• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

'Tis a Matter of Opinion.

What is the consensus? Two single 15" Mesa Subway cabinets or one double 15" Mesa Subway cabinet?

  • Total voters
    51
Discount Bassy

Discount Bassy

Supporting Member
Mar 9, 2020
2,087
15,278
At the end of a fruitless search.
#1
After moving back to my parents' place to help take care of them in their later years, I've been doing a good bit of sorting through their stuff, helping them trim down. I've also ended up going through a bunch of my stuff, having just moved yet again, and put a number of items on the block for sale with good results. Whodathunk a small bunch of old D&D books bought with lawn mowing money in the early 1980's would be worth over a grand now? In any case, I find myself going through my musical equipment, selling the things that don't make sense and upgrading the things that do with the resulting funds. I've been having Mesa thoughts...pretty seriously. I'm torn between two of the single 15" Mesa Subway cabinets vs. one of the 2x15 Mesa cabinets. I've heard 'em both. I like 'em both. I currently run a GK1001RB through a Peavey Headliner 410 and 115 cabinets. I like the GK, not so much the Peaveys. At about 80lbs per cabinet, the Peaveys have a few downsides.

For the record, although I don't think it much matters, I play both fingerstyle and slap, not so much pick, occasionally E-Bow. My basses are vibrantly active, 5 and 6 stringers. I don't have a specific genre that I'm devoted to. I use both a metric fecal ton of pedals or none other than a tuner. So...consider the usage possibilities to be pretty diverse. I do have a practice amp that I am happy with and this upgrade has nothing to do with it. I do have a collapsed disc in my back, but both pro-active PT and careful lifting has rendered it un-noticeable excepting on x-rays.

Thusly, I proffer a poll and request for input on the matter. I offer enough votes to relate both preferences on speaker cabinet and carrot configuration.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein
#2
Base it on how you will use the cabs. If they/it will sit in your house and never move, the 215 makes more sense (save about $250).

If you will almost always require the full rig. Go with the 215. It's cheaper and should be easier to move than dealing with both 115s.

If you like the idea of a modular rig go with a pair of 115s and add a RockNRoller cart. This is especially true if you may be in situations where people find a big bass rig distasteful. I have done gigs, where people complained about my GK 700RB/112 combo.

Or throw caution to the wind/follow your heart. A pair of 115s would probably make more sense for me...but I would probably buy the 215 :facepalm:.

Sorry, I know...I was no help at all.

I voted solely for one carrot cut in half.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gearhead17, DrThumpenstein, JRA and 2 others
#3
Wasnex said:
Base it on how you will use the cabs. If they/it will sit in your house and never move, the 215 makes more sense (save about $250).

If you will almost always require the full rig. Go with the 215. It's cheaper and should be easier to move than dealing with both 115s.

If you like the idea of a modular rig go with a pair of 115s and add a RockNRoller cart. This is especially true if you may be in situations where people find a big bass rig distasteful. I have done gigs, where people complained about my GK 700RB/112 combo.

Or throw caution to the wind/follow your heart. A pair of 115s would probably make more sense for me...but I would probably buy the 215 :facepalm:.

Sorry, I know...I was no help at all.

I voted solely for one carrot cut in half.
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards the two separate cabinet option for the versatility aspect. The price difference doesn't really figure into it for me, as the source of the funds is "magic money" from selling things that have sat fallow for a long time. Whatever the choice, it will not be a studio/bedroom queen. I've done my share of gigging and the footprint of either option is still smaller than rigs I've run on stage. On the tightest stages, I've just run my practice amp (GK MB112) with a DI out to the board. I do prefer smaller carrots to one larger, bisected tuber.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gearhead17 and Wasnex
#4
I voted for the pair of SW115s.

I did in spite of the fact that my original intention was to use only one on certain small gigs. However, the smaller gigs have slowed down (due to my reluctance to play tee-niny little restaurant/bars/outdoor patio gigs that run 4-4 hours for $100 and the same old classic rock that I grew weary of when all of that stuff was charting hits on the Top 40 radio).

I don't play quite as many gigs, but I'm fortunate to have a couple of situations where I need both cabs all the time. I've shown pics of my idea of strapping the cabs together on a 4-wheel dolly and transporting both cabs as one big cab. And I can't tell you the last time I used only one cab...

And if I take the occasional small-ish gig, I have a Genz Benz 210 Kickback amp that is perfect for those gigs.

Having said all of this, if I run across a pretty good deal on a SW215, I may just buy it. Maybe....:D

(And that dolly still needs a fresh coat of paint! I should probably do that before my NYE gig!....:roflmao:)

IMG-1934.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, dave64o, JRA and 3 others
#5
If your transportation and home load in/out situation accommodate the single 215 cab then go for it. I leave my gear in a garaged trailer and most venues accommodate rolling in a 215. And, on those few situations I need to pull it up to a stage I have band mates to help. So for me, one less cord, the ability to wheel it around like a dolly, and of course the coolness factor would make the 215 a no brainer. If you're your hell bent on the most modular/practical than go with two single 15's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marko 1, Discount Bassy and Wasnex
#7
I own a Subway 2x15 for my D800+. IMO the single 2x15 is more portable than the 2 single 15s due to the several handles, the back rails, the built-in wheels and the form factor. It stands upright in my 4Runner. It's only 60 lbs (same as the Eden 2x10 I use for small gigs). It is ridiculously compact for a 2x15. I couldn't be happier. Best of luck on whatever you decide.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marko 1, Discount Bassy, FunkHead and 1 other person
#8
I am dithering back and forth on it. Yesterday seemed like "I must have two 1x15." Today seems more like "a 2x15" makes more sense with the wheels and such". The beauty of the conundrum is that whichever direction I go, I still end up with a couple of Mesa 15" speakers doing that thing that they do so very well. The only certainty is that it will be one or the other, pending the sale of a few other things to keep the ducks in alignment. It seems that both options are delayed over at Sweetwater for the moment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, Bassngtr and Wasnex
#10
Bassngtr said:
This being TalkBass I should have suggested getting a 1x15 AND a 2x15...mea culpa.
Click to expand...

The Talkbass solution is to get TWO 1x15" cabinets and one 2x15" rig so both options are available at any given time to accommodate any ambient humidity. Unfortunately, I only have one head unit and am pretty happy with it, so it's one option or the other for me, regardless of humidity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasnex
#13
Discount Bassy said:
I am dithering back and forth on it. Yesterday seemed like "I must have two 1x15." Today seems more like "a 2x15" makes more sense with the wheels and such".
Click to expand...
:laugh: it could be a great day for "dithering!"

i voted "two 1x15 mesa subway cabs." it would be my own choice, so i think you should do what i'd do! :laugh: :roflmao:

i think two cabs offer some versatility (my preference), but if you were likely to use both most of the time the 2x15 sure makes sense.

i can see how @Wasnex arrived at his conclusion....maybe a carrot option was better after all! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, Discount Bassy and Wasnex
#14
  • Like
Reactions: s0c9, Killing Floor and Discount Bassy
#15
Geri O said:
I voted for the pair of SW115s.

I did in spite of the fact that my original intention was to use only one on certain small gigs. However, the smaller gigs have slowed down (due to my reluctance to play tee-niny little restaurant/bars/outdoor patio gigs that run 4-4 hours for $100 and the same old classic rock that I grew weary of when all of that stuff was charting hits on the Top 40 radio).

I don't play quite as many gigs, but I'm fortunate to have a couple of situations where I need both cabs all the time. I've shown pics of my idea of strapping the cabs together on a 4-wheel dolly and transporting both cabs as one big cab. And I can't tell you the last time I used only one cab...

And if I take the occasional small-ish gig, I have a Genz Benz 210 Kickback amp that is perfect for those gigs.

Having said all of this, if I run across a pretty good deal on a SW215, I may just buy it. Maybe....:D

(And that dolly still needs a fresh coat of paint! I should probably do that before my NYE gig!....:roflmao:)

View attachment 4914931
Click to expand...
Reading your post, and looking at that strapped up rig,

even stating that you'd consider buying a 2x15,

I have to wonder why you voted two 1x15s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Discount Bassy

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back