Ampeg SVT HLF 4x10 blew out again, I need advice

[WhoDidTheElf]

The speakers in an Ampeg SVT-HLF are already pretty stout for a 4x10. If you're going to stick with running just a single 4x10 I would advise trying to get it off the floor and closer to ear level some how. I know, especially with that cab, that trying to prop it up higher is hard, but it really makes a huge difference in tone (perceived) and volume. Any time I run a single cab I try to at the very least angle it towards my ears so more of the sound is being blasted at my face instead of my knees.

If you like the tone you're getting from that cab the best advice is to get another one of it. It will make it much easier to achieve desired volume levels without pushing either cab nearly as hard.

[jungleheat]

I like how guys are recommend 8x10s that roll off at like 70 Hz for a guy playing a 5 string tuned to A. That sounds like a recipe for frustration. This is one of the few situations where I will say, maybe an 18 would be good for you. Run the lows into the 18, then hi pass the 4x10 as high as is reasonable with the 18.

And yeah, it's almost certainly your overpowered amp/lack of adequate speakers that is the problem. The other thing that will help is not scooping the mids any more than is absolutely necessary.

[Bassmec]

Stand aside chaps I have the recipe for the OP.
First take a piece of history:


Add 4 of these:


and some acoustic batting, wire them in two parallel pairs with heavy grade cable to a pair of speakons.

Connect one speakon to each channel of your power amp, light the power light and retire to a safe distance.

Then set about obtaining the mid and top you require using the Ampeg once again repaired. And driven from a separate tube slave amp via an electronic crossover that does it at about 125hz. our Mr Foxen who posts here can show you from his personal collection, the ideal sort of tube slave amp for the mid/top you should use.
Here's a similar one I prepared earlier:


PS Heath and safety requirement, do not operate this system in the presence of insecure or over arching masonry.

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by rsf1977

Ok, the fdeck HPF series 3 has been ordered. I feel like there should be more of these gadgets available they see so helpful. Thanks.

And thanks to everyone who's offered suggestions, you guys rock!

You are on the right track with this gadget. Now you need a really big upgrade to your cab. I have my personal preferences, but I think you should be looking for a cab or cabs based around a pair of Eminence 3015LF drivers, and approprate mid drivers crossed over around 800hz. Each on of those 3015LF's has a huge displacement, each is greater than the total displacement of a ampeg 410he. A pair of them kills. With the right box around them they wont shy away from your low tuning, or from a lot of power. May be difficult on your budget right now, but the solution is out there.

[jgroh]

You need a cab that can handle more power. I have a 410HLF but my amps are 500 W and 300 W. The 410 handles them with no trouble. Are you guys running into PA's when you gig?

[guy n. cognito]

Well, that's a new way to say "get a fEarful"..............

For commercially available applications that can better handle Low A, you might want to look at getting a sub............

With the HPF in place, there are a number of cabinets that can handle your needs. I'd suggest getting something larger than a 410.

[CL400Peavey]

Lets take a look at different cabs that use 3015LF's.

Avatar TB153
Barefaced Dubster
Audiokinesis Thuderchild
BFM designs (Im sure Bill has something cooked up around this driver)

Its about getting a more capable driver, the 3015LF is well suited to a low tuning, but is not a full range driver.

[bassybill]

Let's stay on topic, please folks. If anyone wants to recommend a particular solution here, they are of course entitled to post it. "Teasing" is often done without any malice aforethought, but it IS sometimes hard to tell on a forum post and it's best avoided as we know how these threads can turn out with just one misinterpreted comment, crazy though that undoubtedly is.

I've been pleased with the lack of hassle in the forum over the last week or so, so play nice and let's try to continue in the same vein.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by jungleheat

I like how guys are recommend 8x10s that roll off at like 70 Hz for a guy playing a 5 string tuned to A. That sounds like a recipe for frustration.

Not at all. Conventional cabs won't make the fundamental anyway-It doesn't matter.
Conventional 18 cab? Poof.

[jungleheat]

It really does. Just because many cabs won't do the lowest fundamentals on a bass, doesn't mean you won't get better results the closer you get to that capability.

Those SVT 8x10s are great if you want lots of volume with a mid focused, 4 string sound. That's their ideal use. But for ER basses, they fall a bit short, especially if you want a lot of low end volume. Most people who have an 8x10 just simply don't need one. So the extra headroom makes up for any response shortcomings. But in a situation where you need everything you can get (ie running a low A through 2000w of power), that headroom disappears in a hurry, and you end up with the reverse issue.

Kind of like how even if you give a Honda Civic the same power to weight ratio as a Ferrari, it will never be as fast around a track, because it just isn't designed to do that.

[jungleheat]

Oh and by the way, a good 18" sub can have about the same displacement as 8 or 9 pretty tricked out 10s and can be rated for 1000w+. The cone area alone is about 3 10s worth, and then you probably have 3-4 times the excursion. All that adds up to a LOT of bass capabilities. Cross that over with the HLF and "boom goes the dynamite".

[JoeVictim]

A buddy's band tunes to G and he uses A Berg 2-15 and 6-10 for bass duties.

He has a great tone too. So, yeah. More speakers or better speakers are in order. Good luck dude.

[AlexanderB]

Please note that the asian made SVT-410HLF have much higher box tuning than the US made! Ampeg has simply dropped the internal paper tubes, leaving only the conical, plastic ports as vents.
Extending the ports by 10-15 cm will give you a substantial increase in power handling down low and make the cab sound deeper and cleaner.
I have done the modification and was pleased with the results.
By the way, I think a bit below 1000W (peak) makes sense for that cab. When I used one channel from a QSC PLX 3602 I could make the cab "fart out" accidentally but after switching to PLX 1804 I belive I have a very good match.

And my SVT-410 HLF performs very similar (SPL-wise) to the 3015LF designs. I know since I have owned and played both systems and I ended up keeping the Ampeg.

[rsf1977]

Originally Posted by Bassmec

Stand aside chaps I have the recipe for the OP.
First take a piece of history:


Add 4 of these:


and some acoustic batting, wire them in two parallel pairs with heavy grade cable to a pair of speakons.

Connect one speakon to each channel of your power amp, light the power light and retire to a safe distance.

Then set about obtaining the mid and top you require using the Ampeg once again repaired. And driven from a separate tube slave amp via an electronic crossover that does it at about 125hz. our Mr Foxen who posts here can show you from his personal collection, the ideal sort of tube slave amp for the mid/top you should use.
Here's a similar one I prepared earlier:


PS Heath and safety requirement, do not operate this system in the presence of insecure or over arching masonry.

Whoa!!! haha that's nuts!

[Floyd Eye]

Yeah, Ampeg 8x10. Quit boosting the lows and the gain to the point where you're blowing stuff up.

[rsf1977]

Originally Posted by jgroh

You need a cab that can handle more power. I have a 410HLF but my amps are 500 W and 300 W. The 410 handles them with no trouble. Are you guys running into PA's when you gig?

sometimes we have PA support but a lot of shows are DIY or smaller venues that don't run the bass through the PA at all. So we need to carry the room in a loud metal band.

[Floyd Eye]

I run a Carvin RL1000 with an RBI through an SLM 8x10 in a loud, 3 piece hard rock band. Nowadays I usually go through the PA, but I haven't always. Never had a problem being heard, never have the volume past 6 or the level on the RBI past 10 o:clock.