ampeg 810 cabinet sawed in half. Still good?

[Necromantis]

First of all, hey guys. long time guitar player/drummer who has recently fell in love with the bass guitar. My new favorite instrument.
I was searching craigslist for a good deal on bass cheap mid quality bass gear. Someone is selling what he claims is half of a classic 810 ampeg. The pictures back this up. He is selling this thing for $150USD.
Now he claims this things sounds good. I have a question or two concerning the load and such. I mean did this guy ruin the cab/. I have no Idea why he would have done this. Maybe somehting happened to it and the lower half of the unit was damaged. the speakers were blown? Not sure. I'd love to get the thing if its still good. What do you expert type fellows think?
also can anyone tell me what kind of load or ohms this thing would have now?

Any help would be super appreciated. he sent pics if you guys might need to see them but I don't have them up to post here.
rest assured it looks like what he says it is.

Thanks,
Brent

 

[Necromantis]

Just did some research.. Looks like 8 ohms for the impedance as i found out the classics are wired up with 32 ohms drivers. Still I am leary? Thoughts?

 

[spaz21387]

straight back cab or does it have the towel bar? If its a straightback sawn in half i would pass because those old speakers do sound great but they are going to handle low watts like 100 or so. which is why back in the old days you see bass players playing 2 8x10s just to handle one ampeg 300 watt head.

 

[Necromantis]

its got the towel bar.

 

[Slevage]

Add another $50 to $100 and get something great.

If you want 4-10's, a used PV neo would be better.

Single 15's come real cheap these days.

1 or 2 12's would be best.

john m

 

[spaz21387]

I would go for it for 150$ then It should handle a good 400 to 600 watts Im not sure what the classic 8x10s rate. Im more of an swr guy but pre fender swr.

 

[Necromantis]

I used to have a Swr bassic black (not the basic black) -- it was awesome. Traded it for my Stratocaster.
Just thought for $150 .. this could be a great deal.
My budget is a bit more but I figured I could splurge on a good head if I got a good deal like this. Is there a problem playing through an 8ohm cab rated 500w-600w needing a lot of power or will 300w or so do it? Seems like I recall a guy telling me that it would burn up my speakers a while ago.

 

[spaz21387]

amps put out less watts at 8 ohms. for example I am just using an amp I own. the hartke ha 2500 is 250 watts and 4 ohms and 180 at 8 ohms. I would swear by my new hartke lh500 though cheap and amazing. 300 $ shipped on amazon too.

 

[5stringsofdeath]

I think 300w would do those 4 speakers justice. Just my opinion.

 

[derridiandrift]

Naw, don't buy it. The magic of the ampeg 810 cab happens with all 8 drivers. To my ears there's alot more than 1/2 of the magic missing when you take away 1/2 of the drivers. It took me a while to come to this conclusion because I've been experimenting with running only 1/2 of my 810 and trying to eq back what's missing.

Besides, Ampeg sells an SVT410HE that is 1/2 of their 810 cab in a properly finished box that hasn't been butchered.

 

[JimmyM]

I would go for it for 150$ then It should handle a good 400 to 600 watts Im not sure what the classic 8x10s rate. Im more of an swr guy but pre fender swr.

It won't take anywhere near 400w. The original 810's handled 250w, maybe a little more than that. Half of one, unless it's a more recent one, will be 125w. A more recent one would do 400w, though. Still, I'd pass. Resale value is shot.

 

[spaz21387]

He said it was a more recent one look at post number 3 I said if its a straightback cab it should be about 100 watts or so.

 

[bolophonic]

No way. I would spend the money on a good cabinet and leave that sawed up, ruined cabinet in the hands of the current owner.

 

[JimmyM]

Plenty of towel bar 810's were made with low power handling speakers.

 

[mikeddd]

Another vote for PASS.

 

[seamonkey]

If they cut it vertically into 2 4x10 columns, then it's stupendous.
Someday, some cabinet maker will catch on.

 

[KLEIN]

Pass

 

[klejst]

I too am a little lost on the matter of why anyone would physically saw a cabinet in half. If something was wrong with the bottom part he could still sell it as is or for parts at a cheaper price (and of course make sure to state what may be wrong with it if he had any sort of morals), but to saw it in half is just weird to me. I agree to just save a little more or put forth a little more and get yourself a 4x10 if that is what you want that is solid and not chopped up. I too would pass on this.