Tommy_G said:
I think we're all trying to get to the bottom of tone issues on a couple of Mesa amps (Nomad and Heartbreaker, for me).
Most all Mesa's have a very comparably voiced clean channel and have at least one channel with a signature Boogie lead tone of some vintage.
So, bottom line, I'm interested to know if you've tried speakers other than the MC90 Black Shadow, and what your relative satisfaction of it was for lead or clean guitar work.
Thanks!
EV 12" -
The classic Mark amps had EV speakers, I have one in my Mark IIC+ 1x12 combo. Definitely part of the "classic boogie lead" story.
Those speakers can cop any abuse thrown at them. Great for clean and boogie lead. But they are very heavy, put them in a 2x12 or 4x12 and you require serious haulage logistics.
And you can't get a "classic Marshall rock crunch" with them, especially from a Mark series amp. (I'm ok with that just saying...)
Vintage 30 -
Definitely part of rock / metal signature tonal heaven. I love those speakers. They do not have any serious hump or harshness that bothers me but a more subtle yet well liked classic sound.
Mine are in a Recto 4x12 cabinet - closed back - slant.
I think a straight cab works better for heavier sounds, you get more focus and "power". Closed is good for that heavier work too.
I removed the back one, voila , way more vibrant, airy, complex - that is - nicer cleans.
If I gigged with that cab, I would make myself a half open/closed back for it.
HeartBreaker -
I had one briefly, I think it had C90s. There was definitely a mid-range hump I wanted to remove. I know pretty well all Mesa amps, except Recto's have a mid-range hump but the HB into the 4x12 V30 cab was more to my liking (so I figure the C90's must have been adding even more mids to the amp's already substantial mids ... but I could be wrong about that?
The C90's were not bad, I just prefer EVs and V30s more.
Celestion G12T-75
I had these in a Marshall 900 2x12 combo and model 1922 2x12 cabinet. I hated them. Too harsh for my likes and didn't really get any of the signature Marshall tones I wanted.
I prefer the older style Marshall cabs with V30s.
And I've never tried Green Backs, maybe that's what I'm looking for? ... I'm trying to reconstruct the Baby Animals type sound. ...
Jenson C-12Q -
I love them in Blackface Fender Deluxe Reverbs - but I'm sure they will handle my MB gear.
So yeah EV's and V30's rock my world. And if the Baby Animal sound is via Green Backs, then I'd better go get some ...