8x10 noob questions... sorry guys.

[Bassman720]

Alright guys, i'm setting up my first real bass rig. So needless to say i have many noob questions. Sorry for redundency for all of you pros out there.... anywho... My band is going to be playing in medium sized venues, and i'm using a 6 string bass.

My questions are...

1) i just got a Gallien Krueger Backline 600, its rated, 300w @ 4ohms. Is this enough to power an ampeg 8x10?

2) Theres a Ampeg 8x10 in the pawn shop in my town for $400, and i might be able to talk them down a little on the price. Is this a good price for one of those bad boys?

3) Has anybody had any problems playin on the Low B string with an 8x10? as far as response and lack of "oommph"


Any help would be AWSOME, i know theres a bunch of you guys that probably answer these kind of questions all day. And someday i hope to join your ranks, but for now... i'm just that annoying noob that posts questions that all of you have answered a million times. SORRY GUYS!

[derridiandrift]

Generally, and in my experience, when I connect an amp to lots of drivers at the optimum impedance rating, I get better tone than if I use fewer drivers like a single 15 or dual 15 cab (plenty of variation in opinion will show up here on TB, depending on personal taste; there is no right answer to tone). The Ampeg 810 is an iconic cab and it will sound great with your amp. Of course, the newest generation of 12/6 and 15/6 cabs fly in the face of my experience, so I guess I should qualify that, until very recently, more drivers contribute a better sound. I'm speaking from experience that relates to a previous era of technology, to which the Ampeg 810 belongs.

I think maybe your question is the wrong way around. The Ampeg 810 has plenty of power handling capacity so your amp won't damage it. It would be better to run a more powerful amp, but that's not your question. And this doesn't mean you won't some day end up with a bigger amp and then use your BL600 as your backup.

IF that Ampeg 810 works (no blown or damaged drivers) go buy it right now. That's a good price.

[mouthmw]

That's an amazing price. I bought my ampeg 810 used and payed around $1250. I'm the second owner. God I'm so jealous of your prices in US! Sooo not fair! I'd have an svt cl head and a fender bass instead of squier with all the money i've spend on my equipment if I was in the states...

[fu22ba55]

1) That head is a good match for that cab

2) There are lots of different years of those 8x10s. The chipboard/MDF ones made in the late 90's/early 2000s are not as desirable as the plywood ones. If it says "St. Louis Music" on the jack plate on the back, then it's probably MDF. $400 is an OK price for a plywood one with working drivers, but I've seen the MDF ones go for less than that. Read the first page or so of this thread:

Ampeg 8x10 differences + speaker guard?

3) Ampeg 8x10s are sealed, not vented. This gives you a sound that is classic, and you will recognize the sound, but generally speaking, vented cabs produce more low end than a sealed cab. So if you want STOOPID lows, you might want to try something vented.

Ask the pawn shop if you can bring your amp and bass in there and try out the cab. That's the best way to tell if it will be to your liking.

[mouthmw]

How much low end do you need? I always cut the bass frequencies on my 810. It can deliver low end in spades.

[Fair Warning]

I was worried too about the 810 used with a B string.......but it only took one note through an SVT head to sell me! 810 forever as far as I am concerned! Too bad, though, now everything else sounds crappy, and Im looking for something to haul to practice in the back seat.

Anyway $400 is a good price with low-mod damage. I have been able to get a few for $300 in relatively good condition in LA. $500 is the normal selling price, so go for it!

[christw]

I'm the guy who had the '98 OSB 810E that JimmyM mentioned in that thread. I never took issue with it's sound ... but I also had four Jensen MOD10-50's in the top four speaker slots of it because I had to scrap 4 of the 8 original drivers.

Around me any 810e that isn't on fire will for $400 or more. If it's an OSB one, trash talk it a little extra before you try to undercut their price knowing that it's not that far off. A bit more muffled at worst, but it's a frickin' Ampeg, that's what they do!

[JimmyM]

1. yes

2. yes

3. no