Bergantino NV610 Curious

soxhats · #1 09-19-2011, 11:05 AM

Have never played through one, but based on what I read, I'm having some GAS for the Bergantino NV-610. I own (and love) a Genz-Benz Streamliner 900. Been playing it mostly through an Epifani UL2-410, which sounds pretty dern good to me. But I'm not sure it's the ideal cab for this amp. A couple of relevant facts, followed by main questions:

-- I'm playing a lot of rootsy and country music these days (covers and originals, in three bands). Very much hearing a vintage-y sound in my head lately. I see the STM 900 as a nice way to scratch that itch, at least in part. No way can I handle the weight of let's say an SVT anymore. I play mostly finger style, though some pick too.

-- For many of my smaller club gigs, I often use a Mark Bass CMD 121P combo along with a 121 extension cab. Love the portability and sound is pretty good. Been using the STM 900/Epifani for larger club gigs and outdoor shows.

The questions:

-- Just how much of a pain is or isn't the NV-610 to transport? Would it be hard to lift it myself into the back seat of my Toyota Camry? What about stairs? I'm a bit wary of this cab's 100 pounds, but if someone can tell me it's a manageable 100 pounds, I may be willing to accept that in return for the great sound. I will say I *love* the portability of the 63-pound Epifani 4x10 on wheels.

-- Another question I'm asking myself is whether the NV-610 would be overkill. I'm not playing much loud rock through walls of guitars (at least not currently) and, as I said, most though not all of the gigs I play don't require a huge rig. Is that a legitimate concern, or am I asking myself the wrong question there -- i.e. the NV-610's great punch and tone will shine through in any setting?

I've also considered the Berg AE410, but lately am more intrigued by the NV-610. Not sure the AE410 is really *all* that huge a change from the Epi considering the pain of trading. Though I'd welcome any compare/contrasts between the two from anyone who has played through both.

Thanks for your advice!

bassgod0dmw · #2 09-19-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxhats

-- Just how much of a pain is or isn't the NV-610 to transport? Would it be hard to lift it myself into the back seat of my Toyota Camry? What about stairs? I'm a bit wary of this cab's 100 pounds, but if someone can tell me it's a manageable 100 pounds, I may be willing to accept that in return for the great sound. I will say I *love* the portability of the 63-pound Epifani 4x10 on wheels.

I would figure it's pretty manageable with the tilt back and wheels, but it's still 100 lbs so only you can really answer that. You can drag it up and down stairs with the rails on the back...but if you're not strong enough to do it in the first place it doesn't much matter.

Quote:

-- Another question I''m asking myself is whether the NV-610 would be overkill. I'm not playing much loud rock through walls of guitars (at least not currently) and, as I said, most though not all of the gigs I play don't require a huge rig. Is that a legitimate concern, or am I asking myself the wrong question there -- i.e. the NV-610's great punch and tone will shine through in any setting?

Yes and no. Do you need it? Probably not. But it's not going to hurt you at all. I think it will shine through no matter what. It'll certainly give you the ability to get stupid loud if you ever need it.

I've heard nothing but good things about these cabs.

lookiel · #3 09-19-2011, 11:25 AM

The NV610 is a very manageable 100 pounds however as soon as you hit stairs you better have some help. Even lifting it into a car trunk might spell an injury if you're not careful or have back issues.
Is it overkill? I think so, but that depends if you have PA support or not.
The tone is great in it's own way, there are lots of threads on that, sealed punchy tweeterless and beautiful!
Concerning the AE410, I've never played a UL410 but from what I gather it'd be quite different, the Epifani is supposed to be deep, smooth and wide whereas the Berg is mid aggressive, grindy and focused.
But I'm sure somebody like Chef or kjung will be along shortly to give you a better idea on that one.

soxhats · #4 09-19-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks so much, guys. Look forward to input from others.

paganjack · #5 09-19-2011, 11:41 AM

Tone=THE BEST. I personally love the old-school, no-tweeter, sealed-punchy tone. I don't need or want subsonic lows in my sound. I get plenty of treble from the woofers, and when I want to use distortion (often) there are no angry bee sounds swarming out from the tweeter. I pair it with a tube head, and it matches up marvelously. The cab mixes a lot better than other cabs that I have had- it just slots the bass in to where it should be. It really shines when you get to open it up a bit, but even at lower volumes I love the sound. You probably know it tonally mimics the flat-back SVT cabinet. Whenever I play through it I just smile.

Transport is fine- the wheels on the back make it a breeze to move on flat ground, and you could haul it up stairs like that if you had to. I have little trouble moving mine around by myself, but I'm a young strong guy (I can pick it up with one hand if needed). I sometimes wish the side handles were a little bit lower to make it possible to lift from it's center of gravity rather than above it. That's a fairly minor quibble. If you have pre-existing back problems it may not be ideal.

Tim1 · #6 09-19-2011, 12:19 PM

Transport is not an issue, the NVs are easier to move than many 410s. Tiltback is great, just lean it over and slide into most vehicles - no heavy lifting up like with a 410. Tone and mix wthin the band is really something special, I am now sixty and don't have the greatest back but this remains my number one cabinet and has never presented me with any problems.

jastacey · #7 09-19-2011, 04:18 PM

The ease of loading the NV cabinets will surprise you, way easier than a 410, when I have to deal with stairs and have no help, I use a 2 wheel loader, with big wheels, as to the over kill issue, most people who say it's over kill, are judging the sound by the cabinet size, not by the actual sound .... I'd say get it, that's what I did .... never regretted it, that cabinet will fit in the back seat of most cars, open the door, line the cabinet into/onto the back seat, and slide it in, I will say, get the cabinet cover, it makes load ins much easier, and you won't trash out your cabinet ...... I to have been wondering how the NV610 would sound with the GB Streamliner 600/900

soxhats · #8 09-19-2011, 04:23 PM

Thanks, all. I really appreciate these opinions and they definitely have me thinking about the NV610. (I just need some stuff posted for sale to move.... quite the investment.) Keep em, coming. Thanks, TB!

rodl2005 · #9 09-19-2011, 05:18 PM

Great cab! But, hauling it into the backseat, nup, not easy.
Stairs- downright hard!
It IS a manageable 100lbs, but is still 100lbs!
I've had to sell mine due to back probs & a cab like the AE410, especially if it has wheels is far easier
Again, great cab tho..... I just didn't NEED that much onstage volume.
A 410 handles my needs without issue.

Jefe · #10 09-19-2011, 05:24 PM

Noticed that you are in Raleigh. If you find yourself in the Asheville area, you are welcome to come play through/check out my NV610. I also have a Streamliner 900 so you could replicate your own rig.
I don't know what to say about that cab other than: "if I sell it, it's because I quit playing music."

soxhats · #11 09-19-2011, 05:28 PM

Wow, Jefe, that is really nice of you! I will have to figure out a trip there. Hit a show at the Orange Peel and Highland Brewing Co. as well. :-) Thanks again!

bucephylus · #12 09-19-2011, 06:58 PM

My NV610 fits in the trunk of my Honda Accord.

kringle77 · #13 09-19-2011, 07:12 PM

Like the others have said, it's pretty easy to move unless you have to tackle stairs. It's do-able but, it's not fun. It really is a great cab though. My only nag is that it's rated to go up to 4.5khz. Maybe at -10db but, not anything usable up that high. It probably peaks at 2.5k or 3k and then drop right off. I think the old flat backs actually went up solidly to 4k and they sound it. The berg punches way harder and is louder though. Im probably going to stick a tweet in my nv610 or build a crossfiring 2x10 cab using jensen mod10-50 drivers to put on top. That would sound like the old flat back but be way louder. It really is a great, punchy cab that holds up to volume really well. Better than anything else really. It just needs alittle more sparkle.

**nutdog** · #14 09-19-2011, 07:15 PM

Moving an NV215 - YouTube

I would imagine getting it into Camry backseat by yourself would be a chore. I never attempted stairs by myself. And I agree with paganjack that the handles should be lower.

Awesome cab. Thought I'd never sell it but it was just way more than I needed so why carry 100lbs?

maxbass · #15 09-20-2011, 01:46 AM

IMHO the perfect cab for tone and sound diffusion on stage.
Of course it sings over a certain level of volume, but you can get great tone in quieter gigs too

soxhats · #16 09-20-2011, 04:56 AM

Thanks for the continued opinions, all. Nutdog, I love that video. I've been thinking of making a similar one of my process in getting my upright into the front seat of the Camry. I also love the shot of your neighbors. They seem to be saying, "What is crazy bassman doing now?" :-)

**nutdog** · #17 09-20-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxhats

I've been thinking of making a similar one of my process in getting my upright into the front seat of the Camry.

Now that I'd like to see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxhats

I also love the shot of your neighbors. They seem to be saying, "What is crazy bassman doing now?" :-)

Story of my life.

soxhats · #18 09-20-2011, 06:37 AM

Hauling the upright involves draping it in its big, soft case; wrestling it downstairs; backing the Camry out of the garage; reclining the front passenger seat; simultaneously pushing and turning the bass into the car, one hopes without crushing the headstock; then holding my breath and closing the door. And doing it all over again after a gig or rehearsal.

**nutdog** · #19 09-20-2011, 06:44 AM

Well then a 610 shouldn't bother you a bit. My music stuff stays in the basement and I never worked up the courage to carry the cab up and down the stairs. I kept it at the church in the video because it was level. I did four outdoor gigs without PA support with the cab with no problem. But it really sounded nice in the church at low volume also.

Actually the neighbors were asking if I wanted help. So I'm standing there with my little girl taking video of the behemoth explaining that, thanks, but I'm working on a little project showing...

That's when they got the crazy bass player thoughts.

The things we do to put the oom in the oom pah pah.

JGR · #20 09-20-2011, 07:25 AM

I think the 610's form factor makes it easier to move compared to a lot of cabs since you can roll it. When you need to load it, the cab being a bit taller helps since you can lean it on the seat/trunk and then pick up the bottom and slide it in. No dead lifting required.

You don't need to crank it to get good tones either.

Check out Fuzzbass rocking his - punch, grind, and a nice top end - it's all there.

HiTest - Get In Get Out - YouTube