What amp to match a 4x10 with?

LakeEffect · #1 02-22-2013, 12:15 PM

Whats going on, new to talk bass, although i've looked up forums for reference purposes from time to time.

I was just given a Hartke XL Series 410XL 400W 8ohm 4x10" Aluminum Cone Bass Speaker Cabinet. I do not, however, had a head for this unit, nor a really great deal of knowledge about what would be a good fit.

I have a small Eden 15 Watt Combo Amp that I like the tone of a lot, so much in fact that I got rid of a 50 Watt Crate Combo simply because I wasn't using it. I particularly like Eden's punch, that almost "twang" type sound that comes at the initial moment of attack (I'm sure this isn't entirely unique to them, but I have grown to like their products from experimenting with their WTDI World Tour Direct Box as well - which I do not own).

I play a Pro Series Thumb 5, and sometimes use a Moog LowPass filter (maybe the reason I like the Eden tone, it helps compensate for some of what you give up when you run a Low Pass).

All in all, are there any recommendations on heads for this 4x10 lying dormant in my basement? I don't need anything more powerful than what is required just to power that cab only, and I would like to stay under $500.

Thanks for the suggestions!

RickenBoogie · #2 02-22-2013, 12:46 PM

ANY bass amp (short of several all-tube affairs) will work with your 410. Tone is a personal preference deal, so it would be best if you went out and tried some amps. Use your cab for the demo's, and choose based on what you hear.

MeLikeDaLowNote · #3 02-22-2013, 12:54 PM

With $500 and fairly modest power requirements, you have a world of options open to you. I don't think anyone will give you better advice than RickenBoogie: you've just gotta bring your cab and bass to the shop and try 'em out.

RBX4 · #4 02-22-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

ANY bass amp (short of several all-tube affairs) will work with your 410. Tone is a personal preference deal, so it would be best if you went out and tried some amps. Use your cab for the demo's, and choose based on what you hear.

What's your opinion on the ampeg micro 210 svt?? Before I go looking to try it out?

LakeEffect · #5 02-22-2013, 01:35 PM

I hear you Ricken, always the best advice one can give and I could not agree more.

The catch is, however, that I live in Chicago, do not have a car, and don't really even know anyone with a car haha. Its just not exactly feasible.

I'm willing to pull the trigger on any good advice and just run with it, I don't have too many more options.

Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions on just the overall tone and feel characteristics of different amps?

Given my affinity for Eden, I was looking at the Eden WTX-264 World Tour Bass Amp, but in all honesty, my sample size to draw off of is small. Anything comparable to this people would recommend?

RickenBoogie · #6 02-22-2013, 04:22 PM

RBX4- that's a practice amp. Is that what you want?
Lakeeffect- the WTX-264 is a fine amp, but light on power. That may be fine for you, I don't know. It's very difficult for someone to suggest something to a stranger on the internet. It's like suggesting what food you may like the taste of. If you cannot test any amps, maybe look them up on YouTube and see what sticks out best.

RBX4 · #7 02-22-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

RBX4- that's a practice amp. Is that what you want?
Lakeeffect- the WTX-264 is a fine amp, but light on power. That may be fine for you, I don't know. It's very difficult for someone to suggest something to a stranger on the internet. It's like suggesting what food you may like the taste of. If you cannot test any amps, maybe look them up on YouTube and see what sticks out best.

Yeah practice.. Sounds like you know your gear why I ask :-)

RickenBoogie · #8 02-22-2013, 07:25 PM

Yeah, very cool practice amp. Just don't try to play with cranked guitars or drummers, or you'll hurt the spkr cab. Great sounding little amp though.

murphy · #9 02-22-2013, 07:52 PM

A hartke 3500
GK 700RB
Markbass LMII

samtastic · #10 02-22-2013, 08:34 PM

I had a Hartke, actually I still have it, I blew one of the speakers.
I was searching for an amp one time. Went to the store. The bass guy plugged me into very amp, the last amp was an Eden world tour 300. The sound was soo sweet, the lows were incredible. I ended up saving and buying it, it has since been upgraded to 400 watts. Now it has been 15+ years and I have never looked for another amp.
My suggestion is to save and quality, you will be happier and keep your gear longer.

LakeEffect · #11 02-23-2013, 08:33 AM

I was planning on going the youtube route, but without even a few models to even use as a baseline that task was a little ominous, so thank you Murphy.

Ricken, when you say light on power, do you mean relative to everyone else's bass rig needs? Or do you think it could fill out the potential of the Hartke 410XL 400W 8ohm 4x10, just not much else? I really only want and need to round out what that cab can do, anything else is a little unnecessary for me - I don't have the funds, space, or neighboring apartment owner's tolerance to really go much bigger (unfortunately).

wcoffey81 · #12 02-23-2013, 09:03 AM

when you take into account used there are quite a few amps in the sub $500 range. grab a favorite beverage, you're going to be here a while, and use the search function for "micro head". read as much as you can stand and take notes if you have to.
then i would use something like google to find as many music shops as you can within 10 miles of where you live, grab a friend and make a day of amp shopping. use the bus, taxi's or a borrowed car but take it slow and listen to as many amps as you can.

jungleheat · #13 02-23-2013, 05:33 PM

Used SWR Bass 350 would probably be a good choice. SWR and Eden share a fair amount of "DNA" (no pun intended), sharing some lineage as I understand it.

Bass 350s are pretty much always on ebay, you can get a near mint one for under $400, and a beat up one for $200 or so. Solidly built amps with a nice tube preamp and a built in limiter, plus an effects loop. Mine sounds awesome with my Q-Tron (not quite the same as your Moog, but the same basic idea).

Nephilymbass · #14 02-24-2013, 12:47 PM

Just to match... a Hartke 3500 would work. If you like that eden tone might want to try one of their smaller heads like the e300 I have no experience with it but its only $350. My personal preference is get a sans amp RBI and a cheap power amp. Cheap and good enough you won't want a new rig in 6 months

LakeEffect · #15 02-25-2013, 06:53 PM

Much appreciated, all the exact information I needed to hear.

jungleheat - I've played through the Q-Tron, good stuff, I liked it a lot. Interesting to hear that SWR would be a similar rout to Eden, great information to know as they seem to get the nod as far as pricing and customer service go.
nephilymbass - I've been curios about the e300, actually. I've been trying to read up more on what differentiates it from the WTX264, aside from the obvious specs, but more so from a quality and "signature Eden tone yada... yada..." aspect.

All great advice, I appreciate ya'll for chipping in and giving me a good place to start my research.