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810 Dilemma

#41
bassboysam said:
would love to go with the matamp, just not sure i wan to drop $1600 on a cab right now. Ampeg 810s are not as cheap or as common in my parts. I played a gig last night with my GT200 with an 810E (not sure what year though) and the improved power handeling was very evident. a lot less speaker fart.
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I almost never buy new gear, but just a thought... Long & McQuade is offering 0% financing on everything for the month of June.

The Vietnam Ampegs are plywood, so you're getting a well built cab. The US made ones from the SLM era are MDF or chipboard, not sure which, and they're heavier. Plus I think the drivers in the Asian SVT810E are different from the previous generation, and in a good way.

You could rent one from L&M for your next gig. They always have a few in their rental stock and then they sell them off once they get a bit scuffed up.
 
#42
I will say this... I have owned / toured with several of these. There is some argument as to what years were made what ways... but I have used 3 SLM 810's... one which was particleboard and the other being plywood. The particleboard one sounded truly awful, and had about as much upper midrange and treble response as a wet pillow. The Plywood one was better, but not by much.

The best one I've ever had was, surprisingly, the LOUD era Chinese-made one. We're talking exponentially better than the others.... not just a little. Amazing the difference. Sure, the old SLM ones can be found in abundance and cheaply used, even at $300 they're a waste of money IMHO.
 
#43
pablomigraine said:
I will say this... I have owned / toured with several of these. There is some argument as to what years were made what ways... but I have used 3 SLM 810's... one which was particleboard and the other being plywood. The particleboard one sounded truly awful, and had about as much upper midrange and treble response as a wet pillow. The Plywood one was better, but not by much.

The best one I've ever had was, surprisingly, the LOUD era Chinese-made one. We're talking exponentially better than the others.... not just a little. Amazing the difference. Sure, the old SLM ones can be found in abundance and cheaply used, even at $300 they're a waste of money IMHO.
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I second that. Before they started using OSB and those dark speakers, I really liked SLM cabs. But I also think the new Chinese ones from LOUD are better and some of the best cabs they've ever made.
 
#45
Yeah, kinda figured that on the power handling - just end up blowing two or four instead of all eight, haha. Really like the bark and presence of the alnicos in the flatbacks but I've been playing 15s and 18s so everything sounds quick and bright in comparison. I have an AV 610HLF and it is a little dark and dull in comparison but the bottom is much fuller. The HLF is a ported cab also though...







bassboysam said:
no, still have not pulled the trigger on anything. currently leaning towards replacing the speakers in my cab as opposed to getting a new cab.

if you mix speakers then your power handeling is going to be as high as the lowest rated speaker(s). you may get some cool tones but it won't improve the power handeling capacity.
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#49
bassboysam said:
I considered the Berg but I would prefer an 810 over a 610... for now
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I gig/love Ampeg gear too, but I still think your should seriously consider getting a Berg NV-series cab. Believe me, you wont miss those 2 extra speakers. You'll also come to really appreciate how much easier it'll be to move than any 810.

Its big/loud enough to cover most any gig, but also much smaller than a fridge so it doesn't appear to be 'overkill' for some of those little gigs in small venues/stages.

You'd be amazed how this cabs sound evenly-fills the whole stage so you can hear yourself anywhere without needing to stand right in front of it or play too loudly.

I've got a flatback and a NV610. The Berg's the only cab I ever choose to use, even in the rehearsal/recording studio. I just keep the flatback around because I dig owning/collecting vintage gear and It came with my old blueline SVT.

You can crank these NV610's way up with an SVT and not get any of the issues your experiencing. The NV610 delivers the same tone, feel and vibe an Ampeg fridge does, mine just somehow manages to do everything better for me.

DSCN0384.jpg
 
#52
MarkMyWordsXx said:
idk why youd want to carry around a huge cab that only handles 250 watts, just because its old

not to hate on vintage, thats not sensible
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I'll tell you why I do it...well, I do it sometimes ;)

1. I never play that loud, even at the loudest I've ever been with a hard rock band.

2. No other 810 on earth sounds like the flatback.

Pretty sensible if you ask me.
 
#53
I tried looking for a used Ampeg 810 over the last little while but they are pretty rare around here, on top of that there was not much interest in my cab from any buyers. The matamp 810 is more than I want to spend right now so I have ordered a set of 4 Legend B810s to give a them a try and see if it will be worth replacing all 8 speakers eventually.

Should have them middle of next week, looking forward to it, I'll report back with my findings.
 
#58
As an owner of the Matamp 8x10 and someone who has toured many a time having to borrow cabs generally Ampeg 8x10's I can say the Matamp is an awesome cab, however it is a copy of a 70's Ampeg 8x10 so you could potentially just change the speakers out and get a very similar tone. It's certainly the best 8x10 I've tried but the Ampeg's aren't far off and I've never tried a vintage Ampeg 8x10.

Its always hard with vintage gear to sell, I'd look to change the speakers and store the original drivers for a later date and then when and if you can ever store 2 8x10's buy the Matamp and keep the Ampeg for more special occasions
 
#59
I played the matamp 810, the construction is very similar to the ampeg but the one I played had the stock neo speakers and sounded nothing like an ampeg. However I have no doubt that with the right speaker the matamp would be pretty much identical.

Question for you tayste, does your 810 have a kickplate and skid rails? The one I saw had neither and I thought it was a little strange that they did not provide the extra protection...unless the tolex is extra durable.
 
#60
have band chip in for pa and hire a sound person to mix it tight. utilize your rig for monitor. if speakers are blown replace ones that are and keep old. for tis vintage. not gonna sound same as old but may be satisfying. good luck man!
 

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