Bergantino NV412

[Wild Steve]

Any more thoughts and reviews on the NV412? I'm going to get either an NV412 or 610 for my Ampeg SVT VR and haven't heard as much about the 412, though I have seen a few for sale - wondered if they were from folks who weren't that thrilled with it? The 610 by contrast seems to have nothing but great things said about it.
I tend to like 12s, I like a deep, round tone rather than a cutting one, and I have a 5 string - how does the 610 cope with that?
Thanks for any info.
Steve

[Jared Lash]

I've owned the NV412 but only tried out the NV610 (and NV215) so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

I found the NV610 to be punchier and the NV412 to be a bit rounder and deeper but also a bit more aggressively voiced. I'm sure I'm biased because I didn't own the other two but the 412 was my favorite.

That said, the NV610 very much lived up to it's reputation of being an upgraded/slightly more modern version of a vintage 810.

You didn't ask but the NV215 was really interesting to me. It's less punchy and more full (as I expected) but also the most modern sounding of the three (IMO) which was somewhat unexpected.

I'd say the NV412 actually falls between the two pretty well.

[REDLAWMAN]

I bought one at the end of last year and I adore it.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

If you would like more specific info, feel free to contact me.

[Wild Steve]

Thanks Redlawman, I suppose as always the only thing for me to do really would be to try them both with my kit.
Steve

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Wild Steve

Thanks Redlawman, I suppose as always the only thing for me to do really would be to try them both with my kit.
Steve

What am I, chopped liver?

As far as the NV series Bergs go I think the obvious person to ask is Tom Bowlus.

What I do find interesting is that I think the NV412 is the one in that line that people have played least based on TB posts about it.

But I absolutely dug it. If I was gigging more and/or if it were easier to move I absolutely would have kept that cab. It's probably my favorite of any I've owned.

[GregC]

Hey Jared, I'm curious about the comment that the 412 is more aggressively voiced than the 610. That seems a little counterintuitive. (And to anyone reading this, I'm talking about cabs with smaller speakers vs. larger ones within a particular product line, not the old "12s are always rounder-sounding than 10s" saw.) Where does that aggressiveness show up--in the high mids/highs?

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by GregC

Hey Jared, I'm curious about the comment that the 412 is more aggressively voiced than the 610. That seems a little counterintuitive. (And to anyone reading this, I'm talking about cabs with smaller speakers vs. larger ones within a particular product line, not the old "12s are always rounder-sounding than 10s" saw.) Where does that aggressiveness show up--in the high mids/highs?

To my (far from golden) ears it shows up in the hid mids.

It seems more grindy/aggressive than the 610. Again, this is from owning the NV412 and only trying out the NV610 (with a head similar to but not the same as one I own) but that's what I heard.

I think part of it may be that because the 610 is a very "punchy" cab in all respects and the 412 has more bottom to it that the grindy high mids jump out a bit more. I can't really say for sure.

All I can say is that NV412 seemed very obviously more "rock" voiced than the other two with the 215 being more deeply and "modern" voiced. And again, consider the source when deciding how much weight to give my opinions.

[Wild Steve]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

What am I, chopped liver?

Sorry dude, I was just responding to the specific offer of further info from Redlawman! Hugely appreciate your replies too, cheers!

[JGR]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

To my (far from golden) ears it shows up in the hid mids.

It seems more grindy/aggressive than the 610. Again, this is from owning the NV412 and only trying out the NV610 (with a head similar to but not the same as one I own) but that's what I heard.

I think part of it may be that because the 610 is a very "punchy" cab in all respects and the 412 has more bottom to it that the grindy high mids jump out a bit more. I can't really say for sure.

All I can say is that NV412 seemed very obviously more "rock" voiced than the other two with the 215 being more deeply and "modern" voiced. And again, consider the source when deciding how much weight to give my opinions.

+1
I own all three and I'd say this is a very good assessment.
Based on your original post, go for the NV412.

[REDLAWMAN]

He like me more than you, Jared......

[REDLAWMAN]

And as for that SVT, I want one of those more than I want a Custom Shop 'P' AND Christmas (AND any more Birthdays) , so maybe we do a 'flat-share' Wild Steve and we're both sorted.......

[Wild Steve]

I tried both the SVT VR and the Aguilar DB751 together. I'm no very experienced, and it's obviously a personal thing but there does just seem to be a certain something about all tube heads, the Aggie never seemed quite so lively and in your face as the SVT, it just didn't knock my socks off like the SVT did. There are drawbacks of course - weight, noisier than the Aggie, and it just seems a bit more delicate (hopefully this won't prove true though).
At the moment it's hooked up with my old Peavey TVX 410 + 115 and it really doesn't do it justice. Think I'll go with the NV412 unless I can get down to try them both myself.
Thanks guys (especially Redlawman )
Steve

[GregC]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

To my (far from golden) ears it shows up in the hid mids.

It seems more grindy/aggressive than the 610. Again, this is from owning the NV412 and only trying out the NV610 (with a head similar to but not the same as one I own) but that's what I heard.

I think part of it may be that because the 610 is a very "punchy" cab in all respects and the 412 has more bottom to it that the grindy high mids jump out a bit more. I can't really say for sure.

All I can say is that NV412 seemed very obviously more "rock" voiced than the other two with the 215 being more deeply and "modern" voiced. And again, consider the source when deciding how much weight to give my opinions.

Cool, thanks for the clarification. I've tried the 610 and the 215 side-by-side with a Walkabout, but it's been a while (the 412 wasn't even launched yet). I favored the 610 (too bad it wasn't for sale, the 215 was), but based on the comments of you and others, I might prefer the bottom end of the 412.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I've owned the NV412 but only tried out the NV610 (and NV215) so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

I found the NV610 to be punchier and the NV412 to be a bit rounder and deeper but also a bit more aggressively voiced. I'm sure I'm biased because I didn't own the other two but the 412 was my favorite.

That said, the NV610 very much lived up to it's reputation of being an upgraded/slightly more modern version of a vintage 810.

You didn't ask but the NV215 was really interesting to me. It's less punchy and more full (as I expected) but also the most modern sounding of the three (IMO) which was somewhat unexpected.

I'd say the NV412 actually falls between the two pretty well.

Well said! I'd agree with most of that. Interestingly, the NV425 was also designed to be somewhat in between the NV610 and NV215, with three 10's and one 15, but to my ears, it sounded like Jim literally blended the personalities of the 610 and 215, with the result being nice, but not as compelling as either of its "parents" - this is all personal preference, though. I know lots of guys who just love the NV425.

The NV412 also falls between the NV610 and NV215 in the tone spectrum, but it very much has its own voice. Again, I think Jared stated it quite well.

Tom.

[Willem]

This is just a very difficult choice for people who can't try both.

I know I will love the 610, I have played a sealed 810 for three years. Although I would like more bottom and grind, would I miss the punch? Will be playing it with a Dingwall ABZ6 and a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 most likely!

[dee rob]

I tried both side by side with my amp and bass at Bass Emporium. I will agree that the 610 had more punch for me. The biggest surprise was that I found the 412 to be more open and, suprisingly, brighter but not necessarily deeper. Both sounded great, but I bought the 610.

dee

[smo]

I took the plunge - ordered a NV412 without demoing it.

AWESOME gamble that paid off.
Best cab ever. Massive bottom and great mids.

[fitz420]

you WILL be very happy. i've owned/gigged both the NV610 and the NV215. i consider them to be the finest cabinets available. i have never heard the NV412 in person, but i suspect you will be floored when you first plug it in. enjoy.

[JGR]

You will love it.