Questions: Need Help From The Ampeg Gurus: Ampeg SVT810E/Heritage SVT810E/SVT810AV

[TMart99]

Hi guys.

I have some questions regarding these current models of Ampeg cabs.


Firstly, regarding design. Is Ampeg still desgning and building these 8X10 with the speakers divided into 4 sealed cabinets ?

How about the Ampeg Heritage SVT-410HLF, are the 4 10" speakers divided (or is the correct term chambered?)?

Secondly. I see/hear a lot of people refer to some SVT810E as "flatbacks". Are the new Ampeg SVT810E considered "Flatback" designs?

Third. A local shop has four older SVT810E cabs. All of them indicate they were manufactored by SLM Electronics, but no dates to indicate year.

He says he thinks they are 1994-95 models, but he's not certain. He's selling them at $400.00, plus he has a few older Ampeg heads, too (I'll discuss the heads dwon below).

Now, I'm looking for a SVT810E cab that gives me that warm, full, thick sound. I do not want thin, nasally sound.

Do you guys have any information, suggestions or advice regarding (sound/tone/quality/reliability) to share, regarding SVT810E cabs from this era? Any thoughts?

It's one of these or I'll go for the new Heritage SVT810E.


The Ampeg heads he has are as follows:

SVT-350

SVT 200T

Ampeg B5R

Any information, suggestions or advice regarding (sound/tone/quality/reliability) to share on these heads?

Thanks.

[Buster Brown]

OK....if you have the cash, go for the HSVT 8X10. Buy the best and be done with it.

Yes, the 8X10s are divided up (chambered)

I can't reply to the HSVT 4X10 - I haven't played one (I own the Heritage 8X10) Sorry I can't help you on that one.

The early 8X10s were a "flatback" design. They haven't produced a flatback 8X10 for 30 years (or better).

If the 8X10s are in decent shape - it's a good deal for the money. If you can, play each one and purchase the one you like best.

I (personally) wouldn't recommend any of the amps you mentioned. I would recommend the following:

HSVT-CL
SVT-CL
SVT4Pro
SVT7Pro
SVT3Pro


Good luck with your decision!!!

[grendle]

Where is local? Ill take an svt for $400

[TMart99]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

OK....if you have the cash, go for the HSVT 8X10. Buy the best and be done with it.

Yes, the 8X10s are divided up (chambered)

I can't reply to the HSVT 4X10 - I haven't played one (I own the Heritage 8X10) Sorry I can't help you on that one.

The early 8X10s were a "flatback" design. They haven't produced a flatback 8X10 for 30 years (or better).

If the 8X10s are in decent shape - it's a good deal for the money. If you can, play each one and purchase the one you like best.

I (personally) wouldn't recommend any of the amps you mentioned. I would recommend the following:

HSVT-CL
SVT-CL
SVT4Pro
SVT7Pro
SVT3Pro


Good luck with your decision!!!

Thanks, Buster. Appreciate the help.

I get what the Flatback reference is. You're right, I haven't seen an Ampeg flatback in years, either.

He also has a Sunn flatback, but I couldn't find a model number on it. he said he'd have to look into it get back to me on it. I thin k he said there's a 15" or 18" driver in that Sunn flatback. But the cab it self looks like it would be a 6x10 or tall 4x10.

And some big, old Gauss cab that he said has a 15" driver and some weird looking wave guide front to it. It has felt covering all over it. Even on the areas where the waveguide ramps up a little. Some interesting stuff, but I don't klnow anything about these cabs. So I'm trying research and learn.

[TMart99]

Originally Posted by grendle

Where is local? Ill take an svt for $400

North Carolina. He has four of these SLM Electronics Ampeg SVT810 cabs. They all show wear and tear of use and gigging. But that's okay if they are functioning perfectly. I don't mind the road worn aesthetics of the cabs.

I'm a little cautious with this, because of the price on them and because I don't know him well enough to trust him. I sent him an e-mail asking if the drivers in all four of these SVT810 are all original, or any of them have been replaced.

Now I need to know how to visually identify the original drivers, lol

[coreyfyfe]

The design hasn't really changed since 1975. The only difference between the cabs you listed is the speakers. The Heritage uses a difference speaker than the rest, speculation being that they're the eminence B810 - or something closely related - which is supposed to be based upon the original CTS speakers in the flatback cabs from the early 70s. The AV and standard E series 8x10 cabs are the same thing just with silver/blue grill cloth on the AV series. I wouldn't worry about the cab sounding nasal, the more common issue with the 810E is the early 2000s-late 2000s cabs that had speakers most people refer to as "darker" sounding - more lows, less mids. The changeover was when the power ratings went from 400 to 800 watts, I believe. Either way, if those are mid 90s SLM cabs they should be ok. The way to date them is with the letter code on the serial number.

The HLF cabs have similar internal bracing as the 810 (ie there are chambers for each pair of 10's) but they are not at all sealed like the 810s. The bracing will have large holes in between speakers to allow air movement and proper tuning and the cabs are lined with insulation, not stuffed like a sealed cab would be.

[TMart99]

Thank you, coreyfyfe.