• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg SVT-410HE Cabs.. Good? Bad? Meh??

JakeyBran

JakeyBran

Sep 17, 2014
427
943
Lakeland, Florida
#1
Alright, here's the scoop. I'm in the process of building up my Gear "armory" if you will. I've kind of stepped back from gigging within the last year. Currently I just play for my church, and a few local southern gospel, and christian rock bands. But, I've gotten some things in order to where I might go out playing again. I'm currently running an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro into a '72 Ampeg B-25B Cab. I love the sound I get out of it. Old school and thumpy, but with some modern edge. Anyways, I have the chance to buy two Ampeg SVT-410HE's for about $500 for the pair. (I'm certain I could talk the guy down). What are yalls opinions on these cabs? I'll be running my SVT-3 Pro (until I can afford a vintage SVT!!) through them both at larger venues and through one at smaller ones. I've looked around the forums and found a few things about them, but nothing solid. How do they preform?? Thanks for any input!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rickwebb
#8
Just got this one and a 7 Pro a month ago!

Rig11-13-14_zps3c4ac6e9.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: gwangi, Meaculpa, Owl in the Dark and 2 others
#10
rickwebb said:
I have two SVT-410HE's and an 810E. The 810 sounds a bit more "solid" to my ears. That's just my opinion...
Click to expand...
What year(s) are your cabs? Any of them from 2000-06? Been quite a while since I've done a two 410he double stack, but I don't seem to remember it varying much from the sound of an 810e, other than the tweeter. The specs are slightly different but they do use the same speakers. I'm just wondering if you have speakers from different eras in your cabs.

In case you didn't already know, 5th digit for SLM-period Ampeg tells the date:

A = 1980
B = 1989
C = 1990

Etc.

The exact digit that tells the year will move around a little in LOUD serial numbers, but is generally around the 12th digit:

A = 2008
B = 2009
C = 2010

Etc.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
What year(s) are your cabs? Any of them from 2000-06? Been quite a while since I've done a two 410he double stack, but I don't seem to remember it varying much from the sound of an 810e, other than the tweeter. The specs are slightly different but they do use the same speakers. I'm just wondering if you have speakers from different eras in your cabs.

In case you didn't already know, 5th digit for SLM-period Ampeg tells the date:

A = 1980
B = 1989
C = 1990

Etc.

The exact digit that tells the year will move around a little in LOUD serial numbers, but is generally around the 12th digit:

A = 2008
B = 2009
C = 2010

Etc.
Click to expand...

Based on this info, which years should I avoid? Do the newer cabs not sound as good?
 
#13
JakeyBran said:
Based on this info, which years should I avoid? Do the newer cabs not sound as good?
Click to expand...
The newer cabs are some of the best made and sounding in a long time. The years to avoid are 2000-2006 IMHO. The speakers got a lot darker due to a cone supplier change at Eminence and the cabs sound muddier than older or newer ones. And most of SLM's cabs from the 90's till 2006 are made with OSB instead of plywood, although I'm debating how much of an impact that has on how quality they are, since I still see a buttload of those old cabs from the early 90's with OSB around. But the newer ones are all plywood, baltic birch in the more expensive ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JakeyBran
#14
JimmyM said:
The newer cabs are some of the best made and sounding in a long time. The years to avoid are 2000-2006 IMHO. The speakers got a lot darker due to a cone supplier change at Eminence and the cabs sound muddier than older or newer ones. And most of SLM's cabs from the 90's till 2006 are made with OSB instead of plywood, although I'm debating how much of an impact that has, since I still see a buttload of those old cabs from the early 90's with OSB around.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Thanks Jim!! I was hoping I'd get a response from you in this thread. You always know the ins and outs of the Ampeg world.
 
#16
JimmyM said:
What year(s) are your cabs? Any of them from 2000-06? Been quite a while since I've done a two 410he double stack, but I don't seem to remember it varying much from the sound of an 810e, other than the tweeter. The specs are slightly different but they do use the same speakers. I'm just wondering if you have speakers from different eras in your cabs.

In case you didn't already know, 5th digit for SLM-period Ampeg tells the date:

A = 1980
B = 1989
C = 1990

Etc.

The exact digit that tells the year will move around a little in LOUD serial numbers, but is generally around the 12th digit:

A = 2008
B = 2009
C = 2010

Etc.
Click to expand...
My 410's are both from the 2000-2001 era. And my 810 is a 1991 model.
Plenty of smooooth lows either way :)
 
#19
soaf said:
Do the crossovers on these cabs scoop out the mids (like Peavey 410TX) or do they allow a full range eq spectrum to the speakers?
Click to expand...
They're not really crossovers...they're high pass filters for the tweeter, so there's no scooping to be had unless you dial it in with the mid control on your amp.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back