I have a Mesa Boogie Tremoverb 100W 2x12 combo, I don't want to stray too far from the sound of the stock Mesa "UK Voiced" V30's, but it has this spikey kind of a thing going on when I play clean and also lacks some note definition when I'm playing dirty. The clean channel is unusable, so I have a Fender on hand for cleans - I mainly use this amp for mid-gain/hi-gain purposes in recording. Also, some of my favourite players combine V30s in one cab and G12Ms in another for a dual cab setup on stage. I am thinking about mixing speakers in this combo, one V30 kind of sound and one G12M kinda sound. I understand that the select Vintage 30's from Mesa are supposed to be made to UK specs, and are supposed to sound warmer. So, my questions are:
Should I go for a Retro 30 or Veteran 30 to keep in line with the Mesa/Celestion Vintage 30?
Would either of these pair well with an Invader 50?
Thank you!
- Justin
Sure, they would play well with the Invaders ... but ...
For you, the Reaper HP's really sound like what you are looking for!
Thanks for the recommendation, I hadn't even considered it until you said that! After A/B'ing the clips of the Retro 30 and the Reaper HP, the Retro sounded a little too clean, a little too sharp - very modern. Based on the clips, the Reaper HP sounds like a Retro 30 with a touch of growl - a little warmer. I just placed an order for two Reaper HP 50's. We will see how it goes!
Hey Vaughn, I got the WGS Reaper HP's in today after getting a root canal on my #14 tooth. Damn. What started out as the worst day ever was quickly turned around once I installed the Reaper HP's into my Mesa Boogie Tremoverb 2x12 combo. The highs were still there, the lows were very simular to the Vintage 30, but slightly more punch and definition - but best of all, the mids were improved IMMENSELY. My clean channel doesn't have that spikey "limiting" quality, and now sounds more musical and flowing. On my Vintage HiGain channel, the mids are very present and smooth. The Blues channel is now worthy of its name, and the Modern HiGain might actually serve a purpose now. These are a huge upgrade and great alternative to the stock Mesa Vintage 30's. They sound more rich, natural, smooth, focused, managable, pleasing, dimensional, and musical. I don't feel like the speaker is too sleepy, too bright, to muddy, or missing anything. Though I am open to the idea of speaker pairing, I don't think I'll be needing to, as the Reaper HP's leave very little to be desired in my Mesa. It truly turned this already versatile amp into a tone monster. The Reaper HP's are so 3D sounding, that it makes the Vinage 30's sound 2D in comparison. This is single handedly one of the best $200 I've ever spent on tone. I am a happy Warehouse Guitar Speakers customer, and will definitely return for when I build an arsenal of custom cabinets (now that I have two 16ohm Vintage 30's laying around, I minds well build a cabinet for those too!).