4x10 cab for $300-400 new?

[TreetarDed]

Got about $400 in guitar center gift cards and cash together, looking to get a new cab. Tired of playing DI at gigs and having no control over my tone/sounding like boomy crap. I'm currently playing out of an older peavey head and a gutted 1x15 combo/makeshift cab. The head isn't the greatest thing out there, but it works and has plenty of volume. I think it's obvious that I play in a metal band by my avatar, so would like something that's good for that type of sound. Would prefer a 4x10. Not going used, don't try to convince me otherwise.

[xjeremiahx]

not a whole lot in the $400 range for new gear @ GC. speaking from exp...
maybe the GK mbx 410, but that's about it. Or the acoustic 410

[TreetarDed]

what about the Ampeg B410HE? Any good? I haven't played anything Ampeg that I didn't like.

[JimmyM]

B410HE is probably the best of what you have to choose from. The Acoustic isn't too bad but I like the Ampeg sealed cabs and the B410HE is pretty decent IMHO. But don't rule out a used cab. For $400 you can get a very serious 410 used. I know you want to use your gift card, but if you see something on the floor used that's a higher grade of cab than these, I wouldn't rule it out.

[waleross]

The Hartke 410XL and the Fender Rumble 410 are both under $400 new.

[cheezewiz]

I think GK has a low end line that's around that price too. I'd probably go for the Ampeg, like Jimmy said, but that cab doesn't have much of a low end.

[TreetarDed]

Originally Posted by waleross

The Hartke 410XL and the Fender Rumble 410 are both under $400 new.

Unfortunately GC doesn't carry hartke... If I don't like anything I try at GC then I may just buy a bass off the used site with the gift card and wait til I have cash for a better cab. Most likely going to go with the Ampeg though

[TreetarDed]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I think GK has a low end line that's around that price too. I'd probably go for the Ampeg, like Jimmy said, but that cab doesn't have much of a low end.

Yeah, I can use my ghetto ampeg combo 1x15 with the 4x10 for a while seeing as that thing is all low end and no note definition.

[BigOldHarry]

You will get exactly what you pay for. Which isn't much.

Used? You have choices. New? Another story.

[WhoDidTheElf]

Yeah I have a GK BLX-III 4x10 (Guess its called the MBX now? 399$ new). It has no real low end definition and farts out on open E's if you have the bass cranked. It has a really strong mid voice that cuts through pretty well, but it may be too well. Paired up with my Mesa WA there is no amount of EQ'ing that can remove enough mids on that set up.

If you have something that is quite bottom oriented then it might be a good match. It's decently loud, but nothing amazing. It's built well, but the sound is just super mid oriented. Or at least from what I've experienced with it.

[CpTCrunch]

Its $499 but figured I would toss in a linky anyway.
TC Electronic BC410 4x10 GuitarCenter.com.

Not sure what you're looking for ohm wise, that one's at 4ohms.

[TreetarDed]

Honesty when it comes down to it, I don't really need the super high end gear. I play in two metal bands and even though no one wants to admit it, bass isn't the most important thing in metal. Not saying that my playing is bad or basic or anything, but for the sound I'm looking for I don't need anything super fancy. Just something that's going to cut through abit, not fall apart on me and not sound like a rubber band clapping against a piece of cardboard (which I unfortunately have experienced listening to another local band's bass player).

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by TreetarDed

Honesty when it comes down to it, I don't really need the super high end gear. I play in two metal bands and even though no one wants to admit it, bass isn't the most important thing in metal. Not saying that my playing is bad or basic or anything, but for the sound I'm looking for I don't need anything super fancy. Just something that's going to cut through abit, not fall apart on me and not sound like a rubber band clapping against a piece of cardboard

Well 2 out of 3 ain't bad

Actually, a handful of cabs in that price range are pretty decent. The B410HE and the 410XL are my picks for front runners. The one place it really pays not to skimp, though, is in the cabs. You can make the cheapest bass and amp on earth sound great if you have a great cab, but the best bass and amp on earth will sound like poopy caca through a duff cab. But at least the $400 range is where 410's are listenable, so one of these should be good for you. Just don't spend much less because below that point and quality really drops off.

[BillyIVbass]

GC Used has a Hartke Hydrive for $450. I think the cabs are great for power, decent tone and reliability. Honestly I cringe when I hear "cheap cab for metal" I've been to those shows. It's a 200 watt head maxed out into on tired old cab or a Behringer 8x10. So I hear what you're saying you don't need a new Aguilar setup, I'd try to score a better quality cab used.

If you go new, sign up for GC emails. They usually do at least one worthwhile promotional coupon a month. You have to beg to get them to honor it on Ampeg, but they will. I'd probably buy an Acoustic before I bought any of the newer budget GKs. Peavey has always made a tough enough product.

[Tracebassplayer]

10's just don't handle low end at volume well at all.. like a 15 does anyway.
My TE 1518T cab moves the house with the GP7 lows eq'ed up, but the 6x10 SWR Goliath SR I have farts if I raise the lows with the EQ over +1... ...

[xjeremiahx]

Originally Posted by TreetarDed

Honesty when it comes down to it, I don't really need the super high end gear. I play in two metal bands and even though no one wants to admit it, bass isn't the most important thing in metal. Not saying that my playing is bad or basic or anything, but for the sound I'm looking for I don't need anything super fancy. Just something that's going to cut through abit, not fall apart on me and not sound like a rubber band clapping against a piece of cardboard (which I unfortunately have experienced listening to another local band's bass player).

ehhhh not true. i play in a metal band too...and check this out...i got called out by name in this show review(i'm in Hunters).

I had the ampeg cab & it was punchy as all heck, which, if that's what you're looking for, go for it. I'd personally go with the GK.

PM me if have any other questions on GC's gear. I can only discuss so much in these threads

[xjeremiahx]

Originally Posted by Tracebassplayer

10's just don't handle low end at volume well at all.. like a 15 does anyway.
My TE 1518T cab moves the house with the GP7 lows eq'ed up, but the 6x10 SWR Goliath SR I have farts if I raise the lows with the EQ over +1... ...

I politely disagree. Having the Goliath Sr, and now the Megoliath....They handle volume plenty well.

[Tracebassplayer]

Originally Posted by xjeremiahx

I politely disagree. Having the Goliath Sr, and now the Megoliath....They handle volume plenty well.

What are you using for an amp?

[xjeremiahx]

Originally Posted by Tracebassplayer

What are you using for an amp?

Sunn 300t. SR5 tuned BF#BEA.

I've cranked it too...never really noticed my speakers struggling or farting out

[Tracebassplayer]

OK, hmm.
I'm, feeding it with a Trace Elliot AH1200SM on ch 1 and the 1518T on Ch 2.
Spector NS-2J and a Legend 4