Vintage '70's ampeg 8x10 V.S. Ampeg SVT810AV

[Greenehayez13]

Aye, I'm 18 and have been playing for 7 years. I finally have the money to up my rig from a 2 x 10 GK combo amp that i basically just use it as a 2 x 10 because i run a ampeg b4r through. My band is about ready to start gigging and need something with some real power. So I've been searching and on craigslist right now there is a vintage '70's Ampeg 8 x 10 for $650 and a Ampeg Svt810AV for $600. both made in america. both have massive sound. but i'm terrible at making decisions when it comes down to two options and am looking for some input.

Thank you all for reading!
and am looking forward to the input

[johnnyt]

Try em both out. But I the 70's cab will more than likely have a 'darker' tone to it, from the speakers and construction vs the newer cab.

[johnk_10]

actually, it depends on the year of the AV, but i think the newer ones are darker than the 70's ones. the newer ones do handle more power though.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by johnnyt

Try em both out. But I the 70's cab will more than likely have a 'darker' tone to it, from the speakers and construction vs the newer cab.

Nope. I have a flatback cab from 73 and the opposite is true.

If you don't need to run an SVT past its clean volume, then the 70's cab would be my choice. If you do need the serious power handling, then I'd look for a newer 810e or av or an older American 810e or av made before 1998. The 810's made between 98 and 06 use OSB instead of plywood, and the ones made from 2000-06 have darker sounding speakers as well. Not to say that they wouldn't do the job, but I'd never pay $600 for a cab made with OSB.

[Alex1984]

Flatback for tone, modern for power, pretty much sums it up. Check the speakers on the flatback.

[LowBstring]

How many of these can there be?

I sold my vintage early 70's SVT. If it's around Boston area, might be my old amp. If so, it was in perfect condition when I sold it, I was the original owner.

[someparts]

I don't know how many flatback cabs were made all told, but they were built RIGHT. I've seen them ragged out to bare wood, missing grilles, painted black, etc. and still being gigged. I have a pair of flatbacks about 100 apart on the serial numbers - both made in '71 - they are plenty loud and have THE tone. The AV is a nice cab that handles more power and some find easier to move being the tiltback style, and might offer less chance of breakdown since there's less age on the drivers, etc. It might also be noted that just because a cab says 70s it may still be a tilt back cab so all this talk of flatbacks might be all for naught. I see MTI-era cabs wrongly referred to as 70s era all the time.