Mark V speaker/cab thread!

[danielp]

I have seen alot of threads asking about wich cabs with what speakers to buy for the Mark V so I figured it would be nice to make a thread where everybody could share their experience with their setup.

I bought the combo so I got the Black Shadow speaker to begin with but then my speaker failed and unfortunately my Mesa dealer didn't have any spare so I got a Vintage 30 speaker(It's only 50 watts so I can only use 45 watt mode at the moment :<) while I'm waiting for my replacement speaker. The V30 does sound very bad to my ears compared to the C90. There is no "oomph" and it's way too bright. Of course the cab is half open and I've heard that you should use V30's with closed back cabs, so that might make some difference.

Then I got to try my amp in a 4x12 Marshall 1960a. I must say I was very impressed, of course the 4x12 moves alot more air so it sounds alot "fatter". So now I was wondering if I whould buy 4x12 cab. I was hoping to see some people with 4x12's in this thread that could help me make a decision. I can only try Mesa cabs with V30's at my dealer since my dealer is very small and I was hoping someone here has tried a 4x12 with 4 c90's.

Gotta run, please share your experience's!

 

[mystidream]

When I had my V (which I no longer have), I was using an older early 90's Traditional Straight 4x12 with V30's. It sounded killer with the V, and sounded great with the Mark IV I had before the V. I'm now using a Mark IIC+ Simul/EQ/Reverb head through a newer Stiletto Straight 4x12 with V30's. It doesn't sound as good as my other cab yet, because the speakers aren't broken in, but it definitely does sound killer. These cabs have a great midrange response and really good low end too. I love em' and they're the only cabs I'll use now.

 

[igfraso]

I bought the combo so I got the Black Shadow speaker to begin with but then my speaker failed and unfortunately my Mesa dealer didn't have any spare so I got a Vintage 30 speaker(It's only 50 watts so I can only use 45 watt mode at the moment :<) while I'm waiting for my replacement speaker.

The Mesa V30 is a 70 watt speaker.

 

[SteveO]

I have an Express 23 1x12 (C90), a 3/4 back 2x12 (C90s), and a horizontal Recto 2x12 (V30s). I prefer the C90s with this amp, the 3/4 back gets used the most.

 

[Oldschool]

(It's only 50 watts so I can only use 45 watt mode at the moment :<)

It´s actually quite easy to blow a 50w speaker with a 45w tube amp, it delivers much more power after the power amp starts to distort.

 

[NR2112]

Hey Man!

I am no "expert" but I use a recto 412 with my Mark V and they are loaded with the C90's. The sound of the C90's are very "even". A good CLEAR low and top end. I dont feel they have as much mid range as the v30, though.
The C90 isnt boomy, and is not dark. And it isnt really overly bright. Ive used this cab as well with a JSX, and the results were very favorable.
This cab can handle large amounts of power without breaking up to much. There isnt any harshness like I thought there was with the V30(when driven hard)
I feel that the cab works very well when soloing, and has a nice sparkle on the top end when playing single note leads/solos. Chording is also nice, as the speakers and cab produce that same top end feeling and sound with and even bottom end.

Just the other day, I took my brothers Recto cab (with v30) and also used my recto cab (with C90) to create a stereo kinda sound in our jam space. The results were awsome, the darkness of the v30 went really well with the open, clear sound of the C90. I dont know if I would mix them in a cab, as the difference may be too great for an "even" sound, but side by side in two cabs, it was pretty neat and full. Just an observation.

I am really happy with the C90, and I dont ever think about changing them out. They just seem really lively, and easy to get along with.