Ampeg flat back 8x10

[basscooker]

Local shop has 2. Both with SVT's on top, of course... one blue line. Questions: A) are they actually rare like marked? B) If so, are they rare by default/ not many made, or rare because not many have survived? C) is there anything about them that makes them different/ better than any of the other half-dozen vintage 8x10 in the same shop? He's asking nominally more, but not trying to blow it up. I'm just curious if the voice is different or something with the bit of extra volume in the top. I'm way not interested, or seeking a "what's it worth" response, just curious. (BTW) this shop has no kidding about 8 or so vintage ones, and almost as many vintage SVT's, as well as a couple reissues. Tons of other big older cabs and heads, too... including a JBL 2x15 built in a road case marked $199... I'm thinking the speakers alone are worth that

So, if rare, why, and are they sonically different?

 

[will33]

8 what are basically guitar speakers. Not as much lows or power handling as the later 810's but sweet harmonics and tone, assuming original CTS speakers or recones of same.

Only about 240 watts thermal handling per cab. The orignal rig was one SVT and TWO 810's because of that.

Play one....see what you think.

 

[beans-on-toast]

When the speakers are good, these are very nice cabs. If you buy one and have to recone, it will get expensive. If you can swing it, check out the current Heritage 810. It has the sound of the flatback with a higher power handling capacity. The HSCT-810 is the best sounding 810 that I've ever played through.

 

[StuartV]

They only made the Flatback for a few years. 3 or 4, maybe? They went to the slant back and have made those for, what 40 years? So, 3 or 4 years of production, 45 years ago. That's why they are "rare".

People who've played them both seem to generally prefer the sound of the flat back. At least, from what I've seen here on TB.

As noted, the flat backs were not rated for as much power as an SVT puts out. The slant backs were/are. If you're planning on cranking your amp, a flat back might not be a good choice, even if you do think it sounds better.

I would love to find a nice flat back, with original speakers, to go with my vintage SVT! I would definitely pay a bit more for it than what slant backs go for. In the meantime, my Heritage 810 (powered by my vintage SVT) does sound like the rig of the Bass Gods...

 

[Oren Hudson]

They only made the Flatback for a few years. 3 or 4, maybe? They went to the slant back and have made those for, what 40 years? So, 3 or 4 years of production, 45 years ago. That's why they are "rare".

People who've played them both seem to generally prefer the sound of the flat back. At least, from what I've seen here on TB.

As noted, the flat backs were not rated for as much power as an SVT puts out. The slant backs were/are. If you're planning on cranking your amp, a flat back might not be a good choice, even if you do think it sounds better.

Agreed. 240 watts can still get pretty loud though.

OP - On the JBL cab. Depending on what JBL's are in it, you make a valid point.

 

[JimmyM]

As noted, the flat backs were not rated for as much power as an SVT puts out. The slant backs were/are.

Actually, the slant backs (or as some call them, "towel bar cabs") were the same power handling through the 70's. I think the MTI cabs of the 80's were the first ones to do 400w. Not entirely sure of that, though.

 

[Oren Hudson]

Actually, the slant backs (or as some call them, "towel bar cabs") were the same power handling through the 70's. I think the MTI cabs of the 80's were the first ones to do 400w. Not entirely sure of that, though.

Jimmy is right about the slants only changing cab design to begin with. I have a '73 flat back and a '73 slant back. Dates are close together so, one is the end of the flat era, the other is the beginning of the slant era. Exactly the same speakers. My next comparison is a '93 SLM which runs 800 watts. I'm sure there were the in between ones, but these are what I have personal knowledge of.

PS - I've run all 3 of the above mentioned ones through the same head. Interestingly, the 800 watt cab was just marginally louder than the 240.

 

[chiplexic]

I bought a 71' flat back in early 80's with blue line amp. Tolex peeling off cab like hickory bark but all functioning original speakers. I gigged with it for years using a 84' GK 400rd head. My G&L bass pickups were very hot so if not careful I could make the speakers fart too easily even without pushing the amp. The tone was much more articulate than SVT cabs I used in later years for sure.

Why didn't I run the cab with the SVT head...? Because I foolishly mounted dolly wheels on the very bottom of cab and ran out of cord one day in friends basement. Down came the top heavy set up. Being a poor ignorant youngster I didn't have the money to send to a shop. Not to mention I heard nothing but horror stories about how much it "could" cost to evaluate let alone fix. (Pre internet, back when all you had was the yellow pages and word of mouth)
It sat in a shed over my parents house growing rust on the iron until one day, years later someone..uh umm, through it in the dumpster at work.

 

[StuartV]

I just died a little bit on the inside.

 

[will33]

I just died a little bit on the inside.

Me three.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Actually, the slant backs (or as some call them, "towel bar cabs") were the same power handling through the 70's. I think the MTI cabs of the 80's were the first ones to do 400w. Not entirely sure of that, though.

I know for sure Ampeg 8x10 in the very late 70's were still 240 watt because I know of a glam rock band (Angel) that were Ampeg endorsees....Ampeg always sent them with a pair of 8x10's for each SVT head...Angel disbanded in around 1980.

The 240 watt cabs can be damaged by a single SVT head.... though many survived remarkably well, always be certain you check a 240 watt cab carefully.

I know of several original 240 watt cabs in my area that have "issues".

 

[lowend1]

When I had my '72 head serviced recently, I elected to leave the original Magnavox-labeled TungSol 6550s in place - naturally because of the tone of the TS tubes (vs new production stuff), but also because my tech told me that it would only put out about 260 watts with the old tubes. That suited me just fine since: a) I wanted to use the head with it's matching 240w flatback/squareback, and b) I never run the amp loud anyhow. I'd rather have the tone.

 

[Mshraderbass]

8 what are basically guitar speakers. Not as much lows or power handling as the later 810's but sweet harmonics and tone, assuming original CTS speakers or recones of same.

Only about 240 watts thermal handling per cab. The orignal rig was one SVT and TWO 810's because of that.

Play one....see what you think.

Your assessment is spot on. I owned one of the originals back in 73’ or 74’. I bought the cab new with a Kustom head, it was a 100 watt head but would rattle the windows in our basement practice room (guitarist’s parent’s home). It was great with that heat but you really needed 2 of those cabinets per head. I know we have more power available to bassists these days but the quality of the mids is what makes these cabinets stand out. Obviously you could replace the drivers but those cabinets were designed for the speakers. I have owned a St.Louis usa 810e and they are my favorite version,it has good wood unlike the LOUD Chinese ones with chip wood or sawdust lol. Just my preference (These are harder to move than the ones with the built in casters btw)