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Ampeg 8X10 vs Mesa 8X10

#21
Ampeg sound is "round", im not sure exactly how to describe it other than round, warm, and natural. the ampeg has like it's own tone it's an entity in itself, wich is why i love it.

one is not "better" than one another they are bolth amazeing! it is all up to personal preference and style (also mesas are more expensive) go AB them yourself with the same head you like is the only way to really decide.
 
#22
thanks everyone!

It's very difficult to find a Mesa 8X10 here in Italy, so probably I can't try this cab... it's almost impossible to do an A/B test with the Ampeg!

btw yesterday night at the gig, running my Fender P in my mesa stack (400+ & PowerHouse 4X10) I already had too much volume with master at 3 and channel 2 gain at 4 and ch1 gain at 5... :p

with an 8X10 I'm going to kill someone!

Vanni
 
#24
I own both. I have newer USA Ampeg 810's and a 1970 era 810, as well as a new Powerhouse Vintage 810 from Mesa.

Ampeg: darker, more old school, frequency focus shifted towards upper lows/low mids. Good fundamental when used in pairs (as I have used them for years) or with a sub (a la my mate Colin from Radiohead). A familiar tone, good with effects. A very pleasing sound with real guts to it.

Mesa: obviously brighter (horn), more modern, a bit scooped sounding, big low fundamental. Way louder, you can go far before breakup, but as it comes it has a somewhat bright top end. BUT EVERYTHING CHANGES when you turn the horn off, then you get that nice 5K shelving that we're all used to and enjoy. It's great. Cool size - a little smaller, but deeper. Extremely high build quality, kind of ridunculous. The natural jute grillcloth on these new vintage style cabs has to be seen to be appreciated.

They're both cool, I dunno. I probably didn't help in the slightest!

JMJ
 
#26
alfredpunkjazz said:
Actually, you can have a lower volume on a 8x10 and hear yourself better on stage...
Click to expand...

That is one of my goals, having the speakers more closer to the ears...

Another one is the beautiful experience to play via big cabs... :D
I would love to play with eight tens behind my shoulders!


PBG, JMJ, I play with the tweeter always off... I hate tweeters!

Thanks again
Ciao!
Vanni
 
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#28
I posted in a thread about this recently and now I'm posting here on the subject again.

I had an mid-90s USA Ampeg Fridge mounted on top of a SVT-3Pro (USA)

Compared that to a Mesa Boogie 400+ on an older Roadready 6x10. Tried both heads on both cabs and I always liked the tone of the Mesa 610 every time.
The Ampeg had a lot of mids but I always found that it made the lows all mushy which didn't make me happy at all. The Mesa on the other hand was quite the opposite. Very very clear all across the board and loud as hell. I never got close to clipping the speakers.

Currently I'm waiting on a Mesa 400+ and then I'm gonna go get cabs for this shiz.
 
#29
infect said:
Lamb of God's bassist was one of the first to receive the 8x10's. They are nice cabs.
Click to expand...

I actually saw him using it last night here in Richmond, he took over bass duties from me for a band called RPG. From where I was standing that rig (bass 400+ and the Mesa 8*10) sound way more bottomy and tight than the SVT VR and 8*10Av that I used with them. I was very impressed with the sound. They were playing with only a vocal PA too, so I think it was a pretty accurate sound.

It actually me a little bummed that I didn't buy the 400+ over the SVT VR a couple of years ago.


Twonky
 
#30
My bad for not doing a search.

So I guess what I am looking for is something to practice on at home since my Ampeg 8x10 is at the bands practice space. I was thinking an 8x10 but maybe I dont need that much for home. Does anyone know is there is a difference in the mesa 4x10 compared to the 8x10?
 
#32
xCOFFMANx said:
My bad for not doing a search.

So I guess what I am looking for is something to practice on at home since my Ampeg 8x10 is at the bands practice space. I was thinking an 8x10 but maybe I dont need that much for home. Does anyone know is there is a difference in the mesa 4x10 compared to the 8x10?
Click to expand...

Try like a 1x12:)

My advice to you is to sell the Ampeg and replace it with a Mesa!
 
#33
I've been thinking about this too...

My GS412 sounds awesome, but us bassist always wonder if there is something better out there. I was thinking about the Mesa 8x10 to partner with my Titan V12.

I do like the familiar sound of the Ampeg 810 though...
 
#38
Reviving an old thread here...

Just demo'd a new Ampeg 810e and a Mesa powerhouse 4x10 (wish GC had a 610 or 810, but alas, no such luck). The Mesa was *by far* the better sounding cab - more clarity, definition, punch, etc. Amazing the difference between the two side by side, even with the tweeter completely turned off and the crossover set to the lowest value. The sales guy helping me was really surprised by how much better the Mesa cab sounded - said he hadn't had a chance to hear one yet.

Now maybe the older cabs are a different story, but haven't had a chance to try them out. Going to order a Mesa 610 or 810 tomorrow.
 
#39
If you can find a Mesa Powerhouse 8x10 at a store, try it out.
The opinions expressed here seem split.
Though I consider them both to be rock cabs, they're very different.
I've owned both and prefer my Powerhouse 8x10, but that's me.
I find the Mesa Powerhouse to be a clearer sounding cab (and BTW, I never use the tweeter).
The SVT 8x10's are blurrier sounding in the low end.
 
#40
Thanks KPAX - I haven't had any luck finding many good cabs to audition. I think I'll have to take a bit of a leap of faith on this one, though I'm hoping that what I heard from the 4x10 translates into the 8x10.
 

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