Need help choosing cabs for Ampeg v4bh

Colonel Monk · #1 10-16-2011, 08:45 PM

Hi guys:

OK, so I have one of these heads, and till now I have not spent any energy acquiring a proper cab for it.

I've played it thru an Eden 410 (friends) along with Eden 115 (mine) and thru my Scout 12 and 15.

Live gigs lately I have been using it with a single 12 (as it was a 4 ohm cab) and of course that was lacking volume, though sounded great and with PA support was just OK.

I play in more than one band and currently have 3 rigs at different locations - but I'm always missing this one. Thinking about getting another v4bh so that I have one in each of the farthest locations (80 miles) and then can slave them together for a little more stage volume.

So it's down to cab choice.

It would make sense for me to do 2 - 410s so that I have two identical rigs and can stack them when necessary.

410 HE or 410 HLF? I've heard good things about both, though some say the HLF is too "muddy"

610 HLF? I guess more speakers is better, but again I've heard that the 610 likes alot of power.

810E? Huh, I got rid of my last 810 over 10 years ago, and was psyched to have more power and less cabinet the past few years. But I'm loving the tone and the newer 810s have the option of dual amping the 810 which is cool.

It's a great option though then I'd have to move the 810 around for gigs, seems a bit much.

There are a bunch of 810s for sale around here, a few 610s and a few 410s...

I'd consider a Berg 610 as it's said they are very efficient and really rock with this head.

How does the Berg and Ampeg cabs compare in efficiency - is there a really big difference?

Thanks,

CM

Lync · #2 10-16-2011, 09:16 PM

I like mine with my SVT 115E. Not so much with my 6x10HLF since as you said, it likes power and the V4BH gets farty when you rock it with that cab. With the 1x15 though, good volume and it sounds fat with presence.

tom once dead · #3 10-16-2011, 09:28 PM

I'm definitely a fan of my 410he. I always have the tweeter turned off completely so it's almost like having a mini 810.

will33 · #4 10-16-2011, 09:34 PM

Yeah, the 410hlf may not be the best choice for a 100 watt tube head. They have a deep sound but not much in the mids and usually like a higher power amp to kind of push them into what they're good at.

Is the 410he a sealed "1/2 an 810"? I know there's some ampeg cab that is. Also johnk10 has mention the deltaliteII 2512's sound pretty good in the v4 cab. May want to look into a pair of 212's that use those. Could fashion some sort of port plug if you wanted to seal them.

The berg 610 is like a more expensive ampeg sound. Does sound good but don't know if you want that much cab. You wouldn't need two of those but then you'd be carrying the cab with you. Kind of undoes the multiple rig convenience thing.

johnk_10 · #5 10-16-2011, 10:13 PM

from your list, i'd go with two 410E's and use them with one head (and a second head if you ever need the extra power). a single V4BH thru two 4x10's should do almost any gig though.

JimmyM · #6 10-16-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

from your list, i'd go with two 410E's and use them with one head (and a second head if you ever need the extra power). a single V4BH thru two 4x10's should do almost any gig though.

This. A V4B and an 810 was my only stage rig for my teens through my 20's playing pretty loud stuff, and it pulled off every gig no problem.

Sartori · #7 10-16-2011, 10:22 PM

If you want an 810 type of sound, but don't want the bulk, just get two 410HE's and turn the tweeters off. Should sound pretty close when stacked on top of each other.

johnk_10 · #8 10-16-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

If you want an 810 type of sound, but don't want the bulk, just get two 410HE's and turn the tweeters off. Should sound pretty close when stacked on top of each other.

yup. +1

Colonel Monk · #9 10-17-2011, 07:47 AM

Thanks you guys. I think the 2 + 410HE = 810E formula looks like the right option just now.

I think one of the 410s is available locally right now for a good price.

Now.....

Any reason I should try to avoid any of the foreign-built cabs? I've seen both opinions rendered here.

As nice as it is to have ampeg equipment built by SLM electronics here in the USA, some have hammered the last 10+ years using OSB vs baltic birch plywood. The latter has got to be lighter and potentially more durable.

Also: not to detract too much - but Bergantino also has some 410 cabs, in light of the love for the NV610 for these amps should I be looking at one of these? And if so, which one of the FOUR 410 options should I look at?

Thanks

CM

NKUSigEp · #10 10-17-2011, 08:00 AM

SVT215

johnk_10 · #11 10-17-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Monk

Thanks you guys. I think the 2 + 410HE = 810E formula looks like the right option just now.

I think one of the 410s is available locally right now for a good price.

Now.....

Any reason I should try to avoid any of the foreign-built cabs? I've seen both opinions rendered here.

As nice as it is to have ampeg equipment built by SLM electronics here in the USA, some have hammered the last 10+ years using OSB vs baltic birch plywood. The latter has got to be lighter and potentially more durable.

Also: not to detract too much - but Bergantino also has some 410 cabs, in light of the love for the NV610 for these amps should I be looking at one of these? And if so, which one of the FOUR 410 options should I look at?

Thanks

CM

i'm not that familiar with the 410E's, but i would imagine that they followed suit with the 810's, i.e. the later (imported) ones would be made of plywood with less dark drivers as opposed to the era where the 10's were duller and the cabs were made of OSB.

JimmyM · #12 10-19-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i'm not that familiar with the 410E's, but i would imagine that they followed suit with the 810's, i.e. the later (imported) ones would be made of plywood with less dark drivers as opposed to the era where the 10's were duller and the cabs were made of OSB.

That would be accurate. I'm 99% sure they use the same drivers in the 410HE and 810E, and the newer drivers are a lot better IMHO and they use plywood instead of OSB. So I'd go newer imported 410HE's any day of the week or I'd go older SLM than 1998 if you happen to run across a deal.

Colonel Monk · #13 10-19-2011, 02:30 PM

OK, I got a 410 HE today.

Chap was nice enough to drive it down from Oakland and drop it off right at the rear of my vehicle where I work.

It's made by SLM, and has speakons - so probably is most likely OSB plywood.....

Good deal though, and I was hoping to have one by gig on Saturday so we will give it a shot.

Can't say that I've ever heard a bad ampeg 810 or 410, so I'm not too worried.

Kinda looking forward to getting another one for that 810 punch with all 100W (hahaha) behind it. Not the loudest rig ever but it WILL sound awesome.

CM