Ampeg 8x10 differences + speaker guard?

Burlington · #1 12-08-2010, 08:34 AM

So I really want an 8x10 and I found this ad on CL:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/2093984981.html

I know there are different models of Ampeg 8x10s, are there any I should avoid? Is it possible to tell what type these are from the pics?

Also, I'd like to protect it, but not invest in a rolling case. Does any company make metal grills for these? Similar to how SWR cabs are protected?

stiles72 · #2 12-08-2010, 08:41 AM

$350 for an Ampeg 810? I'd buy both and I don't even play tens.

Unless you are talking about the earliest old sqaure back SVT 810's, most all of the rest arent much different from one another. Minor changes in cosmetics over the years, and some differences in wood - but they are essentially all the same design. If you want an 810, I'd hit it.

a-lenthe · #3 12-08-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles72

$350 for an Ampeg 810? I'd buy both and I don't even play tens.

i play 10's and i'd buy both

dlegault · #4 12-08-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a-lenthe

i play 10's and i'd buy both

+1000

Burlington · #5 12-08-2010, 09:02 AM

Well with Xmas coming up I won't be able to afford both.... just one is enough for me anyway. Thanks for the help guys! Still looking for info on a grill guard? Or maybe something inexpensive to protect the speakers during movement?

fu22ba55 · #6 12-08-2010, 09:55 AM

Just so you're aware of the difference:

70's ones were plywood.

Some current (LOUD ownership) ones are also plywood.

St. Louis Music (SLM) era were OSB (particle board, fibre board, whatever you want to call it.) Which means heavier and less durable, more susceptible to water damage, mold, etc...

The big difference was that the OSB ones sounded "darker." Some say they did not sound as good as the plywood ones. From our resident Ampeg expert:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well the osb cabs i consider a huge black eye to the ampeg legacy. way too dark sounding...pretty much nothing past 3k as opposed to the 5k i get out of my flatback. plus there was a cone supplier change at eminence in 2000 that i think also contributed to it. the LOUD cabs have corrected both the osb issue by using plywood, and the lack of brightness issue by using eminence speakers made in china. they're not quite as good sounding as the flatbacks, but they are a lot closer to that tonal ideal than the poopy osb cabs. and again, i haven't heard them yet, but the heritage cabs are even closer to the flatback mark judging by the reviews that i've read. it's pretty well agreed that the heritage cabs sound noticeably better than the vietnamese/korean cabs.

$350 is still a great price for any 8x10 cab, but I'd try to determine if they are particle board or plywood. Just so you're aware of the difference.

Burlington · #7 12-08-2010, 10:10 AM

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

I've heard that not all of them are the 2x10(4) design, is this true?

JimmyM · #8 12-08-2010, 10:14 AM

fu22ba55 is mostly correct. not quite 100%, though...

...only the slm cabs made from 1998-2005 are made with osb. all the rest are plywood and superb.

...all loud technologies cabs are made with plywood, and they're excellent imho.

to transport one without a cover, just get some sort of old blanket to put under it, and maybe a piece of cardboard to put over the grillecloth. as long as you're not carrying it next to a bed of nails, you should be fine.

JimmyM · #9 12-08-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

I've heard that not all of them are the 2x10(4) design, is this true?

no, it's not true. they are all 4 sets of 210's in their own separate compartments.

Burlington · #10 12-08-2010, 10:26 AM

Thanks Jimmy!

doctorpunch · #11 12-08-2010, 10:29 AM

If I had a pickup truck I'd drive form NY to score these.

blab · #12 12-08-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

no, it's not true. they are all 4 sets of 210's in their own separate compartments.

So if I were to buy, for example, four SVT210AV's and stacked them one atop the other, then they would sound like a SVT810AV (under the assumption that the speakers are wired so that a 4 Ohm impedance is achieved)?

JimmyM · #13 12-08-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blab

So if I were to buy, for example, four SVT210AV's and stacked them one atop the other, then they would sound like a SVT810AV (under the assumption that the speakers are wired so that a 4 Ohm impedance is achieved)?

probably close but not quite. the 810e has larger compartments than the 210av, which would give it a little more girth in the low end. however, that's not to say it wouldn't sound good. i do like those 210av's.

Jonyak · #14 12-08-2010, 10:59 AM

mmm low end girth.

brothernewt · #15 12-08-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

Does any company make metal grills for these? Similar to how SWR cabs are protected?

http://www.reliablehardware.com/cust...FQICbAod8F1rzQ

I've seen a few over the years with a more homemade kind of metal grill too... like something found at Home Depot bolted to the stock grill frame.

Burlington · #16 12-08-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothernewt

http://www.reliablehardware.com/cust...FQICbAod8F1rzQ

I've seen a few over the years with a more homemade kind of metal grill too... like something found at Home Depot bolted to the stock grill frame.

AWESOME! Exactly what I was looking for! We could even use this stuff to guard our van's windows. Thanks!

My only question about this stuff though is what's with the "height" and "width fractions"?

kosmicwizard · #17 12-08-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

...only the slm cabs made from 1998-2005 are made with osb. all the rest are plywood and superb.

JimmyM are you 100% sure about those dates? I talked to someone who used to work for Ampeg (I don't have his permission to use his name so I won't) and he told me the years were more like 2001-2006. My 2X15 is from 2000 and it is plywood. Cheers.

JimmyM · #18 12-08-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

JimmyM are you 100% sure about those dates? I talked to someone who used to work for Ampeg (I don't have his permission to use his name so I won't) and he told me the years were more like 2001-2006. My 2X15 is from 2000 and it is plywood. Cheers.

no, i'm not entirely sure about the exact date they changed, but i remember seeing someone on here with a 98 810e that was osb and the serial seemed to check out. maybe the 215 got lucky.

kosmicwizard · #19 12-08-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks.

Sartori · #20 12-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

AWESOME! Exactly what I was looking for! We could even use this stuff to guard our van's windows. Thanks!

My only question about this stuff though is what's with the "height" and "width fractions"?

The height and width fractions are in case the dimensions don't come out to even, whole inches. Like 21" and 5/16" instead of just 21".

Also on that site, they sell individual speaker covers, which is the route I'm going for my Sunn 2x15 project.