Comparing Mesa and Marshall cabs

[Axe Wielder]

does anyone have any information that compares the qulaity/wood/speakers/overall contstruction of Marshall vs. mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabs?

 

[TheDewd]

This is not even a fair comparison. You have to specify that you compare cabs which has the same brand of speakers in them and about the same size. For example, you could compare the 1960AV and the Mesa Recto Traditional 4x12. Both have about the same size and have Vintage 30 speakers.

The Mesa Recto Standard is much bigger and will resonate differently, even though it still has the V30 speakers.

Also, some Mesa cabs are semi-open in the back, which changes the sound in a way that you might or might not like. All Marshall cabs are closed back.

Having that said, as a general rule...the Mesa cabs are much better IMHO.

 

[Axe Wielder]

This is not even a fair comparison. You have to specify that you compare cabs which has the same brand of speakers in them and about the same size. For example, you could compare the 1960AV and the Mesa Recto Traditional 4x12. Both have about the same size and have Vintage 30 speakers.

The Mesa Recto Standard is much bigger and will resonate differently, even though it still has the V30 speakers.

Also, some Mesa cabs are semi-open in the back, which changes the sound in a way that you might or might not like. All Marshall cabs are closed back.

Having that said, as a general rule...the Mesa cabs are much better IMHO.

exactly, I knew this allready. Well, I allready have my mind set on Mesa, since I have a Mark IV allready.

I was just looking for maybe specs about how the cab is made and whatnot....cause, correct me if I'm wrong, but different companies use different wood and layouts, no?

anyway, just comparing for the hell of it.

 

[TheDewd]

exactly, I knew this allready. Well, I allready have my mind set on Mesa, since I have a Mark IV allready.

I was just looking for maybe specs about how the cab is made and whatnot....cause, correct me if I'm wrong, but different companies use different wood and layouts, no?

anyway, just comparing for the hell of it.

Well, Marshall uses cheap plastic corners, Mesa uses leathered covered metal.

Nex step, try to lift the Marshall off the ground and then try to lift the Mesa. The Mesa is heavier due to the better/thicker woods used.

Next, open both cabs and check the speaker wire gauge used. The Mesa wire is thicker.

All in all, the Mesa is better built. Your main concern should be about the TONE of the cabinet. The Marshall and Mesa have very different tones to them. This is all a matter of taste.

 

[turnitdown]

I have a Mesa rack rig....
I have owned Mesa cabs and Marshall 1960A cabs....

I prefer my Avatar 4x12, and they cost about 1/2 as much....

www.avatarspeakers.com

You can load it w/ a bunch of different drivers, and mix/match like I did..... Celestions and Eminence in the same 4x12.... Sounds GREAT!

 

[GOODLAND]

I'd say go with the Mesa 4x12. Our Band has 2 of them with Dual Rectifier Heads and the sound is great. Very well built and awsome sound.

 

[xstatic]

You can't go wrong with a Mesa cab, but then having a Marshall cab is not so bad either. Personally, try and check them both out. The Mesa cab's certainly have more balls in the really low stuff, but for many players, that is not a good thing. It is not uncommon at all to see a Marshall headon a mesa cab or vice versa. All that said, if someone were buying me one or the other today and I had to pick, I would go with the Mesa cab first. However, if I already owned a Mesa cab and was going out to buy a second cab for my studio, I would get the Marshall and not a second Mesa. The Mesa stuff is built a bit better on the exterior as well (doesn't tear as easily), but there are a lot of pretty old Marshall cabs out there still on the road which means there build is certainly not bad.

 

[timgill]

Mesa is the better of the two. You might try a Matchless amp also. They are a class "A", point to point wired amp.