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Ampeg "Refrigerator" Questions?

#22
The Ballzz said:
My bassist just got his cherry popped last night, at a "gear provided" situation. He has never before played through an 8x10 Ampeg refrigerator! Even with the less than stellar SVT 450 head, the "in your face" punch, clarity and consistency of notes/tones up & down the neck turned him into an incurable addict within minutes!

Now, even though I only "dabble" with the bass, I'm the guitarist, main singer and gear hound researcher and finder of the band, given that I have no day job! I also realize that it behooves me to help Jimmy get the best sound he can. His current rig is a Carvin R600 head bi-amped into 1- 2x10" and 1- 1x15" Carvin cabs. While fairly adequate, it doesn't even compare well with the tone, color and character of most Ampeg products! He also has an older Ampeg BA115 (knobs on top) with an upgraded speaker and we both prefer the sound and response of it, within its wimpy power limits, of course!

With all that said, I've started the search for upgrading our bass rig. The wide variety of 8x10 and 4x10 products, even from just Ampeg alone can be kinda confusing. Some seem to be ported, some not. Some claim poplar construction in the write-up while showing birch in the specs. I realize that birch can be resonant and not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I've been in bands and even a touring sound engineer for nearly 50 years and I've seen a wide range of 8x10 boxes. Some are actually 4, separate 2x10 boxes built into one cabinet and some appear to be 2- 4x10 boxes in one. I've even seen one that had 8x10 speakers, all on the same baffle, all in one big enclosure. I'm guessing that sound and response can vary wildly! I have boundless questions surrounding which setup will give us the best sound, as well as the pros and cons of each Ampeg box? Given that we're open for used purchases, the selection is rather wide! The most logical (for ease of transport/use) would seem to be 2- 4x10 boxes, or maybe even 4- 2x10?

Bottom line is that we want to get that great punch that comes from the iconic 8x10 refrigerator! We're kinda hoping that 4x10 boxes might be a bit more manageble, without losing any sound and also thinking that even one 4x10 might be a good start, as we don't play very loud. Stage volume gets defined by my 5 to 10 watts of guitar amp and the drummer. It is however, all about the tone! We are also assuming that almost any amp will have improved sound through our planned speaker rig?

FWIW, I just missed (by 15 minutes) what I think was the deal of the century. A brand new condition, SVT-4PRO, for $400.

All Help, Advice, Comments greatly Appreciated!
Gene
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I was also going to suggest an Svt 4 Pro, and $400 would've been a great price for the one you found! If you can find an older GK 400RB, they also sound amazing and are usually priced way cheaper than they should be! I typically see them go for $150-$250!
As far as cabs go, the 410he will get you the fridge sound in a smaller package, like Jimmy said. If you don't mind the extra weight, I'd just go ahead and get the 810! There typically close to the same price as the 410he used anyway, and if I remember correctly, there's a jack on the back of the 810 that allows you to just play through the top 410 if the full stack is to loud for a particular venue. At least you would have more speakers on tap if you ever need it. Good luck with your search!
 
#23
4001 said:
Wow. I'd love to hear what that little rig sounds like. I can almost hear it just by looking at it... I used to have a V4B back in 1984... sold it when I thought that re-tubing it was going to be too expensive. I wish I never let that one go. DAMN !
Click to expand...

It sounds really good.
20190111_122825.jpg
 
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#28
The Ballzz said:
Great comments folks, thank you! Nice perspectives on the 810 vs 410. Thanks also to @JimmyM though his comments only partly narrowed it down. Now, I need to dig into more minutiae to be well armed for the used market, to know what I'm looking at with a pocket full of change. For example: what's the actual differences between the "SVT-810E at $999.99" https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SVT810E--ampeg-svt-810e-8x10-inch-800-watt-extension-cabinet and the "Heritage SVT-810E at $1,299.99" https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tage-svt-810e-8x10-inch-800-watt-bass-cabinet
and the "SVT-810AV at $1,249.99?" https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...810av-8x10-inch-800-watt-classic-bass-cabinet

I realize the "Heritage" has Eminence speakers and depending on which model looked at, one part of the description claims Poplar while another part claims Baltic Birch! Given that the $999 and $1,249 units seem to use the same speakers, I don't understand what justifies the $300 retail price difference? Ampeg's own, current website doesn't clear up any of this and I can only guess that as we go back in years the discrepancies increase dramatically?

And then there is the question of which 810 models actually have each pair of speakers in their own enclosure, along with whether or not any of the 410 boxes are constructed in that manner? Maybe I should try to find plans and build two half/810 boxes with the separators? I do have a full wood shop at my disposal and know how to use it!
Just sayin'
Gene
Click to expand...
The Heritage 810e is not the same. They use American Eminences, which sound to me a whole lot like the prized CTS alnicos of 69-74, the standard by which all 810s are judged. And the Classic model uses Chinese Eminences, which are good too, but a little more middy and edgy.

They use poplar in most of their cabs now because it's lighter and just as sturdy. And I think there are more pressing issues with cabs other than whether each pair of speakers has its own little compartment or not.
 
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#31
If you are looking for that great punch that comes from the iconic 8x10 refrigerator, you should get the iconic 8x10 refrigerator.

The only reason not to get a 8x10 cabinet is if you have no way to transport it.

One of the great benefits of such a big cab is that you have the speakers closer to your ears which allows you play with less volume and still can hear yourself well, instead of blasting your knees.

Another great thing about the fridge is that you can either go in with 4 ohms and power all 8 speakers or 8 ohms and just use the upper (or lower) 4 speakers.
 
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#33
It had been a long time goal to one day have an Ampeg 300 watt tube head on top of an 810 fridge. What I ultimately decided upon was a Fender Super Bassman 300 and a pair of Bassman 410 Neo cabs. I would take a serious look at the current Fender version of an SVT+fridge.
 
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#34
SVT 4x10 or even 6x10 will satisfy for most purposes, while being much easier to fit in a car. If you really need 8x10 to satisfy some dumb itch, then I vote that a pair of 4x10's is a better option. Can use one most of the time, and only bring the second when needed. And when you do bring the second, you aren't locked into having to pack that big rectangle shape, which is the only thing that really makes the 8x10 a pain. Two moderately sized squares are easier to pack and cart than one big rectangle.
 

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