Ampeg 410 HLF midscoop

[Loretta]

Hi there,
I searched several threads here but couldn't find an answer to my question:
After some time wasting on checking out other brands I decided to go Ampeg. Actually I'm playing a preci style bass into an Ampeg SVT 6 pro and a 410 HLF cab.
I really love this setup, we're playing some melodic punk stuff, downstrokes, mid tempo, but no hardcore. There are some pedals, all overdrive, but no high gain.
So the HLF cab gives some Oooomph! and Clank! to the sound. I also love it's sturdiness (but not the weight! ). The only thing I miss are some nice mids.

Does anyone know how to bring these mids to the sound? Is there a way to tune the cab (cut the tunnel f.e.) or even put different speakers in it?
Or maybe there's an alternative cab on the market with the specs above?

cheers
loretta

 

[Omega Monkey]

Should be able to dial in some upper mids pretty easily from the amp. Keep in mind you could cut in other areas as well and raise the overall volume and you might get a different curve to the EQ that might work better for you.

 

[Loretta]

Tried this of course. But the mid-scoop is still there. It really bothers me cos everything else is very fine.

 

[Alexander]

IMO, other than working with EQ as has been suggested, you really can’t work the scoop out of those older HLF cabs. I find the newer ones to be more balanced. The other option is to consider getting a mid forward sounding head that balances things out.

 

[Loretta]

you really can’t work the scoop out of those older HLF cabs. I find the newer ones to be more balanced.

It's a newer one.

There is also the HF Horn

Yep - but this one's for high frequencies, right?

full range attenuator to adjust.

Ah, I don't know, where will I find this?

 

[Loretta]

It's on the back panel of the SVT-410HLF.

Well, I'm not quite sure if there's anything like this on the back. But I will check this on Tuesday, next practice.
How does it work, what do I have to consider?
...and many thanks for your answers!

 

[Loretta]

Ampeg SVT-410HLF, it does have the full range attenuator to adjust

No pic, no cab - and no attenuator:

 

[kpc]

I believe that attenuator is for the tweeter only.

 

[Alexander]

Sounds like you have the wrong cab then - maybe Ampeg’s 212av would better suit you? Although expensive, I just got two Aguilar SL115 cabinets. They have big low end extension like the HLF but controlled lows and great midrange - makes for an altogether well balanced setup. You’ve got options

 

[Loretta]

Ooops - where's @gsgbass post gone?!?

I believe that attenuator is for the tweeter only.

Of course, I know

 

[Loretta]

maybe Ampeg’s 212av would better suit you?

Maybe, never been looking after those. The Agis would also be possible, but I don't know. I'm also offered an EBS Evo Proline 410, but I don't know anyone who tried them.
The thing about cabs is they're hard to sell because of weight and size. Amps and pedals are easier.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Try this:


Set all your EQ flat (noon).

Turn off ultra-low, turn off ultra-hi, turn off bright, turn off compression.

Get your gain/volume set wherever you like it.

In the semi-parametric EQ section, bottom row, third knob from left, crank it all the way up.

Now - while you play- slowly sweep the frequency selector knob right above it, starting at 600hz and on up to 1000hz. Listen for improvement in your midrange, returning to the position that improved it if there is one.

Repeat the same process for the fourth from left pair of knobs (1k to 6k range).

Let us know if you found some mid-range!

 

[4stringsjack]

I had the same cab for a while and I just couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted. I had to turn down the bass control (on the amp) and crank the mids, but it just didn't sound good. I got rid of it and bought a Genz Benz NEOX 212t. It sounded soooooooooooo much better! And half the weight! I see them for sale used for decent prices here in the US.

 

[Loretta]

I had to turn down the bass control (on the amp) and crank the mids, but it just didn't sound good.

You lose all the Ooomph! doing this. And that's the thing I like about this cab. Just want more mids...

 

[4stringsjack]

You lose all the Ooomph! doing this. And that's the thing I like about this cab. Just want more mids...

Right! That's why I eventually gave up on it.

I didn't turn the bass down all the way. Just down a couple clicks below "noon". I just couldn't find the sweet spot where I still had the ooomph but had some balanced mids. It wasn't the right cab for me, it turned out.

 

[basso_profundo]

If switching cabs is a hassle, maybe try a DI/Pre-amp with more EQ options than the amp (For example, I have a Q-Strip that has multiple parametric mid sweeps that can tweak a signal all over the map plus a HPF for cutting ultra low frequencies)...or a straight up EQ pedal like the MXR M108S...

 

[JGbassman]

I toured with one, a newer heritage HLF. I was playing country with an active five string, and I wanted a fat, full sound that didn't run out of low end to fill on shorter throw stages where we needed some help between the foh speaker stacks.

I ran either an SVT CL head, or a GK MB800. I did have to work to get the mids presented, but by turning the bass all the way down and getting the midrange voiced correctly, then bringing the lows in to fatten up, not overpower the mids, I was able to get a good tone. I never played a precision through it, I'll have to do thst sometime to get an idea how it sounds, but with my active five string basses with humbuckers, or my jazz five string, I was able to get a great sound out of the cab. The thing I liked was it never seemed to run out of low end, and it was solid and reliable as a rock.

 

[Loretta]

...or a straight up EQ pedal like the MXR M108S...

Yea, this...I got a Blueberry at last position of the pedals, which does the job fair well. But I'm still looking for "the cab thing".

 

[Loretta]

The thing I liked was it never seemed to run out of low end, and it was solid and reliable as a rock.

That's why I won't give it up!

 

[JGbassman]

It definitely has its own voicing. I prefer the midrange of the GK 212 or 410 cabs, even the massive SVT 810 cab has that beautiful midrange thing going on, but they all fall short covering the low B string in my opinion like the HLF does. 700 one night shows in a two year period, and it never missed a beat, or caused me any problems. I wish I could say that about all my gear.