Sick and tired in searching MY sound (Ampeg content)

[mazdah]

Sorry guys I need a vent

First of all I'd like to give you a little background of my gear:

I have two Pbasses (I love them)

- 62 US Vintage with LaBella 760FL flats
- 60th Anniversary with old Fender 9050L flats.

Amps:
SVT-3PRO (PLENTY of power for my needs)
SVT-15E (chinese)
SVT-410HE old model, 200W

I've used 3pro with 15E for a while. I kinda like this setup on rehersals, but on stage and at home this setup is kinda "thin sounding". It's loud more than enough, but doesn't get a lot of "ooomph" and it's a little too bright.
I always liked Ampeg "tens" for their softnes, so when the opportunity came I bought old SVT-410HE. I thought that should be a great cab to replace my 15E... WRONG!!

410HE is very smooth, with not much punch.
And I simply can't use it alone in my band - like the low end is not low enough to get the bass under guitars and hammond organs. Instead of playing low with drums I battle with guitars. SVT-15E menages to get wonderfully under guitars and hammond, with enough top end (MUCH MUCH more upper mids than 410HE) to hear my notes clearly, with great punch.

And I'm simply broken hearted because I considered 410HE THE cab (the half of old 400W 810E, the same speakers) and she "doesn't wanna play with me" :/

Both cabs sounds very well, especially when I put both on the ground. The four tens give the smoothness, gives 15E low and top ends. The problem is that this setup is terrible heavy, terrible expensive and STILL the RIGHT SOUND IS NOT THERE.

I'm after "Classic P-Bass on flats" sound. Motown, Stax, Pink Floyd (Pompei era). This setup should get me plenty, but it does not.

I'm considering PF-350 and PF 115 cab.
Maybe this is the answer?

All this made in china, rohs specs and class-d power messes up in my head. I have good ol' Ampeg stuff (well, not 15E which is made in china) and I'm thinking about digital powered, new chinese amp without any "mojo" or "soul" ?

What do you think? Am I crazy? Or stupid? I'm lost or sure... :/
Jimmy, !!

[prd004]

The latest stuff from Ampeg gets solid reviews, I wouldn't let the fact that it's made in China scare you.

I've not played the new Portaflex series but, it seems like the sound you are after is the sound these amps are aiming for, and pretty much everyone I know that has played them likes what they hear.

[Turtlejimmy]

My 2cents ..... I'm new to bass (I play other instruments) but am blown away by the beautiful bass sounds I'm getting from a Precision (just a standard MIM) and a new Ampeg BA 112 amp. It's only 50 watts, but the 5 position switch to give you 5 unique bass "voices" to work with is great (especially for a beginner). All 5 are nice ....

I like the -15dB channel too, for a great sound at lower volumes.

I know that Precision basses all sound good .... this must be a nice amp. I wouldn't worrry about the fact it's coming from China .... A Chinese company is IMO making better guitars than anyone in America (Martin, Taylor, Gibson). The Eastman company routinely puts out handmade acoustics that are better than American made guitars and they're 1/4 the price.


Turtle

[bassphreak]

What the ohms on the 410HE. It may not get the fully power from the SVT3 and just lacks as a result.

Ampeg has other versions of their 410s that may fit your needs better. The SVT410HLF are great cabs and would give you the punch you need. There is another version of the 410 that is a 500w. I thought the HE was the lower output cab to be paired with another....again not sure on that one.

Good luck. I've played a lot of Ampeg over the years (none of the great stuff - like classic/vintage 810) and always like the sound as a stand alone.

[Blah114]

Ampeg is best to be appreciated in a band setting, live.. and I have found it just sounds good.. there is better quality out there, for sure, but my bands require me to use Ampeg heads.. once in a while I sneak in my MESA head.. and the guys don't say much.. but for the biggest, most high profile shows, Ampeg is what I am told to use, and do.. I use Bergantino cabinets, though.. I would suggest checking out Epifani and Bergantino.. your back will thank you..

[sad_katz]

Either a dual PF-115 (or PF-210), or buy another SVT-410HE. Always use two of the same cabs to get the best results. Another SVT-410HE should do the trick. Or another SV-15E. Whichever tone you like the best. Don't forget also try the new PF-500 head. Some TB'ers have tried the PF-500 and SVT-410HE combo and they love it!

[Josh Pelican]

What settings are you using on the head?

[mazdah]

Originally Posted by prd004

The latest stuff from Ampeg gets solid reviews, I wouldn't let the fact that it's made in China scare you.

I've not played the new Portaflex series but, it seems like the sound you are after is the sound these amps are aiming for, and pretty much everyone I know that has played them likes what they hear.

I'm trying not to be scared Pity that there is no Portaflex around to try before purchase

Originally Posted by Turtlejimmy

My 2cents ..... I'm new to bass (I play other instruments) but am blown away by the beautiful bass sounds I'm getting from a Precision (just a standard MIM) and a new Ampeg BA 112 amp. It's only 50 watts, but the 5 position switch to give you 5 unique bass "voices" to work with is great (especially for a beginner). All 5 are nice ....

I have BA 108 and I love it for home practice and small jams with friends. Great little amp!

Originally Posted by Blah114

Ampeg is best to be appreciated in a band setting, live.. and I have found it just sounds good..

Yup. It does the job. I tried Eden, Ashdown, Hartke, GK, Warwick and I like Ampeg best. However GK amps are pretty impressive too.

Originally Posted by sad_katz

Either a dual PF-115 (or PF-210), or buy another SVT-410HE. Always use two of the same cabs to get the best results. Another SVT-410HE should do the trick. Or another SV-15E.

Well now I have nothing but trouble with 410HE in band settings. I'm afraid that buying second 410HE will just double the trouble I think second 15E would do better job in current band setting, but I'm not fully convinced to the sound of 15E. Also many great players use 410 + 115 stack and works for them just fine. Even Ampeg had a fridge with single "15 and four "10 - discontinued now.

Originally Posted by bassphreak

What the ohms on the 410HE. It may not get the fully power from the SVT3 and just lacks as a result.

8ohms. But 275W @ 8ohms of 3pro are PLENTY of power. Never had to turn master volume past 11 o'clock with single "15 8ohm cabinet. Power is not an issue.

Originally Posted by bassphreak

Ampeg has other versions of their 410s that may fit your needs better. The SVT410HLF are great cabs and would give you the punch you need. There is another version of the 410 that is a 500w. I thought the HE was the lower output cab to be paired with another....again not sure on that one.

Good luck. I've played a lot of Ampeg over the years (none of the great stuff - like classic/vintage 810) and always like the sound as a stand alone.

Yup, I hada SVT-410HLF few yers back and it was a monster.
And it might be the right choice for me now. I'm considering it.

Always loved Ampeg stuff, I also had their 810E which I regret selling (money issues)

Originally Posted by Josh Pelican

What settings are you using on the head?

For SVT-15E:
Gain - 3 o'clock
Treble - noon
Middle - 1-2 o'clock
Freq - 2
Bass - 10-1 o'clock
Tube Gain 2 o'clock
Master - 11 o'clock (rarely had to push harder on gigs)

Bright, ultra lo and ultra hi disengaged. I'm not using Graphic EQ.

Havent found the right settings for single 410HE, for both cabs I set as above.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by mazdah

Also many great players use 410 + 115 stack and works for them just fine.

Actually no it doesn't. They just don't know it. Most of them have endorsements which provide them with equipment either free or at low cost. Popular though it might be it still is and always will be a poor match.

If you liked the HLF so much why not just get a pair of those?

[grendle]

I'm thinking its the head more that the cabs. I found the 3 pro to be very modern sounding no matter how it was set. It's a great sounding head but might not be what your after. Very different animal than my svt II preamp. You may want to look at the more vintage type heads. For me those don't sound modern enough, but might be the ticket for the p bass with flats thing.

[mazdah]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Actually no it doesn't. They just don't know it. Most of them have endorsements which provide them with equipment either free or at low cost. Popular though it might be it still is and always will be a poor match.

Still both cabs do the job way better than single 410HE in my case...
So either two "15 or two 4x10.

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

If you liked the HLF so much why not just get a pair of those?

I changed it for 810E. Two 410HLFs would be totall overkill. one would be WAY more than anough.
Also the amp could work only with one (4ohm load)

I'll def. try HLF again.

Originally Posted by grendle

I'm thinking its the head more that the cabs. I found the 3 pro to be very modern sounding no matter how it was set. It's a great sounding head but might not be what your after. Very different animal than my svt II preamp. You may want to look at the more vintage type heads. For me those don't sound modern enough, but might be the ticket for the p bass with flats thing.

I'm going to try PF 350. Maybe I'll get SVT-AV for some tests from my friend.
Not much choice here in my town. Some Ashdowns (550, MAG 300, ABM 500, Lil Giant) maybe Fender Rumble and that's it.

[GizmoTheOne]

I've found I love Ampeg heads, but hate Ampeg cabs...

I've played many Ampeg cabs through my 3-PRO, and have found none to be working well towards finding MY tone.

I've had a pair of Eden 210's for a while, and liked them a lot more than every Ampeg cab combination I've tried.

I kept one of the Edens for special occasions and ended up with a fEARful, you might check those out, they are wonderful cabs once you get to know them a little... or as said in another post, Epifani or Bergantino could do the trick... all of those options are also better than Ampeg as far as weight goes...

YMMV

[edgaroviz]

Why not try something else? Ampeg is not the only amp/cab maker in the world.
I really loved GK's and Mesa's gear.

I tried Ampeg's 410HLF with the 7Pro, the cab was too boomy, and it hummed a lot, so I couldn't really know if it's the amp.
One thing is for sure... I won't be buying Ampeg cabs, though I might give the 610/810 a chance in a year of so, when I will be looking for a new amp.

[Slackerprince]

You might look into the 7 Pro head.
I have one and love the tone.
I'm using it with the PF-210, and as much
as I'm jonesing for a PF-115, I'm going to
heed the advice of almost everyone on TB
and get a matching 210 when I get a second cab.

Gratuitous excuse to post a photo:



S

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Actually no it doesn't. They just don't know it. Most of them have endorsements which provide them with equipment either free or at low cost. Popular though it might be it still is and always will be a poor match.

If you liked the HLF so much why not just get a pair of those?

True this.

But it does look awfully pretty.

And remember, the 115 gives you low end while the 410 deals with the punch . . . ahh, how I love sales pitches

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by mazdah

What do you think? Am I crazy? Or stupid? I'm lost or sure... :/
Jimmy, !!

OK, but I'm no psychiatrist, so you're on your own there...

Two 15e's might work for you. And I always liked the sound of those old SLM 40he's, so I don't know what direction you want to go. The PF115he's do go down really low for sealed cabs and they might be a little more to your liking. That's all personal taste things I can't answer for you. But the only real advice I have is to use matching cabs for best results (the low end gets a nice healthy boost and you eliminate possible phasing issues), and tone controls are meant to be used

[AMJBASS]

Shouldnt have any problem with that rig getting the sound you're after. I'm thinking you might not be EQ'ing it right for that sound. What are your settings? Do you keep the Ultra Low off(because this button can cause you to lose much of the midrange you would want).

[mazdah]

I keep all the filters off.
Here's a phone made record from rehersal (while trying to write new song).
Kinda gives you the idea of my sound now.
Here is with a pick, mostly I play with fingers so the touch is softer.

rock&roll.MP4 - YouTube

SVT3PRo + SVT-15E in hard picking. Sits great in the mix. EQ flat (with 2nd mid freq at 1o''clock), graph EQ on, because something is broken and I can't turn it off.

I bought 410HE because I thought that it will sit even better, with more powerful and softer sound.

SVT15E is more then enough for gigging in terms of volume ... but the notes lacks the "weight". Maybe the second 15E will be a better option.

I just thought the 410HE will be the Holy Grail (810E is Holier Grail and I'm kinda dissappointed... For this band setting 410+15 combo works way better than 410HE alone. Together they have deep lows & bright attack of 15 and sweet mids from 410HE. No phasing issues.

I think I'll leave things as they are and use 15E as main cab for rehearsals and small gigs and use "1540" combo for larger gigs (I'll have one next month)

[JimmyM]

Sounds killer to me.

[rodl2005]

Why not swap the 410 you don't like, for another 115 you DO like? Matching cabs WILL work, where non-matching cabs may not.
I'd TRY some of the pf range. Cabs & amps. While I found the 3 pro to have enough volume for my needs too, I found it lacking in some way....
I moved to a SVT II. But now I've a 7 PRO & it kicks ass!
You might dig the 410hlf, I didn't. Too boomy & undefined.
I moved to Bergantino cabs-NV610 = punch city! Like an Ampeg 810.
Imo- I'd try the pf115 x2 first.
Then A/B your 3 PRO & PF500 or PF350 & see what you think