The 610 Search Continues...........

[Rev. Cornelius]

The 610 search continues...............


Thanks in advance to all who respond to this thread. I am looking for an new cab and have more rather than less decided that a 610 would best suit my needs. I am looking for opinions and thoughts from those of you who have, past or present, owned a 610 cab.

I realize that there are other speaker choices with regards to a big cab, but for this thread let’s confine ourselves to the animal known as the 610.

Also, I understand that there are significant differences in the 610 design and overall tone. You’ll better understand my prediciment and confusion as you read further.

My Background Considerations:

Amp : Demeter HBP pre, QSC PLX 1602 power amp.

Cabs I have, had, or played:

Epifani UL S2 210, 115, 212; Acme B1, B2, Ampeg15E, 810E, Mesa 410.

Basses: Predominantly 4 String with a Hipshot extended tuner on all basses. I use the low D at least 50% of the time. Basses include a P with flats (maple board), P with rounds, J with TI flats, J with rounds, EBMM Stingray, Fretless J with rounds.

Music Styles: It really varies. Blues at times, classic rock (more late 60’s & 70’s than earlier or later ie: 80’s), modern rock (think Porcupine Tree if you can), electronic (STS9 and Sphongle), and a bit of ?Gatemouth Brown? Who Knew!

The “Current Contenders” from what I have been able to see, hear and research in no particular order are:

1. The Epifani UL-610
2. Bergantino NV610
3. Messa Powerhouse 610
4. Schroeder 610L
5 Ampeg 610
6. LDS 610

Other considerations:

So, I have had Epi’s in the past and loved the hi-fi sound and the ability to mostly disengage the tweeter to “age” the sound. I have appreciated the 810E to thump through a mix.
Where does the Mesa sit in this picture? Between the Berg and the Epi?

Anyways, thanks again for the input. Please respond with as much detail as possible. Please offer other considerations that I have not considered. I can’t thank the members enough for their input!

Doug Brown
(Rev. Cornelius)

[bthrem]

Don't forget the Markbass CL106. WAY easy to lug around than the Epi, Berg or Ampeg you have listed. I know, I've owned all 3!

[okcrum]

Well, if an old Traynor 610 dropped in my lap, I wouldn't kick that out. Great sounding cab for what you play. Don't omit the Eden D610XST if that popped up either, unless you're considering new only. SWR had a 610, but I don't know about that. If you look around here, you won't find much love for the Ampeg 610 - it seems that one got neither the 410s' nor the 810s' genes.

[cableguy]

From what I have heard on the list it would be the Berg & Mesa. Don't think you could go wrong with either.

[Rev. Cornelius]

I won't dismiss the MB or any other out of production cab. I listed the ones I did as known models in current production asd I may be forced to buy new.

Thanks...

[lakedmb]

If you are around the Greenville, SC area I have an Ampeg 610 you could play around with.

[Mojo-Man]

I've owned the Ampeg Classic 610. Sounds nice, but heavy to move.
Played both the Markbass, and Bergantino.
Did not like the Markbass, loved the Bergantino.
LDS makes a nice cab, and I love Schroeder. (Have a BMF215)
I would rate them.

1-Bergantino
2-Schroeder
3-Ampeg
4-LDS
5-Markbass

[4-string]

The Schroeder has very agressive mids, and no real low extension. Which might or might not be a good thing for you. I believe it is much more even sounding than the baffled Schroeders, but still a distinctive voice.

I've gigged mine quite happily for the last three years, but have been thinking of replacing it lately. Nothing wrong with it, but I miss a deeper voice sometimes, and the mids can get a bit much. Cuts like nothing else through a mix, great (low) weight and small size, customer service has been very good IME, and I've zero issues.

But if you can, try before you buy, preferably in a band situation.

[rodl2005]

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

I've owned the Ampeg Classic 610. Sounds nice, but heavy to move.
Played both the Markbass, and Bergantino.
Did not like the Markbass, loved the Bergantino.
LDS makes a nice cab, and I love Schroeder. (Have a BMF215)
I would rate them.

1-Bergantino
2-Schroeder
3-Ampeg
4-LDS
5-Markbass

+10000 As long as you DON'T Want/need the ULTRA Highs of a tweeter, The BErgantino NV610 is THE 610 cab. I owned one- sold it ONLY coz I had/have an NV215 & I STILL regret selling it.- I stuck some skid rails on it's back- so I rarely had to lift it- even tho it aint a real heavy cab- weighs less than many 410's .
The skid rails-I made outta 'recycled plactic garden stakes' - made every move easy- just roll, tilt & slide. Piece of cake. & I'm a pretty li'l guy.
I didn't miss the tweeter- as the drivers in it are designed to give more high end than regular 10"s, & it DOES have plenty. Just not the real hi's of a horn etc..
Handles overdrive superbly also!!!!
DAMN I miss it. And I've got an HS410 Bergie... which IS close, but NO cigar

[onegunguitar]

SWR Goliath Sr. I have a pre Fender model that I run a Mesa M6 through,great sounding cab.

[BigOldHarry]

Were I looking, I'd look *closely* at the Bergantino or the Epifani (the epi is also almost 20 lbs lighter, too!)

Used, trying to save a buck? SWR Goliath Sr.

[Tunaman]

I loved my SWR 610, liked it better than an Eden 610 I had.
Fantastic cab. Now I do the "modular" 610... 2 310s. Its awesome, for big gigs run both, have one at the practice space & the other at home. Bring just 1 to smaller gigs (95% of them are covered with just the Epifani 310)

[paganjack]

I'll throw my vote for the Berg NV610. Every time I hear them or get to play out of one, it's like "THAT'S what bass is supposed to sound like."

BTW You do NOT want the Ampeg 610...it's just kinda bad.

[dukeisdog]

Berg or Mesa.

[doktorfeelgood]

I had a pre-Fender SWR Goliath, SR. and if I didn't have to sell my van, I'd still have it now. Although I do love my Aggie GS-112's. The Goliath sounded killer in any situation. Small rooms,
mid-sized rooms, large venues with or without PA support and outside without PA support...that 6X10 cab was really incredible.
I did once own an early 70's SVT with the 8x10 cab and I truly think the Goliath was better cab. )-(

[eyeballkid]

got the berg.. its nice.
had the ampeg.. meh
also got a fender 610 pro.. pretty cool and ported.

[ninerfan]

berg. / thread.

[JimiLL]

Genz Benz 610 XB2 user here. Got mine for around $450 used, in great condition.

900 watts RMS, thing sounds really great. Its taken everything I can throw at it so far

As for the Berg, I love their cabs, but its somewhat out of character here with almost all of the cabs mentioned being a ported/tweeter variety. The Berg being sealed/no tweeter is more inline with an Ampeg 810. These sound great with tube heads, where a ported cab generally sounds better with solid state power

[BassBob1]

i don't really like the ampeg 610hlf only played on once but love and own the 410hlf. That said i saw a guy playing the 610 with a p bass strung with flats and it sounded great.

reading over that i guess it doesn't really help.... Try and play all of those cabs with your amp and the bass or 2 you gig the most.

[jeff7bass]

2. Bergantino NV610!!!