Hartke VH 4x10 or Ampeg 8x10 classic?

BWileyTally · #1 01-22-2013, 04:47 PM

I'm checking both out used... In a up and coming gigging band (5 piece) with drums and 3 guitars. My amp (carvin r1000) and 2x10 cab barely cuts thru (it's a cheap Seismic). Looking to upgrade. We play mostly classic and new rock with a little bit of country(kid rock style). Which would you guys go after... Both prices are within my reach so there is no issues regarding that. additionally, are there any drawbacks to either cab in your experiences?

Tuned · #2 01-22-2013, 05:26 PM

Those are two cabs I greatly dislike.

Vince Klortho · #3 01-22-2013, 05:27 PM

The drawback of the 8x10 is it's big. Really big. I would get two 4x10 cabinets before I would get an 8x10. Except if I had roadies that is.

Floyd Eye · #4 01-22-2013, 05:38 PM

Most definitely the Ampeg 8x10. My rig is an RL1000, Ampeg 810cl and SansAmp RBI. I went through a few 4x10 cabs for a long time, including Carvin RL410s. When I got the 810 it was like I finally got where I was going after an extremely long trip.

And it is far easier to load/unload my 810 than it was to move 2 410s.

Trust me, that cab is the industry standard for a reason. The only thing that could possibly drag me away from it would be if the rumors about the Fearful cabs are true. Possibly some of the higher end cabs would do it too, but since I am in no position to afford any of those and I can't find a single thing I dislike about the Ampeg, I'll stick with it.

BWileyTally · #5 01-22-2013, 05:43 PM

I think I'm leaning towards Floydeye. I don't mind the lugging around, I've got a truck and a garage that goes right into the downstairs where I have my practice room anyways. Easy peezy... Band mates say they'll help haul it in gigs and such since we all help each other anyways. Any pitfalls I haven't heard of yet? Repair costs... Common issues... Etc...

JimmyM · #6 01-23-2013, 12:01 AM

I'm not fond of the 810e's made between 2000 and 2006. They are darker on the treble than cabs before or after. That's about the only thing that bothers me about any 810e's. Pretty much all the old SLM-made Ampeg cabs until 2006 were made with OSB instead of plywood, too, but I sure see a lot of them still in service and holding up just fine, so I'm a little less freaked out about that than I used to be when I found out

But still, I think the best 810e's are the ones being made by LOUD over the past few years. Made of plywood and the treble's brighter.

www.unofficialampeg.com/dating.html tells you how to date the SLM-made cabs. Basically it's the 5th digit of the serial corresponding to a year this way:

A = 88
B = 89
C = 90

etc.

chaosMK · #7 01-23-2013, 12:33 AM

Is this a joke question? Go with the 8x10! It's an iconic cab and should be able to protect you from 3 guitarists. Hartke... gets the job done but that's about it.

Floyd Eye · #8 01-23-2013, 04:29 AM

I have a 2002 SLM cab with the darker sounding speakers. I love it. FWIW

Road-Dog · #9 01-23-2013, 05:45 AM

VH410, would not touch it, XL410 is the way to go otherwise, the Ampeg would be the one if you can only afford one cab. It will cover everything. Two 410's take up as much room in the van as one 810, but you don't have to load twice.

BWileyTally · #10 01-23-2013, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I went with the Ampeg 8x10! Sounds awesome and it does push some SERIOUS air!!!

BWileyTally · #11 01-24-2013, 04:13 PM

According to JimmyM's dating link it's an October '91 model SVT. If I'm reading this right it's the 97th produced.

JimmyM · #12 01-24-2013, 07:17 PM

Sounds like a good one to me. I've yet to play a 90's cab I didn't like the sound of.