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Ampeg MTI Cab Recommendations

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NoahS

Guest
Apr 15, 2013
46
1
#1
Hey Everyone,

I just picked up a MTI SVT. Took it to my tech and got a complete tuneup. I've been playing it through 2 seperate traynor 15" cabs that matched my old ts120-b head. I swapped out the speakers with Eminence cb158 300 watt 15's. The setup sounds good but I get the feeling I'm missing out on something. There is lots of bass but not much clarity. Kinda muddy. I play pretty loud math rock and I need low mids and clarity most. Any suggestions on where to go from here? Also, I have the option of picking up a MTI era 8x10 for $350.. Can that handle a cranked SVT? I can't find any solid answers on the handling.

Thanks!
 
#2
I would look for a newer one made since 2007 if cranking is your goal. Actually any of the ones made since the 90's would work, but they're either made out of OSB instead of real plywood, or they have dark sounding speakers, or both. The dark sounding speakers stopped in 2007 (2000-2007 was the rough time period for dark speakers), and OSB stopped in 2006. The MTI cab is a good one, but I'm pretty sure it only handles 400w before you pop the speakers, and the newer 810e's handle 800w with ease and could actually handle 1200w before you make the voice coils blow.
 
#5
Realistically I'd like to spend under $500. Do you feel like its possible to get a nice low mid growl out of the two separate 15's? I plugged in to my friends ampeg 4x10 & 1x18 and it wasn't really any better. Although I like the portability of two smaller cabs it doesn't matter if the tones not there. I guess I might have the idea in my head that heavier is better.
 
#6
NoahS said:
Realistically I'd like to spend under $500. Do you feel like its possible to get a nice low mid growl out of the two separate 15's? I plugged in to my friends ampeg 4x10 & 1x18 and it wasn't really any better. Although I like the portability of two smaller cabs it doesn't matter if the tones not there. I guess I might have the idea in my head that heavier is better.
Click to expand...

Weight of the cab has nothing to do with the tone. The driver size also has nothing to do with the tone either. The tone of a cab is determined by a collection of specs of the speaker (diameter being a very unimportant one), and the design of the cab around it.

Every single cab you play through will sound different, regardless of speaker size. Collect twenty 115's and each one will sound a bit different.

You can get all the low mid punch and clarity out of 1 cab loaded with a 15" speaker as long as the design is capable of producing that sound.

With $500 to spend I would start looking at used cabs. Find one that sounds like you want, then buy a second one. If you must start new, then I would take a look at the PF-115he. A pair of them might get you where you want to be.
 
#8
i play my svt through an MTI era 810, but i think the drivers were swapped for some later ones. we play loud and i've had no problems blowing drivers. also this cabinet is noticeably lighter than the OSB one my bandmate has...

i don't crank the bass up though, i do crank the mids alot, and the treble to a smaller degree

i had a mesa 215 cabinet and i didn't really like the way the svt sounded through that one
 
#13
NoahS said:
Well, looks like I should get the 810e at my local shop. 800 watts. Perfect condition. $500 and I've got a guitar I'm going to throw in for $400 in trade. $100 = yes!
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good deal to me, but a couple things.

Take a 9v battery with you and check the speakers. Hook a cable up to the cab and touch the battery to the ends. All the speakers should move in the same direction. Additionally very gently push on each speaker. They should move freely. If they dont the voice coils are toasted. If the speakers dont all move in the same direction the cab isnt wired right. Either way it may mean you pass on the cab, or talk them down a bit.
 
#14
Will do. Thanks.

I actually just played the cab with a svt7 pro. Tons of low end, clarity, and power. I didn't expect the 7 to sound like it did. Anyway, everything I wanted from a cab was present. I would be buying from an Extremely reputable shop so I feel pretty safe.

Just a thought.. I'm sending both line outs to two seperate 300watt cabs right now. Does that mean I'm pushing the speakers too hard or does the amp operate like 2x150 watt channels?
 

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