[Rev2010]

I know the Mesa cabs come with Vintage 30's but they sell those as well as Customs 90's (both under the name Black Shadow) and am wondering if anyone has heard both and can lend some opinions on each speaker. Thanks.


Rev.

[LordOVchaoS]

Well, the first question I'll ask is......... Are you looking to put speakers in a Mesa Cab that you already own? If so there are better options than both of those. If you're just looking at Mesa cabs and are wondering which one to get, I say neither. There are better choices for less money. Let me know what route you're going and I'll give you some recommendations.

[eaeolian]

The 30s are mid-rangier, while the 90s have tighter, yet more pronounced bottom end. They'll also do 2 of each in an X-pattern, which is what I believe Noodles just ordered.

I like the 90s a lot, personally - they've got a "darkenss" to them that still cuts through...

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by LordOVchaoS

Well, the first question I'll ask is......... Are you looking to put speakers in a Mesa Cab that you already own? If so there are better options than both of those. If you're just looking at Mesa cabs and are wondering which one to get, I say neither. There are better choices for less money. Let me know what route you're going and I'll give you some recommendations.

I'd say there are *different* choices. I quite like the Mesa cabs, personally - they are expensive, but they're very well-built and sound good to my ears.

I've heard some good cabs from many companies. The Mesa cabs "play well" with their amps, though, while some others (like Marshalls, IMO) don't.

[LordOVchaoS]

The X-pattern is definately the best option if you're ordering a new cab. If it were me I would buy a Randall 412XLT because they're quite a bit cheaper and I can hear absolutely NO difference in them and the Mesa's with V30's. Take 2 of those 30's out and replace them with G12H30's or Eminence Wizards and you've got yourself an extremely versatile cab that (IMO) sounds better than any stock Mesa cab.

[dpm]

I'm not too experienced with the 90's but I can tell you I can't stand V30's. Overhyped crap. They seem to have caught on as a popular option because they are a more expensive option, like "oh I've got the Vintage 30's in mine".
Tonally they have a harsh spike and muddy lows to my ears. Granted, I do believe some amps are now voiced for use with V30's. I don't feel Rectos suit V30's at all.
I suppose the best thing is to try each cab with your amp and see what works best. By way of an analogy, a Dimarzio Tone Zone might sound too bassy to you in a Les Paul, but sounds great to you in some old Charvel with a locking trem and a naturally bright tone.

[LordOVchaoS]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

I'd say there are *different* choices. I quite like the Mesa cabs, personally - they are expensive, but they're very well-built and sound good to my ears.

I've heard some good cabs from many companies. The Mesa cabs "play well" with their amps, though, while some others (like Marshalls, IMO) don't.

Sure dude, you like what you like but everybody's ears and taste are different. I'm just trying to save the dude a few bones. Mesa cabs are damn good but depending on the sound you're looking for there may be better choices. So many people buy them because they heard from somebody on Harmony Central that they PwN everything else. Then they end up on ebay.

The do compliment their heads extremely well (as they should) but they're not the be all/end all cabinets.

[Rev2010]

Originally Posted by LordOVchaoS

Well, the first question I'll ask is......... Are you looking to put speakers in a Mesa Cab that you already own?

No, I have a B-52 cab (AT-412) and am thinking about changing out the speakers The cab is made out of baltic birch and is of good construction so I figured rather than spend $900 on a Mesa cab I'd just change out the speakers.

On another note I guess I should probably describe a little more of what I'm going after. With the B-52 speakers there's a hi end sizzle around 8k-10k that has been present when using both the B-52 AT-100 tube head and my new Triple Rec. I initially had though it was likely a factor of the B-52 head but I get the same peak even using the Mesa. I had e-mailed the B-52 vice pres asking for specs on their speakers and while he didn't have a frequency plot graph he gave me this info:

***Power Handling: 120 watts
Frequency Response: 40-5K Hz
Nominal Impedance: 16 Ohms
Voice Coil Diameter: 2.5"
Magnet: 70 oz

I do not have a frequency response curve, it is similar to Vintage 30s
but with more low end.***

So, I'm looking for some good sounding speakers that don't have such a high frequency top end sizzle. I don't want dull sounding speakers, I just don't want speakers that sound like as if I turned up the Presence knob too far - know what I mean?


Rev.

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by LordOVchaoS

The X-pattern is definately the best option if you're ordering a new cab. If it were me I would buy a Randall 412XLT because they're quite a bit cheaper and I can hear absolutely NO difference in them and the Mesa's with V30's. Take 2 of those 30's out and replace them with G12H30's or Eminence Wizards and you've got yourself an extremely versatile cab that (IMO) sounds better than any stock Mesa cab.

I haven't heard those particular cabs yet, so I can't comment. I will say I only like the V30s in combination with other speakers, so I wouldn't go for an all v30 cab - as you also suggest. However, since I use a Celestion speaker that isn't even made anymore (G12K-85s), I may not be the best sample set.

I'm all for saving people cash - I think you got the tone of my previous post wrong, in that - but I haven't heard many that really floored me with the Mesa heads that didn't say "Mesa" on them. Then again, I'm a big fan of the 90s.

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Rev2010

So, I'm looking for some good sounding speakers that don't have such a high frequency top end sizzle. I don't want dull sounding speakers, I just don't want speakers that sound like as if I turned up the Presence knob too far - know what I mean?

You might like the C90s. I believe the Eminence Wizards LoC mentioned are similar in having a "smoother" top end, but don't have quite as much bottom end the C90s, IIRC. They're definitely both not as "gritty" as what you describe.