The Road King 4x12 Straight gets its design foundation largely from the Rectifier 4x12 Straight cab, adding a dado-joined vertical panel in the center of the cab to isolate the closed-back side of the cab from the open-back side. Finished with a custom-tuned, one-piece rear panel spanning both sides, Celestion Vintage 30s are loaded in the closed side and our exclusive Celestion Custom 90s in the open side, offering amazing tonal variety and application flexibility. A side-by-side comparison with a 4x12 Rectifier Straight Cab showcases the Road King 4x12 as being slightly tighter and more focused in the lows with a little more prominent midrange and sparkle in the high-end from the open-back influence.
Straight cabinet designs also provide for a small increase of interior cabinet space, which yields slightly more bass and low-end resonance compared to Slants. Combined with the cabinet-switching option built into the Road King Head or Combo, OR – using an external cabinet switcher with your favorite amp, dynamic live performance, composition and mic’ing options are endless.
Some players prefer the STRAIGHT-style cabinets with all speakers attached to a one-piece baffle and all facing the same direction, effectively ‘coupled’ for maximum punch and frontal projection. Other players prefer SLANT-style 4x12 cabinets, which offers a ‘monitor’ effect due to the top speakers sloping up toward your ears. This can be a benefit when playing live. Regardless of Slant or Straight, if you are playing a Road King 4x12, your tone has authority, clarity and detail that only MESA 4x12 Cabinets deliver.
You simply won’t find a better cabinet. ALL MESA ENCLOSURES are made using the finest Void-free, Marine Grade Baltic Birch. Super strong rabbet corners are glued and nailed. Speaker baffles are fitted with superior dado joint construction and braced. Grilles are wrapped around a separate grille board, not the baffle board. Grille material is made of strong twisted jute dipped in a special coating that filters top end for a sweeter response.