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What cab to match a Mesa V12?

BassDaddySky

BassDaddySky

Jul 20, 2024
181
224
SWFL
#1
Traded labor on a Goldwing for an amp
A really nice amp 20250928_195209.jpg
Mesa Big-Block Titan V12 !

1200 watts
Four tubes
2 channels
Plus the pedal/cable and some fans

So now im on the hunt for a cab or cabs to take advantage of this beast.

2ish hour drive away is is a Behringer 8x10 Ultrabass with aluminum cones for a pretty decent price.
2000 Watts @ 4 ohms

Think the Bugera "Hard Attack" speakers will be an appropriate match for this hybrid tube amp?

Im reading they can be "bright". And the horn is switched, not dialed.
 
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#2
Would not be my choice, and beware that the power handling of that cabinet is not in RMS metrics, it’s a music power metric and also note the very low sensitivity for an 810. The combination of a high power amp combined with a low sensitivity, lower than it appears power handling can easily lead to a damaged speaker.
 
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#4
BassDaddySky said:
That's the kind of imput I was was looking for, thank you
Click to expand...
I would also be aware of the possibility of damaged cabinets on the used market because a player was unaware of the real world limits of the cabinet. A cabinet with damaged drivers is worth just about nothing (and maybe has negative value if you have to pay to dispose of it).
 
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#6
BassDaddySky said:
Most definitely, id be testing any cab., even if I gotta bring my own amp along

So, any suggestions on what cab i should be looking for?
Ill. .be playing mostly Blackened Doom
Click to expand...
An used PH-810 would probably be a better choice, but be sure it's original and in good shape.
 
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#8
BassDaddySky said:
Besides the Mesa Powerhouse cabs, what else can handle this amp And sound good?
Been looking through the usual used cab listings, but some keywords might help my search.
2 stacked 4×10 Peavey Headliners ?
Ive got one already,
Its 800 W @ 8 ohms
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Peavey Headliner cabinet line is not rated in RMS units either... it's 400 watts RMS, nominal 8 ohms. Your amp is roughly 650 watts RMS a 8 ohms, 1200 watts at 4 ohms. Again, not a good match.

Most pro level cabinets will be rated using RMS units.
 
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#9
You have more power on tap than most of us can advise you about. I assume Blackened Doom is roughly C standard tuning on the bass, amp cranked up all the way, fairly distorted, with gut wrenching bass?

If that’s the case I highly suggest not cheaping out on the cabinet(s). That amp is a monster. Personally I’d grab an 8 ohm 800w 4x10 and if I needed more I’d double up. If buying new and you don’t hate yellow Markbass 4x10’s are always available and on sale at Guitar Center for a fair price. If your not opposed to used Guitar Center also has several Mesa Powerhouse 4x10’s available that were likely voiced with this head in mind (or vice versa). They charge an insanely low shipping rate and you can return it within 45 days if it isn’t what you need or something better rolls along.

Good luck! I’m jealous!
 
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#14
jthisdell said:
You should also consider an hpf, even if is set very low it would help protect whatever cab you get from all those watts.
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Absolutely! That amp is the first and only one I used an HPF with.
Especially with saturation is enabled.
What an amp btw. Im still tempted by getting one. But I am aware spare parts are now almost impossible to find. That's the reason why I sold both of my V12.
 
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#17
I wish I could help you out with an excellent PH412 but they are too good to part with, but I do have the box for you if you find someone who won’t ship it because they don’t have the packaging… PH 810 and the PH412 are the same size so the box would work for either

Mesa Boogie PH412 shipping box with all the packing materials

For sale Mesa Boogie PH412 shipping box with all the packing materials

I was cleaning out my attic and I forgot I still had this. It is the original shipping box with all of the packing materials from when I bought my Mesa Boogie powerhouse 412 from Sweetwater. I could use this to ship other cabinets by cutting it shorter, but I thought I would offer it up to...
$10.00
1 watching
 
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#18
"I would've done quite a bit of labor on a goldwing for this too 😀"
Timing belts, rebuilt the front end, and a front tire. And it was a house call, which i never do. Totally worth it

"gut wrenching bass?" You know it! Tuned to G standard for the 5 string songs.

"You should also consider an hpf"
I have a Thumpinator i plan on utilizing.
And a Deluxe Bass Big Muff pedal that has a HPF and LPF crossover that might do the trick on its own.

"spare parts are now almost impossible to find"
Dude said he had sent it back to Mesa for a refresh, right before he put it away. New Mesa tubes and all!
 
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#20
baxter_x said:
An amp is not made of tubes only. There are many other components involved. And swapping preamp tubes is 90%of the time useless.
However I was referring to the particular MOSFET this amp uses.
If they fry, good luck!
Click to expand...
This is correct.
 
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