there) but the 800D seems like a good excuse to add a small Mesa rig, probably with a 2x10.

 

[Al Kraft]

I played the BD with one of my PH212 cabs at an outdoor event a few months back and it sounded really good. It was a little more in you face oriented (not annoyingly so) than my SW 112/115 cabs. I have 2 of the PH212 models and one PH410. I did not try the BD with my PH410.

To my ear overall the PH cabs sound a little less refined/polished and a bit more "forward" (rock voiced) especially in the mids. I'm not sure if that was what you were talking about, but there should be quite a few of those cabs out there.

I haven't played the SW410, but it might be worth a quick listen. For a more old school sealed cab vibe, Bergantino has some sealed cab/ceramic magnet designs that he targeted for folks wanting that kind of cabinet performance.

As a last thought I usually find that GK cabs and Mesa heads (and vice versa) work nicely together. I liked the BD a lot with my two GK Neo 112 II cabs. They also sound a bit less polite and more rock voiced to my ear.

 

[agedhorse]

Is anyone making a mid-forward cab that are close in voicing to the older Mesa Road-Ready and Powerhouse series cabs?

I'm wanting to match the new 800D with something more "vintage Mesa" sounding than the Subway cabs. I've owned the Subway 2x10, 1x15, and 1x12 searching for the KILLER Mesa tone I remembered from my youth, and when I connected a Powerhouse 2x10 it was a lot more of what I was looking for. I swapped out my Mesa TT-800 and those cabs for a '65 Ampeg B-15 (no regrets there) but the 800D seems like a good excuse to add a small Mesa rig, probably with a 2x10.

There are a ton of the old Powerhouse and Diesel cabinets out there for pretty cheap. Just be sure the drivers are not damaged, and take it easy with the big amps like the B-800D.

 

[Wasnex]

The Eminence Delta Pro 15A has a similar rising response like the old EVM15s. Perhaps you could commision a custom build.

Delta Pro 15A

 

[agedhorse]

The Eminence Delta Pro 15A has a similar rising response like the old EVM15s. Perhaps you could commision a custom build.

Delta Pro 15A
View attachment 7326925

View attachment 7326926

It's similar, also power limited like the EVM's.

 

[ghunter]

To my ear overall the PH cabs sound a little less refined/polished and a bit more "forward" (rock voiced) especially in the mids. I'm not sure if that was what you were talking about, but there should be quite a few of those cabs out there.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about: "forward", rock voiced (in my case post-punk but whatever). I want the bass to growl.

I haven't played the SW410, but it might be worth a quick listen. For a more old school sealed cab vibe, Bergantino has some sealed cab/ceramic magnet designs that he targeted for folks wanting that kind of cabinet performance.

A long time ago I owned the Bergantino 3-way from the NV series. It sounded pretty good, but I was never really happy as I switched amps out on top of it. The 800D might justify giving those another try though.

As a last thought I usually find that GK cabs and Mesa heads (and vice versa) work nicely together. I liked the BD a lot with my two GK Neo 112 II cabs. They also sound a bit less polite and more rock voiced to my ear.

Thanks! I appreciate that guidance.

 

[ghunter]

There are a ton of the old Powerhouse and Diesel cabinets out there for pretty cheap. Just be sure the drivers are not damaged, and take it easy with the big amps like the B-800D.

This amp is a dream come true for me, I was one of the many voices here asking for this and was ecstatic when I saw the news. THANK YOU!!

A lot of the older cabs seem to be available on the East coast, I have just found a 1x15 a little north of me that I'll try to grab.

 

[Lammchop93]

Check out the bergantino reference 115 and 112. Jim said they aren't meant to sound vintage, but more like the modern ceramic cabs of the 90's/2000's if I recall correctly.

I have the 115 and it sounds so good! Definitely more oomph than the 10+ NEO cabs I've tried.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

See if can find a PH412 or a PH1000. Both great cabs that I use my 400, 400+ and TT-800 with. I have several other Mesa's that are used too, but these three are probably the closest too the new 800D for that vintage sound.

 

[Pep]

Is anyone making a mid-forward cab that are close in voicing to the older Mesa Road-Ready and Powerhouse series cabs?

I'm wanting to match the new 800D with something more "vintage Mesa" sounding than the Subway cabs. I've owned the Subway 2x10, 1x15, and 1x12 searching for the KILLER Mesa tone I remembered from my youth, and when I connected a Powerhouse 2x10 it was a lot more of what I was looking for. I swapped out my Mesa TT-800 and those cabs for a '65 Ampeg B-15 (no regrets there) but the 800D seems like a good excuse to add a small Mesa rig, probably with a 2x10.

Here you go and it's on the west coast:

For sale Mesa Powerhouse 610 cab

I’m perfect working order. Sounds amazing

• Bassi5t (+6 /0 /-0)
• Aug 22, 2025
• Updated Sep 28, 2025
• Views: 610
• Reaction score: 2
• Comments: 1
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets
• 610 mesa

$700.00

2 watching

 

[ghunter]

See if can find a PH412 or a PH1000. Both great cabs that I use my 400, 400+ and TT-800 with. I have several other Mesa's that are used too, but these three are probably the closest too the new 800D for that vintage sound.

Thanks! I have seen a few PH1000's for sale over the years, but they were always 4+ hour drives and impossible to ship.

I think I need to be patient and wait for something local in the PH range.

 

[ghunter]

Here you go and it's on the west coast:

For sale Mesa Powerhouse 610 cab

I’m perfect working order. Sounds amazing

• Bassi5t (+6 /0 /-0)
• Aug 22, 2025
• Updated Sep 28, 2025
• Views: 610
• Reaction score: 2
• Comments: 1
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets
• 610 mesa

$700.00

2 watching

That looks AMAZING in so many ways. It's on the exact opposite end of I-5 to me though, and practically impossible to ship.

If I was in SoCal I'd probably be driving to pick that up right now

I also just saw this:

For sale Mesa Boogie Road Ready 2x15 (ex-Chris Bauermeister/Jawbreaker)

Didn't think I'd ever let this go, but my needs are changing and I can't justify keeping this around just to say I have it. I've used this for several gigs over the last year and a half and it does indeed have the thicker high end Chris speaks of below. And needless to say, it gets LOUD. This...

• etsob (+172 /0 /-0)
• Apr 11, 2025
• Updated Jul 10, 2026
• Views: 1K
• Reaction score: 1
• Comments: 7
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets

$1,000.00

$800.00

6 watching

Complete overkill unfortunately.

 

[Pep]

That looks AMAZING in so many ways. It's on the exact opposite end of I-5 to me though, and practically impossible to ship.

If I was in SoCal I'd probably be driving to pick that up right now

I also just saw this:

For sale Mesa Boogie Road Ready 2x15 (ex-Chris Bauermeister/Jawbreaker)

Didn't think I'd ever let this go, but my needs are changing and I can't justify keeping this around just to say I have it. I've used this for several gigs over the last year and a half and it does indeed have the thicker high end Chris speaks of below. And needless to say, it gets LOUD. This...

• etsob (+172 /0 /-0)
• Apr 11, 2025
• Updated Jul 10, 2026
• Views: 1K
• Reaction score: 1
• Comments: 7
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets

$1,000.00

$800.00

6 watching

Complete overkill unfortunately.

I'm sure something will come up.

 

[Elmstreet]

Keep us posted what you end up with. I also have an 800D on the way and I might pair it with a new cab.

 

[Snake101st]

+1 to the Subway 410 being worth a shot (w the tweeters off - I have two and love em).

There's a semi decent deal on a used one at Guitar Center - might be worth ordering and then just return to the store if it somehow doesn't work for you?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'd be surprised if it didn't more than meet your needs, but you'd only be out the shipping cost if that ended up being the case, since GC returns are very easy

P.S. I'm also waiting on an 800D and ordered two of these logo plates for my 410s to match the vibe better:

Logo Panel - Mesa/Boogie - 7 1/2"

The official Mesa Boogie online store for factory replacement parts, custom parts, hardware, shirts, hats and accessories.

store.mesaboogie.com

Currently use either a Strategy 8.88 for bigger shows or a TT800 - hopefully the 800D can be used in place of both, and the Strategy will just be the nuclear option + for recording, to make gig and rehearsal load in/out easier.

The stack should look awesome with these logos - plus it'll match my guitarist's cab

 

[ghunter]

+1 to the Subway 410 being worth a shot (w the tweeters off - I have two and love em).

There's a semi decent deal on a used one at Guitar Center - might be worth ordering and then just return to the store if it somehow doesn't work for you?

They also have a few Powerhouse 410 available too, including one in Beaverton, OR which is pretty close to me (that's an hour South of Portland, I'm an hour North of Seattle). I trust that you're happy with the Subways but I'm pretty certain that I'd end up inserting an MXR 10-band EQ into the FX loop and tweaking that endlessly because... well just because.

For space reasons I'd rather stick to a 2x10 or maybe a 2x12 or a 1x15 if those show up.

Great idea on the logo!

I just ordered the amp from Bass Shop Seattle, when it arrives I have a quad of circa-1990 Trace Elliot 4x10s and 1x15s in the garage that I'll test it with

 

[agedhorse]

+1 to the Subway 410 being worth a shot (w the tweeters off - I have two and love em).

You might try just a little bit of tweeter, opens up the articulation a little.

 

[Al Kraft]

For space reasons I'd rather stick to a 2x10 or maybe a 2x12 or a 1x15 if those show up.

Just so you are aware, on my PH 212 and PH 410 cabs they are the same external dimensions. The 212 is about 25 to 30 pounds lighter though...and while that may not sound like much it is very significant in a one person load in or load out.

 

[ghunter]

Just so you are aware, on my PH 212 and PH 410 cabs they are the same external dimensions. The 212 is about 25 to 30 pounds lighter though...and while that may not sound like much it is very significant in a one person load in or load out.

Given the PH series aren't light to begin with I think that's a pretty big difference!

The PH212 seems quite rare, just like the Powerhouse Jr that I just found out about. Apparently that's a 100 lb cabinet and still Mesa thought to call it "junior"!

 

[Al Kraft]

Given the PH series aren't light to begin with I think that's a pretty big difference!

The PH212 seems quite rare, just like the Powerhouse Jr that I just found out about. Apparently that's a 100 lb cabinet and still Mesa thought to call it "junior"!

View attachment 7327399

For some reason I think my PH 212 cabs are around 72 pounds a piece. They have a set of really nice, super HD, easily removable casters that make moving them around very easy. Sadly though, casters don't help much on stairs or when lifting the cab into and out of vehicles. The cabs do sound really nice though, and even with all the cab advancements over the years, I think they can measure up well (except for weight).