I spent $1300 on a Mesa 2x12 Split Back so you don't have to (but you really should)!

[Snax Panther]

I just got through going through a ton of cabs - Mather 2x12 with Greenbacks, Recto Traditional 4x12, California Tweed 2x12 with Blackbird 40s, a Dr Z convertible with a Creamback M65 - all were fine.

I've been bouncing between a mix of tube and solid state / digital, and varying styles, so versatility is kind of king.

I've been eyeing the new / reissued Mesa Split Backs, as I love the look and configuration. I have made a note of all of the bad things folks have said like the price, the material differences from the old ones, using dual C90s instead of whatever.

All that said, it came in this morning and bloody hell, this thing is incredible.

Admittedly, I love C90s - always have. I know it's a super polarizing speaker, but it just seems to be able to do EVERYTHING, and while it's not the best at any one thing, it does every single thing I want it to do competently.

Most important, the open back on top / closed back on the bottom configuration is amazing. Tons of room shaking low end, while also filling the room in a way my closed backs never could.

It's the honeymoon, I know, but I was INSTANTLY impressed with this thing, and have been playing through it all day.

Comically enough, I think the Orange Super Crush head is my favorite through it so far, although my Allen Encore combo into it sounds absolutely incredible.

 

[paisleywookiee]

FWIW, you can order them with any speaker Mesa carries. So if you want a V30 in the bottom and a Creamback or C90 up top, they’ll do it. They’ll even put a shitty Jensen in there (though I definitely don’t recommend it).

 

[gearJunkie]

I run a MB 1x12 open back C90 cab with a MB 1x12 Thiele EVM12L for my Mark VII. The open back C90 is a great complementary addition to the Thiele, but not my favorite on its own.

Congrats on your new cab!

 

[Snax Panther]

FWIW, you can order them with any speaker Mesa carries. So if you want a V30 in the bottom and a Creamback or C90 up top, they’ll do it. They’ll even put a shitty Jensen in there (though I definitely don’t recommend it).

Yeah, I may toy with putting a V30 in the bottom at some point, but I am loving the sound from it so much, I don't want to mess with it. Hahaha. :)

 

[newholland]

i think that things my favorite cab ever with an evm in the bottom! and probably the top- but super hard to beef the configuration- they just sound awesome no matter what speakers are in em! congrats!

 

[Snax Panther]

I run a MB 1x12 open back C90 cab with a MB 1x12 Thiele EVM12L for my Mark VII. The open back C90 is a great complementary addition to the Thiele, but not my favorite on its own.

Congrats on your new cab!

Man, I had the EV Thiele for quite some time. I loved that cab. One of the many, MANY gear selling regrets. Hahaha.

 

[LCW]

Agreed with OP. It’s an amazing cab!

Running an FM9 + Matrix GT1000FX through it.

 

[Snax Panther]

Agreed with OP. It’s an amazing cab!

Running an FM9 + Matrix GT1000FX through it.

View attachment 50482

So weird seeing this. I just sold my FM9 Mark II Turbo a few hours ago to a dude here in Austin.

Absolutely amazing device, but far too busy for my simple ass.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I want one of these cabs BADLY but I do not want semi-open back. I want closed fist mode, 24x7

 

[László]

Hot damn! What a cool speaker cab!

 

[Snax Panther]

I've spent a good bit of time with this cab now, and I am absolutely blown away.

I truly feel like the mix of open and closed is a brilliant thing. That said, I'm not a metal player, and I'm sure metal players would disagree because of "tEH bRoOtZ"

The low end is massive, and it fills a room beautifully thanks to the open section.

I really couldn't be happier. :)

 

[Guitarwiz007]

Best cabs in the business. I liked mine. Sometimes I wish I still had it just don't know what I'd do with it. Congrats on a killer!!!

 

[laxu]

These are hideously expensive in Europe so I doubt I'll ever get one, but maybe adding a closed back 1x12 with another C90 to my Mark V combo would do the trick for a neat little mini-stack...

 

[EOengineer]

Not to hijack, but I ordered one of these this morning. Not sure why the pricing is lower than any other recto 2x12 I can find, as the specs and the full model and not the compact. It’s backordered until Oct 6 so who knows if it will even land, but figured I’d share.

Mesa/Boogie 2x12 Horizontal Rectifier Speaker Cabinet (120 Watts)

Loaded with a pair of Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, this 2x12" Rectifier cab is the perfect choice for guitarists who crave formidable power and clarity.

www.zzounds.com

 

[paisleywookiee]

Not to hijack, but I ordered one of these this morning. Not sure why the pricing is lower than any other recto 2x12 I can find, as the specs and the full model and not the compact. It’s backordered until Oct 6 so who knows if it will even land, but figured I’d share.

Mesa/Boogie 2x12 Horizontal Rectifier Speaker Cabinet (120 Watts)

Loaded with a pair of Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, this 2x12" Rectifier cab is the perfect choice for guitarists who crave formidable power and clarity.

www.zzounds.com

The 2x12 Mesas are my favorite cabs of all time.

 

[EOengineer]

The 2x12 Mesas are my favorite cabs of all time.

Yeah it’s backordered until Sept but I’m super pumped to eventually play it. I’ve been wanting to add one of these into the rotation for a while.

It’s not going to fill the shoes of my old rectifier 4x12 but is also way more practical.

 

[Tenebris]

Yeah it’s backordered until Sept but I’m super pumped to eventually play it. I’ve been wanting to add one of these into the rotation for a while.

It’s not going to fill the shoes of my old rectifier 4x12 but is also way more practical.

2x12 recto is literally the desert island cab, there is nothing that doesn't sound great through it. I don't know what they've done because it's just a wooden goddamn box, but. 4x12 sounds bigger yes, but not better.

 

[paisleywookiee]

2x12 recto is literally the desert island cab, there is nothing that doesn't sound great through it. I don't know what they've done because it's just a wooden goddamn box, but. 4x12 sounds bigger yes, but not better.

The 2x12 vert is my desert island cab. V30 on the bottom, Creamback 65 on top. It's extraordinary, with like anything.

 

[EOengineer]

The 2x12 vertical is on my list with creambacks, likely. The only reason I went with the horizontal to start is that I need the cab for my Mark III AND Dual Rectifier. With the Rectifier head unfortunately doing a muffintop thing on the vertical cab, that was a no-go for me.

Who cares how it sounds. It needs to look cool or nobody will think it sounds awesome.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The 2x12 vertical is on my list with creambacks, likely. The only reason I went with the horizontal to start is that I need the cab for my Mark III AND Dual Rectifier. With the Rectifier head unfortunately doing a muffintop thing on the vertical cab, that was a no-go for me.

Who cares how it sounds. It needs to look cool or nobody will think it sounds awesome.

Omg muffintop. I’ll never not think that now, when I see people with longer heads on short cabs.