Which BIG cab can take the most punishment?

[JoshuaTSP]

I've got a SWR 2x15, that's been with me since the start. I've replaced the speakers with Kappalites, since the SWR speakers blew. It's an alright cab, and has served me well. It's what I currently gig with.

A few months ago, I bought an Aguilar 8x10 cab, but it's been nothing but a nightmare. First, it was VERY used....and the top and back panels are/were completely loose. So it vibrates and rattles like crazy. unusable.
I had to use it today at rehearsal, and I think one of the speakers blew. It mostly sounded crappy in general.

I like a nice 8x10, since I've had to use a few when the backline was provided. Otherwise my experience with cabs has been very limited.

So I ask, what's the most robust, rugged cab out there today?
what can handle higher volumes (PA-less gigs) and retain a nice thick low end?

I play in a stoner metal/rock band, and my main head is a Ashdown ABM500EVOII. I use a ton of fuzz and OD as my main tone.
The 2x15 has always seemed to be loud enough, but has a higher end roll off that deadens my tone.

I'm just looking for a new cab that can keep up....of course, budget is somewhat of a concern.

[DeliriumTremens]

so the aguilar was crap? You never said! Why don't you get an Ampeg 8x10? Tried and true, it's an industry standard. I still think a nice 4x12 would be better for what you play, more girth than 10s but less flabby than 15s

[cableguy]

I omly played them a few times but there has got to be a reason you almost always see Ampeg 8X10's on most big stages. They wouldn't be there if there weren't rugged.

[JimmyM]

Apparently I'm not allowed to say or I'll get yelled at for not trying every single cab on the market first.

[JGR]

I would put both Berg NV's and the Heritage 8x10 at the top of the list.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Apparently I'm not allowed to say or I'll get yelled at for not trying every single cab on the market first.

And WHY haven't you? Dang it Jimmy get with the program!

[runmikeyrun]

I play with a lot of distortion too. I switched to 12s last year, I was a die-hard 8x10 and 2x15 fan for years... I would usually use both at a show to cover the spectrum of frequencies one cab or the other was missing. It was a real pain to haul them both, or to deal with the inadequacies or only bringing one (not enough lows with the 8x10, not enough mids/highs with the 2x15). So I sold them and now use a 4x12, soon to be 2 4x12s. I REALLY REALLY like the balance of lows, mids, and highs I get out of them. I'm not sure about 2x12s, i'm sure some people here would chime in about theirs, but for me a 4x12 is where it's at. The Peavey TVX412 puts out punishing lows and sounds good for distorted bass with the tweeter turned off. It's huge though, and hard to find.

[Buster Brown]

Fine......I'll say it.......AMPEG!!!!

[derridiandrift]

Originally Posted by cableguy

I omly played them a few times but there has got to be a reason you almost always see Ampeg 8X10's on most big stages. They wouldn't be there if there weren't rugged.

+1

You can beat up those Ampeg 810s and they'll take it.

[Kwin Smith]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Apparently I'm not allowed to say or I'll get yelled at for not trying every single cab on the market first.

No prob, Jimmy. I'll say it for you...Mesa PH 4x12.

[Joe Gress]

There has got to be a reason why those Ampeg 810's are still around and kicking after 30-40 years.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by DeliriumTremens

so the aguilar was crap? You never said! Why don't you get an Ampeg 8x10? Tried and true, it's an industry standard. I still think a nice 4x12 would be better for what you play, more girth than 10s but less flabby than 15s

Well, I think it was just beat up and worn out.
I'll probably just sell it as is on CL.

I'm just skeptical, I'd hate to buy something and just blow it up.

Plus it appears that a decent rig would cost me $1000 or so.

LDS has a 8x10 for a reasonable price....I don't know if they're hearty or better than an Ampeg.

[JimmyM]

LDS stuff is probably in the ballpark. Don't know how it rates vs Ampeg but people who buy cabs from LDS seem to be happy with them. Can't front...they have a good reputation. But I'd still take Ampeg because I'm familiar with their products, they're easy to find, and they're built like tanks and sound awesome.

[lowphatbass]

Get a couple of Bag End Q10B-D, they will take, and give a lot of punishment. Unfortunately even if you could find them used you would be close to the $1000 mark.

It seems like I always see moderately scuffed and stenciled, but "still goin strong" Ampeg 8x10's for sale in the $300-600 range. There's something about the mid-range of those cabs that really makes a little fuzz sound sweet and go a long way.

[esa372]

I'd put my money on a pair of fEARful 1515/66 cabs:



(I don't remember where I got this pic, but I'm sure this rig belongs to a TB member.)

[DukeLeJeune]

A fEarful 1515/66 in a 3/4" baltic birch enclosure would be pretty rugged.

[steamthief]

Ampeg 810 - used ones are plentiful for good prices.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by esa372

I'd put my money on a pair of fEARful 1515/66 cabs:



(I don't remember where I got this pic, but I'm sure this rig belongs to a TB member.)

Someone built these wrong. The drivers are not lined up right. They could never sound good!





Joe.

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by esa372

I'd put my money on a pair of fEARful 1515/66 cabs:



(I don't remember where I got this pic, but I'm sure this rig belongs to a TB member.)

So smart!! It's a good idea to have headphones on a little rig like this incase you can't hear yourself onstage

[beatsbears]

Some sort of large Mesa cab(610, 810, 412, 215, 1200)! You may also be able to find an old Mesa Road Ready cab. They're literally built for touring!