Shopping for Ampeg stack

[kaaikop]

Hello to all! I'm a happy camper with my 5-string music man, the only bass I will ever need!

Now shopping for an amp stack. My choice is Ampeg SVT-3PRO. For the cabinet,
limiting factor is weight (90 lbs is max). for a 4x10 configuration, that leaves me
with SVT-410HE, BSE-410HLF, BSE-410HS and BSE-410H. Last one is actually
75lbs... Gotta be able to carry that baby by myself without breaking my back,
but I want the big Ampeg sound! Love to hear your input!

 

[mike not fat]

Hello Kaaikop, and welcome on board.

I recently had to choose a new rig, and weight was very important for me, considering the fact that i have to carry everything in the stairs. So i couldn't even considere a "classic" 4x10 (90 lbs are really too much).

I think you can have the ampeg sound without using an ampeg cab (it's the head that is the most important). Try some cabs with neo speakers (GK, Eden, EBS are manufacturing some). Personnaly, I choose a Markbass 104 which is a 4x10 weighing only 55 lbs, and believe me it's really loud. It can handle a low D without probs (i'm only playing on 4 strings basses). I tested an ampeg SVT 3 on this cab, and it was producing the classical ampeg tone and sound (i didn't choose that head, but if you want ampeg, go for it).

Now, if you're using a 5 string, and you can carry a "classic" 4x10, choose a cab that can handle low frequencies (35 Hz) ; the ampeg book gives you the overall freq. every cab can handle (as far as I can remember, the pro series are those which can handle the lowest freq, while the classic svt enclosure will be a bit short).

Good shoping, and you'll learn that here no bass and no rig are existing as long as you didn't post any photos (oops, i still have to post some of my new rig).

MNF

 

[skabassist13]

ive got a brand new ampeg 412 that sounds just killer and only weighs 2 pounds over your limit that id be willing to part with. let me know if your interested.

 

[Disquieter]

the he series cabs are garbage...

don't even look at them if you want a good tone with headroom.

get a 3 pro and an svt410hlf.. it's way better.

it's for the tilt back wheels with the kickplate and slide rails.

easy to move up stairs. I carry my 810 up stairs by myself.



get it!

if you don't have a good local dealer PM me, i can help you find one or ship it to you.

thanks
joel

 

[higher1]

I own an SVT410HLF. I own an SVT 8X10 , it sits in storage since I got the HLF. the bottom end from the 410HLF blows the 8X10 out of the water.

as far as the head is concerned;
I would just go with the ALL TUBE SVT CL personally. The tube watts are WAY louder than the solid state watts. You gain about 30 lbs. but it's worth every ounce in tone.

Good luck on your decision making.

 

[rolandk]

You might also consider a 1x15 and a 2x10 cab. For smaller gigs bring just one cab.

 

[Aussie Mark]

For a few lbs more (100lb) you can get into a SWR 8x8. I can't speak highly enough of this cab.

 

[Disquieter]

I own an SVT410HLF. I own an SVT 8X10 , it sits in storage since I got the HLF. the bottom end from the 410HLF blows the 8X10 out of the water.

as far as the head is concerned;
I would just go with the ALL TUBE SVT CL personally. The tube watts are WAY louder than the solid state watts. You gain about 30 lbs. but it's worth every ounce in tone.

Good luck on your decision making.

The HLF does give seem to have a fuller bottom end, but it lacks significantly in the mids (in general).

THe 8x10 conveys so much clarity and punch. It's incredible what these speakers can handle. while the HLF was bassy, it was muddy on the bottom, while the 8x10 is crystal all the way up and down.

still, for the $$$ and size, HLF is the way to go.

 

[higher1]

The HLF does give seem to have a fuller bottom end, but it lacks significantly in the mids (in general).

THe 8x10 conveys so much clarity and punch. It's incredible what these speakers can handle. while the HLF was bassy, it was muddy on the bottom, while the 8x10 is crystal all the way up and down.

still, for the $$$ and size, HLF is the way to go.

I would whole-heartedly dis-agree with this statement. I found the HLF to be very punchy in the middle as well as the thundering low end, this is on a side by side comparison that I am basing this.

maybe try turning the piezo up a 'lil if yer not getting the note clarity you are looking for?

 

[Disquieter]

I would whole-heartedly dis-agree with this statement. I found the HLF to be very punchy in the middle as well as the thundering low end, this is on a side by side comparison that I am basing this.

maybe try turning the piezo up a 'lil if yer not getting the note clarity you are looking for?

i guess this also depends greatly on the midrange response of the amplifier. for instance, when I was cab shopping, I tried the 4x10, 6x10 and 8x10 for upwards of three hours back and forth, listening to the subtleties of the cabinets. and while the 4x10 was a great cab (if it wasn't i wouldn't have even considered it), it lacked the significant punch and clarity of the 8x10, this may be due to the 810 having twice as many speakers, but i found the tone of the 8x10 to be so much more balanced and clear, even without the tweets. it's all in the ears, i know guys who use single 10 cabs and swear by them.

i think for anyone shopping for a cabinet, the most important thing is to trust your ears, if it sounds good to you, go for it. only put so much stock into the opinions of others because of situations like this. mr. higher1's opinion, while completely valid, is different than mine. they conflict. so try them all, make a decision yourself and trust it.

 

[kaaikop]

Thanks for all the input, really appreciate it (even if it does not necessarily makes
the choice any easier) Gotta take the time to get a perfect match for my baby!
Although would be my dream, the 810 is out of the question... way too heavy.
even the 410hlf is too heavy, but I read so great reviews about it, I think I will
just have to get in shape if I want to have a great tone...

Oh, by the way, here is my baby... ain't she pretty!!!
I'm still wildly in love after a year

 

[Mobay45]

WOW! Is that Cherry Burst or Honey Burst? If you don't know, post the serial number and someone from EBMM will look it up and post the birthdate and color. It looks like Cherry Burst on my monitor which would make it the first one I've seen. I think my next SR5 will be Cherry Burst.

 

[bovinehost]

That's a beautiful bass.

My 2 cents. I've had an Ampeg "classic" 4-10 cabinet for years now. I initially bought one of the fancy ones with the metal grill and all that, but it frankly sounded way too hi-fi for me. It was expensive, too.

Tried it for a week and just couldn't deal with it. Went back, got the cheaper Classic 4-10 and love it. How much does it weigh? I don't know, but I'm old and cranky and I can still get it in my Honda without too much trouble.

I use it with a 1-15 cabinet sometimes but usually I'm too lazy to bring two cabs with me, so it does a lot of stuff on its own.

Couple of guys here have heard my "little" rig - Mobay and SmallEquestrian, I think, at some outdoor gig. They might actually think it sucked, now that I think about it, as I've never really asked about it...but it's always made me happy.

Jack

 

[shamus63]

For a few lbs more (100lb) you can get into a SWR 8x8. I can't speak highly enough of this cab.

I'll back Mark's sentiment 100% on this cab! I've just purchased an Ashdown MAG-300R to push it, but I'm also buying (tomorrow, hopefully) either an Ampeg B2R or SVT-350H.

I'll take both heads to gigs (stacked on the cab), and switch between sets for tone-variety (not to mention having a b/u).

Not too many people doing that...but then I'm not normal.

 

[kaaikop]

That's Honey Burst (maybe the pic is too dark).
If I was filthy rich, I'd also get a fretless 4, some funky colour (transparent
teal, or green)

 

[MingusBASS]

I'll back Mark's sentiment 100% on this cab! I've just purchased an Ashdown MAG-300R to push it, but I'm also buying (tomorrow, hopefully) either an Ampeg B2R or SVT-350H.

I'll take both heads to gigs (stacked on the cab), and switch between sets for tone-variety (not to mention having a b/u).

Not too many people doing that...but then I'm not normal.

How does the Ashdown sound? I'm looking to pick up one of their ABM(the pro models) heads soon.

Andrew

 

[Mobay45]

Couple of guys here have heard my "little" rig - Mobay and SmallEquestrian, I think, at some outdoor gig. They might actually think it sucked, now that I think about it, as I've never really asked about it...but it's always made me happy.

Jack

It acutally didn't suck at all. I thought it was one of the better sounding ampeg cabs that I've heard.

Of course it did have that Sunn head powering it. That may be why it sounds so good.

 

[shamus63]

How does the Ashdown sound? I'm looking to pick up one of their ABM(the pro models) heads soon.

Andrew

The Ashdown arrives tomorrow morning at work, and I'll give it a run in the evening.

I haven't heard the ABM series yet, but I think that's the pro-level bass head.

I'll post the results here...

 

[UKFIN]

I play my SR5 through an SVT 3 PRO and the 410 HLF cab.

Awesome lows and clear mids . Has never let me down .

 

[shamus63]

I play my SR5 through an SVT 3 PRO and the 410 HLF cab.

Awesome lows and clear mids . Has never let me down .

I want to to get a 410 HLF for my next cab...powered by Ampeg.

I'm actually finding that the stages around here (SF) have more room (for a four or five piece band) than I first gave credit for, so I may A/B my future Ampeg rig with the Ashdown/SWR rig I now have...