I need help guys. Tell me I did the right thing

[purpledc]

So today I called sweetwater and ordered a rectifier 4x12 cab to go with my mark V head. My concerns? everyone on other forums is telling me that I probably didnt gain anything much by going with the mesa cab. Some believe mesa is now using the same chinese Vin30's everyone else has. Can someone shed some light for me? Ive always been led to believe that mesa has a special version of the 30 made for them in england. Im just trying to figure out If I have anything to gain in the mesa cab over say something like an avatar or carvin cab with the chinese 30s. The main thing for me is I wanted a mesa cab to match my head but at the same time I dont want to spend a 300+ premium if Im not really gaining anything. But I still feel that only a mesa cab sounds like a mesa cab. Am I wrong?

 

[Koreth]

I don't know if there's any truth to Mesa now using the Chinese-built Celestions in their cabinets, but FWIW, there is no difference between a Chinese or a UK made V30 once they've been broken in. Don't believe me? Go here, and read up on the blind comparison that a guy did with two new in box UK-built V30s and two Chinese-built V30s.

Mesa cabs are build very solidly from quality parts, and the quality of cabinet construction can have a big influence on the sound.

I wouldn't worry it too much. If it sounds good to you, it is good. Who cares what some guy on a forum whom you've never met and probably has never heard you play thinks about your choice in gear?

 

[benjamin801]

Mesa cabs are amazingly well-built and look and sound spectacular. I regularly gig a 28-year old Mesa cab and it's structurally as solid as the day it was built - and probably sounds even better than new. You did the right thing, even if it cost a few bucks more.

 

[talltxguy]

A Mesa tech I used to visit told me that Mesa had bought many England-made Vintage 30's before the move to China was made. I have no reason to doubt this guy because he does regularly speak with the Mesa guys in Petaluma. And this tech is not a Mesa fan by any means; he is a fan of good tone. He will tell you good things about Mesa products, and he will tell you some things you don't want to hear. It's also cool hearing some of his stories about Randall Smith.

And for what it's worth, the Mesa cabs I've owned have been great cabs, particularly the 1X12 Roadster cab with a Vintage 30.

I currently own a Tourmaster cab and really like it, but I will most definitely be picking up a Mesa cab in the future because of their quality, sound, and looks.

Hope this helps.

 

[boss4]

I swear by mesa cabs. In my rehearsal room from time to time I plug in a marshall 1960av (v30 speakers) and, for my ideal of rock/metal tone, it is no match for my mesa. The mesa is oversized and it gives more thump and headroom, but is not just that. It just sounds better and the sound is more clear and punchy. But if you can, you should try before you buy. In music, the taste matters a lot and it can be good for you and not so fine for others.

 

[fireonhigh]

just call mesa and ask,,but by now im sure you already have the cab?hows it sound to you? open it up and look for made in england,i ordered a stilleto straight cab a few years back,its rated at 280 watts,i have a marshall jcm900 with v30s and its rated at 240 watts. they both sound killer.the stilleto has a little more bottom end,im thinking because its the straight cab version..anyways mesa cabs are awsome!!

 

[purpledc]

Actually ive tried mesa cabs in the past and Ive always wanted one. I have not received the cab yet as I ordered from sweetwater and they are backordered till the first week of feb. I could have went local but no dealer in a 50 mile radius had a NIB example. Im not concerned about a tiny nick or scratch in the tolex but rather speaker condition. The most abused equipment is what you see on the guitar center sales floor and I have no idea what kind of abuse the stuff has been put through. I hate waiting but of all my options it seemed like the best one.

 

[HaggertysMusic]

Mesa/Boogie is using UK made Celestions, for whatever that's worth.

Now on to cabinet construction... You did the right thing by getting a Boogie. Cabinet construction is huge and anyone who tells you otherwise simply hasn't had the experience of playing through different cabs with the same speakers. I was convinced when back in the day I bought a Legacy 4x12 with V30's because it was cheap. Later on I acquired a rectifier 2x12 with the same speakers. The recto 2x12 ate the legacy 4x12 for lunch.

A while back we filmed a comparison video between the Rectifier 4x12 and Stiletto 4x12. The only differences are in the cabinet construction, and I can hear a substantial difference between the two, even on my cheap iMac's internal speakers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f22Nsx6pHp8

Now there are a lof of companies making great cabinets, not just Boogie, but each will have a slightly different voice and one thing is for sure, you will never regret buying a great, well built cab, over a cheap cab, regardless of where the speakers are made. :wink:

 

[YellowJacket]

Mesa v30s are tuned differently with a bump in the low mids. It gives a rounder, darker, and sweeter sound. Mesa cabs rock, which is why so many guys are using them!

 

[BoogieMan_SC]

I swear by mesa cabs. In my rehearsal room from time to time I plug in a marshall 1960av (v30 speakers) and, for my ideal of rock/metal tone, it is no match for my mesa. The mesa is oversized and it gives more thump and headroom, but is not just that. It just sounds better and the sound is more clear and punchy. But if you can, you should try before you buy. In music, the taste matters a lot and it can be good for you and not so fine for others.

+1
My Mesa Cab has more balls than my Marshall cabinet w/v30's....more full-sounding...punchy is a good word for it.
You did well by getting the Mesa. They're one of the best cabinets out there, for sure.