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Amp advice needed (ampeg8x10 content)

L

LaklandBass

Jan 26, 2005
1,271
30
IL
#1
So heres the deal. Im going to try to provide enough info as possible so I can get good advice.
I own a mid 90's ampeg 8x10 classic.
800RMS - 4ohm
400RMS x2 - 8ohm stereo

I play in a "nu metal" band as well as an all acoustic duo which we do alot of recording for. My style is mostly fingerstyle with a healthy amount of slap as well. I use a soundgear 6 string tuned GDADGC with active barts, a 5 string fretless jazz with passive barts as well as a couple other passive J's and P's.

I currently own a 1990 Peavey TBRaxx tube pre and am looking to comlete my rig.

The QSC RMX2450 looks very appealing with a ton of headroom and a moderate price tag.

The Markbass LM800(?) has a great tone and would be sweet for using as a pre when recording with my acoustic project. It also could double as a practice amp by hooking up to a 1x10 in my bedroom. Im just wondering if it packs enough power to drive my 8x10.

I have a serious GAS issue for Eden tone so any input on that would be appreciated as well.

Ampeg heads sound meh to me.

If the head is good but not too powerful I am not opposed to running half of my cab while saving the cash to get a poweramp and set up the full rig.

Size and weight isnt a dealbreaker but the smaller heads are a nice bonus.
Additionally the budget is anywhere up to a grand but if its a big difference I can stretch that a little bit.

I should also mention that i plan on purchasing a nice 4x10 in the somewhat near future if that has any impact on advice.
Hope i didnt leave anything out and I truly do not want to start a "overpower/underpower" battle so lets try to leave it be. Im well aware that I wont break anything by underpowering it but I also understand the tone benefits of having headroom when playing the tunings and style that im in.
 
#7
Do you have any advice as far as the LM800 vs. the Tube800? The LM was one of the heads I was leaning towards although the Eden tone is pretty much ultimate for me.
The other issue is that I work for a large instrument retailer so Ill feel slightly salty if I pay full price for a brand that we dont carry.
Which Im sure you can guess is why Im looking at MB and QSC.
 
#8
svtscruggs said:
just to throw it out there...ampeg cabs work best with ampeg heads...based on what you are saying i would recommend trrying a SVT 4 Pro...just try it and see what you think...:)
Click to expand...

^ He endorses Ampeg. Of course he's going to say that. I had the SVT 4 pro for 9 years and used it with an svt 810. It sounded ok but believe or not the LMII was and is much louder and had better tone IMO. I'm sure the LM800 will as well. Not to mention the Ampeg equipment new is much more expensive then Markbass.
 
#10
+1 for the SVT4 Pro. It really will blow away the LM800.

For a few years I ran an SVT4 with one Eden D410XLT at indoor shows and two 410s at outdoor shows. I think that rig nailed the kind of thing you're looking for, and will move plenty of air with your tunings.

I'd recommend buying an SVT4 and then saving up for the eden 410 in the future.
 
#11
Interestingly enough I owned an SVT4PRO from ampeg. I went through 2 units that were DOA before I got a working one. The sound was pretty bland and it didnt feel like it had the power they rated it at. Overall Id have to call it one of my worst gear decisions considering what I could have bought.
 
#14
LaklandBass said:
The Markbass LM800(?) has a great tone and would be sweet for using as a pre when recording with my acoustic project. It also could double as a practice amp by hooking up to a 1x10 in my bedroom. Im just wondering if it packs enough power to drive my 8x10.



I drove my 4 ohm Ampeg 810 with a G.K. 800 head, (300 watts at 4 ohms), for well over 20 years in about every kind of gig and on every kind of stage imagineable.
Never had a "not enough power" problem with 300 watts into eight 10's.
I'd bet the MarkBass 800 would also be great into a 810!
As to your purchase of a 410 in the near future.
I recently went with "two" Avatar Neo 210's for a vertically stacked 410 rig.
Absolutely love it!
All the benefits of the height of a 810, with a small footprint on stage.
Use one cab for small gigs/rehearsals, two for everything else.
Click to expand...
 
#15
shoot-r..... good info... i actually was considering a pair of 2x10s rather than the 4x10. i will be looking into this more after your advice.

Thanks to everybody so far for chiming in with advice. Im going to be auditioning some heads this week so if you have more suggestions keep them coming.
 
#16
I know from multiple experiences that a G-K 700rb-II sounds very good through an SVT810e, and will get plenty loud... I also think it sounds better than any of Ampeg's hybrids, and WAY better than any of their SS amps - but that's just my opinion...



- georgestrings
 
#18
nothing wrong with the 4 pro. these days i think the lmii/iii gets closer to that tubey ampeg sound than the 4 pro, but i've always dug the 4 pro, except it's way overkill for my needs.
 
#19
georgestrings said:
Was thinking the same thing...




- georgestrings
Click to expand...

yes i do! Proudly I mite add...but thats not my point...I have tried mixing and matching Ampeg heads and cabs with other heads and cabs from other company's but i always found that like brands seem to work best together...put eden with eden, swr with swr...ect...just my experience...thats why i have a SVT VR with my 810AV...in MY oppinion it sounds the best together...im not trying to sell anything...but when he said what he was looking for I chimed in with what i KNOW would work...im not on here selling anybody anything...im not a sales rep. so i could care less...but yeah i do endorse Ampeg...but also keep in mind that it is for a reason...;)
 
#20
If you have a tube pre already, get a power amp. The TB Raxx is quite flexible.

I would get a Crown XTI 1000 from Ebay, 309 bucks or so with free shipping, 1400 or some odd watts. Plenty of power, tons of flexibility.

Waaay less money than any of these other shenanigans and way more power.
 

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