Head for Ampeg 410 HLF

The_Robster · #1 08-13-2010, 02:12 AM

The name says it all, the old head that I had salvaged from my old Kustom Groove Combo is as good as gone.
The cab I have is an Ampeg 410 HLF, rated at 500watts @ 4ohms I believe. Anyways, I was hoping that some fellow TBers have had some experience with matching this cab with various heads and can give me the low-down on their favorites.

JulienJeff · #2 08-13-2010, 02:25 AM

markbass LMII/III..?

The_Robster · #3 08-13-2010, 02:55 AM

Hmm, this Markbass stuff looks really interesting and at good prices... How does the LMIII compare to the Little Mark Tube or the Little Mark Rocker?

tom once dead · #4 08-13-2010, 03:02 AM

Ive always found it to be a good combination running it with the Ampeg SVT 3 Pro. Doesn't sound too bad with a genz shuttle 6.0 as well.

Plstrns · #5 08-13-2010, 03:04 AM

SVT7Pro.

I was happy with my VT bass until I tried one.

Low Sound Love · #6 08-13-2010, 03:07 AM

Are you looking within a specific price range?

The 410hlf is generally said to be kinda dark or boomy, so if you want acces to crisp clean tones you'd better get a hi-fi sounding amp.

I match mine with an Ampeg SVT3-pro, works well for me (dirty rock/grunge/alt.rock music), but I do consider getting a full-tube amp when I get to save some money.

If you can, take your cab to your local store and try pretty much every available amp. You can get a lot of good advice here, but in the end only your ears should judge.

waleross · #7 08-13-2010, 06:06 AM

+1 on taking your time to try out different heads. I have (2) HLF's and they go great with my SVT4Pro and Fender TB1200. One head I was looking at for a backup is a Line6HD750($500)....There is so much out there that you can match up your cab and end up with a great rig......

LowDown Hal · #8 08-13-2010, 06:09 AM

I've been happy running mine with a LMII
I've been happy running mine with a Mesa Boogie M-Pulse600

JMac4strngr · #9 08-13-2010, 06:16 AM

Let your ears make the decision. However the Markbass stuff does sound pretty sweet. How much cash are you wanting to drop?

lofreq64 · #10 08-13-2010, 06:17 AM

I run my SVT,V4-B, and my Walkabout head through this cab. They all sound very good to my ears, and other musicians.

Jimmy Blue · #11 08-13-2010, 06:46 AM

SVT-CL chest thumping pant leg flapping bass for days.....

60jbass91 · #12 08-13-2010, 06:52 AM

mate i have the same issue
i just sold my ashdown mag300 15 combo which was just too thin sounding in the highs and mids to my ears it had plenty in the lows though.

i think im either going for a markbass littlemark lll
which sounded amazing when i testdrove it or an orange terror bass but i read the DI was a shocker on those

i dont like the idea of a hybrid amp i think its all or nothing with valves (tubes)

i think i would get a genz-benz shuttle 9.0 if i had no other option but the lows are a bit boomy for my liking
i know there is plenty of love for the 9.0 out there its just my oppinion guys

georgestrings · #13 08-13-2010, 06:57 AM

IME, those cabs pair up quite well with G-K's 700rb-II...

- georgestrings

jgroh · #14 08-13-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

markbass LMII/III..?

I have a LMII driving my HLF and it sounds incredible. At some point though, I do want to throw a big old tube amp on there and see what it can do. Something like a Ampeg SVT CL or VR or equivalent.

miholc · #15 08-13-2010, 07:40 AM

Hey. I've tried mine with SVT-CL. I got boomy sound out of it, disliked it

I play stnd GDAE and HLF (horn-low-frequency) just didn't suit for my style.

countrybassist · #16 08-13-2010, 07:44 AM

I just got that cab yesterday. I'm going to pair it with an Ampeg SVT-CL primarily, and on occasion a LMII.

Captain Marvel · #17 08-13-2010, 10:30 AM

I like the 410 HLF but personally I don't think its well suited to tube heads, I've tried an SVT-CL, Marshall Superbass and Fender 300 PRO through one and the cabs colossal low-end made it difficult to get the best out of these heads. It did'nt sound that bad with any of them it just limited their potential. At high volume levels the boom this cab produces can be hard to control and can lead to your bass getting lost in the mix. Hi-Fi this cab most definately is not!!
I agree with everyone that suggests a Markbass head, my LMtube (500) sounds great through an HLF especially with a Sansamp BDDI or VT bass in front.

Jimmy Blue · #18 08-13-2010, 11:00 AM

With the SVT-CL you gotta be cool with the bass knob and the low boost switch or it will get boomy. I tend to keep the bass at 12:00 - 2:00. Or if I engage the low boost switch, I'll dial back the bass to 10:00 or 11:00. Jazz bass with flats great sound for classic rock, country or blues. Our band gets moderately loud but not crazy. Rarely push the amps main or preamp volume past 11:00 - 1:00. I Keep the horn at 8:00 - 9:00. More old school thump than zing.

stantonl · #19 08-13-2010, 11:01 AM

I've used a GK 700RB II and an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO II with mine and both sound great. The Ashdown through the HLF gives me a great warm vintage tone, couldn't be happier with it.

DanNowhere · #20 08-13-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

IME, those cabs pair up quite well with G-K's 700rb-II...

- georgestrings

Seconded, although the GK will be relegated to backup duty as soon as I find the right Ampeg tube head. I'm wondering how a V4BH would sound through this cab?