Ampeg fridge [810] comparison - various years, various origin

[Jack-Jack]

I thought that it may be useful for you guys.

Friends of mine have created a comparison between 4 different 810's in quite high quality. You may find it useful and interesting...

The comparison covers 4 pieces of Ampeg's classic - 810 cabinet also known as "The Fridge".

You can find out how the vintage one from 1974 sounds, as well as more recent builds dated 2004, 2007 and 2008. A popular Eminence Legend B810 swap is also documented.

Every sample was recorded with an Ampeg V-4B amplifier with controls set exactly the same. The amp reacts differently for each cab which can be observed in drive levels.

 

[JimmyM]

Saw most of it, commented in another thread about it...briefly, it confirms everything I ever said about the different era cabs Didn't see the part with the B810 swap, though...have to leave now but will watch the whole thing when I get home if I'm not too zonked.

Your friend can play, though!

 

[Jack-Jack]

Chinese one and 1974 for me...

 

[JimmyM]

Me too.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Ditto. I wish they would have included a mid-70's cab with eminence squarebacks for comparison too, though.

 

[DTJ BASS]

1974 would be my choice

 

[FFTT]

Would be cool to have a Flat Back early 70's with CTS AlNiCo's in there as well as square back Eminence.

I think maybe the speakers in the '74 USA might be transferred out of an earlier cab???

Then again EU stock may have been different.

 

[waltdogg]

This doesn't tell you anything. All the tone is coming from that V-4B, I had the same model that I've played on just as many different 8x10s and got the same tones with every cab. The older cabs just sound better because they were made better, and the lower power drivers in the early 70s and mid 70s cabs breakup unlike the modern drivers. Call me out. But I think this is phooey. There's the obvious undesirable factors in the modern cabs that steer you away from them anyways. That's why I traded all my modern 810s away for my '78 with Eminence square back drivers.

 

[Jack-Jack]

This doesn't tell you anything. All the tone is coming from that V-4B, I had the same model that I've played on just as many different 8x10s and got the same tones with every cab. The older cabs just sound better because they were made better, and the lower power drivers in the early 70s and mid 70s cabs breakup unlike the modern drivers. Call me out. But I think this is phooey. There's the obvious undesirable factors in the modern cabs that steer you away from them anyways. That's why I traded all my modern 810s away for my '78 with Eminence square back drivers.

So am I deaf hearing the tone differences between them or am I simply hallucinating? Since the only thing changing in between the samples is the cab, it is the cab that makes the difference, isn't it?

Just trying to be logic here...

 

[waltdogg]

All I'm saying is because the cab dimensions and speaker sizes aren't changing. The tone factor is just increasing sterility as the production years go by. Which is why everyone is raving about the '74 and wants to hear the a straight back and a '75-'80 cab.

 

[Jack-Jack]

For me the Chinese one and the 74 sound best...But that's just me

 

[eyeballkid]

But...as a matter of practical reality, each cab had its own voice and character. This video gives you a starting reference of the expected differences.

 

[mistergoats]

So am I deaf hearing the tone differences between them or am I simply hallucinating? Since the only thing changing in between the samples is the cab, it is the cab that makes the difference, isn't it?

Just trying to be logic here...

There are noticeable differences in all four cabs, for sure. Different speakers sound different with different woods and different depths behind the speakers. All music gear is variables. You find the combination that sounds good to you. It drives us all nuts. Well, all of us who care ridiculous amounts about finding that tone we hear in our head.

 

[High Camp]

And for me too, the China 2008 and the USA 1974.
(wonder how the Heritage would match up...)

And thanks for the input, great shootout!

 

[lowend1]

Interesting... but any comparison of SVT 8x10 cabs MUST include an early squareback.

 

[JimmyM]

The 74 cab has CTS speakers like the flatbacks, so I don't see the problem. Anyway, the dude used what he had available, and he didn't have all the other cabs of every era, and I think he did an excellent job of giving people an idea, as the sounds he got were very similar to the sounds I've gotten with each cab. And I own a 73 flatback and a Heritage 810e and use all the different era Ampeg cabs on a regular basis on the road, so what I say goes!

But he really should have had a Heritage there I used to think the CTS loaded 810s were unequaled by any cabs made after they went away, but the Heritage 810e changed my mind. I think it's every bit as good as the flatbacks tonally and takes a buttload more power. I've sat and listened to both extensively, and the Heritage is darn close. And I think the Chinese cabs sound as good as anything besides the CTS and Heritage speakers, certainly as good as anything SLM made, and better than their later cabs.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Great video!

Btw, when did the switch from alnico to ceramic speakers take place with SVT's?

 

[JimmyM]

74, although it was obviously in the middle of the year somewhere

 

[lowend1]

The 74 cab has CTS speakers like the flatbacks, so I don't see the problem.

I'm nitpicking, of course, Jimmy, but over the years, I've played through many a vintage SVT bottom, with, admittedly, a dizzying array of variables (replaced speakers, etc). However, a stock squareback always sounded both more focused and more musical to my ears than the bathtub/towel bar model. IIRC, the the depth of the two cabs is different, and that must have some effect on the cab's sound, even with the same drivers - thus the necessity of having one to make a "proper" comparison. I noticed the difference even back in the late 70s, when there was an SVT in nearly every rehearsal studio. Of course, ANY SVT in a studio these days is preferable to a Hartke, Eden or whatever.

 

[mroku91]

Hi guys.

From my knowledge speakers in heritage 810 are pretty damn close to eminence b810's if not the same. So you can have a look how does a heritage fridge should sound like.