1x12 Cab Questions

[LucSulla]

So here is my dilemma - I've realized that I really do not like this Mesa 1x12 open back with the C-90.  I'm a 4x12 guy at heart, but like a lot of you, I got tired of carrying them around.  Initially, I went for the Thiele EVM-12L & C90 open back route trying to find something more compact that would still thump but would also be a bit less beamy, and I like the Thiele after a year of screwing with them.  However, the C90 seems so midrangey, and it also seems to drive so much more readily than the Thiele that I have to get the amp cranked pretty good before they seem in balance. I know I want to switch something up. 

The easiest choice is to either replace the C90 with a EV-12L or simply buy another Thiele.  In the case of the former, when I pair the Thiele with the my Mark III, which has an EV in the combo, things seem pretty OK.  Neither speaker dominates, and good lord... it's more than enough.  

In the latter, I do really like the closed back thing, and though costing a bit more, it could be worth losing some of the throw the open back gives in order to get more of that closed back thump.  

Anybody have any thoughts on how an EV may sound in an open back cab compared to a C90?  Anybody around here running two 1x12 Thieles?  Should I just buy a 2x12 again?  I'm definitely looking for bang for the buck, but I also don't want to throw good money after bad chasing something that isn't there. 

I'm not sure which way to go. 

[mrjamiam]

Mesas suck!  Marshalls rule!  

(Angling for down votes to see how the new forum format works.)

 

ETA:  I already see that it doesn't allow me to vote on my own answer.

[Len]

Buy a Bogner Cube 1x12 ... you won't look back ...

[Jakeboy]

I haven't tried an 12L but an EV SRO sounds just fab in either an open or closed back cab. I ran one in an open back Lopo cab for years. Best alnico ever.

[LucSulla]

22 minutes ago, Len said:

Buy a Bogner Cube 1x12 ... you won't look back ...

Whoa... those are cool. 

Some days, I wish I would walk in and see this Mark V had magically changed into a Ecstasy or even Shiva. 

[MCChris]

10 hours ago, LucSulla said:

Whoa... those are cool. 

Be careful. If you're averse to midrange, upper mids especially, the V30 in a Bogner cube might not be to your liking.

I tried an Orange PPC112 recently and couldn't get rid of it fast enough because of the V30. Confirmed what I already knew: I hate that speaker.

[Hamerica]

12 hours ago, mrjamiam said:

Mesas suck!  Marshalls rule!  

(Angling for down votes to see how the new forum format works.)

 

ETA:  I already see that it doesn't allow me to vote on my own answer.

Thought i would help you out.

Hamerica

[django49]

Is the Mesa the smaller sized cab? I tended to NOT like the MC-90 (supposedly a "beefed up" version of the CL-80) until I tried one in the Mesa "3/4 back" version. It is more the size of a 2 x 12, but sounds very good. I suspect it would be a good match for the Thiele. However, they are discontinued, so harder to find.

[LucSulla]

1 hour ago, django49 said:

Is the Mesa the smaller sized cab? I tended to NOT like the MC-90 (supposedly a "beefed up" version of the CL-80) until I tried one in the Mesa "3/4 back" version. It is more the size of a 2 x 12, but sounds very good. I suspect it would be a good match for the Thiele. However, they are discontinued, so harder to find.

It's a smaller one.  

[django49]

Just now, LucSulla said:

It's a smaller one.  

If you can find one, or something similar, locally, it might be worth at least test driving. There are similar sorts of cabs available, such as Fuchs and "clones", but some  can be pretty pricey. IIRC, this one is a bit smaller, and somewhat more open, than the "3/4 back", but sort of in the same vein.....

http://vboutiqueusa.com/collections/guitar-cabinets/products/vumble-1x12?variant=4986272129

[LucSulla]

10 minutes ago, django49 said:

If you can find one, or something similar, locally, it might be worth at least test driving. There are similar sorts of cabs available, such as Fuchs and "clones", but some  can be pretty pricey. IIRC, this one is a bit smaller, and somewhat more open, than the "3/4 back", but sort of in the same vein.....

http://vboutiqueusa.com/collections/guitar-cabinets/products/vumble-1x12?variant=4986272129

The only thing local to Oxford is catfish, fake blondes, and football, haha.

That compact 2x12 unloaded at the link you sent is tempting. I'm just scared of anything that throws air with this head.  Mark Vs are so dark to my ear already, that even just a little midrange in a cab goes a very long way. 

[LucSulla]

I took the 6L6s back out and threw in an old set of JJ EL34s... Problem 90% cured.  

Some of what is going on is I haven't lived in a house in so long that, in the four years I've owned this head, I haven't ever been able to tweak it whilst turned up. I had the JJs in it to begin with and went back to 6L6s when I retubed it because I was mainly doing country with this amp.  Before I spent any money on the cab, I said, "let me check things out with the JJs one last time."

Much better.  Goddamn, I forgot how much I hate 6L6s for high gain.  

I also don't much like JJs stock EL34s, which means I get to do my favorite thing ever now - shop for tubes!  I'll probably throw two of these Tung Sols into my Mark III, pick up six EL34s, and have new (or newish) tubes all around. 

[HamerDave]

I just bought a Mesa wide body closed back to pair with my 5:50+. I get the same mid range push I think you're hearing. I'm hoping that once I get the speaker broken in it'll open up a bit. I'll let you know...

[LordsoftheJungle]

Forte 3d 112,,, slightly oversized cab, nice baffle design with side ports, sounds excellent with EV12M style speakers. I've got two, one loaded with an EVM12L and the other loaded with  Scholz Sugarcone which is similar.  I also own their vertical 2x12 cab which kills.

Here's a review that will have more details:

http://blogs.online.berklee.edu/thaddeushogarth/2010/12/12/the-forte-3d-112-guitar-speaker-cab-great-tone-in-3d/

 

Edit,,, I should add that I'm not experienced with Mesa's, but I've heard that they do have dumblesque tones as does my Carol Ann, which is partly how I came across the Forte 3d and its reputation.

[DBraz]

I bought two evm12l's off ebay cheaply and built two Thiele dimensioned cabinets for half the price of a second hand Mesa Thiele.

With  evm12l's Thiele closed back ported 1x12's are fantastic and easy to make with very little skill required.

That would be my suggestion.

[django49]

32 minutes ago, DBraz said:

I bought two evm12l's off ebay cheaply and built two Thiele dimensioned cabinets for half the price of a second hand Mesa Thiele.

With  evm12l's Thiele closed back ported 1x12's are fantastic and easy to make with very little skill required.

That would be my suggestion.

Great suggestion. The Thiele plans are readily available online, as well as detailed step by step plans on how to make them. Not hard, just be careful to get the dimensions right.  BTW, I built two, one to the exact (normal, smaller) dimension, the other oversize so it will, when on its side, better accommodate a wider head. It has the same internal  dimensions for the speaker enclosure, just extended with "wings" that do not  affect the sound.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Ported-Guitar-Cabinet/

 

 

[DBraz]

 

 

[DBraz]

 

[HSB0531]

On 2/11/2016 at 7:58 PM, LucSulla said:

So here is my dilemma - I've realized that I really do not like this Mesa 1x12 open back with the C-90.  I'm a 4x12 guy at heart, but like a lot of you, I got tired of carrying them around.  Initially, I went for the Thiele EVM-12L & C90 open back route trying to find something more compact that would still thump but would also be a bit less beamy, and I like the Thiele after a year of screwing with them.  However, the C90 seems so midrangey, and it also seems to drive so much more readily than the Thiele that I have to get the amp cranked pretty good before they seem in balance. I know I want to switch something up. 

The easiest choice is to either replace the C90 with a EV-12L or simply buy another Thiele.  In the case of the former, when I pair the Thiele with the my Mark III, which has an EV in the combo, things seem pretty OK.  Neither speaker dominates, and good lord... it's more than enough.  

In the latter, I do really like the closed back thing, and though costing a bit more, it could be worth losing some of the throw the open back gives in order to get more of that closed back thump.  

Anybody have any thoughts on how an EV may sound in an open back cab compared to a C90?  Anybody around here running two 1x12 Thieles?  Should I just buy a 2x12 again?  I'm definitely looking for bang for the buck, but I also don't want to throw good money after bad chasing something that isn't there. 

I'm not sure which way to go. 

If you were closer, i would have you try out one of mine:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-falco-b5686521?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Scroll down until you see: FALCO Audio Systems

[sirDaniel]

ive totally given up on V30.  I have  a circa 90s EV12L that sounds lets the amp breath with open or closed back.

 

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