Converting an Ampeg 8x10 to a 6x10?

AustinLeGrand · #1 07-13-2011, 03:33 PM

I have an Ampeg 810E thats ive had for well over 6 years, but last night at practice, one of my speakers blew, not a big deal to order a new one, but Im really wanting a 6x10, and seeing as a 610 and an 810 are the exact same price, its hard to find someone who is interested in a straight up trade. SO my question is, If I were to just cut the bottom 2 10's out and reattach the bottom to the remaining 6 10's, would i have an issue with it not working anymore since the two connections for the 2 10's i removed would be dormant? I have plenty of experience with building equipment, but not alot of know how as far as wiring goes. Just looking for some help!

lowendgenerator · #2 07-13-2011, 03:39 PM

I think most musicians would GLADLY trade you a 610 for an 810. I know if I had one, I'd do it.

In other words, please don't hack up that 810E. Besides, the dimensions would be all wrong and it wouldn't sound the same. Repacing the blown speaker and selling it would be the wise thing to do IMO.

stflbn · #3 07-13-2011, 03:40 PM

Before cutting it up I'd suggest selling it and buying a 610 if that's what you want.

Cutting it up will change the specifics of the cab and the end result will be a crap-shoot. not to mention potential problems with sealing, stability and strength going forward. And ANY resale value will be gone after you cut i t.

IMHO.

.

craig.p · #4 07-13-2011, 03:41 PM

Well, assuming all those tens are wired in parallel, the first thing you'd be facing is an impedance rise from 4 ohms to 5.3. The amp you're using may or may not like this. For a tube amp that's "hard spec'd" to run at 4 ohms, that'd be a roughly 30% impedance mismatch. Most transistor amps, though -- no problem, just a slight loss of power.

silentmike · #5 07-13-2011, 03:55 PM

I saw a thread (or something, might have been an FAQ on the Ampeg site now I think about it) somewhere, where an Ampeg rep said that the 610s had drivers with impedances specially designed for the cab. Cutting out two speakers from your 810 would change the load to your head and could potentially damage it severely depending upon the new total impedance of the cab.

If it were me, I'd take the hit, get a new driver and then see about swapping it.

AustinLeGrand · #6 07-13-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Before cutting it up I'd suggest selling it and buying a 610 if that's what you want.

Cutting it up will change the specifics of the cab and the end result will be a crap-shoot. not to mention potential problems with sealing, stability and strength going forward. And ANY resale value will be gone after you cut i t.

IMHO.

.

Fair enough, I'll order a replacement speaker for it! Any man who owns a Big Al must know what hes talking about

AustinLeGrand · #7 07-13-2011, 04:04 PM

Thanks for the help, this was my first thread and I'm glad I was able to find some people who knew about my situation before I started hacking away!

JimmyM · #8 07-13-2011, 04:19 PM

Also, since the 810's are 4 totally separate and sealed compartments, removing two 10"s from the bottom would leave you with only 6 speakers working, cut down on your available volume, give you a weird impedance, and wouldn't have the porting of the 610 and wouldn't sound like it at all. You were wise to leave it alone. Speakers ain't the only difference.

will33 · #9 07-13-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Also, since the 810's are 4 totally separate and sealed compartments, removing two 10"s from the bottom would leave you with only 6 speakers working, cut down on your available volume, give you a weird impedance, and wouldn't have the porting of the 610 and wouldn't sound like it at all. You were wise to leave it alone. Speakers ain't the only difference.

Yes, and no. Because each pair is in it's own sealed comparment it's perfectly fine to saw off the bottom 2. The tone would stay exactly the same, you'd only lose maybe 2 db which is nothing. It's "wattage rating" which is meaningless in this case would be 3/4 of what it was and it's impedance would be 5.33 which is close enough to 4 to not matter to all but the most sensitive tube amps. The biggest difference it'd make in any case might be resale value.

Of course you could also just replace the driver and still have an ampeg 810.

Some seem to think it sacreligious to go hacking up an ampeg and if it was a flatback I'd agree.....this one's just a box, nothing special.

will33 · #10 07-13-2011, 05:06 PM

If he wants his cab to sound like an ampeg 610 it ain't gonna happen. Sealed vs. ported and completly different drivers. Hacking the bottom chamber will still sound like it does now. You wouldn't notice the little drop in output anywhere near like you'd notice the top speakers being a little farther away from the ears.

JimmyM · #11 07-13-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

If he wants his cab to sound like an ampeg 610 it ain't gonna happen. Sealed vs. ported and completly different drivers. Hacking the bottom chamber will still sound like it does now. You wouldn't notice the little drop in output anywhere near like you'd notice the top speakers being a little farther away from the ears.

I would agree with all that. In any event, the bottom line, which the OP understands now, is it's not as good an idea as trading up.

will33 · #12 07-13-2011, 05:27 PM

Well, that didn't work. Was hopin' to stir the pot a little there with all these "don't cut up the sacred ampeg" types.

JimmyM · #13 07-13-2011, 05:35 PM

Hard to get sentimental over OSB