What happened to Mesa Boogie cabinets?

[agedhorse]

I went to visit my college and specifically the bookstore because it had a great selection of texts and
other technical books not found elsewhere that you could actually see and touch.
.....GONE. No more bookstore.

Really?

 

[hooky_marr]

As a long time designer of class AB amps, the days of that technology is pretty much done. Class D (done right) is at least as reliable as class AB at this point, lighter and less expensive. Powered cabinets in the bass world were never popular, very few were made by any manufacturer that I am aware of. With such low demand, it just doesn't make any sense. That could change in the future, but that's not a prediction I'm willing to (at this time) hang my hat on.

Thanks. Maybe it’s just myth, but can class D get the same kind of responsiveness (ie linearity?)

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks. Maybe it’s just myth, but can class D get the same kind of responsiveness (ie linearity?)

Yes, it’s quite a myth but based on some very early poor examples. Class D can be just as responsive as class AB.

 

[higain617]

I love the old Diesel cabs, but I'm reeling in the years. I doubt I'll run anything that heavy again.

 

[Freekmagnet]

Back in the 80's, I had an early 400+ (it was in a 400 chassis) and a 410x115 road-ready stack that for some reason, I thought I needed to play small clubs. Nowadays, I'm rolling with TH500 through a 212 and I'm starting think maybe even that's a little overkill.

 

[trevcda]

I've been using this behemoth for decades when the situation calls for it and will most likely never sell it until I can no longer play my instrument. That said, if it were to be stolen or lost, I would not remotely entertain the idea of replacing it. For me it was a once in a lifetime acquisition at a phenomenal price. I've often wondered if I could replace the drivers with neo drivers, but given the construction of this thing, I'm not sure it would significantly lighten it that much!

 

[bottomzone]

Due to health reasons, I had to downsize my rig. Even though the heavier cabs sound great, as my own roadie, I'm thrilled that the advances in driver technology and lighter-weight cabinets negate the need to own them.

 

[Rojd]

Rex's current tour rig:

That'll blow the roof off the place!

 

[Coot]

I had a Powerhouse 1000 with a Titan head. I loved them both . Great sounding gear but unfortunately my back developed sciatica in an accident. Long and McQuade had a large selection of the newer Mesa gear so I tried out the class D amps and Subway cabs. I was impressed by the punch and heft of these smaller units. As well as having as a great sound, they were also a lot lighter and easier to carry. I went through the D800, 800+ ( all of which are top notch )and settled on my personal favorite WD-800 and 2 stacked SW115's. That WD into the 2 15's is as loud and punchy as I'll ever need on stage( the DI is well liked at the sound board ) or practice. I'm extremely grateful for agedhorse and Mesa's insight and innovation in giving us those options.

 

[pfschim]

FWIW, I have no nostalgia at all for the Mesa Powerhouse cabs, or any of the other older heavy boxes from the past. They were big and heavy and had a un-EQ-able clanky midrange voice to them that may have worked well for a certain rock tone from the past, but there are far more flexible options these days .. including the Mesa Subway cabs, that work just as well or better than that gear from the past.

There's always going to be the "heavy gear rawks" "tube (or class AB) rulez" crowd. I don't get it, but .... whatever. Play what you like etc etc

I'm very happy that the art and science of amp and speaker design keeps advancing and brings us new stuff that works great and does not need a road crew to move.

 

[Toby East]

I'm secretly waiting for an old school Mesa 215 to just jump out and smack me in the face for let's say $250. Once I find a way to get it up into my ManCave it will never again move, I'll either die or sell it with the house as a condition of the sale...

 

[Nebadon2000]

That's too bad because those road ready cabinets were awesome. They should have left that line available or an option to order. They could have the Subway Series for those who want to carry a cabinet on a subway and & not have to worry about dust getting on it for the older folk & then have the RR series for younger guys that want to load in/out quick and just shove the cab in the back of a pickup truck without worrying about it getting scratched (and who perhaps are used to moving around 8x10's).

Yes when I was young I dealt with moving SVT 8X10 & Vega 1x18 along with Hammond B3, 2 Leslie's, 4 Marshall Cab's, 3 crown DC 300, 4 JBL 2X15 Pa cabs and Mammoth Drum setup at 4 am 2/3 nights a week

If we had access to todays lightweight equipment with their performance level as high as it is; I would have jumped on it as I believe many younger players are doing now.

You can buy road cases [fairly expensive but if came with would be in price] and some nice protective soft covers are available.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I went to visit my college and specifically the bookstore because it had a great selection of texts and
other technical books not found elsewhere that you could actually see and touch.
.....GONE. No more bookstore.

Im happy to report that my nearby Barnes & Noble was extremely busy yesterday. Took us about 10 minutes to checkout with three cashiers moving as quickly as possible. I was delighted about that.

I’m sure book stores aren’t as busy as they were 30+ years ago, but they certainly seem busier than I saw them even 5 years ago. Personally, I love physical books. Kindles are convenient, but they aren’t the same thing.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Once upon a time there was ROCK! ROCK! reigned supreme. Then came pop?
pop? became king.
Also, in ear monitors and ampless bands.

Long story short, there's very little market for 160 lb cabs these days.
I hear great things about the Mesa Boogie Subway series. Rumor has it you can get a 215 which weighs 62 lbs and it can play ROCK!

The 212 can handle any gig also!

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I went to visit my college and specifically the bookstore because it had a great selection of texts and
other technical books not found elsewhere that you could actually see and touch.
.....GONE. No more bookstore.

Strange... the university in my small city has one of the best bookstores in the state.

 

[40Hz]

Powered cabinets in the bass world were never popular, very few were made by any manufacturer that I am aware of.

IIRC Bag End does some powered bass cabs. Most are part of their Infrasub system product line which is basically a subwoofer with a built in processor and power amp. But I think they also still do a few less specialized powered cabs that only need a preamp. I have no idea how many they actually sell however. Bag End is kinda a niche player that has their own thing going for a small customer base compared to the majors.

 

[DJ Bebop]

IIRC they were bought out by Gibson and streamlined their offerings as a result. Or it could have just been the purchase and strategy happening at the same time coincidentally. Or I could not be remembering right.

Nope, that all happened long before the Gibson thing.

It is based on better engineering and more modern experiences on what is really needed by professional musicians. Better quility sound, better power handling, better reliability, lighter weight.

 

[DJ Bebop]

That's too bad because those road ready cabinets were awesome. They should have left that line available or an option to order. They could have the Subway Series for those who want to carry a cabinet on a subway and & not have to worry about dust getting on it for the older folk & then have the RR series for younger guys that want to load in/out quick and just shove the cab in the back of a pickup truck without worrying about it getting scratched (and who perhaps are used to moving around 8x10's).

What do you feel is the benefits of the Road Ready line, in today's world?

 

[P. Aaron]

I'd venture to say that the creation of the Bose 'stick' types of systems a while ago, a lightweight and adequate PA system that reproduced most of what a small venue band needed and it's industry competitors, meant that average and semi-pros could travel light and expect lower cost PA's to give them most of the tonal support one needed while delivering punchy sound overall with better fidelity.

EZ set ups with good tone means less gear, nice basses and their players get their personalities reproduced in a live sound setting and much less work on having to hammer away just to be heard.

 

[J Wilson]

I'd have to say this is an interesting discussion when right here in TB not a week goes by without several 'I no longer use/need an amp' or 'I only use IEM's any more' thread.

I lived through my furniture moving days when all the choices were mostly 215's, folded 18's, 810's, PA bins, so light weight cabs and Class D is just fine with me. IEM's are a great thing, but if I thought that from this day forward I'd only play bass through earpieces, I'd simply quit playing bass.