Are SLM era cabs really that bad??

chubrocker · #1 10-03-2011, 11:26 AM

I'm wanting a new cab and am looking mainly at Ampeg 610HLF and 810E, but I am only finding SLM era cabs near my area. All the comments here make me steer away. Warranted advice? My main gripe is not real plywood, but should I just stay clear entirely due to being inferior overall?

gustobassman · #2 10-03-2011, 12:20 PM

My 610HLF is from May of '06, and i've been using it for 4 years solid with no problems at all. It is possible that mine is from the chipboard era, but as i was told, if it's never in a flood i should be ok. hahaha.. But seriously, it's a great cab, but is sonically different from the 810. For my ears you need to stand away from the 610 about 10-15 feet to really hear what it's doing as opposed to the 810. 810 = more punch, 610HLF = more bottom end. The front ports on the 610HLF seem to disperse the low frequencies more than the sealed, punchy 810. IME at least..

Having used both for some years, i have to say i like the 610HLF. Easier on the back and sounds great. YMMV tho...

ampegfuzz · #3 10-03-2011, 12:33 PM

People don't like them because their muddy and built with MDF. I bought my 810e new in 2000 still use it still love it and now i have 2. And you can get them around $400 they are a fine cab. People say the vietnam-present are better with birch ply and different drivers but i've never had a single problem with mine.

chubrocker · #4 10-03-2011, 12:36 PM

I'm fine with either. I'm more concerned with quality of product. I don't have the time and money to seek out a variety of cabs from multiple cities, etc. The GC locally only has newer models in stock. 810 and 610s come up very rarely. I found a local-ish 810E (silver front!) in travel case for great price. It's USA made, so I'm sure its SLM.

I'm just concerned about dropping $800 on an inferior product overall. But, I also wonder if my ears will pick up the nuances like some on this forum. Many comments make me fear even considering a SLM era cab. I play in hard rock band--will I really notice the difference from these era of cabs??

chubrocker · #5 10-03-2011, 12:38 PM

Are they really that muddy? Can you EQ it out?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampegfuzz

People don't like them because their muddy and built with MDF. I bought my 810e new in 2000 still use it still love it and now i have 2. And you can get them around $400 they are a fine cab. People say the vietnam-present are better with birch ply and different drivers but i've never had a single problem with mine.

ampegfuzz · #6 10-03-2011, 12:48 PM

people say their muddy, i don't notice

ampegfuzz · #7 10-03-2011, 12:50 PM

Newer ones at GC still slm??? Ask for one made it vietnam if your buying new they will make it happen for your business.

gustobassman · #8 10-03-2011, 12:53 PM

Hmmm... my 610HLF is SLM and not muddy. you don't need to crank the up the "bass" to make it sound good. It is designed to have a lower frequency than the 810 therefore you do not need to add that much bass. I play rock, reggae, metal (hell even some bluegrass when i'm really feelin it) and it works for everything. I run the settings on MY 800RB "flat" with a slight treble cut and a slight low mid boost. Tweeter off. If i need high twinkle, you add some tweeter. easy as that.

I too was questioning my purchase (like i said i've owned/gigged/toured with it for 4 years) after reading some comments, but to each his own. If have never once had a soundguy tell me my rig was muddy. Again, you have to be about 10-15 feet away from it, so i bet you by being in GC and standing 5 feet in front of the cab you will in no way hear how clear it really is, especially at "stage" volume.

dukeisdog · #9 10-03-2011, 01:07 PM

I bought a used 2001 810e a few months ago for $250. Its beat up, missing a caster, and needs a new speaker, but really sounds great. A lot of people say that this was a bad time for Ampeg, but I don't think that my cab sounds dark at all.

Alex1984 · #10 10-03-2011, 01:38 PM

On the flipside, some people comment on the current ones as being too thin or too bright. I've tested out some 410HLF and 810Es made by SLM and preferred by flatback. They are not that bad, but the flatbacks are THAT good, packed with a ton of punch.

JMac4strngr · #11 10-03-2011, 01:53 PM

They aren't that bad.
IMO-They sound way better than some of the low cost alternatives, in the sub-$500 category. You can usually find'em (SLM-era 810E)for $500 or less and comparing them to the GC-Acoustic B810 or GK 810GLX(both around $500-$600 new), the SLM era cabs win by a landslide.

chubrocker · #12 10-03-2011, 02:02 PM

So only the SLM era has the "slanted" backs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex1984

On the flipside, some people comment on the current ones as being too thin or too bright. I've tested out some 410HLF and 810Es made by SLM and preferred by flatback. They are not that bad, but the flatbacks are THAT good, packed with a ton of punch.

JMac4strngr · #13 10-03-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

So only the SLM era has the "slanted" backs?

Nope. Ampeg stopped making the squarebacks sometime mid 70's (I think?). So every 810 You're gonna find made from then till now is gonna have the slanted top and bottom corners on the back. I have never owned/transported a squareback, but from what I've heard the slanted back design is easier to move because of the towel bar and wheels on the bottom edge. Just move'em like a set of handtrucks.

chubrocker · #14 10-03-2011, 02:50 PM

There's a 70s squareback fridge here in KC but he's wanting $700. It's extremely beat up externally, just makes me fear the condition of the speakers.

Alex1984 · #15 10-03-2011, 03:00 PM

My flatback had NO tolex left on it at all and is covered in black paint, but still sound great to me. No one can do your hearing for you, so base your judgment on your own experience.

ampegfuzz · #16 10-03-2011, 03:06 PM

if you have a super high watt head, keep clear the squareback less you plan on replaceing speakers.

chubrocker · #17 10-03-2011, 04:13 PM

2003 model that I'm considering. Comes inside travel case too which is nice benefit. Might pull the trigger.

lowendrasta56 · #18 10-03-2011, 05:24 PM

Got rid of a 410HLF I had for a few years. VERY bass heavy.. Yes pretty muddy. Try one out and crank it before you buy. Not for everyone.

chubrocker · #19 10-03-2011, 05:52 PM

HLF is ported. 810E is sealed, so different beasts.

I'll be trying it for sure, but I'm hoping for the best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendrasta56

Got rid of a 410HLF I had for a few years. VERY bass heavy.. Yes pretty muddy. Try one out and crank it before you buy. Not for everyone.

WhoDidTheElf · #20 10-03-2011, 06:25 PM

I wouldn't say "muddy" as much as it sounds darker on the whole. From what I can tell it sounds more like a mid shift than any thing. I have an 06 8x10 and compared to the newer ones it sounds like it has more low mids in it. It doesn't sound bad, it just sounds different.

As far as EQing it out, you can to an extent, but its still obvious that there is a different set of speakers in there.