• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

410s and cab evolution

Coolhandjjl

Coolhandjjl

Oct 13, 2010
11,124
14,244
Appleton
#1
Seems like most of the 410s I see are ported. Are sealed cabs going the way of the dodo bird? I have never owned a sealed cab, but I thought the point was to have all the sound focused into a tight range for maximum transient response, maximum punch with less room boom and less bass room node cancellation from lows being too deep. With most of the 410 offerings being ported now, is that unique type of voicing just not there? If not, might as well stick with a stack of single woofer ported cabs (15/6, 12/6, or similar) for a lighter transport. Not trolling, just need some real education.
 
#2
Coolhandjjl said:
Seems like most of the 410s I see are ported. Are sealed cabs going the way of the dodo bird? I have never owned a sealed cab, but I thought the point was to have all the sound focused into a tight range for maximum transient response, maximum punch with less room boom and less bass room node cancellation from lows being too deep. With most of the 410 offerings being ported now, is that unique type of voicing just not there? If not, might as well stick with a stack of single woofer ported cabs (15/6, 12/6, or similar) for a lighter transport. Not trolling, just need some real education.
Click to expand...

IME you need some decent displacement for a sealed cab to be viable and that's going to be tough in a 410 config (at least with the currently available drivers), so a 610 is probably a better bet.

I have a ported 410 proto I've been playing around with and with the tuning, internal geometry, driver choice, and .5 alignment, I've got the sealed vibe down. Point being that with some careful design considerations, I think you can work around it, but it needs to be the initial design goal.

My actual sealed cabs are 15s and it takes a pair of them to get to the war volumes I like.

ImageUploadedByTalkBass1418494620.382905.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: rodl2005, jastacey and Coolhandjjl
#6
Coolhandjjl said:
Seems like most of the 410s I see are ported. Are sealed cabs going the way of the dodo bird? I have never owned a sealed cab, but I thought the point was to have all the sound focused into a tight range for maximum transient response, maximum punch with less room boom and less bass room node cancellation from lows being too deep. With most of the 410 offerings being ported now, is that unique type of voicing just not there? If not, might as well stick with a stack of single woofer ported cabs (15/6, 12/6, or similar) for a lighter transport. Not trolling, just need some real education.
Click to expand...

AK410s are sealed, but yes they are a rare bird.

As has been stated, 410s are on the way out.
Mixed drivers with multiple cabs in. Again.
 
#7
Downunderwonder said:
Once upon a time it was literally sealed or bust. Now there is choice.

You get louder with 4x10 ported, louder gets chosen.
Click to expand...
Not always it doesn't get louder. The 410he gets louder than the 410hlf, for example. Not by much, but it does.

Funny...I still see an overwhelming amount of 410's out there in the field being used. I'm seeing smaller stuff too, but by far, the cab I see the most of is the 410. That's because it's a good single-cab compromise between big sound and relatively light weight. Not all bass players are looking for the lightest rig on earth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gleneg61, pie_man_25, Scottkarch and 5 others
#9
buldog5151bass said:
I think thec4x10 is no longer the weapon of choice, nor are sealed cabs. People are looking for lighter, more versatile options without loosing the oomph, and 12s or stacked 2x10s (along with hi fi choices, such as fEarful) are what's popular.
Click to expand...

After about 6 years away from a traditional set up, ie. 410, I've recently fallen in love all over again with a 410. I use a [ported] Berg AE410. IMO, nothing really duplicates the punch, volume, and versatility a 410 can give you. There are a great deal of boutiques designs that come close. But like a Jazz and Pee bass, a 410 just works.....and works well. That's what brought me back to the 410. Nothing I've used over the years between my last 410 had never really brought a smile to face like a 410 does. Not to mention, with casters installed [or a castered dolly) it makes for an easy load in. Granted, a 410 doesn't work for every situation. But in every day real world club work, a good 410 is indispensable. IMO, 410's are still very popular among the bass playing community [w/ TB being the minority exception to the rule].
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassomane
#10
kringle77 said:
Jimmy is right. Talkbass bass is kind of like the 1 percent club for bass players. The rest of the world is a sea of 4x10 and 1x15 cabs. I feel that more players would use sealed cabs if there were better driver choices.
Click to expand...

+1 for this.

There are very few decent drivers for sealed cabs. Mostly the low end models like the Eminence Alpha and Beta - no premium models. Anyone know of a premium grade neo suitable for a sealed cab?
 
#13
JimmyM said:
Funny...I still see an overwhelming amount of 410's out there in the field being used. I'm seeing smaller stuff too, but by far, the cab I see the most of is the 410. That's because it's a good single-cab compromise between big sound and relatively light weight. Not all bass players are looking for the lightest rig on earth.
Click to expand...

I agree with that. I see 4x10s the most then 8x10s. Those two cabs make up about 90% of what I see people playing out, but I mainly see DIY bands and national touring bands that play approximately 1000 person venues. Oddly enough smaller DIY shows often have bigger cabs because there is no PA support.

I think the smaller cabs and fearfuls and stuff are really a TB and cover band thing. Most of the guys not playing a 40 or 810 are doing covers. These guys are making a good part of their income from playing shows and probably play a few times a week so portability is a main concern. Users of TB are probably 1% of all bass players and they self select using TB because they want to know more about the craft of playing bass then they get on here and learn about cab theory, so they wind up getting what is supposed to be the most scientifically accurate cab.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LiquidMidnight and Coolhandjjl
#15
kringle77 said:
Jimmy is right. Talkbass bass is kind of like the 1 percent club for bass players. The rest of the world is a sea of 4x10 and 1x15 cabs.
Click to expand...

Yep, and I also very very rarely see all tube amps at any gigs I mix or attend, or Doom bands, metal, or hard rock in general, and on and on. I really enjoy the different choices and perspectives here a lot anyway though.
 
#16
Yes, an Ampeg 810 is a nice sealed cab. I never cared for most other sealed cabs I've owned—which all sported the vaunted "All Tube Head".

My 1967 Fender Dual Showman was weak for bass. The D140F drivers did not have enough cabinet volume. Fart City. Marshall 412 + slant 412 ? Hahahahhahha. [activating Scottish accent] T'was crap, Laddie!!!

The Marshall 812s were easily blown away by one Acoustic 118 with the same head. Does that folded horn count as ported, LOL?
 
#18
In my area, I see very few 410s. Lots of 15s, stacked 210s and 12s (either 112 or 212). Most of the big bands that come to town bring 810/2x410, and most festival backline consists of 810s, but for the average working bass stiff in Toronto, it doesn't seem like 410s get a lot of love. And there's no fEARful type stuff around here that I've ever seen, either.

That said, I'm not so ignorant as to assume I can speak for all bassists in the area... No doubt now that I've made this statement, some other T.O. guy will be telling me the opposite!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back