Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[sambencuda]

I've been using this cab with my 50 watt single rectifier for about 6 months now. I used to think it sounded good. Last week we played at a small bar and I used a Behringer 4x12 that another guitarist from another band was brought. My tone was incredible. This week I've been playing through the halfback and well, comparitively it sounds like ass. I brought it to a gig last night and My tone was good, but it just sounded kinda woofy, muddy.....just plain and simple asslike. The speakers are all good and I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the cab. Is this just not a good matchup as far as head/cab goes? How would a recto cab different from an older halfback?

BTW, It has C90's in the top and vintage 30's in the bottom.

Any thoughts?

[siggy14]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[ QUOTE ]
I've been using this cab with my 50 watt single rectifier for about 6 months now. I used to think it sounded good. Last week we played at a small bar and I used a Behringer 4x12 that another guitarist from another band was brought. My tone was incredible. This week I've been playing through the halfback and well, comparitively it sounds like ass. I brought it to a gig last night and My tone was good, but it just sounded kinda woofy, muddy.....just plain and simple asslike. The speakers are all good and I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the cab. Is this just not a good matchup as far as head/cab goes? How would a recto cab different from an older halfback?

BTW, It has C90's in the top and vintage 30's in the bottom.

Any thoughts?

[/ QUOTE ]

Build a half back for the open back! Will make it tighter and less woofy.

[sambencuda]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[ QUOTE ]
Build a half back for the open back! Will make it tighter and less woofy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen that done before and have been curious. Do you think it will make that much of a difference?

[buzzsaww]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

heh, behringer cabs sound pretty good actually. i prefer mine to my Mesa halfback 100%. i'm actually thinking about selling the halfback.

[sambencuda]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

There is a behringer 4x12 for sale a local store for like $200 or $250. I was actually thinking about picking it up. Are they Jenson speakers?

[buzzsaww]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

check it out closely, not all of the behringers have jensens. the good ones i've heard have the jensens.

[sambencuda]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

Cool. Thanks for the tip. I'm pretty sure the one I used that night had Jensons in it. That will ne key.

[buzzsaww]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

No problem, I like the way the jensens sound. good bottom, slighty cut mids, slightly rolled back top end. enough to take the shrill out [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[jgcable]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

I wouldn't sweat a new cabinet Jim because once you get the Vetta you will be selling your Rectifier or at least putting it up on the shelf for a while. Trust me.

[siggy14]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[ QUOTE ]
There is a behringer 4x12 for sale a local store for like $200 or $250. I was actually thinking about picking it up. Are they Jenson speakers?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Mesa Cab is built alot better, trust me if you close off that halfback you will notice a huge difference, also what speakers you have in the mesa?

[sambencuda]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[ QUOTE ]
what speakers you have in the mesa?

[/ QUOTE ]

90 watt Celestians on top (open back) and vintage 30's in the bottom (closed back). I'm going to give closing the back a try. I have to admit, the Mesa cab is built like a tank.

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't sweat a new cabinet Jim because once you get the Vetta you will be selling your Rectifier or at least putting it up on the shelf for a while. Trust me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know the vetta will probably replace the rectifier as my main gigging rig. I'd still like to keep this rig though. We'll see.

[buzzsaww]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There is a behringer 4x12 for sale a local store for like $200 or $250. I was actually thinking about picking it up. Are they Jenson speakers?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Mesa Cab is built alot better, trust me if you close off that halfback you will notice a huge difference, also what speakers you have in the mesa?

[/ QUOTE ]

the behringer cab is very very well built. it's evey bit as good as my mesa cab. i called mesa and asked them about closing off the rest of my cab. they didn't recommend it because the dimensions of the cab are different from a full back cab. it's not meant to be closed off. whether this might damage the speaks or not i have no idea.

[beachjammer]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

I also have a older Mesa 4x12 that used to be 1/2 open, 1/2 closed. I knew that fulling closing it would make a difference but I had no idea that it would make as big a difference as it did! As opposed to buying a cheap piece of plywood and making a 1/2 back myself, I just went to my local Mesa dealer and they were able to order me one for about $30 I believe. It came in with matching tolex covering, pre-drilled screw holes and screws. After putting it on, which was extremely easy with a cordless drill and only took minutes, it looked like it came from the factory that way and the sound was unbelieveable! Trust me, before you spend more money on another cab, just order or make you a 1/2 back and I think that it'll get what you want.

[sambencuda]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

Awesome info! I think the only Mesa dealer around here is a GC. I am going to look into this.

Thanks!

[beachjammer]

Re: Mesa 4x12 half back problem...

No problem! Here's you a pic to see the finished product.