2x12 cab: Orange vs Mesa

[JeanPaul du Vinnie]

So, I've been planning for a long ass time to get me an Orange PPC212... but for the last couple of weeks I've started thinking about Mesa (I guess the oversized recto is the standard there?), too. I hear those cabs rock some serious socks off, too, and they might be more compatible to a rectifier if I'm ever getting one. Yet, I also hear the differences are minor between both cabs. I most probably won't be able to test the Mesa before buying so here comes my question: what are the differences between these two? Also, any suggestions for (cheaper) alternatives to these cabs are greatly appreciated too.

[NevermoreMan90]

Im not sure about Orange cabs, but Mesa cabs kick ass! They sound great, and would probably do you well in reliability. Whats your price range?

[LordCliffton]

both have vin 30s standard but the mesa might have caster wheels whereas orange never has wheels on any of their cabs. my guess is that the orange will also be much heavier(weight wise).

both sound fantastic. your call, altho the orange may only be a mono cab whereas mesa is a little more progressive and might offer stereo configurations..

also the orange cab is 16 ohms only and the mesa is 8 ohms.


*ponders to self... don't people actually visit the manufactures website anymore and read the specs?*:confused:

http://www.mesaboogie.com

http://www.orangeamps.com

[marauder]

I'd get the Mesa. Having taken apart a modern Orange cab, they are really cheaply made. Look nice on the outside, not so nice on the inside.

[Gfunk]

I don't like the horizontal 2x12 Recto. IMO it sounds too stiff, and would benefit from a larger enclosure like the Gflex or Bogner.

[JeanPaul du Vinnie]

My price range is €700... and it's the horizontal Mesa 2x12 I'm considering, too. The ohmage difference is an interesting remark as it would leave my plan to use both my Marshall 1936 (8 ohm) and the Orange together a bit more difficult.

I'm not really interested in specs though, I'm more looking for tonal features like tightness and stuff like that.

[chevy Z 302]

CAA 212, probably the only 212 i'll consider getting.:)

[TheDevilHimself]

One of them is orange. I mean the color orange! For me that alone is reason enough not to get one, since my amp is black. Maybe if I had an all orange setup... but hey, at least it's not pink.

Still... orange... couldn't they make it black with an orange logo???

[NevermoreMan90]

I would go with the Mesa 212. The V30 speakers produce a VERY tight and pronouced sound, and thay sound great. They sound very clear; even when your using the heaviest distortion around, the sound is clear. You could probably throw it off the roof of a 2 story house, and it would still be intact, so its plenty reliable. Although I can't speak for long term situations, cause I only tried and checked them out.

[Rex Rocker]

One of them is orange. I mean the color orange! For me that alone is reason enough not to get one, since my amp is black. Maybe if I had an all orange setup... but hey, at least it's not pink.

Still... orange... couldn't they make it black with an orange logo???
yes... yes they could and they do make it...

[emg32]

Orange makes some good cabs but to me they are darker and more sterile sounding. The MESA 2x12's are killer, built like tanks and can handle just about anything. They beat most 4x12's IMO.

[T-nuts]

Orange cabs are more aimed towards that british old school hard rock sound.
Yeah they will handle heavy br00tal tones but they are intended for that british sound.


The Mesa is what I own currently and it destroys countries.
Period.
Powerful, strong, dark, heavy, big.
Awesome.

[NevermoreMan90]

^ Big hell yeah to that!

[SUICIDESILENCE9]

id stick with a mesa.
i run a dual rec with a 412 and its an amazing amp

[JeanPaul du Vinnie]

I don't think a cab makes lots of difference in the British - American - whatever sound you're after... isn't it mainly the head? I would think so either way.
I would go with the Mesa 212. The V30 speakers produce a VERY tight and pronouced sound, and thay sound great. They sound very clear; even when your using the heaviest distortion around, the sound is clear. You could probably throw it off the roof of a 2 story house, and it would still be intact, so its plenty reliable. Although I can't speak for long term situations, cause I only tried and checked them out.
The Orange has V30's in it too...

Damn looks like I've got some trying out to do.

[T-nuts]

I don't think a cab makes lots of difference in the British - American - whatever sound you're after... isn't it mainly the head? I would think so either way.

The Orange has V30's in it too...

Damn looks like I've got some trying out to do.

Yes, but the standard Marshall cabs also have V30's in them, and they sound very middy compared to a Mesa.

The Orange isn't as thick as the Mesa and won't quite have the low end of a Mesa.

It's more then the speakers right?
The way its built, what its made out of...

Either way the Mesa is awesome.

[JeanPaul du Vinnie]

Well, I heard the Orange and it had quite some low end. Sounded massive too... I know I won't buy anything I'd regret in the future with it, but still... I want to cover all options first. :)

[mushman]

I'd also go with the majority here and say Mesa.I have a mesa 4x12 which kills my marshal 2x12.Not what you're looking at,but I can say quality wise the Mesa was made better.
Try before you buy thats the only way to make sure.

[Gfunk]

Yes, but the standard Marshall cabs also have V30's in them, and they sound very middy compared to a Mesa.


No they don't. I consider a 1960a as a "standard" Marshall, and they are loaded with 75s.









Either way the Mesa is ghey.

+ a lot.

[EchoSix]

Fuck you Mesa haters, I honestly don't understand how you pick anything other than Mesa's or Marshalls, they're the most top quality awesome sounding products out there. Recto 2x12 too stiff? ROFL im really beginning to hate you. The Recto has some much bottom end it will make your balls flap like crazy its an awesome sounding cab.

[Gfunk]

Fuck you Mesa haters, I honestly don't understand how you pick anything other than Mesa's or Marshalls, they're the most top quality awesome sounding products out there. Recto 2x12 too stiff? ROFL im really beginning to hate you. The Recto has some much bottom end it will make your balls flap like crazy its an awesome sounding cab.




:lol







http://img1.picturewizard.com/1324209/2/donttasemebro.gif

[KH Guitar Freak]

:rollin

Pwned by the King of Sarcasm...

[Gfunk]

I wasn't being sarcastic.


A horizontal 2x12 Recto cab sounds stiff (not broken in) IMO compared to a horizontal 2x12 Gflex or Bogner. I have not played the Orange 2x12, so I can't comment. As gaychin stated, the horizontal 2x12 recto enclosure is a bit too small (un-baffled) and does not develop the low end the 4x12 cabs are famous for. But being the "Mesa Hater" that I am, I obviously have no clue what I am talking about.



:(

[emg32]

I wasn't being sarcastic.


A horizontal 2x12 Recto cab sounds stiff (not broken in) IMO compared to a horizontal 2x12 Gflex or Bogner. I have not played the Orange 2x12, so I can't comment. As gaychin stated, the horizontal 2x12 recto enclosure is a bit too small (un-baffled) and does not develop the low end the 4x12 cabs are famous for. But being the "Mesa Hater" that I am, I obviously have no clue what I am talking about.
:(

It's all personal preference but I wouldn't say the 2x12 Mesa's sound stiff unless they truely aren't broken in. As far as the low end goes, the Mesa 2x12's have crazy low end.

[Gfunk]

:|






2x12 horizontal rectos do not sound stiff and develop incredible low end. You would be a complete ignorant bovine mongoloid cretin to not consider the 2x12 horizontal Recto to be the best sounding and constructed cab on the planet. It will even make your bed for you. Do not even consider any alternatives.

[emg32]

:|






2x12 horizontal rectos do not sound stiff and develop incredible low end. You would be a complete ignorant bovine mongoloid cretin to not consider the 2x12 horizontal Recto to be the best sounding and constructed cab on the planet. It will even make your bed for you. Do not even consider any alternatives.

I don't think anyone said anything about not considering other alternatives. That's why I said personal preference.:rolleyes:

Maybe everyone should buy a G-flex since they have the super mystical baffles that make them superior to all other cabs in the world. All other stupid, ignorant people and cab manufacturers that like other cabs should bow to the G-flexs mighty baffled low end. It's commom knowledge that the Mesa 2x12 is way to small to have good tone and low end. They are just stiff sounding boxes made of cardboard with crappy speakers.:x

[JeanPaul du Vinnie]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/hay-be-nice-emokitteh-is-sensitive.jpg

[EchoSix]

Let's all enjoy this video.

http://tinyurl.com/22uwsg

[rockinhockey]

Maybe everyone should buy a G-flex since they have the super mystical baffles that make them superior to all other cabs in the world.

/end thread.

[Gfunk]

That's why I said personal preference.


I absolutely agree.


I suppose I am used to Mesa's 4x12s and expected the the 2x12 to be essentially the same, but just that much more punchy/tighter. To my ears it sounds stiff and not broken in, to others it may sound huge. A diffference of opinion, I guess.




:)

[emg32]

I absolutely agree.


I suppose I am used to Mesa's 4x12s and expected the the 2x12 to be essentially the same, but just that much more punchy/tighter. To my ears it sounds stiff and not broken in, to others it may sound huge. A diffference of opinion, I guess.

:)


Yeah, I'm kind of the opposite. To me the Mesa 2x12 is the tightest cab Mesa offers. To me it's as punchy as the Mesa Tradional 4x12 but slightly tighter.

It's less punchy than the Mesa Rectifier 4x12's but IMO the Rectifier 4x12's are more boomy and way looser sounding than the Mesa 2x12's.

I've never found mine stiff sounding since I got it broke in good. It gets better and better sounding as time has passed.

I wouldn't mind having another Mesa Traditional in the future though. I really loved the one I use to have but since I'm not gigging anymore I let it go. I was pretty surprised that my Mesa 2x12 compared nicely to the Traditional 4x12 though.

[Kgry]

I've got a Mesa 2x12 and it's louder then my other guitarist's Marshall 4x12.