Extension Cabinet Ideas For DC-3 Combo

[MJ Slaughter]

I've got a DC-3 that for the most part will go to rehearsals with me without an extension cabinet but for other times I could see me wanting one. This will sound a bit silly but since the combo is pretty square I'm having trouble coming up with ideas of what would not only sound good but look good. Looks soundn't matter I know but if I can find something I like the appearance of I'd be happy. My Mesa 2x12 looks funny, too wide, and my Avatar 1x12 Vintage is very tall and doesn't look right to me either. I'm thinking a lower profile cabinet that is the same or just slightly wider than the 18 3/4" combo cabinet. Any ideas? I've never tried a Thiele but am intrigue by the idea of one. Doesn't have to be a Mesa.

 

[MrMarkIII]

There is only Thiele. Resistance is futile.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

There is only Thiele. Resistance is futile.

LOL, so Thiele good, all else bad?

I don't think I've ever heard from anyone who has owned a Thiele that they are not great cabinets. Better to join the collective and be assimilated.

 

[billboogie]

I'm assuming you have a Mesa horizontal 2x12 cab. Have you looked at a Mesa vertical 2x12 cab?

 

[MJ Slaughter]

I'm assuming you have a Mesa horizontal 2x12 cab. Have you looked at a Mesa vertical 2x12 cab?

I use to have a vertical 2x12 but it never worked for me. My tone was always too harsh with those V30s and 6L6 amps I was using at the time. Funny thing is I find I like V30 better with my el84 amps but that cab is long gone and larger than I need or want. My 2x12 horizontal cab is nice but I want something with a smaller footprint. The DC-3 is only about 18" wide. Size wise the wide Thiele looks like it would fit the bill but I've never played through one.

 

[GD_NC]

There is only Thiele. Resistance is futile.

truth

 

[MJ Slaughter]

There is only Thiele. Resistance is futile.

truth

Truth for all styles though? With this amp and cabinet in question I'd be playing modern country in one band and classic rock from the 70's to current rock but nothing real heavy like LOG or Five Finger Death Punch. More main stream stuff.

 

[GD_NC]

There is only Thiele. Resistance is futile.

truth

Truth for all styles though? With this amp and cabinet in question I'd be playing modern country in one band and classic rock from the 70's to current rock but nothing real heavy like LOG or Five Finger Death Punch. More main stream stuff.

A Thiele paired with a combo or an open back 1x12 is super verstile. It adds warmth to clean sounds and nice depth to the lower end. (And... yea it's really great for chunking-up palm muted metal like a 4x12)

That said, I'm not sure about country. It's not really anything I play.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

A Thiele paired with a combo or an open back 1x12 is super verstile. It adds warmth to clean sounds and nice depth to the lower end. (And... yea it's really great for chunking-up palm muted metal like a 4x12)

That said, I'm not sure about country. It's not really anything I play.

The modern country tones are more like the classic rock tones of the 70's to me for the most part. Certainly nothing like country western. It's kind of pop rock with a fiddle and a little twang in the voice. I'm very new to this genre.

Can you tell me what the difference might be between using the Thiele vs a 1x12 closed back cab? I envision it to be like a closed back with just more umph behind it.

 

[GD_NC]

Can you tell me what the difference might be between using the Thiele vs a 1x12 closed back cab? I envision it to be like a closed back with just more umph behind it.

Disclamer - All Speaker/Cab discussions are completely subjective! YMMV

I don't think a Thiele sounds like a closed back at all. Much more thump and much less nasal. The cone is not restricted like a CB cab.

For the record, I had two closed back 1x12 Mesa cabs and didn't like them. They did not sound anything like a larger 2x12 or 4x12.

I'm also not sure I would use a Thiele alone (maybe for metal?). It really needs a complement. Seems like a combo or open back cab does the trick. I use mine with a Mark IV & and open back compact cab or with my DC-2 combo.

I've tried it with my Maverick and it's pretty good. I kinda prefer the Mav 2x12 (w/ V-30s) as is. The Mav seems to have much more bottom than the Mark or DC.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

Thanks GD_NC. That helps a lot. Now I've got to look for a used Thiele with an EV or buy from Boogafunk.

 

[GD_NC]

Thanks GD_NC. That helps a lot. Now I've got to look for a used Thiele with an EV or buy from Boogafunk.

Mine is a homemade cab very similar to a Boogafunk. I used the EV plans (there is a whole thread on that around here somewhere). I 've tried it loaded with a Mojotone, BV-30, Mesa C-90 and EVM speakers. EVM is the best, but the effect works fine with the other speakers too. If you are worried about balance you could match the speaker in your DC-3.