acoustic 8x10 vs ampeg 8x10

[Buzter]

Anyone have any experience with the 2 of them and how they compare? Considering one or the other.

[SurferJoe46]

Besides the price differences (substantial) and the name on them (some people's noses wrinkle) - I really appreciate the Ampeg, but bought the Acoustic.

I don't tour nor do I want to - I play for free or beer and steaks most of the time, so I'm not trying to wow the fanbois with a brand name that they recognize as the be-all and end-all of the cabinet question.

I like the old school voice of Acoustic gear and own quite a lot of it in a few different forms.

It may sound odd, but I think the Ampegs are kinda shrill - maybe not to painful levels, but there's something that I don't hear in them that I would like. Maybe it's too sterile or unprocessed - I dunnow.

I tried to own the Ampeg 810, and even though I would sacrifice looks (shudder!) and use an odd-looking cab with all my other Acoustic gear if it sounded as I wanted, it didn't make me happy and I bought the Acoustic B-810 instead.

For kicks, I tried the GKs and Fenders and even an older Peavey (it was about as nice as I wanted, but it was used), and none of them met with my approval.

What I'd like to do someday, is to try one of the new Acoustic refrigerators/folded horn units and see if it's decent enough for me - but Holy Cow!

The new Acoustic prices are outstanding!

(Which is where I'd sleep if my wife found out that I paid for a car with the cost of one. I'd be 'outstanding' in the rain and snow.)

[JimmyM]

I tried both an Acoustic 810, a Markbass 108 CL, and a newer Ampeg 810e all at the same time, and the Acoustic came in 3rd. It sounded pretty good until I plugged into the other two.

[MUSHROOMSeAcOw]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I tried both an Acoustic 810, a Markbass 108 CL, and a newer Ampeg 810e all at the same time, and the Acoustic came in 3rd. It sounded pretty good until I plugged into the other two.

Out of curiosity, how did the Markbass sound? I've played through the Ampeg and the Acoustic, but I've never even seen a MB 810 in person.

On topic, the Ampeg does sound better to my ears, but the Acoustic was no slouch. Very good volume and sound for the price. What head did you want to run through it?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by MUSHROOMSeAcOw

Out of curiosity, how did the Markbass sound? I've played through the Ampeg and the Acoustic, but I've never even seen a MB 810 in person.

It sounded a little light in the lows and a little too heavy with upper mids compared to the Ampeg, which is understandable since it's a much smaller cab. It did sound good, but in the characteristic Markbass way. To me, all Markbass cabs have a signature sound, which is boosted upper mids around 800-1khz. The CL108 was no exception.