Ok I get the V30's in the HXDA now

[CatStrangler]

been running my HXDA 30 through a weber silver bell/blue dog cabinet with most of my guitars. I recently acquired a DGT standard and the cleans are real nice through these speakers but the higher gain sounds let me somewhat "meh". I plugged the amp back in to the V30's with the gain cranked and nearly crapped my pants. Gone was the boomy lows harsh highs and non present kids that I normally hear with V30's. These speakers and a standard were made for each other. If you don't believe me get a standard and plug it in to one of these, everything will make sense. needless to say I am looking forward to the holiday

 

[CatStrangler]

Also, I think I just realized how much more gain is on tap with the first switch in the DA position. big help. Now do I just save lots of money and buy standards from now on?

 

[Egads]

It's really amazing how different combinations work. I've got an H&K Grandmeister that I was struggling with through every cab in my house. I took it to rehearsal and ran it through a Mesa Thiele with a Vin 30. Amazing!

I haven't played my Mira through the Vin 30, but now I'm going to have to try it.

 

[sws1]

Surprised the V30s work so well. Traditionally, Plexi's sound best with Greenback type speakers. This amp isn't really any different than a combination of Marshall Plexi's from early/mid-68. It's not like there are any extra eq-impacting differences.

Having said that, I changed out the V30 in my combo for a 65-watt Greenback to make it more "classic rock" oriented, and to take some of the volume down. With proper settings, can be very AC/DC-ish.

 

[CatStrangler]

Having said that, I changed out the V30 in my combo for a 65-watt Greenback to make it more "classic rock" oriented, and to take some of the volume down. With proper settings, can be very AC/DC-ish.

They don't do it for me with all my guitars, but the standard sure seems to love them. I think the rich mids of an all mahogany guitar seem to hit these just right.

 

[László]

I like the HXDA with V-30s as well.

 

[Boogie]

I found that the V30s only float my boat in a very limited number of cabinets...like the PRS pine 2x12. Only that cab, to be exact. In everything else, they sound too modern. Mesa/Boogie already does that very well. But the pine 2x12 doesn't sound like any other V30-stuffed cabs. With non-metal amps, it brings out a character that I really dig. They don't breakup like 25W greenbacks at all, but they take the bass abuse in a 2x12 like nobody's business, especially with 50W amps with tons of low end.

PRS did something special with the pine 2x12 and the speaker selection is spot-on. YMMV.

 

[László]

I found that the V30s only float my boat in a very limited number of cabinets...like the PRS pine 2x12. Only that cab, to be exact. In everything else, they sound too modern. Mesa/Boogie already does that very well. But the pine 2x12 doesn't sound like any other V30-stuffed cabs. With non-metal amps, it brings out a character that I really dig. They don't breakup like 25W greenbacks at all, but they take the bass abuse in a 2x12 like nobody's business, especially with 50W amps with tons of low end.

PRS did something special with the pine 2x12 and the speaker selection is spot-on. YMMV.

I agree that the Pine PRS 212s are great with the V-30s. Then again, I like V-30s a lot like the way I like an SM57 to mic up a cab - intellectually they aren't my favorite speaker, just as the 57 isn't my favorite mic, yet they simply work with a lot of amps and cabs for me.

I even liked V-30s for recording with an oversized Bogner 212, where they were so bright in the upper mids with my old Hot Cat30 and my Two-Rock Onyx, that they sounded like death beams. Didn't seem to matter, that cab still gave me some of the best recorded tones I've ever gotten. The Bogner is the absolute opposite of the Pine PRS cabs in the room, yet still good on a recording.

It's kinda weird, really.

 

[WeFixFlats]

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My White Knob 50 Watt HXDA Head sounds incredible through this Deep Big Mouth cabinet.

 

[Boogie]

Blowing the dust off of another old thread...

i wanted to reiterate CatStrangler's comment about V30s with an all mahogany guitar. There's something about the mid range focus between the two that's complimentary, and the attenuated highs of a Standard keeps the mentioned harshness of a V30 at bay. Even if you don't like them with an SC (I don't like 'em with my Cu24 thru the Boogie with the 2x12 dialed with classic crunch. Crunch Berries style is another thing), a Standard responds differently and is worth a try.

 

[László]

This has nothing to do with V-30s, but dang, Boogie, I like the classic look of that all-black Tolex amp and cab!

I've always felt that Tolex was terrible stuff, tears easily, scuffs almost by looking at it the wrong way, but it sure looks "right" sitting in a backline.

 

[prscat33511]

Boogie is that an HXDA head ? It Looks HUGE !
Maybe the 2x12 is throwin me

 

[Boogie]

This has nothing to do with V-30s, but dang, Boogie, I like the classic look of that all-black Tolex amp and cab!

I've always felt that Tolex was terrible stuff, tears easily, scuffs almost by looking at it the wrong way, but it sure looks "right" sitting in a backline.

Thanks! It's a different kind of classy from the paisley motif, and a little plain in comparison, but beggars can't be choosers. I was darned lucky to find this amp used and since I bought the cab before finding the amp, it was sheer luck that they matched. The DGT contrasts pretty well with it, too. As much as we claim to be about the sound, having this gear look fantastic is more than a slight benefit.

Boogie is that an HXDA head ? It Looks HUGE !
Maybe the 2x12 is throwin me

It's a Super Dallas head but it's the same size as the HXDA. The angle is deceiving.

 

[László]

Thanks! It's a different kind of classy from the paisley motif, and a little plain in comparison, but beggars can't be choosers. I was darned lucky to find this amp used and since I bought the cab before finding the amp, it was sheer luck that they matched. The DGT contrasts pretty well with it, too. As much as we claim to be about the sound, having this gear look fantastic is more than a slight benefit.

It looks classic, tough, and ready to rock and roll. Just right!

Like a black leather motorcycle jacket looks the part, no matter what.

I'm about the sound, all right, but good looks can enhance the experience and be an inspiration. And they certainly never hurt!

 

[JPHoush]

So, what are your opinions on the various cabinets from different manufacturers that may actually use the same speakers in them (V30's for example), such as PRS vs. Mesa Engineering vs. anyone else? For some of you who are very experienced at this, can you pass the blind sound test? Can you tell the difference between a Mesa 2x12 vs. a PRS 2x12 vs. a Brand X 2x12 with power coming from the same amp? Just curious...............

 

[László]

So, what are your opinions on the various cabinets from different manufacturers that may actually use the same speakers in them (V30's for example), such as PRS vs. Mesa Engineering vs. anyone else? For some of you who are very experienced at this, can you pass the blind sound test? Can you tell the difference between a Mesa 2x12 vs. a PRS 2x12 vs. a Brand X 2x12 with power coming from the same amp? Just curious...............

The PRS cabinets, being pine except for the 4z12 and the 2z12 big mouth cabs, have a very distinctive sound. It's warmer, less hard-edged.

I've used mostly Mesa 212s for many years, and they have a distinctive sound as well, brighter, lots of punch, very articulate. The difference between the Pine PRS and Mesa's ply cab is easily identifiable once you've heard it. And on top of that, the 2z12 PRS Grissom cabinet is also unique sounding, even warmer than the closed back version because it's double ported and has less bracing. That increases the "swirl" between the two speakers.

In contrast, the Bogner Oversized 212 I had a few years back was very, very bright, very articulate, and sounded very "big". More like a 4x12. None of the other cabs I've owned over the years had V30s in them, so I can't compare them directly.

I'm sure I could tell the difference between them blindfolded, provided that I could spend time with the amp and cabs to get a sense of reference, or if it was one of my own amps that I'm very familiar with.

Most recently I've had a Mesa 212 and a PRS 212 cab in the same room in my studio for several months, and the differences between the sounds of the two cabs was not only immediately apparent, the cabs responded very differently to different amps. Really, night and day different.

Incidentally, I liked one of the PRS amps better with the Mesa cab, and one much better with the PRS cab.

 

[JPHoush]

Next question then re: V30s. Wasn't there some controversy where Randall Smith from Mesa Engineering was threatening to move away from Celestion since they were planning to move production of some of their speakers from the UK to China?

 

[László]

Next question then re: V30s. Wasn't there some controversy where Randall Smith from Mesa Engineering was threatening to move away from Celestion since they were planning to move production of some of their speakers from the UK to China?

That was the rumor, though for a while Mesa was getting Made in England Celestion V-30s after they made the switch to China for most of their line. I had a few Mesa cabs that all had the "Made in England" V-30s, with the Mesa vented port in the center of the magnet rear.

V-30s and Celestion Black Shadow 90s are still standard in a lot of their cabs, but they definitely have other speakers in many of their cabs and combos now. I don't know if their current V-30 cabs have the Made in England speakers or not.

I am also unable to tell the difference between the Brit and China V-30s I've heard in my own studio.

I have no idea whether the V-30s PRS uses are Brit or Chinese, as the ported DG cab has grille cloth over the ports, and I'm far too lazy to open up the cab since there has been no reason to do so. Whatever's in there certainly sounds great.

 

[JPHoush]

That was the rumor, though for a while Mesa was getting Made in England Celestion V-30s after they made the switch to China for most of their line. I had a few Mesa cabs that all had the "Made in England" V-30s, with the Mesa vented port in the center of the magnet rear.

V-30s and Celestion Black Shadow 90s are still standard in a lot of their cabs, but they definitely have other speakers in many of their cabs and combos now. I don't know if their current V-30 cabs have the Made in England speakers or not.

I am also unable to tell the difference between the Brit and China V-30s I've heard in my own studio.

I have no idea whether the V-30s PRS uses are Brit or Chinese, as the ported DG cab has grille cloth over the ports, and I'm far too lazy to open up the cab since there has been no reason to do so. Whatever's in there certainly sounds great.

Thanks Les. That is good input. I have a custom Mesa Express which should be shipped fairly soon after the first of the year. I will take a look at that one to see what's being installed currently.

 

[CoreyT]

You have peaked my curiosity here as I have two new Mesa Mini Rec 1x12 cabs fitted with Vintage 30s.
I looked on their website, but no mention if they are made in England or China.
I may have to pull the back off of one of the cabs someday, unless Mesa tells me if I email them.