Ampeg 212AV NGD

[uncle woody]

Hi Talkbass,

I usually buy gear purely by your discussions on these forums.
I bought the 210 AV cab which was killer, no testing required, performed as desribed.
Next the V4B which blew me away, I immediately sold my mesa BB750.

I loved the V4B so much I ordered 2x212AV.

The first one just arrived, and it just sounds awful...

Weak low end, all mids and a schrieky treble overtone (yes, horn is off). I thought there must be something wrong here so I compared to my Mesa PH610. When I A/B them immediately a whole spectrum of lows appears on the Mesa PH610. Even my 2007 410 HLF outperforms this cabinet.

Maybe they just don't mesh with my setup. I use a very bassy lightly overdriven sound, but engange the ultra hi for a subtle grit (dialing back treble to compensate).

Looks like I will be using my PH610 cab with the V4-B. Which aesthetically is a real shame.

I'm still a little shaken by the fact that everyone seems to love these cabs here. I don't know where the disconnect is.

Picture in avatar.

Rant over.
Cheers.

 

[Pat C.]

Not everyone likes that cab

Not sure whats up with overtone you've described, but the The 212av has weak low end by design. The specs say it's response is -3db at 71hz. And I'd bet it rolls off pretty quick after that.

If you like the 210AV why not get multiples of that cab?

The first one just arrived, and it just sounds awful...

Weak low end, all mids and a schrieky treble overtone (yes, horn is off). I thought there must be something wrong...

 

[uncle woody]

Not everyone likes that cab

Not sure whats up with overtone you've described, but the The 212av has weak low end by design. The specs say it's response is -3db at 71hz. And I'd bet it rolls off pretty quick after that.

If you like the 210AV why not get multiples of that cab?

Overtone might not be the right word, the treble just sounds very thin and harsh.

Seems to me that the cab takes the ultra-hi very poorly. Which I need for grit.
But even setting that aside, the whole thing sounds very cardboard-y.

Would be ok if the cab wasn't so expensive.

Cheers

 

[P-oddz]

Try eq'ing your V4B differently with the cab and see if that doesn't make you think differently about it?

I play a 62 Reissue Jazz into the V4B/212AV rig and go for a somewhat bass and lo-mid heavy, slightly overdriven tone (pick and fingers).
- I engage Ultra Lo, roll back bass (10-11:00ish), push some mids at 800hz (1-2:00ish range), pull back some Treble (for flavor, like a salt).
- I never engage Ultra Hi on the amp and keep the horn off on the cab at all times. I also roll a little tone off on my bass to soften the treble attack.

Perhaps some EQ tweaks might open up some more territory with the cab instead of your first impressions?

 

[uncle woody]

Try eq'ing your V4B differently with the cab and see if that doesn't make you think differently about it?

I play a 62 Reissue Jazz into the V4B/212AV rig and go for a somewhat bass and lo-mid heavy, slightly overdriven tone (pick and fingers).
- I engage Ultra Lo, roll back bass (10-11:00ish), push some mids at 800hz (1-2:00ish range), pull back some Treble (for flavor, like a salt).
- I never engage Ultra Hi on the amp and keep the horn off on the cab at all times. I also roll a little tone off on my bass to soften the treble attack.

Perhaps some EQ tweaks might open up some more territory with the cab instead of your first impressions?

I've been tweaking and comparing all day, trust me.
You can EQ reasonably close to the Mesa (add LOTS of bass, scoop 3khz, cut LOTS of treble), but something is always missing so you keep adjusting and finetuning.
With the Mesa, the sound is just kind of there. Just plug in and you're good.

Wish the Mesa cabs weren't so heavy though, the 212AV is a pleasure to carry.
Anyways, there goes my dream of 2x212AV bass heaven
That tower looked sweet.

Should have tested the things first.

Cheers for the reply

 

[Teenage Brain]

The first one just arrived, and it just sounds awful...

Weak low end, all mids

I was beginning to think I was the only one...

I tried a 212AV after reading so many reviews, posts, etc. that talked about how similar it is to the sealed Ampeg 10" cabs but I was super disappointed. It sounds nothing like my 810 or my 210AVs; not only that, but to my ears it just doesn't sound good even as its own thing. It's funny you described it as "cardboard-y" because the first word that came to mind when I played through it was "boxy."

 

[Frankie Fender]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts, but how does it sound in a band setting? Have either of you played it live?

 

[Son of Wobble]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts, but how does it sound in a band setting? Have either of you played it live?

I played electric guitar live in a club opposite a bassist with that setup. My playing was more jazzy and arpeggiated that dive-bomb, and the singer had a light touch, so there was plenty of space for the bass and it sounded good in our (non-pa) "mix." But the 212av cab definitely farted out a couple times during the set on low notes.

I own a v4-b and play it through an SVT 810 cl. Fart free.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts, but how does it sound in a band setting? Have either of you played it live?

Not the 212AV but had a pair of the 112AV which I used with my SVT, V4, and other tube amps.

The comparisons to the 810E - to my ears - are about the low end. The roll off is very smooth and with a tube amp they don't get boomy. I didn't really like the 112AV cabs with my PF head, but only used that combination at a few gigs with weird room setups or outdoors. Ended up selling the 112AV set when I got some berg cabs.

 

[High Camp]

I have had a V4B and two 112AV cabs (which amounts to exactly one 212AV cab).
IME, they sounded great, a little grindy even.
Between the SVT210AV and the SVT112AV, I prefer the 210AV cab, but I really love the 112AV too.

If the 212AV is not your flavor, then it's not your flavor.
>> use the V4B with two SVT210AV cabs and you're there where you want to be.

IME, IMHO, YMMV

(EDIT: typo)

 

[JimmyM]

I can dig that it may not be your thang, but did you turn the tweeter off?

 

[Frankie Fender]

Well I made the trip to the Boston GC Saturday because I just had to play the 212AV through a V4B for myself, and they were the only store around that had one. I wound up walking out with it and gigging it that night. It does what I want. Granted, I keep my volume within reason. It goes low enough for my Classic Rock tastes and has the 810 vibe. Incredibly light and manageable. It was just what I was looking for and really cops that vintage feel.

Don't buy it if you are looking for HiFi. IMHO the cab does what it was designed to do and mates really well with the V4B. It doesn't hurt that it looks great too. If I wasn't so busy setting up and running the PA that night I would have thought to take a couple pictures. Maybe this weekend, I'm playing out Friday and Saturday.