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Advice on bass cabs....

FIREpunkMEDIC

FIREpunkMEDIC

Jun 2, 2017
149
170
#1
Hey All!
So, wondering what the group think is here. I am currently running an ampeg V4B reissue through a 610hlf (older cab, SLM days) and find it to be a bit...Undefined in the lows. Mids and highs actually come through nicely when hitting runs. Wondering what the consensus would be here. I've been debating whether it would help to change up cabs to a 212av or maybe a Fender Neo 610. I do find that the 610 did give me a volume boost over my old 410. Any suggestions between those cabs, OR would I be better served by a more powerful head?

Cheers!
 
#2
My setup is a Mesa Subway 350 head with two single 12 inch cabs from GK, their new Neo series.
I chose these for convenience and their light weight at first.
Quite honestly, I found the kit a bit dry when brand new despite being very punchy with a good definition.
They are now settled and bass is deep and fast and they kept their punchy sound which is good enough for me but……….it’s very different from let’s say a 4x10 old school Ampeg with a very warm sound many people are used to, including myself but guess what, I got used to it and wouldn’t come back to a warm but slow kind of sound !

pic upload
 
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#4
FIREpunkMEDIC said:
or maybe a Fender Neo 610. I do find that the 610 did give me a volume boost over my old 410. Any suggestions between those cabs, OR would I be better served by a more powerful head?
Click to expand...
I have two of the pre-neo Fender Pro 410s, so stacked, I've experienced sort of an 8x10 of those cabs, as well.

From what I understand they sound the same as the newer neo models.

With that I can give my highest recommendation for that Fender Neo 6x10. :)
 
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#5
Gervais Cote said:
My setup is a Mesa Subway 350 head with two single 12 inch cabs from GK, their new Neo series.
I chose these for convenience and their light weight at first.
Quite honestly, I found the kit a bit dry when brand new despite being very punchy with a good definition.
They are now settled and bass is deep and fast and they kept their punchy sound which is good enough for me but……….it’s very different from let’s say a 4x10 old school Ampeg with a very warm sound many people are used to, including myself but guess what, I got used to it and wouldn’t come back to a warm but slow kind of sound !

pic upload
Click to expand...
received_654282793118175.jpeg
My custom PJ with my V4B....great combination. Still hunting for "the one" as far as cabs go...
 
#6
FIREpunkMEDIC said:
View attachment 5261958 My custom PJ with my V4B....great combination. Still hunting for "the one" as far as cabs go...
Click to expand...
My personal suggestion: Dump the head and get an SVT if you like the Ampeg sound, or a Class D if you prefer a tighter sound. The V4B is just a guitar head without the reverb. The 7027 tube is a glorified 6L6. Transient response and damping factor is what makes tight low end, and the power section of the V4B has neither. Great head for a guitarist who uses pedals. That cab sounds excellent with a good amp driving it. Your head has a damping factor (the ability of the amp to control the speaker cone) of 8 if you're lucky, against maybe 4000 for a class D using the common ICEpower power section. A good damping analogy: the sound of a kick drum with no front head played by a drummer who keeps weight on the pedal and plays with his leg - a sharp "wup" as opposed to a drummer with a ringing front head who lets the beater fall back between beats and sounds like "duuuuu" Nothing wrong with the 610. It's a good cab, handles 600W easy. Give it some power.
 
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#7
Short4since64 said:
My personal suggestion: Dump the head and get an SVT if you like the Ampeg sound, or a Class D if you prefer a tighter sound. The V4B is just a guitar head without the reverb. The 7027 tube is a glorified 6L6. Transient response and damping factor is what makes tight low end, and the power section of the V4B has neither. Great head for a guitarist who uses pedals. That cab sounds excellent with a good amp driving it. Your head has a damping factor (the ability of the amp to control the speaker cone) of 8 if you're lucky, against maybe 4000 for a class D using the common ICEpower power section. A good damping analogy: the sound of a kick drum with no front head played by a drummer who keeps weight on the pedal and plays with his leg - a sharp "wup" as opposed to a drummer with a ringing front head who lets the beater fall back between beats and sounds like "duuuuu" Nothing wrong with the 610. It's a good cab, handles 600W easy. Give it some power.
Click to expand...

IMHO the main advantage of an SVT over a V4B is more headroom and more of a low mid push. Otherwise they sound pretty similar. Some prefer the V4B and think it sounds sweeter and more focused.

I recommend trading the V4B up an SVT primarily if the OP needs more volume. If it's about the nuanced differences in tone between a V4B and SVT, the OP should demo an SVT before pulling out the wallet.
 
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#8
Short4since64 said:
My personal suggestion: Dump the head and get an SVT if you like the Ampeg sound, or a Class D if you prefer a tighter sound. The V4B is just a guitar head without the reverb. The 7027 tube is a glorified 6L6. Transient response and damping factor is what makes tight low end, and the power section of the V4B has neither. Great head for a guitarist who uses pedals. That cab sounds excellent with a good amp driving it. Your head has a damping factor (the ability of the amp to control the speaker cone) of 8 if you're lucky, against maybe 4000 for a class D using the common ICEpower power section. A good damping analogy: the sound of a kick drum with no front head played by a drummer who keeps weight on the pedal and plays with his leg - a sharp "wup" as opposed to a drummer with a ringing front head who lets the beater fall back between beats and sounds like "duuuuu" Nothing wrong with the 610. It's a good cab, handles 600W easy. Give it some power.
Click to expand...

Not sure if it changes the equation but it's the ampeg V4B Reissue bass head...
 

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