What would you do?
 

So I'm in the market for a bass amp. Mostly playing at home and jamming with buddies once a week, which could turn into playing small gigs in the future. With these guys it's more hard rock, post punk/hardcore type stuff...think Quicksand, Refused, etc.

The SVT is basically the go to bass rig for this genera/type of music, hands down. I would love to get an old SVT head an 810 cab, but the obvious downside wold be moving that beast around. I have a vehicle to do it, but I remember how much of a PITA is was toting around a JCM800 with a 4x12 1960A cabinet was back in the day!

However, I have a chance to score a used SVT-810E for essentially what a new SVT210AV cabinet costs. The singer in this band has an full SVT rig with an 810, and so does my brother. So I was thinking of just picking up a Micro VR head and 810AV cab, and later adding a second 810AV cab. Seems like it would be a great way to save a few $$$, have a kick ass practice amp for home, but wondering if it would be enough for practices where there is no PA for gear with this type of music. The other option would also be just pick up the SVT-810E cab since its a great deal, and power it with the SVT VR head. Also eventually looking to play in a country cover band, and am wondering if the Micro VR head and 210AV cab would cut it tone wise, or should I just find an old used Peavey for that?

I think you meant you were going to get two 210 cabs with the micro VR (although the thought of using the micro VR to power two 810's does amuse me ;)). If you're gigging too why not just grab the 810, then get a V4B or SVT and be done - either would do both country and rock/punk equally well.

Don't sweat it, the 70s are over. There is no use for a svt unless you play huge gigs.
A 4x10 or a pair of 12" with a powerful amp (400+ watts) can handle most if not all situations.
If you start playing small venues, you main problem will be to get less volume, not more.

+1 great advice I would even bet if some of these lighter cabs were around back then the 8x10 might have been obsolete?

How big of venues do you play? The reason that 810 (and all 810's) are such a deal used is because the guy is tired of hauling it back and forth and never turning it up beyond 3 because you have P.A support and you are then competing with the P.A. making the sound guy think you are an a-hole.

If you intend on playing 2-300 man venues without any kind of P.A. support than sure, the 810 will serve you well. Otherwise you are going to put in a lot more effort just to have a look.

I also do not know of any kind of bass tonal demands in country that one head would suit the genre more than another, maybe I just don't listen to enough country. I think any amp can play country just fine.

Awesome advice guys, I really appreciate it. And in all honesty, I do have two Ampeg 810's at my disposal if need be. I know about guitar rigs, but new to bass rigs. to me, less is more, and when playing guitar I prefer to crank a low wattage amp instead of having too much power that I can't take full advantage of. Just didn't know how that translated over to bass. I have done a little reading about the Micro SVT heat and 210 cabs and overall they seem very well received around here. Some complain that it isn't enough with loud music/a heavy-handed drummer, but pretty much any venue will have a PA, and if need be, I could always borrow my buddy's or my brothers SVT. I have also seen some guys powering an 810 cab with the Micro SVT head. So I think I may just pick up a Micro SVT heat and a 210 cabinet, and also pick up the 810 I found the deal on.

I just noticed you said you may be playing some small gigs, in that case you definitely don't need an SVT and 810. If you like Ampeg check out the new Portaflex series of amps (PF350 and PF500), they also have both 10" and 15" cabinets. How big are the rigs of the ppl you'll be playing with? and what's your budget? That will help us help you much better.

Guitarists play JCM800's into 4x12 1960A cabs. This is the only reason why I was considering scoring the 810 cab! Budget is $1500

I wouldnt ever be worried about playing a gig with the Micro AV and one or two of the 210 cabs since you have a PA and can also go direct, I'm more worried about it cutting through in a rehearsal or practice situation with two Marshall half stacks and a drummer to compete with, with no PA.