Aguilar DB 410 or Ampeg SVT-410HLF

Eskimo Spy · #1 12-30-2010, 08:48 PM

I have a line on a Aguilar DB 410 for $465 brand new, shipped with no tax, or a used, 4 year old Ampeg SVT-410HLF for about the same price. I would use the cab with an Ampeg SVT-CL.

I liked the way the Ampeg sounded with that head (low lows, great mids and just enough treble to make things clear and crisp), but that seems to be a smoking deal on the Aguilar...

So, does the Aguilar compare to the Ampeg, or vice versa? If I liked the Ampeg cab, would I love the Aguilar too, or are they very different cabs? I don't have anywhere locally to try one out, so this would be a blind buy.

BassBob1 · #2 12-30-2010, 08:54 PM

i have never played an aguilar cab but i own ampeg's 410hlf. It is my favorite cab out of any i have ever owned or played. i run an svt 7 pro through it. I would love to get my hands on a used svt cl or vr when i have the extra cash to justify the purchase. anyway, if you have played both or can get which ever one you think sounds better.

Eskimo Spy · #3 12-30-2010, 08:59 PM

That's the problem, I can't get my hands on an Aguilar DB 410. It retails for $1100, but I can get one for less than half of that. I've heard great things about their cabs, but has anyone played one? Is it comparable to the Ampeg cab? Or if I like the Ampeg cab, would I be disappointed with the Aguilar?

BassBob1 · #4 12-30-2010, 09:06 PM

based on each companies websites the ampeg has lower freq. response. If you are a five string player that may be a selling point for you.

Eskimo Spy · #5 12-30-2010, 09:21 PM

Nah, I'm a 4 string dork. I'm just a sucker for a good deal, and getting a street $1100 cab for $465 seems to good to pass up, but only if it's not too different tonally from the Ampeg.

LiquidMidnight · #6 12-30-2010, 09:23 PM

Buy the Ampeg and then hook me up with your connection so I can score the Aguilar at such an obscenely awesome price.

Eskimo Spy · #7 12-30-2010, 09:25 PM

That sounds like good advice, you can get it at...

Hey!

Have you played a DB 410? Man, I am so close to just buying it and taking my chances...

BassBob1 · #8 12-30-2010, 09:29 PM

i am also a 4 string dork. i love my ampeg cab. definitely sounds like the aguilar is a hard deal to pass up.

LiquidMidnight · #9 12-30-2010, 09:31 PM

If you don't mind dealing with the sometimes PITA that comes with selling gear, you could most definitely flip the Aggie for what you paid for it (or even a little more!). Plus, you could probably easily find another used Ampeg HLF.

Sometimes a deal's just so killer that you have to take it because it's just such a good deal (I learned that from my mother who would often buy something just because it was on sale

).

Eskimo Spy · #10 12-30-2010, 09:37 PM

I jumped on the Aguilar, that price was just too good to pass up. Plus, the tweed looks fantastic, I just hope it lets the Ampeg SVT-CL sing. If not, I'll flip it and buy an Ampeg.

I'd still be interested to find out what people think of the price and the cab itself. If anyone has input, please fire away!

Eskimo Spy · #11 12-30-2010, 09:42 PM

Also, there's one left an Amazon, I got mine for $465. (I had a $100 gift card from xmas, win!)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._ya_os_product

Hopefully someone else can get such a good deal on this too. That tweed looks awesome, IMO.

Edit: Crap, it's back to $1099 now. Sorry guys, I got the last one at such a good price...

DrewGK · #12 12-30-2010, 09:43 PM

had a 410 HLF

hated it to say the least.

boomy as hell and a NIGHTMARE for my back.

it WAS used though so maybe my view on the cab has been tained

Travis_Bass · #13 12-30-2010, 09:51 PM

I love my hlf some days, HATE IT others. Depends on my desired tone and genre. For metal, I cant stand tyhe cab, trying to lose the bass requires eqing, but I love it for anything else-- blues, etc

Eskimo Spy · #14 12-30-2010, 09:55 PM

I play mostly indie covers and indie originals, and my tone is served well by the Ampeg Classic. I've been playing an Ashdown ABM EVO II C410T Combo, and while I really like nearly everything about it, it just couldn't match the Ampeg tube tone. Everything from the low end to the mids to the little bit of treble I play is crisp and clear, no noise, just perfect on the Ampeg. I have to wrestle with the Ashdown a bit to get that sound, and it's not exactly the same.

I hope this Aguilar cab pairs well with the Ampeg!

mounsen · #15 12-30-2010, 10:00 PM

The DB410 has been stated on Talkbass to have more mid-range presence. Some say it gives an 810 vibe in a 410 package. Good for most rock music applications. The Ampeg more bottom from the front ported cab. The Aguilar is a little lighter and has ports on the back. Both cabs are great just depends on the application.

Good price on the cab. I almost pulled the trigger myself earlier in the week. I went more portable and modular though with the Ampeg SVT-210AV (x2).

Warfender · #16 12-30-2010, 10:01 PM

DB410 is unbelievable and you wILL not be unhappy. I Sold my ampeg and got a DB and it was the best thing ever. Always get complimnets on its sound.

Eskimo Spy · #17 12-30-2010, 10:07 PM

I'm looking forward to trying it out, I've heard nothing but good things about Aggies...

Whew, I just checked to make sure I bought the 4ohm and not the 8ohm cab, and I did. Good thing, since the Ampeg is a 4ohm head...

Eskimo Spy · #18 12-30-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mounsen

The DB410 has been stated on Talkbass to have more mid-range presence. Some say it gives an 810 vibe in a 410 package. Good for most rock music applications. The Ampeg more bottom from the front ported cab. The Aguilar is a little lighter and has ports on the back. Both cabs are great just depends on the application.

Good price on the cab. I almost pulled the trigger myself earlier in the week. I went more portable and modular though with the Ampeg SVT-210AV (x2).

I've searched on TB, but found no reviews. Did you find one? Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I was trying to find out where the cab was ported, so much thanks for that!

GregC · #19 12-31-2010, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

I jumped on the Aguilar, that price was just too good to pass up. Plus, the tweed looks fantastic, I just hope it lets the Ampeg SVT-CL sing. If not, I'll flip it and buy an Ampeg.

I'd still be interested to find out what people think of the price and the cab itself. If anyone has input, please fire away!

I own the DB410, and that is a killer price! I run mine with an old Ampeg V-4B. I really like the sound of this combo--the forward mids and tight low end of the cab really suits a tube head, IMO. If you really like the deep low end of the 410HLF, you might not be happy with the Aggie. But the Aggie should cut through better in a live mix.

My only issue with the cab is that I'm tall and the cab is relatively low and hefty. So moving it is a pain for me. Then again, it's a good bit lighter than the 410HLF.

mounsen · #20 12-31-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

I've searched on TB, but found no reviews. Did you find one? Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I was trying to find out where the cab was ported, so much thanks for that!

Not really any reviews specifically but discussions about the differences between Aguilar DB and GS series cabs, etc.

This is a more recent one but there are older one's to be found as well.
Aguilar DB or GS