Cabinets & Ampeg SVT Classic

the blast · #1 07-19-2011, 02:56 PM

Hey guys,

I'm considering an SVT Classic head but don't want to & can't drag around an 810 cabinet. So, in your experience, what 410 or 115 cabs sound great with these heads? I'm looking for an old school, creamy vibe.

Thanks & looking forward to your input!
-john

Gearhead17 · #2 07-19-2011, 03:10 PM

"Old School - Creamy Vibe"

I think I have an idea of what that means, but it could be totally different for you. The 810e is a sealed cabinet - I suggest looking for other sealed bass cabs to get more of a vintage vibe. Ported cabinets are going to sound different than a sealed cabinet - keep that in mind.

The Ampeg 410he is a good place to start. That is about as close to the 810e as you will get. If you are looking for something similar, but even better than the 810e, the Bergantino NV610 is an item to check out.

Stick to two identical 410's or 115's - it will sound much better than combining the two of them.

**cheezewiz** · #3 07-19-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

"Old School - Creamy Vibe"

I think I have an idea of what that means, but it could be totally different for you. The 810e is a sealed cabinet - I suggest looking for other sealed bass cabs to get more of a vintage vibe. Ported cabinets are going to sound different than a sealed cabinet - keep that in mind.

The Ampeg 410he is a good place to start. That is about as close to the 810e as you will get. If you are looking for something similar, but even better than the 810e, the Bergantino NV610 is an item to check out.

Stick to two identical 410's or 115's - it will sound much better than combining the two of them.

You can't use a single HE with an SVT. It's an 8 ohm cab.

Gearhead17 · #4 07-19-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

You can't use a single HE with an SVT. It's an 8 ohm cab.

Good point!

the blast · #5 07-19-2011, 04:23 PM

Yeah, good point. I think I want an un-ported cab for sure but also one that looks good & isn't too heavy & runs at 4 ohms.

JimmyM · #6 07-19-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the blast

Yeah, good point. I think I want an un-ported cab for sure but also one that looks good & isn't too heavy & runs at 4 ohms.

I haven't played them, but maybe the Pro Neo series might have something for you. The only ceramic 410 they have that'll do 4 ohms is the SVT 410HLF, and that sounds nothing like the 810e. You could do two SVT 210AV's in a vertical stack, but they're kind of on the light duty side, and you might want to boost the lows to get them to sound like an 810e, but once you do, it's amazing how good they sound. But I wouldn't advise cranking an SVT all the way up with them. If you want to stick with clean tones or using the preamp to get overdrive, however, it should work fine.

the blast · #7 07-19-2011, 05:03 PM

Cool Jimmy. Those are those little tiny, upright guys that match that tiny head right? If that Reeves 115 cab was 4ohms I'd be all over it I think. Love the look, size & weight of it.

Fair Warning · #8 07-19-2011, 05:11 PM

You will get what you are looking for from two SVT410HE's, or other cab or cabs that will suck 4 Ohms. I am a lover of the creamy, steamy SVT vibe too, and have found, through many experiments, to stay with SVT 10 inch speakers and sealed cabs. The 15s and 18s just dont respond to the SVT signals the way it was designed to work.

As for those other high end cabs out there, I too would love to hear those combinations for experience. But you cant beat the SVT410HE not only for its sound, but also is often found as a great bargain (~$200 good condition). Also, they scoot around on swivel castors and pop into the back seat of any car.

The SVT410HLF is a good cab also (4 Ohms), but is ported, has 16 Ohm speakers in it, and is fatter (deeper dimension). Will not fit in most back seats. Sound is too different for me

JimmyM · #9 07-19-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the blast

Cool Jimmy. Those are those little tiny, upright guys that match that tiny head right?

Right. Not recommended for doom bands, but for most medium volume applications, I think they kick ass.

grendle · #10 07-19-2011, 05:17 PM

You can run 8ohm cabs on a head with 4ohm outputs. It will just run at less power, say 175 watts instead of 300. If you run 2 8 ohm cabs you'll be at 4 ohms. You don't want to go lower though ( 2 4 ohm cabs =2 ohms bad)

silky smoove · #11 07-19-2011, 05:22 PM

Grendle: That's true of solid state heads. With tube amps, it's best to match the impedance of the corresponding tap you're using. In the case of the SVT-CL, it's 4 ohms... Apparently... I don't own one.

the blast · #12 07-19-2011, 06:10 PM

Thanks guys.

Jimmy, maybe I'll consider this. Sounds like an interesting idea! You don't think this head would blow those guys up pretty easily?

I see that they are 8 ohms at 100 watts...
Would you run the parallel from the head (as opposed to in series or chained together) in order to get to a 4 ohm load?

Or, does chaining two, 8 ohm cabs together create a 4 ohm load & running both from the head directly would cause the amp to be running at a 2 ohm load (which would be bad for the cabs)?

Plus, I'd never run at 2 ohms anyways I don't think. hope this all makes sense.

Sartori · #13 07-19-2011, 06:12 PM

Two SVT15E's might be a good rig for that head. They're not that heavy for Ampeg cabs and pretty old school sounding.

Dubista · #14 07-19-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendle

You can run 8ohm cabs on a head with 4ohm outputs. It will just run at less power, say 175 watts instead of 300. If you run 2 8 ohm cabs you'll be at 4 ohms. You don't want to go lower though ( 2 4 ohm cabs =2 ohms bad)

If you want to blow up a tube amp, sure.

Your statement it only valid for SolidState amps. Tube amps work on slightly different rules, regarding impedance and power handling.

rodl2005 · #15 07-19-2011, 06:21 PM

2x 8 ohm cabs will place a4 ohm load, whether daisy-chained or run each out of the amp separately.
Also-re the 15"s don't sound great from an SVT...... Sorry, don't agree at all. I've run my Berg NV215(sealed cab) &2 separate 1x15"s & both options sounded GREAT to my ears.

Definitely don't run out at 8 ohms tho!

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 07-19-2011, 06:30 PM

Genz Benz Neox212T.

I use it with my SVT-CL and it sounds amazing. It fills out a band while remaining punchy and defined. Plus it's only 50lbs and has built in casters. It also has a tweeter that you can set to taste or turn off completely. IMHO, it's the best 'small but great for any sized gig' cab on the market for the SVT. And at $500 on the used market it's a friggin' steal.

zachoff · #17 07-19-2011, 06:32 PM

Lugging around an 810 is totally worth it.

**cheezewiz** · #18 07-19-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

Good point!

I wish they made a 4 ohm HE. I would buy one if they did.

the blast · #19 07-19-2011, 07:47 PM

Funny Zachoff & I agree with you cheezewiz.

In your opinion, can an SVT get anywhere near a B15 sound guys? Just curious.

Also, any opinion on the Reeves stuff? I know I'm a little off topic here but thought I'd ask anyways.

JustinDubree · #20 07-19-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendle

You can run 8ohm cabs on a head with 4ohm outputs. It will just run at less power, say 175 watts instead of 300. If you run 2 8 ohm cabs you'll be at 4 ohms. You don't want to go lower though ( 2 4 ohm cabs =2 ohms bad)

So what's the Ampeg factory switch from 4Ω to 2Ω for?