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Aguilar GS410 not quite what I expected??

jazzmcs

jazzmcs

Feb 26, 2009
99
18
#1
So I've been playing a Berg AE410 with my DB750/AG500SC for a while now but decided to try to find a thicker more full sounding cab. Something with a little more booty you could say. So I ordered up an Aguilar GS410 and was a bit surprised that it was not as full and deep in the lows as I had expected. It definitely sounds very articulate and it sure is easy to cut through but I still wish there was more of a fat punchy low end. Maybe I should have gone with the GS412?? Any opinions on this? Or maybe I just need to get used to it and/or test it in more rooms. This is only based on my initial impressions.

Thanks!
 
#2
What led you to expect a particular tone from the cab in the first place?

Asking for others' opinions of the tone may be what got you into this situation in the first place. You have to listen with your ears, and not assume anyone else's idea of "good tone" matches yours.

Would you close your eyes and trust me to put salt onto your food? No, because our tastes differ.
 
#5
I have been a owner of that cab for about 6 years now. You are correct on what you say about the cab. I have been thinking about adding a 15. My problem now is my GS410 has speakers blown so I'm not sure if I should try and fix it or just replace the cab. Darn Aguliar is so expensive. I was looking at Epifani and you can get PS 410 cab for 699. If it cost close to this to fix my cab I will just go with Epifani or I was also considering the Ampeg 610. I am also using the DB750.
 
#8
Really, the DB410?? I got the GS410 because so many said the DB410 was lacking under the kick and I want more of that phat room filling tone for funk/pop/rnb rather than cutting mids for rock. I think I have the super tight tone down good with the AE410. I was looking for something bigger.

To comment on the other guy a few posts up, unfortunatley and very frustratingly there are no Aguilar dealers in my state of Mass these days so I have to go on thorough research and return what does not work. Beleive me I obsessively researched all my alternatives but yeah there is still a risk until I actually test the cab.

Thanks all.
 
#9
BTW, 45 day return policy on the cab so I can try others no prob. And again, the cab is very clear and very articulate, just surprised that it didn't have a fatter tone. Maybe I do have to consider ordering up a DB410 to compare or a GS412??
 
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#13
I've owned all of the 410 cabs mentioned here. The GS410 has a sonic profile similar to the Eden 410xlt. It will cut thru a mix like a saw. It's a LOUD and punchy cab. The berg AE410 is has more depth and the Epifani has more bottom.

Although I think both the berg and epi are full sounding cabs, to my ears the aggie cuts thru a more in the mix.That being said, it's not the smoothest cabinet in the world, but it has great growl and can work in most situations.
 
#14
jazzmcs said:
So I've been playing a Berg AE410 with my DB750/AG500SC for a while now but decided to try to find a thicker more full sounding cab. Something with a little more booty you could say. So I ordered up an Aguilar GS410 and was a bit surprised that it was not as full and deep in the lows as I had expected. It definitely sounds very articulate and it sure is easy to cut through but I still wish there was more of a fat punchy low end. Maybe I should have gone with the GS412?? Any opinions on this? Or maybe I just need to get used to it and/or test it in more rooms. This is only based on my initial impressions.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think you found out that the 'thick' and 'meat' of a bass tone is in the upper bass/low mids. Even though the GS410 does seem to extend a touch lower than the AE410 from my non-direct A/B comparison, it has a touch of a hole in the low mids to my ear. The Berg is voiced just perfectly to tame the big low end of the Aguilar heads, and yin and yang into a very tight but full low end.

IMO... return the GS and be happy with the AE:) Also, you might try the Bergantino HS410. Heavier than the AE (same size), but lighter and smaller than the GS, and even more low mid phat than the AE410, with a smoother upper mid response. KILLER with a DB750. The HS line of cabs (210 and 410) is my favorite match-up with the AG500 also... tightens and punches it up, without the upper mid brightness and aggressiveness of the AE410.
 
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#15
jazzmcs said:
So I've been playing a Berg AE410 with my DB750/AG500SC for a while now but decided to try to find a thicker more full sounding cab. Something with a little more booty you could say. So I ordered up an Aguilar GS410 and was a bit surprised that it was not as full and deep in the lows as I had expected. It definitely sounds very articulate and it sure is easy to cut through but I still wish there was more of a fat punchy low end. Maybe I should have gone with the GS412?? Any opinions on this? Or maybe I just need to get used to it and/or test it in more rooms. This is only based on my initial impressions.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

After I bought a GK NEO 410 I was a little disappointed in the lack of fatty bottom end (as compared to my NEO 115) but over time it "seasoned" into one sweet cab. Being that these were my first new cabs I had no idea this was normal. Could this be the case with yours? Maybe. I'd give it some time before panic sets in.
 
#16
Yup, I think Kjung might be right on. I just tested the cab on fresh ears and still wish there was more bottom. Compared to the AE410 the GS has a more pleasing tone up top for me but the lows just are not enough compared to the AE. Fortunately I do have a store nearby that stocks Bergs so maybe I'l pick up an HS410 if they happen to have one in stock. That way I can A/B all three cabs. If so, I'll make sure to report back. Thanks Kjung!
 
#17
jazzmcs said:
Yup, I think Kjung might be right on. I just tested the cab on fresh ears and still wish there was more bottom. Compared to the AE410 the GS has a more pleasing tone up top for me but the lows just are not enough compared to the AE. Fortunately I do have a store nearby that stocks Bergs so maybe I'l pick up an HS410 if they happen to have one in stock. That way I can A/B all three cabs. If so, I'll make sure to report back. Thanks Kjung!
Click to expand...

I'm almost sure the HS410 will float your boat with your heads and tone goal... smoother, fatter, punchier than the AE410's.... you will get more of what you want (fat, meaty punch) and less of what you don't like (grindy, aggressive top end). A bit heavy, but small size, and high quality castors, so not a big deal unless you have to schlepp it up and down stairs by yourself.

Post up after you try one!
 
#18
The suspension of a new speaker will loosen up after some hours of playing and before that you will not reach the full potential of the cab. A "raw" apeaker is not as "full" and "warm" sounding as it later becomes.
I do not know how many hours of service your speaker has, but it might still be "maturing". We are talking about noticable, but not very big differences here.

/Alexander B
 
#19
AlexanderB said:
The suspension of a new speaker will loosen up after some hours of playing and before that you will not reach the full potential of the cab. A "raw" apeaker is not as "full" and "warm" sounding as it later becomes.
I do not know how many hours of service your speaker has, but it might still be "maturing". We are talking about noticable, but not very big differences here.

/Alexander B
Click to expand...

I can attest to this with the GS line. While not the same cab as yours, the GS 212 really warmed and opened up after about 20 hours of practice/gigging. It was a pretty dramatic difference to my ears. If you're willing, give your cab a chance to break in and you might be happier with the sound.
 
#20
Pickebass said:
I've owned all of the 410 cabs mentioned here. The GS410 has a sonic profile similar to the Eden 410xlt. It will cut thru a mix like a saw. It's a LOUD and punchy cab. The berg AE410 is has more depth and the Epifani has more bottom.

Although I think both the berg and epi are full sounding cabs, to my ears the aggie cuts thru a more in the mix.That being said, it's not the smoothest cabinet in the world, but it has great growl and can work in most situations.
Click to expand...

i too always thought the gs410 was like the smarter, more articulate, less aggressive and more versatile bro of the 410xlt. similar vibe, but the aguilar cab is just more pleasant to listen to.

but yea, when you read stuff on the internets and listen to people who talk adamantly about their opinions on something that you may and may not exactly share said opinions, bad things can happen. :(

course, with that said and not to steer you closer to futility ;), the gs410 takes to EQ'ing much better, and either aguilar amp sound monster thru it. have you tried tweaking the lower mids and lows knob on the ag500?

btw, while my memory's a little fuzzy, i do remember doing a massive shootout at bass specialties w/ the 750 into an hs410, gs410, ae410, and a sadowsky sa410.

in the end, i thought the ae410 was the worst match for the 750. the lows seemed rather pillowy and diffuse, and just isnt nearly as authoratative as the other cabs. the hs410 was great with its steely pounding lower end, but the word "fat" didnt really enter my mind. but the sadowsky cab was IT. fat lower mids w/ that pounding, steely low end, and a nice airy top end. just a terrific mix! and i didnt have to mess w/ the 750's eq all that much. heck, i'm still looking for a cheaper 750 to go along w/ my sa410 cab. and whatdya know, i love my ag500 w/ the sa410, too.
 

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