Ampeg help?

[Pandafist]

I'm not as big of a gear-head as some of you so bear with me here.
I currently am running a SVT350 head through a 410HE Classic and 115E Classic. I used to have the 810 (which I LOVED) but I downsized so that I could move my set-up by myself when necessary.
Here's my question.

Why does my 410 sound floppy at high volumes when solo vs. sounding great when used with the 115?
The speakers aren't blown (that I can tell), so that's out.

I bought this set-up so that I would have good high-end definition (I play with a Fulltone overdrive pretty much cranked), as well as the low end from the 15.
My Sunn 215B sounds better than this cab rig and I can't understand why for the life of me. There's less air being pushed but the sound is WAY bigger. WHY?!!!

I'm considering buying some Eden speakers as replacements. Is this the way to go?
Thanks

 

[Pandafist]

I'm a new bass player (old guitar player). Let's get that out of the way.
So when I got asked to play bass for my favorite band, I had to jump on it. The first thing I do? Go out and buy an Ampeg rig, of course. Well, I didn't know any better, so cut me some slack.

As I get more and more into my tone and bass gear in general, I'm discovering that I'm not really all that into Ampeg. Probably no surprise to you experts.

I'd really like to start fresh but I'm at a loss. Where do I begin?
I play pretty heavy music. Loud, fast, lots of over-drive, and i play with a pick. So... I definitely need good high end definition, but I'd also like rumbling lows to shake loose the bowels of all that come before me.

What brand suits my style? What should I try?

Check our sound if you like.
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my current rig is an Ibanez Roadstar II though a Fulltone Bassdrive to an SVT350, with a 410HE and a 115E.

I also have a Sunn Collesium and a 215B cab that i love very much. However I'm not very fond of the Sunn bass heads so far. I've tried the collesium, and it's certainly loud enough, but it sounds kinda terrible. I remedy this by using a Sansamp bass driver to shape the tone. This head has strictly been for larger venues when I need the volume, but normally I use the Ampeg for smaller gigs.

Alot of people have been recommending the Acoustic brand to me. Any thoughts?
Please respond!

 

[denton57]

I wouldnt base my thoughts on a brand of equipment on one of the budget model heads. I love Ampeg, but I never liked the SVT350 I had.

IMO, gotta have a real Ampeg head. Maybe you need some tubes?

 

[Stacknobuser]

I'm a new bass player (old guitar player). Let's get that out of the way.
So when I got asked to play bass for my favorite band, I had to jump on it. The first thing I do? Go out and buy an Ampeg rig, of course. Well, I didn't know any better, so cut me some slack.

As I get more and more into my tone and bass gear in general, I'm discovering that I'm not really all that into Ampeg. Probably no surprise to you experts.

I'd really like to start fresh but I'm at a loss. Where do I begin?
I play pretty heavy music. Loud, fast, lots of over-drive, and i play with a pick. So... I definitely need good high end definition, but I'd also like rumbling lows to shake loose the bowels of all that come before me.

What brand suits my style? What should I try?

Check our sound if you like.
Link Removed

my current rig is an Ibanez Roadstar II though a Fulltone Bassdrive to an SVT350, with a 410HE and a 115E.

I also have a Sunn Collesium and a 215B cab that i love very much. However I'm not very fond of the Sunn bass heads so far. I've tried the collesium, and it's certainly loud enough, but it sounds kinda terrible. I remedy this by using a Sansamp bass driver to shape the tone. This head has strictly been for larger venues when I need the volume, but normally I use the Ampeg for smaller gigs.

Alot of people have been recommending the Acoustic brand to me. Any thoughts?
Please respond!

On this forum always best to keep it positive! If you decide to check out Acoustic you can find info on the new models here:

www.acousticamplification.com

To check them out in person you can do so at Guitar Center if you have one near you.

There are also the occasional good used Acoustic pieces out there if you decide to check them out.

 

[Pandafist]

most of the time. not always. guess today is one of those days.
anyway thanks for the responses.
I'll come at this from a different angle in a new thread, after I stop manstrating.

 

[JimmyM]

Manstrating...LOL! First time I heard that one, but I'll be using it tomorrow!

Seriously, Denton is right. You can't judge Ampeg by their budget heads. They're not bad but they're not great.

As for the 410HE, it's a bit unrealistic to ask a 410 to do the work of an 810. That's all. It sounds better with the 15 cab because it's a bigger wall of sound. But when you use it by itself, I find a 410 sounds a lot better to my ears if I tilt it back to where it points to my ears where I usually stand.

 

[denton57]

Being a guitar player, would you compare a solidstate Marshall budget head with a Marshall all-tube head? I rest my case!

 

[johnnydenver]

pandafist, i am SOOO in the same boat as you. a guitarist also, landed the bass spot in my favorite band, went out and bought an svt-cl (which i love, so our boats are slightly different) but the whole cabinet thing, and how 1 sounds vs. 2, and when they get farty, is it amp clipping or speaker distortion - geez, i am struggling to figure it all out. i also have the classic 15e cab which sounds good but is underpowered, and an additional 1x15 cab (mesa). together, they sound good with the svt-cl, but when i run either one alone with my SS practice head, they are farty and do not cut it, so i'm trying to figure out if i'm hearing amp clipping or the speakers themselves distorting. beyond that, it seems that more inches of cone equals more volume, and even a 2x10 is 5 more inches than a single 15 cab...or is this BS too?

 

[JimmyM]

pandafist, i am SOOO in the same boat as you. a guitarist also, landed the bass spot in my favorite band, went out and bought an svt-cl (which i love, so our boats are slightly different) but the whole cabinet thing, and how 1 sounds vs. 2, and when they get farty, is it amp clipping or speaker distortion - geez, i am struggling to figure it all out. i also have the classic 15e cab which sounds good but is underpowered, and an additional 1x15 cab (mesa). together, they sound good with the svt-cl, but when i run either one alone with my SS practice head, they are farty and do not cut it, so i'm trying to figure out if i'm hearing amp clipping or the speakers themselves distorting. beyond that, it seems that more inches of cone equals more volume, and even a 2x10 is 5 more inches than a single 15 cab...or is this BS too?

It's not BS, but you have to take into account square inches, not just diameter.

You have a strange dilemma. You should see if you can get someone very experienced with amps to take a listen for you and troubleshoot it.

 

[Pandafist]

I feel a little bad for trashing Ampeg.
But... In response to everyone who has resonded. I know the 350 is the budget model. If you read my post closely, you'll notice I'm really more disappointed in the CABs.
They don't respond well at high volumes. I've heard other 410s handle the approximate load I send with a lot more clarity.

NEW QUESTION!!!

What speakers could I use to replace the SVTs?
I'd like speakers that won't blow no matter how much I crank a pre or overdrive. I'm not as concerned with tone as I am with volume I guess. That'll probably change in a few, but for now, I NEED VOLUME.

Any recommendations?

What speakers can handle my inexperience and crazy punk metal volume?
I need 410's and a 115 or 118.
I'll just be using the cabs I already have so keep that in mind.