Mesa/Boogie 2x12 Recto Cabinet

The good...
Great casters. Lightweight (compared to my 4x12's. Nice handels. The oversize fits my Marshall head perfectly. On my old ADA 2x12, my amp wouls sit "off the feet".

The bad...
Thin tolex. Mono jack. Leather corners.

I bought this cab simply because I was sick of hauling around a 4x12 cab. I was hoping to find something affordable that was at least close enough in sound quality.

I bought this cab after seeing it in an ad. I could tell that it had never really been played (the guy I got it from has tons of gear and is always swapping something for something).

When i first got it home, I loved the low end. The mids seemed to push a little too much and the top end seemed a little spitty. After about three weeks, and a few shows, the sound changed. The rich low end was still there but the mids, while still very present, smoothed out and the spittiness disapeared. I think the speakers needed a chance to "break in". Now this thing sounds fantastic. I would get another in a heartbeat.

I have owned it for about a year and a half and it still feels as solid as when I bought it. No rattles at all.

I don't expect any problems with this cab...ever.

If the tolex was a little stronger and it came with metal corners I would give this cab a 10. I play hard and this guy delivers. Being "oversized", most people think it's a 4x12. After hearing it, no one even questions that it is (only) a 2x12.

Sometimes I still use a 4x12 for recording (only for a different sound - not a better sound) but when playing my Marshall live, this is the only cab I need.

Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 212 Cabinet. 2 Celestion Vintage 30 speaks, 8 ohms mono, parallel out (covered w/ shorting jack plug), black taurus finish. 2008 manufacture, I believe. Unlike previous years, mine actually came with the detachable casters!

HUGE!

I was playing a Mesa/Boogie Road King 412 stereo cab before this (C90s and V30s, 3/4 back) which I loved but was too massive, and didn't do it for me distortion-wise. Switching to this I still had great cleans but what really shines is the heavy, chugging, in your face distortion. I was surprised how loud this sucker is too. Not as loud as the 412 (which thus allows me to crank the amp more), but still damn loud. Pretty directional though (212 cabs are like that).

I give it a 9 only because it doesn't do the UNGODLY cleans my RK cab did. But otherwise outstanding...I don't even feel the need to use my OD anymore in front of my Roadster!

Mesa is solid beyond compare. Heavy stuff designed for the next World War.

They've always been very good to me.

Great cab. Excellent construction, ENORMOUS distorted sound, very good (but not AMAZING!!!111one cleans). HEAVY AS HELL. But very portable. Play one and you'll see the hype.

It seems like a good cab for a small venue or home studio. Best for playing metal music or tick sounds. It has two 60 Watt Celestion Vintage 30 speakers inside, wired in paralel with one mono input. I felt the need to have it wired in stereo, because I have a Mesa/Boogie 20/20 amplifier which is stereo.

After a quick search on eBay I've found a MESA BOOGIE 2X12 CAB MONO/STEREO JACK PLATE W/SWITCH and got it right away. It has a metal switch which doesn't feel cheap and looks like it will last for life.

The switch can't be switched accidentally because is placed right between the two jacks, beside, it needs some strenght to be switched. Looks and feels strong. The plate is also labeled nicely with Mesa/Boogie logo and it has marks for mono/stereo mode of operation. Very clever. I was surprised how easy was to install the jack plate!

Now I have what Mesa Boogie should have done from the start: a Stereo 2 x 12 V30 cabinet that can be switched to mono when I need more power - usualy when playing in clubs or other venues.

The sound is thick and black. Powerful. It suits my metal music. The heaviness of the cabinet might be the secret to this sound. It's heavy - over 30 kilos. It seem built like a tank.

The grill cloth is made of some sort of plastic, but I am pleased that this is well fitter to the cabinet so it doesn't buzz during loud playing.

The V30 speakers are awsome and make all the difference! Punchy, quick, linear in reproducing lows and mid-lows, yet crisp and clear on highs.

I feel that I can depend on this cabinet. I use it mainly in studio and from time to time in small venues. It never broken down.

Never dealt with the company so far, regarding the cabinet. I had a question once, regarding my amplifier and I got an email response the next day. Nice and supportive!

I have this cabinet for a few months now. It seems like the best choice a metal player could have.

Now, with added versatility from the mono/stereo jack plate w/switch I could say that this is simply the best 2 x 12 V30 guitar cabinet ever. The switching jack plate really helps for that - I can switch from 60 Watt Stereo mode to 120 Watt Mono mode, instantly.

Made in 2007, It also handles every style I throw at it. I play mainly Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Wolfmother, Jimi Hendrix.... As you can see a very versatile palette of music. This thing gets loud as hell, its unreal...

It's a Cab... How many features can it possibly have to give it a 10

Well I am very impressed with it overall, it's got the deep and throaty tone you would expect from a Mesa Boogie Cabinet, yet amazing midrange and highs too. The clean in my honest opinion also sounded amazing, I've only played through a couple different cabs before including a Marshall 4x12 1960 Cab, a Vox 4x12, and a Marshall 1936 2x12 cab, and this thing blows them away. I'm not just some Mesa fanboy this cab really does produce any sound that the head throws at it. I've played it through 2 different heads so far. A Marshall DSL 2000, and a Mesa Boogie Road King Series 2, and let me tell you both sound absolutely amazing, I don't know what people are talking about when they say they hear a Booming sound all of the time, they must have their lows all the way up... who does that?

If it was big enough... I would be buried in it, because it could easily withstand anything, I'm almost confident enough to say that if a Damn Semi would hit it..... It might still work. It weighs like 75 lbs and is just solid as hell, and people why complain so much about tolex... It's just tolex... And It looks way sexier than the tolex Marshall uses. Seems like its made out of Solid Steel its so damn solid.

Haven't had to deal with Mesa other than to order a kick ass head like the Road King, and I was very impressed on how responsive they were to every question I had and how quick they were to respond. I will never need to repair it, and the thing has a 5 year Transferable warranty on it. Did I mention it was Handbuilt in the USA... It's solid. I'm confident I will never need an authorized service center... so I don't care.

Been playing for about 6 years, I own a Mesa Road King Series 2 Head, and the Recto 2x12 Cab. For guitars I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard w/alnico's and a Danelectro, and I've played my friends Fender Jazzmaster and Telecaster through it and they all sound nothing less than amazing. If it was stolen or lost I'd save for another. I love it. I don't hate it ever. I wish it had Casters because it's damn heavy, but I guess that means quality.

I just wanted to put out a comment about modifying the 2x12 Recto cabinet. I know a number of reviewers here said that they wished this cab had stereo capability. I have the good fortune of living within driving distance of Mesa/Boogie's Hollywood outlet store, so just recently I was able to go there and put in a custom order for a 2x12 Recto cabinet with 4 ohms mono / 8 ohms stereo (as opposed to the normal 8 ohms mono only), at no extra charge. There were only a few conditions:
- I had to put 25% down
- it'll take Mesa 4 to 6 weeks to build this
- the normal 5 day cash-back / 30-day store credit return policy would be void

It's certainly possible to replace the 16 ohm speakers with 8 ohm speakers and cut the connecting wires myself to achieve the same effect, but that would void the 3-year warranty. If a buyer wants Mesa to modify the cab, and doesn't live close to the Mesa outlet store in Hollywood, it may be worthwile to ask his Mesa dealer if they could talk to Mesa and handle such a request for a custom cab.

75 lbs
2x12 Celestion Vintage 30s
closed back
8 ohm input jack
parallel speaker output jack

Throaty, thick mids. Good, very tight lows. Not quite as boomy and big feeling as a 4x12, but I tend to like the place this cab finds in the mix. Lot's of personality. There's plenty of cut on the highs.

Solid. VERY solid.

no need.

I've used just this cab, or this cab and a 4x12 Marshall 1960a. Either way, it sounds amazing for guitar. Right where the guitar should be. It's pretty dang heavy though...75 lbs and no wheels, kinda awkward. It's a sacrifice for tone that I can afford.

Don't know what year. Celestion Vintage 30's, 140 watts, etc, etc.

I play an Agile Septor 7-string through a Peavey XXL solid state head, and the Mesa cab makes this decent rig sound fucking awesome. It's replacing a Peavey 412M with Sheffield 1200s. Not only does the Mesa sound better, but is ssoooo much louder. The lows are huge. Not quite as tight as I would want them, but shit, I'm not too picky. Sounds great. I can't even imagine what it would be like with a good high gain tube head.

This thing has already seen some rough days, and will continue to. Built like a goddamn tank, that's for sure. MESA rules.

Never dealt with Mesa, but I'm sure they're great.

Amazing cab, perfect for what I do. Loud, portable, and crystal clear. Bravo.

Age unknown. Bought used from local GC. Replaced two 1x12 half-open MB cabinets with this single 2x12 unit.

I play Gibson, Fender and Ibanez through various mod-Pedals (Keeley,etc) into a Mesa Boogie V-Twin preamp and then into a Mesa Boogie 20/20 stereo amp.

I cut the conncetor wires on the cab jack plate to give me a stereo cabinet.

No complaints from this thing. Built like a tank and the weight proves it.

Have not needed them for this but have used them for other things related to my amps. Decent support. Sometimes you have to leave a message.

Played 23 years. Rock and Christian rock. I love this cabinet. The closed cabinet is great. My Gibson is so thick it blows you over.

I believe it was made around 2003-2004, same as everyone else's reviews. 2 celestion 30's. 140 watts, 8ohm, mono.

This sounds amazing, my setup is an epiphone les paul elite standard or my epiphone SG301, to a boss dd20, peavey xxx with mesa tubes, then to my mesa cab. the high gain channels from the xxx sounds amazing through the mesa.

i would sooooooo use this at a gig with no backup whatso ever, its built like fort knox wearing a bulletproof vest... tough.
it gets an 8 for the tolex though, its not very tough.

i havent had to deal with them, but i have called them about catalog and ordering information. they are very helpful.

if it were stolen or broke. or randomly caught on fire, id buy another, its very nice and compact. i have played a 4x12 recto cab, it sounds the same as my 2x12

Don't know exactly the year of production.
I've played with this nice cabinet at various gigs.
The Cab has a good power, but I must admit that the other guitar player in my band told me to try the Blackshark cabinets 1x12 and 2x12and I would not be disappointed.
Two days later, after a couple of sessions, I sold my Mesa and ordered the same cab of my friend at BLACKSHARKCABINETS.COM at the half of the price of a Mesa or Bogner!
Sorry...non comparison in price and full sound!!!

Bill Lawrence XL 500.Evolution pickups.
The Blackshark 2x12 "Rattlesnake" blew away the Mesa on clean and distorted sounds, completely.

I sold it and bought a pair of new handcrafted cabinets.

Never needed : after only 6 months of use!
But it seems well built.

I 've been playing for 18 years more or less every kind of style.
If it was stolen I will defenetly buy another Blackshark cabinets.Also their customer support seems to be ok.

Not sure of the year on mine since I got it used locally from another guitarist who likes Marshall cabs better (he's crazy!). I play many different styles from metal to blues to jazz. This cab can suit them all, just depends on what you are running into it. Nice tight low-end, and the highs are still clear! I wish it wasn't so heavy, but I guess the thickness of the wood affects the tone you get, so whatever Mesa does, it's worth it! I know it doesn't MAKE the actual tone, but it amplifies it better than most cabs I have played through!

I haven't had a chance to REALLY crank it, but I played it once at VERY loud volume and it was GREAT! Chest pounding lows were abound, as promised by others that have played Mesa! This cabinet works pretty well with my cheap setup (Guitar ---> POD XT Live ---> Tube Works MosValve ---> Mesa Recto 212 cab), but man pair it up with a tube head and this thing ROCKS! I am planning on buying a Mesa Boogie Nomad 100 watt head from a friend, and that will make my perfect setup! Cleans are super-clean (not quite fender, but they are more versatile than a fender anyways!) but the distortion is AWESOME!!! The lows are tight and the highs and mids are perfect!

I would totally gig without a backup. I never understood all the hype behind Mesa cabinets before I tried one, it seems like it will last for a very long time! The only complaint I have is that the tolex, although smooth and nice to the touch, is quite prone to scratches. I have a used cab and it has scars from the last owner not being careful with it. It seems realiable but the tolex being thin is my only complaint here.

I just got off the phone with them! Mesa has THE best customer support! I got through right away and talked to a very friendly customer service rep! He answered every question I could think of, and even some I didn't! Very friendly, very helpful, very nice experience overall! Thanks Chris! (that was the guy I spoke to at Mesa, very nice individual... hope they are all that friendly!)

If this ever gets stolen, I'm going to save up for another one! Chances of this getting stolen are slim though, as the person carrying this thing would have to be waddling away with it (65 lbs for a 2x12!)! I love the tight lows, I've never had a cabinet capable of producing lows as nice as this, I really can't stress that enough! I just sold my Peavey Triple XXX 4x12 cabinet for this... I think the Celestion Vintage 30s in it are my favorite speaker now! Only thing I wish for now is maybe another one with the 3/4 back convertible option (if they make one with the vintage 30s that is), but I'm not sure if that would kill the lows I love! Overall the best cabinet I've played through! Wish I lived out in California, I would try to get a job with Mesa! Discount would be nice!

Mesa Recto 2x12 UPRIGHT cab.

Made in 2003. I purchased a yearish ago new.

Not too versatile, 8 Ohm in and thru (to another 2x12 I assume). Stereo might have been nice. 140 watt capability (2 70 watt Celestion 30's)

It gets a five, because it's a cab.

Used it with two amps: Hughes and Kettner Triamp (EL-34), and a Zinky Superfly (5881). Played a Les Paul DC, and an American Strat through this.

Contrary to most of the reviewers, I DO NOT play exclusively metal, death metal, etc. Maybe I should if I use this cab and that's all I played. Otherwise, I play anything from country to metal (or harder Rock if you like ala Kidney Thieves, Nickelback, etc).

Here's my beef(s): The cabinet always sounded boomy to me. Sometimes I felt like great tone was trying to come out of the speakers, but could not. I like versatility, and this thing just plain doesn't have it. Honestly didn't know until another purchase (see below). The highs sounded shrill, okay mids, the lows were pretty tight, but again those BOOMY sounds. Also irritating is the overly directional aspect of this cab. It was peeling my face off standing anywhere in front of it, but the drummer who was about 45 degrees to the side couldn't hear me at all. Fah.

Great speakers, but the cab construction, or DESIGN rather, fails this thing significantly.

Not horrible, but it still gets a 4. (My rating system means that a 8 is a very good score...almost nothing is a 10)

The cabinet seems to be well made. Very tough, very heavy duty.

One complaint: The tolex seems to scuff and rip if I sneeze in it's direction. Pretty common though on tolex in general. Gets a 7 here.

In research for other amps, I have found them to be very responsive in every aspect of question. They get a 9.

Been playing for 30 years. Here's where I found out the problem with this cab, or rather how others are just plain better:

I first tried another cab with Celestion Greenbacks, but both amps indicated above pretty much overpowered it. In some desperation, I found on Ebay a Bogner 4x12 cab here in Denver.

Now THAT is a cabinet. Full sound across the spectrum. Very focused and tight bass, but still good projection around the room...fills the cracks (almost like it's an open back'd cab, but it's not.)

I might have given this a higher rating had I not found out about this cab vs other cabs. But after being sort of vaguely disappointed in my tone, to incredibly satisfied, I have to dock points accordingly.

Anyone want a Mesa 2x12 upright cab? Cheap(ish)?

Again, I do not dislike this cab, it is just not very versatile. Metal yes, Beatles no.

I USE IT TO NPLAY OUT AND OUT HEAVY ROCK.MY FAVOROTE BAND IS Y&T AND THEY USE MESA GEAR.IT SOUNDS AWESOME AT ANY VOLUME,AND HANDLES CLEAN AS WELL AS HIGH GAIN DISTIRTION,AND ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN.THE MASSIVE BASS IS ONLY ACHEIVED WITH A MESA RECTO CAB WITH ITS CLOSED BACK.I HAVE TRIED OTHER CABS MAINLY 4X12 AND THIS BABY KNOCKS EM ALL DEAD.!!!!!!!!!.

HARD TO RATE THE RELIABILITY AS I HAVE NOT HAD IT LONG ENOUGH TO COMMENT FAIRLY.BUT,,,,SO FAR IT HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING I CAN THROW AT IT FROM MY MESA DUAL RECTO HEAD.I WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP HEAD BUT THE CAB IS BULLET PROOF AND WOULD RELY ON IT 100%

N/A

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 25 YEARS.I ALSO OWN MESA DUAL RECTO HEAD,AVT 150 MARSHALL COMBO,PEAVEY EVH CUSTOM WOLFGANGS X 2,GIBSON LES PAUL.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE THE 4X12 FOR A 6X12 STACK BUT I DONT HAVE THE ROOM,AND I'M NO ARNI SO MOVING IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM.IT COULD DO WITH CASTORS AS ITS VERY HEAVY.....

OVERALL...ONE OF THE BEST PURCHASES YOU WILL EVER MAKE,YOU WILL NEVER NEED ANOTHER CAB,YOU WILL NEVER GET THE MESA SOUND FROM ANYTHING ELSE,BELIEVE ME IVE TRIED.GO ON BUY ONE.YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2x12" Celestion Vintage 30 speakers (each 16 ohms)
i think they're wiring in "Parellel" (use Resistance Law to calculate it)

one 8 ohms input-jack and parallel output-jack

closed-back and over-sized design cabinet

i'd tried Diezel 1x12", Marshall jcm900, Orange and Soldano 2x12"
close-back cabinets in the shop.

Finally, i choose the Mesa/Boogie 2x12" Rectifier cabinet
for Single Rectifier Solo-50 and old DC-5 heads

it's denifitely awesome sound for modern rock/metal guys

" very tight and agressive voicing ! "

goddamn heavy and built-like a jumbo jet

great customer service both for international and domestic clients

thanks to Mr.Kevin Robertson (mesa/boogie LTD)

nothing to say anymore,

just believe in your ears and judge by your personally tone-favour.

I love this cab. I have played out of the 4x12 for a previous band and its easy to say i love the 2x12 as well.

I have a bunch of guitars and I've I played out of many cabs. I've played a 73 fender musicmaster, a custom 89 soloist with a emg 81 and sa w/chandler neck, and scalloped fretboard, and a ovation tangent. I love how it sounds. The bass is definately there and the highs and mids are not overpowering. In most cabs its a struggle to get a deep bass sound. Luckily, thats how this cab is built to perform. You can also get fender type cleans out of it, just roll off the bass knob on your amp. Any kind of sound you have, this cab's ready to take it and make it better.

so far incredibly good!!!

I love it. You would too. Unless you're tone deaf.

Brand new from guitar center. Very powerful. Wish it had castors thoguh so wheels could be used as it is very heavy.

Im using a jackson dr3 with emg-81 pickups. I'm running this cab through a tremoverb 2x12 combo as the combo alone lacked the "Low end" i was looking for. This cabinet Done just that. It gave me the low end & power i was looking for i absolutly love it!!! Sounds huge.

Build like a tank. Weighs like 75lbs so its solidly build. Im sure nothing will go wrong with it its a beast.

Never had to deal with them.

I'v been playin for around 6 years. It is a great cabinet. I look forward to playing through it for many more years.

2002- basic black , vintage 30's- 2-12- 75 lbs. - heavy metal man - cool for small cars - not subways - 75 lbs + recto head -40 lbs or so + 2 guitars + cables = wheaties

I REVIEWED THE RECTO 2-12 UNFAVORABLY A WHILE BACK. AFTER TWO SHOWS WITH IT SOUNDING LIKE HARSH, SPITTY CRAP, I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
SINCE IT WAS 500 BUCKS I WASN'T GOING TO BUY ANOTHER CAB IN A FLASH - SO I MODIFIED IT MYSELF.
THIS MOD WAS EASY, COST NOTHING, AND CHANGED EVERYTING !
THIS CAB SOUNDED VERY BOOMY - ALOT OF LOW END, SPITTY RAZOR SHARP HIGHS, AND MUDDY CARDBOARD MIDS. IT SOUNDED LIKE A HOLLOW WOOD BOX.
I OPENED IT UP - AND THAT'S WHAT IT WAS - NO SOUND DAMPING MATERIAL INSIDE AT ALL !
I GRABBED SOME 2 INCH WEDGE- SHAPED AURALUX FOAM REFLEXION KILLING MATERIAL I HAD LEFT OVER FROM MY LIVINGROOM WALLS - DON'T LET YOUR LANDLORD SEE YOU PUT THAT CRAP EVERYWHERE - HE WILL FREAK !
THE STUFF IS CHEAP - GO TO , " YOUR AUDIO" - ON WEST 30TH ACROSS FROM ULTRASOUND - TALK TO BOBBY NEILL- HE'LL TRY TO SELL YOU A 500, 000 DOLLAR MIXING BOARD BUT TELL HIM YOU JUST NEED SOME GOD DAM FOAM !
USE STRONG GLUE - GOOD FOR SNIFFING - AND LINE THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CABINET WITH THE STUFF.
HINT- WHEN YOU TAKE THE BACK OFF- UNSCREW THE JACK PANEL, DROP THE JACK PLATE THROUGH THE HOLE, AND LIFT THE BACK WOOD PANEL FROM THE CENTER HOLE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY IT'S GOING TO COME OFF - I TRIED PRYING THE PANEL OFF FROM THE CORNERS WITH MY TRUSTY BUTTER KNIFE BUT THAT IS BECAUSE I USED TO SMOKE ALOT OF POT. THE JACK PLATE REVELATION CAME QUICKLY AFTER I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO DESTROY A SWEET LOOKING CAB WITH A BUTTER KNIFE ! I HAVE DONE DUMBER THINGS - DON;T ASK MAN - JUST SAY NO KIDS !
AFTER THE FUMES DISPERSE AND YOU BURY YOUR DEAD PETS, PUT THE THING BACK TOGETHER.
"PESTO - CHANGO" - TIGHT LOW END, NICE MIDS, -NOT VINTAGE 4-12 MIDS, BUT MUCH BETTER THAN LITTERBOX MIDS, AND CHILLED OUT HIGHS.
STILL ONLY A HEAVY METAL CABINET, SO BRING YOUR TWIN TO YOUR GOSPEL GIG. BESIDES, RECTO'S MELT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD - SWEEEEEEEET !
OH YEAH - I PLAY HARD ROCK - MELODIC METAL - G+L'S WITH DIMARZIO SUPER DISTORTIONS - CLASSIC METAL TONE. -

IF YOU HIT IT WITH YOUR CAR AND YOU DON'T HAVE A HUMMER - BUY A NEW CAR. I GIG WITH IT ALL THE TIME -NO PROBLEMS - RAYZHELL.COM

DON'T BOTHER RANDALL SMITH -HE IS DOING BONG HITS AND TRYING TO FIND HIS LEFT SANDAL. BUT HE DOES MAKE DAM GOOD STUFF FOR THE MONEY ! YOU CAN SPEND ALOT MORE AND GET TOTAL GARBAGE. NEVER HAD TO CALL HIM. SO THAT'S COOL.

WITH MOD IT RULES - WITHOUT MOD YOU WILL NEVER GET THE BEST FROM YOUR RECTO HEAD. LIFE IS SHORT - BE HEAVY METAL !

This one is really new ...vertical...even though I got it used, I even got the original warranty card and Mesa/Boogie company card. It has Celestion Vintage 30's which POUND! It is mono 8 ohms, which doesn't bother me, but I wish i could do stereo. Apparently, there is a way to do that, but I am not sure how. But in reality, I'd just get another one to run out of my power amps other channel for stereo. This thing is actually really light for a cabinet (I have dealt with too many in my day). It's a hardwood cabinet and it has really sturdy casters on the bottom, a definite plus!

Incredible. I play black/oddball metal. I use a LIne 6 Pod Pro, Peavey Classic 50/50, and a EMG loaded Ibanez 7 string. This thing is beautiful clean, totally even sound, but distorted, this thing crushes all. It even sounds like I got a bass player behind me (so when my bassist does play, whoa). It is clear, loud, and destructive!

I don't think you can break this thing. Not without seriously trying!

never dealt with them, probably never will have to

The fact I got this thing for 350 is scary, with all the tags and such in place. It's in flawless shape. I am maybe thinking an employee screwed up, cause the one right next to it is brand new, and you coulda switched the tags and no one would know. Just that the new one is 550!!!!!!!They sound the same so who cares. I got such a sick deal, and this cab is perfect for me. I have even heard the 2X12 is better than the 4X12, and I actually agree somewhat, this one did perform better. For metal, rock, blues, or anything really, this would do you good. It's just a solid piece of equipment. Mesa is just so damn expensive, you really gotta find them used not to pay through the roof!

i wrote the review below. . .just wanted to add something. I decided, just for fun, to change out one of the vintage 30's for a celestion G12T-75. This cab, as I say below, kicked ass before, and kicks ass now as well. If you like the sound of the cab, but want a slightly more "modern" sound, than this is a mod that could help. The highs were nice before, but now they sound really. . .good. theres no other word which will work better there. This cab had great lower mids and bass before, but now with this mod the whole cab goes to a whole new level. maybe G12T's dont sound very good when its just 4 of them on their own, but when one is combined with a vintage 30. . .truly beutiful.

Mine is the Vertical version, not too many reviews here on that one so ill put in my two cents. I got it "used," but it was from somebody who had bought it like two days earlier new, i even got the warranty papers unsigned. It has two 16 ohm Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, which themselves are not the bass heavy monsters everyone makes them out to be. but ill take that cause up during the sounds portion of the reivew. it has another jack for daisy chainig, and it is heavy because its so well made. I took a look inside, and it was very clean, everything was tight, and the joints were soldered. the jacks are heavy duty. . .basically no expense was spaired in making this cab top-of-the-line, so I'm happy. It gets a 7, because it is what it is and it does it well.

I'm playing either a telecaster with a Seymour ducan STL-2 hot single coil or a Tom Delonge strat with a telecaster hot rails pickup. These guitars go straight into my Fender Prosonic head (dont underestimate my Rectifier Killer), and then into this cabinet. I play modern punk rock, in the vein of finch or NoFx or The Used.
These speakers are not all that bassy. . .actually they are known for a nice warm midrangy sound with very natural breakup, all the things a "vintage" speaker has. So how do these Mesa cabs all sound so thick and bassy? simple. . .the cabinet. When you have that much wood and that much open space inside a cabinet with just two speakers (the same principles applies to the 4x12's), you get the huge sound the mesa is known for. The reason that there isnt very much midrange in these cabs isnt because of the cabs, its because of the amps. usually an amp with 6L6GC tubes is used on these cabs. 6L6 tubes, by nature, have less midrange than their brothers, the EL34's used in marshall amps. THIS is what leads people to belive that Vintage 30's are Scooped-mid bass monsters. i lift this cabinet up off the ground with my other guitarists amp case, so i can get isolation, and i get a great crunch. . .not to bassy, not to mid heavy, and not to trebly. This caibnet is more than loud enough for any setting i have to play in, even with just the 50 watts coming out of my fender, i can get loud enough, even too loud. stupid sound guys always telling me to turn my beutiful tube tone down, so that they can process it through their stupid pa systems.
Oh i forgot to mention. . .i have played the cabinet in every possible possition. . .on the casters, upright without the casters, on its side, raised up to chest level, whatever you can think of ive tried it. I found through out this testing that if i want massive bass response, than all you have to do is lay the cabient on its side, on the ground. If you want to sound like trebly crap, then go ahead and stand it on the casters. however, if you wnat to do the best for yourself and your tone, than do what i do now and raise up your cabinet. Another reviewer below said that his tone turned to shit when he brought the cabinet off the ground. obviously you have two different opinions, but for me, for punk rock, for my tone, i have to lift he cab up, and at ear level i dont have to depend so much on my stage monitoring, because i can hear my amp, wow what a novel idea right! I love this cabinet, and for hard stuff, rock or punk or whatever, there is NOTHING better. . .believe me ive looked! 9's all around.

oooh, see heres the thing i get worried about. i have only played like 4 gigs with this cabinet, and its already pretty much covered in war scars. the headstock of my strat went straight through the grill cloth, like it was paper. . .ive never scene anything so fragile thats meant to protect something else. I didnt think aobut it because ive hit the front of my old marshall AVT cabinet, and i never actually went thorugh the cloth. I found a place online that sells mesa grill cloth though, which is pretty cool because im replcing the fender silver cover on my head iwth the mesa stuff, and whenever i feel the need i can replace the front of my cabinet. . .and no buyer will ever know the difference, although i wouldnt lie, id tell them i replaced it just as any of you would of course!
The casters are great, the trac-loc system should be the industry standard. . .i use it constantly, and without it id be screwed.
The leather corners are STUPID! they are just as bad as the covering, because they ARE the covering. I'd really even wrather have plastic than this crap. . .not a good decision. If you want a cabinet for reslae value only though, than good luck findign one thats built today that will stand the test of time! mesa's, right now, are the best at holding their value, but only if you baby the thing to hell and never actually take it out! over all this thing sounds great but the outside just dosent hold up for me. . .it gets a 4 because they could have done so much better. (i know before what i said about how no expense was spared, but that was on the inside of the cab)

never used it, never will. this cabinet will never break, and if something with the wiring goes wrong than ill just fix it myself.

overall, this cabinet is impressive. . .it holds its value, realatively speaking, and the sound is explosive, beutiful even. I'll be brief. . . because i want to go play my babies. I'll give it, based on all of the above high and low points, an 8 overall, because the inside cinstruction and sound outweigh the problems outside. . .and i supose that its better to have external than internal problems like most other cabs and amps have. feel free to email me aobut anything. . .ill try to help any way i can.

Vintage 30s, input, handle, all enclosed case (straight front, none of that slanted malarkey). Its not an all-singing all dancing cab, no stereo options etc. But that doesn't bother me. The handle is almost pointless when you're lifting it (this thing weighs around 75lbs and a bit of slim rubber on top isn't fun)and there's no wheels (better for sound and stability, if neccesary you could get removable castors). Start smashing up your house because this thing is pretty big and doors are only so wide.

Its enclosed, so its got bass, an impressive amount of bass for a 2x12, it sounds really deep especially with a nice valve amp. The mids are nicely rounded. The highs can really shine through, you have to go careful with your treble control. Volume wise - its loud, but still respectable at home. You can play niceenouogh not to hurt the neighbours, but then you crank hard and kill the drummer at practices. WARNING: Do not take it off the ground. I know what you're thinking: "I want to lift it up so people can hear me clearly through the band". I tried this, I nearly cried, after staring in confusion at my amp for a bit I realised that the speaker had lost 50% of its depth and "grrrrr". I think its afraid of heights because it sounded a bit girly up high. If you want people to here you better then get another 2x12 and pu it on top or just buy a 4x12.

Boogie = Reliable. Thats what everyone says. I have no reason to disbelieve this. The cab is solid, I've read some other reviews that say boogie skrimp on the quality of the joints but the cab seem solid enough to me. I think if it fell out of a window onto my car (unlikely I think) then my car would be scrap but the cab would be ready for gigging. Its a tank, rhino, brick, etc., etc.

I sent boogie an e-mail about my amp and within a week or two (maybe sooner I was away from my computer for a bit) they had sent me a reply that was very comprehensive, friendly and helpful. It was like an essay! "I'm not trained all the way down to component level but..." They no their stuff man and they're only too willing to have a look at your product if you're not satisfied. They're supposedly quite flexible even if your warranty has run out. Of course if you do have a problem then you'll most likely have to ship it to the US, not too bad if you live there but a bit pricy and time consuming if you don't, like me.

I've had this a couple of months and no problems encountered. The price tag is ridiculous, the handle is hilarious and if you were thinking of buying a cover for it... thats #40-odd pound for you sir! But economic griping aside this is quality. I use it with my 3 chan. dual recto head and Ibanez Jem 7v(wh) (Thats a lot of money right there baby). I considered getting a Marshall 2x12 because they're a third of the price, but this cab was designed for my amp and it sounds great and looks menacing. Its like a little black monolith. I was really impresses by this cab when I heard it. Its almost as powerful as the 4x12 but works better at lower volumes so you don't have to make your ears bleed to get a good sound from your amp. The super-size construction doesn't take up that much room but can be a bit awkward for moving around. Don't get the 1x12 its not going to do your amp justice, get this its a good all-round cab volume-wise, and sounds great with a nice recto head.

THE FEATURES ARE AN INPUT AND A HANDLE.

I JUST GOT THE RECTO 2-12 CABINET TODAY-2-24-03 FOR 500 BUCKS.AND I AM WONDERING IF I MADE A MISTAKE. I HAVE USED MY 2 CHANNEL 1997 DUAL RECTO HEAD SINCE 1997 WITH A VINTAGE LANEY 4-12 -1980- OR SOMETHING WITH AMAZING RESULTS. IT SOUNDED HUGE- WIDE OPEN- LIKE THE GRAND CANYON - WITH BEAUTIFUL MIDS AND SOARING HIGHS.
THE RECTO 2-12 CAB RIGHT NOW SOUNDS A LITTLE MUDDY IN THE MIDS- SURE THE LOW END IN COOL BUT THE REST SOUNDS HARSH. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WILL CHANGE AS THE SPEAKERS BREAK IN OR SOMETHING.
I'VE ALWAYS HEARD AUDIOPHILE FREAKS USE PINK NOISE GENERATORS TO BREAK SPEAKERS IN AND CRAP- BUT HEY - I SOLD MY PINK-NOISE GENERATOR LAST WEEK FOR CRACK- WILL ONE OF YOU GUYS TELL ME IF THIS CAB IS GOING TO SOUND SWEETER IN A FEW WEEKS OR WHAT?! BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I AM A BIT BUMMED.- MAYBE IT WILL NEVER SOUND LIKE MY 4-12- I STILL GOT IT BUT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THE GIGGING SITUATION A LITTLE EASIER CONSIDERING I HAVE A CAMARO.

NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS THING - COME ON MAN- IT LOOKS LIKE A BABY RHINO.

I HAVE NEVER HAD TO CALL BOOGIE EVER - SOLID- GEAR - BUT I AM SURE THEY ARE COOL.

BOOGIE IS THE BEST THING OUT THERE IN ITS PRICE RANGE-BY FAR- KILLS ALOT OF GEAR THREE TIMES AS EXPENSIVE. IT IS JUST THAT THIS THING SOUNDS A LITTLE TOO, "IN YOUR FACE". RIGHT NOW. I LITTLE TOO MUCH LIKE A SOLDANO OR A RIVERA - I HATE THOSE AMPS. I JUST WANT IT TO MELLOW A BIT AND SOUND LIKE IT DID WITH THE BIGGER CAB- LATER-RAY H.-WWW.RAYZHELL.COM

As other reviewers state below, it's mono and not switchable to stereo. I don't use stereo, so it doesn't matter to me, but I guess I have to take off points for that. Apart from that, it has the features I want: nicely made sealed cab with 2 Vintage 30s.

I converted my Voodoo modded Mesa Heartbreaker combo to a head by buying a head cabinet direct from Mesa. I also bought this 2x12 cab to go with it.

I love this cabinet. Beautiful midrange and bottom end. I find that the highs are sizzling, but very appealing. I think some people consider the highs to be harsh, but harsh means bad to mean. I think the highs sound really good, but they are overly pronounced, so I installed Weber Beam Blockers to diffuse the highs a bit. I may take them out some day if the cab mellows bit, which is supposed to be what happens as the speakers break in more.

I would give this cab a 10 if the highs weren't so loud. I know this is largely a function of how sound waves work, i.e. I've read that high frequency waves are very directional and are smaller, so you get the full effect of the highs without the full effect of the lower frequencies when you stand close to the amp. This is why I think the beam blockers are a good idea. Even though there's a scientific explanation, I do think the effect is even more pronounced with Vintage 30s, so I took a point off. If it weren't for the Beam Blockers (a cheap solution), I'd have taken more points off.

Seems to be built well. I've heard they're made of 14-ply birch, which is apparently a good thing! But I've also heard that the joints are not the best construction, which is a bad thing. I forget how it's made, but apparently Mesa usses a carpentry shortcut.

Overall, it seems really solid and reliable. I would have given it a 10 if I hadn't heard about the inferior approach used in joining the cab.

Top notch. The people I talked to at Mesa were knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

I would buy this cab again for sure. It goes really well with my Voodoo modded Heartbreaker head. Seems to be a perfect match.

Not much to speak of. It's a cabinet, what is it supposed to do?

I found the speakers to be great. Nice, ballsy sound. Midrange is pronounced. Seems a little bassy at times, but I just try to watch the bass knob on my amp. Very distinct sound from the V30's.

No problems at all. Did a 2 week tour with it. Kicked ass.

Never tried contacting Mesa/Boogie

Overall, great compliment to my Dual Recto head. A million times better than having a huge 4x12. Great sound. Although, I must mention, although its shorter than a 4x12, its really wide and heavy. This isn't a bad thing, just the truth. I highly recommend this cab for a nice, ballsy rock sound.

2002 Model, This thing is built like a tank! There isn't a whole lot to it. The only thing I would wish is due to it's heavy weight (80lbs) I would have like to have seen some casters and a beefier handle.

Sounds great! I matched mine with a 2002 3 Channel Dual Rectifier. The two together are like peanut butter and jelly. The 2x12 easily beats many 4x12's and unleashes a tight deep sound that projects well.

No problems here

I have listed pretty much everything there is to it. I would definately replace and recommend it to any one that is willing to put up with the weight for sound.