Ampeg Straightback for $1000?

[slap5string]

The guy who sold me the 73 SVT Blackline has 4 vintage straightback 810 cabs, all in various condition but all are looking pretty ratty. He is asking $1000 ea. I can take my pick if I'm interested. Having just spent $1800 on this head, I'm a little reluctant to jump right into buying one of these cabs when I can get a newer 810e or Heritage 810 for around the same price. Besides the obvious differences (4-pin speaker input, no wheels or towel rack or angled cab) are these vintage cabs that much better than the newer ones?

 

[I-play-bass]

I picked mine up in near-mint condition for $800.

This was six years ago though, and mine's a '72.

It sounds much different than the regular cabs and the Heritage. Since I have mine up north at my brother's house, I can't side-by-side it for you with my regular 8x10, but there really isn't too much of a comparison. It's every vintage 8x10 sound you can picture, whereas the newer ones just can't quite nab that sound.

The emphasis is more on the mids, and it sits just perfectly in the mix. The newer 8x10s are still great, but the older 8x10s must've been made with magic.

Edit: Mine also has the 25 watt Jensen speakers, which is probably a factory name for magic.

 

[christw]

As far as the differences, yes there is one. I never liked the modern Ampeg 810's tone. I blame the speakers. I absolutely adore the flatbacks with the 25w CTS like the '72 I owned (or the Marshall 410 I loaded with those speakers). You also won't be able to push an old cab as much as a newer one without blowing a speaker unless you have two of them.

I paid $400 for a beat up cab with all original speakers and sold it for $400 too. Unless you're getting two cabs for $1000, I don't see that being a good deal for you.

 

[Bongokid]

You should be able to get a flatback for 700 cash. Thats what I'd take for mine if I ever sold my 73 blackline.. JUST SAYING

 

[I-play-bass]

Argh, CTS speakers is what I meant I had in mine. My bad.

 

[JimmyM]

You're never going to get the kind of power handling required for today's bassists with speakers that sound like the old CTS's that were in the flatbacks. Those speakers aren't the highest power handling speakers ever, but man, do they have a sound! Having said that, I think the newer 810e's that LOUD's been making sound terrific, but the tradeoff for having a lot of power handling is that they're going to go lower and not quite as high on the high end as the old CTS's.

 

[beans-on-toast]

There are a lot of great stories of folks who find deals on equipment. A lot of it depends on where you live.

In some areas, you might wait years to find a good SVT or straight back cab at the right price on Craigslist. In these markets, prices tend to be higher. People buy whatever they can when it becomes available. It isn't uncommon to see these cabs in the $1000-$1500 range. The $500 ones tend to be beaten up pretty badly and sometimes come with blown speakers.

You should be aware that the power handling capacity of the straight back cab is lower than the modern 810 cabs. Ampeg used to market the SVT with two straight back cabs. You can easily run an SVT with one straight back but you have to be careful how loud you turn it up and how the tone is set. If you are into very loud and push the low end, you might want to consider getting a modern cab.

I can't comment on 5 string and slapping other than to say, do it within reason.

I see that Jimmy just answered some of this. He has one of these cabs so can offer sage advice.

 

[craig.p]

I agree with Jim. I used to use an early SVT cab with the light duty drivers. I don't miss the thing one bit. I wouldn't give you a dollar for one today. But that's just my personal preference, because I prefer a lot of heft to my sound. I don't know how much of that $1K price is attributable to collectability, but I'd wager it's got to be significant.