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HELP!! Ampeg SVT15E vs. Ampeg BSE115???

Spinal Tapper

Spinal Tapper

Nov 15, 2007
6,797
348
Chicago
soundcloud.com
#1
Hey everyone! I've been searching around on here and I haven't found the answer. I've decided to post. I'm a noob and I need help!

I'm deciding on a new Ampeg 15" cab to replace my existing custom built 15" with Eminence Kappa speaker.

My question is, should I get the SVT15E (200w) cab or the BSE115 (400w) cab for more bass w/out maxing out my head?

Ever since I got my new (Geddy Lee) bass, I'm not hitting the lows like before...it's reaching, just not quite BOOMING. Time to upgrade???
My current setup:
SWR 350x head
SWR Goliath Jr. III 2x10
Custom 15" cab w/ Eminence Kappa Speaker (as stated before)

Any experiences, suggestions? Thanks.
 
#3
A/B them? Not sure what you mean...sorry, I'm pretty new here.

As far as I can tell, the BSE115 is the newer "B" series 15" cabinet w/ 400w and 3 horns. The SVT15E has 200w w/ 1 horn (I believe)
They're the same price, so it just comes down to which will respond better w/ the SWR 350x head and SWR 2x12 GIII jr. that I'm using.
Anyone???
 
#5
I would love to try this, unfortunately my wallet probably won't permit me to purchase both cabs and try them back to back, and then sell one of them. I'm leaning towards the SVT15E though from what I've been reading...
I'm just not sure which will produce max power from my SWR 350x head.
 
#7
I'm using an Ampeg B115e cabinet with my Ashdown Evo II head. I got both new for what I consider a good price here in the UK.

The first cabinet I had was Dead On Arrival. No sound from it, but a heap of blue sparks when I tried to connect my speaker leads to it... I'm not an electrician so I've no idea what would cause this, obviously something pretty wrong with it. I'm just glad it didn't damage my amp head...

The second cabinet works perfectly and I love the tone from it. It's very defined and very warm too.

The B115e seems pretty well build, but springy handles always make me nervous - I saw some one trap their fingers in them when they bent upwards past 90 degress, but this was another brand of cabinet...

I haven't gigged with the cabinet yet (we're rehearsing again after our singer quit) so I've no idea how it'll hold up to being piled in the car with everything else, but I'll report back later if people are interested.

One week after I got the B115e I could have bought a used SVT 2x10 cab or a used SVT 1x15 cab for about the same price, but hey ho.
 
#11
It just died...no sparks nothing...its probably easily fixable its just that as the head (Ampeg B2re) crapped out too (the second one id had..) I just thought id get rid. Im exchanging for an Ashdown ABM Evo II and matching 4 x 10. I just hope its more reliable...know ashdown have had some problems quality wise too...although I had a MAG head once before and it did sound pretty good...I mailed ashdown a few times though and they were always so prompt n helpful I thought Id try em again.
I see youve got one of those heads...How's yours been?
 
#12
I've emailed Ashdown a couple of times too and they've always replied promptly. (I once hit send before I'd finished the mail and the message just said "I am thinking about buying one of your ABM heads" - Martin replied "Thanks, enjoy!")

Anyway, I've not gigged the set up yet but I have used it in rehearsals. Mine is the 300w model which I paid £259 for from soundslive.co.uk. Easily cuts through the guitarist's 100w Marshall combo and the drums, and I'm really pleased with the sound I get from the amp and cab. I like the valve drive that you can dial in, it doesn't get as 'crunchy' sounding as when I use my Ashdown Drive Pedal, but it's a much nicer sound. I don't think I'll ever use the Sub-Octaver, but the EQ is really versatile.

I'm not sure if this sentence makes sense but the Evo II is the first amp I've used where I can get the tone that I've always had in my head... or at least pretty close to it.

I thought about pairing the head with an Ashdown cab but I'd tried, and not liked, the MAG series and the ABM were a bit out of my price range. I did get to try the B115e in soundcontrol though but got a better price on it from Dolphin.

We could just assume that Dolphin had a bad batch...
 
#13
Mmm.... As is a constant topic here I sadly feel most new ampegs are 'bad batches' so hope you have more luck with the B115E than I did.
yeah... I look forward to getting the Ashdown head. They certainly sound cool and look 'pretty' too so Im more just hoping it doesnt die on me as Ive had a run of bad luck over the past couple of years gear wise! Serves me right for changing I guess!
What didnt you like about The MAG cabs? apart from the fact they dont look as good? I understand theyre pretty similar sound wise arent they?
 
#14
Sorry to hijack the thread...

I thought the MAG cabs looked quite smart for the value, but the two I tried in Sound Control weren’t particularly hot. The 115 had a weird rattle on the open E and I just couldn’t get a sound out of the 210 that I liked. I thought that maybe that’s because I’ve only had 115s before, and I’m used to their sound, but I also tried the Trace Elliot 210 and I loved it. Bit out of my price range though…


To be honest, I’m not totally clued up on EQing, scooped mids, defined highs and tight lows and whatever, but I just use my ears to see if I can find a sound that:

a) I like,
and
b) Will cut through in our band,
And,
c) I can afford!

I think that half the problem is that when you’re on a low budget you can’t always try these things out before you buy because you get better value from the internet. You just have to hope that you find a decent firm like Dolphin that will let you send stuff back pretty easily…
 
#19
before switching to 2 GK neo 2x12s, i had 2 svt15e and they we a great all around 15" cab. i liked that they did not had a tweeter, it was ported but still had a wide range, and they looked cool (classic ampeg styling). it had a cast frame 200watt 15" speaker 80oz magnet. i'd snatch up any USA mades before they go bye bye.

the bse range is the lower end range for ampeg. the older models had less wattage (100-150watts?) than the classic series, but the new ones have a better speaker and newer cosmetics (toltex instad of carpet). the new onees are 200 watts with a non-cast frame 95oz magnet.

the 400 watt one is the steve bailey/victor wooten cab which is a bigger 15" with a tweeter and more wattage handling, and will be carpeted with red carpet around the speaker. i think it is now discontinued.
 
#20
I knew some of the knowledgeable Ampeg enthusiasts would start coming out of the woodwork! Thanks for the help so far everyone!
So I'll probably end up getting the SVT15E cab. How can I tell if the one I'm buying is US or Asian??? Any obvious signs? I hear it's kind of hard to tell visually.
I'm asking because I may have to order one online if I can't find one locally.
 

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