Acoustic 470 bass head. Help needed!

[Tyler Farina]

Hey there! First time poster, long time lurker here. I recently got myself an Acoustic 470 bass head (kinda took a chance, but I have high hopes) I've done some research and it seems like a solid old, no frills type of head which I like. I'm looking for suggestions on which cab to buddy it up with. Obviously I'd like to go with an old ACC 401 or something like that, but I'm having a hard time finding one. I'm considering just getting like a newer Fender or Ampeg cab cause I know they're pretty solid and reliable, but I recently came across an Eden d410 cab for pretty cheap. The only problem is it's an 8 ohm cab, and I'm unsure as to what kind of volume I can get out of it. At the end of the day, I'm really just looking for a decent 4x10 or maybe a 2x15 cab as I'm limited on space in the house and the car but need volume! Any help would be greatly appreciated! (Also, please excuse my excessive run-on sentences)

 

[bottomend!]

Hello and allow me to introduce myself - I have vast experience with Acoustic gear and the 470 in particular so you can take what I'm about to say to the bank (or guitar store!).

This amp is going to sound best with a cab it was designed to be connected to. That would be an acoustic 402, 406, 404 or a 405 (a 106 will also fit the bill here) but it's gonna be hard for you to find one of those and I'd also advise against getting a modern 4x10 ect cab. The newer cabs are not voiced right and they are comparatively inefficient compared to old cabinets which will leave you with the distinct feeling of having just purchased a good for nuthin' crap amp... But there is HOPE!

If you can find a vintage 2x15 cab with fairly efficient speakers you'll be in heaven tone wise.

I just looked at your location and lo and behold we are in nearly the same city, so I went on CL and the very first cab that pops up would rock you're world very nicely>>>>

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It's got EV's in it so it's gonna weigh something but it'll sound glorious with the 407 believe me! This is the same cab as a 406 but it's from a later generation so it's labeled differently and these cabs eat SVT's for breakfast FWIW.


Heres a 'Weird Harold" that would be a great match as well>>>

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Heck I'd buy this one myself if I didn't have the law after me for having too many amps already! Very old school tech but sound really really cool and looks weird enough that you can make up stories about "what lives inside of it...."


And another>>>

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Later ACC piece as the owner said in the ad. Cant go wrong with this one!

 

[Tyler Farina]

Awesome, thank you so much for your insight! Now I'm leaning toward the 215. I kinda figured that would be a safer bet anyway and might just make the trip out there to check it out. I wasn't aware it was the same build as the 406 but you have shown me the light. Thanks again!

 

[Oren Hudson]

What "bottom" said.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Also one of the JBL Cabaret cabinets might be a winner.

 

[vistacruiser]

That first one, the 2-15 looks just the same as the 406 cab that was paired with a 470 head I used to have from about '78 to '82. That was a great sound and I wish I had never sold it. I'd definitely go for that one, should be plenty loud. good luck!

 

[Jazz_bass2664]

Try to get your hands on either a 406 or a 106, theres a 406 on craigslist right now with silver dust capped drivers for 250 bucks. I believe its in Lake elsinore so a bit of a haul for you. I used to pair a 106 with my 360 preamp and 300 power amp and it was tone for DAYS!!! Acoustic stuff loves 15 inch speakers. Don't waste your time with 10s, you won't get that nice warm midrange. Listen to bottomed, he knows his stuff!

 

[billgoodwin]

will sing it until the end of time . . I adore my 150 / 106 rig. and yes, listen closely to these guys, nothing like a paired vintage ACC rig. learned my lesson this past week-end by not taking my main rig. if only I can part with my Wagner era B220 head to help fund a 370, dying to hear one with my 106.

 

[Rosebud]

hey, mini derail... someone in my area (D.C. craigslist) has a 106 cab for sale for $300 is that too high? I know someone else on here recently got a 106 for $100. Good luck with the rig, should be awesome!

 

[Oren Hudson]

$300 would be on the high side unless it's near pristine and had JBL D140F's or Altec 421A's in good condition. Not that there's anything wrong with the Eminence's that are standard, just not as strong in the value department. I have the standard Eminence cab, and it sounds great with both the original 140 head as well as my 370 head. Just more umph with the bigger stronger 370.

 

[jj4001]

Bottom is the man and knows his stuff. I would definitely get that Wagner era 2x15 to pair with the 470. You will have volume and headroom for days. I had a 450 for a while, which is almost the same amp but with only one channel. It was pretty meh with 10" speakers, but was a monster with 15"s. Acoustic amps always sound better with Acoustic cabs. I've found all the ones I've owned to sound (not quite as) great through the Ampeg 8x10 in my basement except for the 450.

 

[10cc]

Yep to Bottom and JJ's responses. A friend of mine has a 470 and pairs it with an older SWR 410 I believe it's an 8 ohm cabinet. Sounds ok. But just yesterday I plugged my 370 into my old Kustom 215 (JJ's directions) and was really getting a hell of a lot better sound through the 15's. I then took same amp to rehearsal and put it through an Ampeg 410 and the sound wasn't even close to the 15's. I'd go get those 15's Bottom found ya and never worry about your bass rig again.

 

[Tyler Farina]

Thank you guys all so much! I'm working on getting a 2x15 as it seems that'll give me the most bang for my buck.

 

[bottomend!]

Thx for all the luv....glad to see everyone pitching in the help the OP get a nice cab for his head. I have a set of 470's that are currently in the shop so I'm getting excited to get them back and start using them again. I just got back from a little road trip using a 402 loaded with Yamaha JA3802's and a 330 head. And all I can say is that it was beyond amazing sounding. I never turned the volume about the 9 O'clock position and it was rattling the walls. I was pulling double duty playing a double neck 6 string guitar and 4 string bass. The white cone Yamaha speakers have become my new secret weapon and it helps that they look very very cool behind the grill too !!