Piecing together new rig

[Jonny Starlight]

So after putting off playing music for about a year and a half I picked it up again and need new gear. A buddy of mine gave me an Acoustic B410 that for free that does not work. I have read a lot of reviews about this cheaply made cabinets and how blowing speakers is very common. After much reading I have decided to replace the speakers in the cabinet with Celestion TF1020, I'm not sure I want to go with the 8 ohms or the 16 ohms, or if either would make a difference. Any thoughts on that?

I also want to find a head to run with this cab, playing mostly bluesy rock, real grooving would love some punch with a nice low end tone. Any suggestions trying to stay within 600 for the head.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

[JimmyM]

I think rather than spending $600 on a head, I'd spend $200-300 on a good used 410 and the rest on a head. In the end, the Acoustic is still a pretty cheaply made cab, and putting speakers in it is throwing good money after bad. Good cheap used 410's are all over the place. Best not to skimp on the cab. Skimp on anything else but.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I think rather than spending $600 on a head, I'd spend $200-300 on a good used 410 and the rest on a head. In the end, the Acoustic is still a pretty cheaply made cab, and putting speakers in it is throwing good money after bad. Good cheap used 410's are all over the place. Best not to skimp on the cab. Skimp on anything else but.

+1 The TB classified can be a real treasure trove of high-quality gear at great prices. I picked up a pair of Bag End S15-D cabs for ~$500 shipped. Totally agree that great speakers are the better investment; a great head through lousy speakers will sound lousy.

[RickenBoogie]

+ another 1. I know it was free, that's cool, no loss, but forgetaboutit.

[Never_grew_up]

I'd figure out what's wrong with it 1st. Might be something simple/cheap like a bad input jack or a wire pulled off the speaker terminal. If it's a quick/cheap/easy fix I'd get it working, then take it straight to your favorite local music store & trade it in towards your rig of choice. Some 15 year old kid will be glad to get a cheap 410 as part of his 1st step rig from his 20 watt bedroom combo, you get some (even if only $75 - $100) credit on your rig, and you've kept it out of the landfill, which seems to be your only other option.

[Jonny Starlight]

So putting the celestion's into the acoustic cab is probably not the best idea? They are sold in sets of 4 for $89 bucks plus shipping on avatars site.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Jonny Starlight

So putting the celestion's into the acoustic cab is probably not the best idea? They are sold in sets of 4 for $89 bucks plus shipping on avatars site.

Swapping speakers is not as easy as just throwing new ones in the cab.

To do it right, you need to model those speakers in that cab in design software. Not doing so could result in a bad sounding cab, or even cause damage to the speakers themselves.

[WhoDidTheElf]

Originally Posted by Jonny Starlight

So putting the celestion's into the acoustic cab is probably not the best idea? They are sold in sets of 4 for $89 bucks plus shipping on avatars site.

The problem is the cab is cheap and not really tuned to sound the best. Even if you put speakers hand made by God in it, it still wouldn't sound that good (Or as others have said blow the speakers up again).

I know first hand that cheap cabs can really tarnish a good heads sound. Even if your head has great tone, it can only sound so good when the cab reproducing that tone is bad.

Honestly like the others have said, buy a used 4x10 and use the rest of the money towards a head. I've found some killer deals on here and craig's list.

[RickenBoogie]

Yeah, really, the last thing you want to skimp on is your speakers. Most any amp will do, but the cab is where it's all at.