Mesa or Ampeg?

[klejst]

I am in the market for a new bass cabinet to work along side a Fender TB-1200 head. I want a 6x10 and I have it narrowed down to the Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 6x10 or the Ampeg SVT-610HLF. Any opinions of what would be the better choice over the other and why? I play in a original rock band and use a Fender Precision bass. Does anyone also know if the Peavey Tour 450 head (alone) could power either of these cabs?

[JimmyM]

the tour 450 can easily handle either cab. me, i'd do the 610hlf just because i go to mesa's website and they have no specs other than weight and dimensions and a power handling spec of 900w that i just don't see how it could have any basis in reality. both are fine cabs but ampeg is a lot more honest and forthcoming about what their cabs do imho.

[kosmicwizard]

The 6X10HLF is the worst cab ampeg makes. It doesn't do lows like the 4X10HLF and it doesn't do THE 8X10 thing either. MESA flat out rocks! If you want to check out the MESA 610 powerhouse just wait until about 7 mins into this clip. Cheers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y31tBCLlAE

BTW, I have actually heard MESA cabs live (and own an Ampeg 8x10E and 2x15E), but this is the only way I know to help you hear them. Cheers.

[eastcoasteddie]

I'm sure they both sound good, but I'm with Jimmy on this one...and that I seem to favor Ampeg products....

I've heard a 610 HLF in a band situation, it sounded fantastic. And it's good for metal, too.

But try them BOTH, if you can.

[Classickbass]

OP, I have to ask...why a 610? 810 is king, 410 is a nice substitute when there are size/weight constraints, but I don't know anyone who rocks a 610. So how did you settle on a 610?

And to your inquiry, I am with Jimmy and EastCoastEddie, I would go with the Ampeg. I currently own the Ampeg 810 and have played the Mesa 810 and Mesa 2x15 and think the Ampeg's are better tone.

[klejst]

Thanks for the responses so far. A guy on another thread posted a CARVIN BR810 8X10 BASS CAB listed here http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...?product=BR810. Sure it's a 8x10, however anyone know how this would fare against the Ampeg and Mesa 610's listed above? Also would the Peavey Tour 450 even power that Carvin 810?

[JimmyM]

dude, forget powering. i've ran an 810 with a 25w head and it was wonderful. this whole nonsense about underpowering a cab is a load of crap. cabs only blow when you overpower them. otherwise you're fine.

as for the carvin, an ampeg or mesa will blow it off the map. good cab if you're on a budget and get a deal on it, but let's get real. if you skimp on anything, make sure it's not the cab. doesn't have to be the greatest on the market, but paying for quality in the cab is way worth it.

[JimiLL]

Yes a world tour will power those cabs....

6x10's are nice (I have one) but I dont think that Ampeg is really up there in the race for the top; the Mesa is a world class Cab but I have yet to hear one with something other than a Mesa head going through it. Mesa amps really arent for me.

I have a Genz Benz which I think is GREAT, Bergantino makes a good one, Schroeder, Eden, etc.

[Classickbass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

dude, forget powering. i've ran an 810 with a 25w head and it was wonderful. this whole nonsense about underpowering a cab is a load of crap. cabs only blow when you overpower them. otherwise you're fine.

as for the carvin, an ampeg or mesa will blow it off the map. good cab if you're on a budget and get a deal on it, but let's get real. if you skimp on anything, make sure it's not the cab. doesn't have to be the greatest on the market, but paying for quality in the cab is way worth it.

Heed Jimmy's advice on this one. That Carvin is $500, you can get used Ampeg or Mesa for the same price and get WAY better results. All of my amp gear is used, don't be afraid to go the secondhand route.

[Ryan L.]

I've owned an Ampeg 810E, 410HLF, and a 610HLF. Really liked the 810, loved the 410HLF, and hated the 610HLF.

I've also owned a Mesa PH810 (and have tried out a PH610). I'd take a Mesa cab any day over an Ampeg, especially over the Ampeg 610. IMO, of course.

[lookiel]

Go for Mesa
Other suggestion is the Berg NV610

[Laurent]

I would base the choice on tone and music. Mesa for heavy metal and aggressive type music and Ampeg for everything else. Mesa is too aggressive for my taste but that's just me. They make good gear in general.

[Bonerific]

Boooooooooooogggggggggiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!!!!!

[paganjack]

Originally Posted by lookiel

Go for Mesa
Other suggestion is the Berg NV610

+1

The NV610 is much more old-school sounding though. That's not a bad thing, I'm just saying it's different.

Between the Mesa 610 and the Ampeg 610hlf (I had one of those for a while) the Mesa wins no question. The 610hlf has this huge hole in the upper mids that I really, really disliked. It's very inarticulate.

[TylerDurdenPSSC]

Played both an Ampeg Svt810 and Mesa Powerhouse810. Ampeg all the way, all day. I dont know what it is about Mesa gear, I want to like it, but everytime I play it, I'm seriously let down.

Of all the 'peg gear I've owned/played, I've never used a 610, and they're completely different beasts, so I can't comment 100%.

I just know that between the two, I know exactly which one id pick.

[iri5h_punk21]

Mesa makes a fine product, I've heard nothing but good things about their customer service, and I've also seen some posts lately on the TB forums about Ampeg's QC not being what it used to be. I own a Mesa mPulse 600 going through a Powerhouse 1200 and LOVE it. Big, meaty wonderful low-end bliss =]

EDIT: Granted, I have not had much opportunity to play Ampeg much myself, so take my advice with a grain of salt..........MESA!!!

[jmattbassplaya]

While I have no experience with the Mesa 6x10, I can tell you that Ampeg's 6x10 is probably the worst cab they make (IME, IMHO, YMMV).

[BassBob1]

i own an ampeg 410hlf. It is the best cab i've ever owned and the best cab i ever played. I like ampegs 810E too. you can't go wrong with a fridge. I personally suggest that over either of the 610's. If you are really set on a 610 it is nice that ampeg gives you all the cab specs not just weight. i havent played the mesa but played thru a mesa stack with the powerhouse 410, 115, and 400+. I dont like mesa bass amps but the cabs seem pretty good though i get a better sound out of my ampeg cab, at least for my taste.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Ryan L.

I've owned an Ampeg 810E, 410HLF, and a 610HLF. Really liked the 810, loved the 410HLF, and hated the 610HLF.

I've also owned a Mesa PH810 (and have tried out a PH610). I'd take a Mesa cab any day over an Ampeg, especially over the Ampeg 610. IMO, of course.

This - and I'd add that I've also owned the PH610 for a couple of years... IME, Ampeg's SVT-610HLF is by far the WORST 610 on the market - Mesa, SWR, Berg, Genz, Markbass, etc... ALL make a FAR better 610 than that piece of crap Ampeg 610...

I actually considered trading my Mesa 610 for an Ampeg 610, because it would be easier to move - but the Ampeg wasn't even in the same league performance-wise, so it ended up being out of the question...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

While I have no experience with the Mesa 6x10, I can tell you that Ampeg's 6x10 is probably the worst cab they make (IME, IMHO, YMMV).

That, and their 1540 is pretty craptacular, too...



- georgestrings