Are 8x10s still in use?

[DavidEdenAria]

I still have my 8x10 I braced it inside and it's easy enough to roll around with wheels and a towel bar in back.

It will fit in the back seat of my Camry but it stays in the house...just curious how many use an 8x10 at home, studio, rehearsal etc?

I know a few that still wheel them around in clubs and lay them down in vans or suvs...yep I'm old but honestly my 8x10 I can wheel around and my bud with a truck can help me tilt it in the bed...last time I tried to move a 4x10 the crappy casters wouldn't roll and no way I could lift...guess I'm stuck with the lowly 8x10.

 

[SpyderX]

Too much work for me, but bless you... play it loud and proud, brother.

EDIT: And yes, I have seen a couple recently. Outdoors, but they were there.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Too much work for me, but bless you... play it loud and proud, brother.

EDIT: And yes, I have seen a couple recently. Outdoors, but they were there.

Thanks ...well even at low volume standing in front it's got a big full sound at ear level where a 4x10 or 2x10 I can't hear as well at low levels unless I sit...which is fine but hey just as well use it...not worth much, everyone wants small and light can't hardly give them away unless SVT cabinet.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Yes 8X10's are still prevalent for backlines in many TV shows for National and regional Acts and some local but no so much for semi Pro local players

I am well aware of Ampeg 8x10 Love used one in past BUT I changed my preference over time and prefered 4x10 from SWR, Eden, Trace Elliot and now am totally satisfied with my Mesa Subway 1X15 and would not trade [for my purpose and Tone pallet] for any of previously mentioned

 

[hrodbert696]

I've never owned one. I feel like I only see them with national touring acts, and local musicians who are using one from forty years ago.

I only remember playing through an 8x10 one time; it was an open mic at a tiny bar and the thing was ridiculously overpowered for the event. There was no room to stand so I was backed right up against it. Felt like my bowels were going to explode.

 

[mikeswals]

Still see them with local bands here

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Still use mine for shows. I have a permanent secure rehearsal spot, so leaving it there would not be an issue. I have many cabs for different scenarios. If you can still move it, and have help, keep it playing. 8/10's are great for tone and feel. Plus you can hear yourself in just about any situation.

 

[oldcatfish]

I don’t see them much anymore. But what I think would be really cool, would be if someone like Mesa or GK would make a modern, lighter weight version that still had the tilt back/rolling capability. With that….you’d get all the volume you could ever need, better ergonomics than a 4x10, and the cool visual that only an 8x10 gives.

Of course, I know that it’s never going to happen. Especially because a lot of bands are going to in-ear monitors for everything.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

I don’t use one personally but I did play a back line that had an 810 once. It was unbeatable sound. I couldn’t believe how my vision was rattling. But I couldn’t handle the weight on my own. And I definitely don’t have the space.

 

[tom once dead]

Oh yeah, they're still getting used plenty, I'd say most larger touring bands are using 810's. I work in backline and it's my job to move them from venue to venue. Most of the time they are using Ampeg, Aguilar or Fender. The Fender neo 810 is actually an amazing cab, sounds great and super easy to move.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I still see those 8x10 fridges in my area, specifically for outdoor shows or large crowd events.

They still sound great to me but I’m in love with my two 112 Neo cabs that are up to the task in bars and restaurants.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Mine still gets used, though mostly as a shelf in my garage.

I don’t see them much anymore. But what I think would be really cool, would be if someone like Mesa or GK would make a modern, lighter weight version that still had the tilt back/rolling capability. With that….you’d get all the volume you could ever need, better ergonomics than a 4x10, and the cool visual that only an 8x10 gives.

Of course, I know that it’s never going to happen. Especially because a lot of bands are going to in-ear monitors for everything.

Ampeg has the VB-88 in the venture line, 8x8 but with tilt back design and all. Neo drivers, more compact, listed at 67lbs.

Venture VB-88 Cabinet

shop-us.ampeg.com

If it has to be an 810 perhaps the barefaced eight 10, more square but has tilt back casters. The barefaced 10 design still uses ceramic drivers but a pretty unique design to achieve (relatively) low weight at around 80lbs.

Eight10 / Eight10T

Eight of our unique 10CR250 drivers = epic tone and volume Innovative hybrid enclosure which sounds and feels like a sealed cab but can play loud and bring the thunder like a ported cab Built strong, light and stiff for maximum gigging ease and great tone Hybrid Resonator Enclosure This mimics...

barefacedaudio.com

 

[Luckydog]

I still have my 8x10 I braced it inside and it's easy enough to roll around with wheels and a towel bar in back.

It will fit in the back seat of my Camry but it stays in the house...just curious how many use an 8x10 at home, studio, rehearsal etc?

I know a few that still wheel them around in clubs and lay them down in vans or suvs...yep I'm old but honestly my 8x10 I can wheel around and my bud with a truck can help me tilt it in the bed...last time I tried to move a 4x10 the crappy casters wouldn't roll and no way I could lift...guess I'm stuck with the lowly 8x10.

I recall about 15-20 years ago saying almost precisely the same thing as this. At the time I was regularly transporting and using one of two Ampeg 8x10 cabs to my gigs, which consisted primarily of bars, and a few mid-level outdoor events. I had also owned (and hated) one of the Ampeg ported, wheeled/towel-barred 4x10 cabs. At the time, I was able to use my Honda Accord hatchback with these cabs, which served as a part time gig-mobile. Roll cab to back of car, lay furniture pad on edge of back hatch, tilt cab onto edge, pick up from bottom of cab, slide it in. It worked.

I suspect you will eventually decide that the hassle of the 8x10 is not worth it even though, as we both recognize, it can be “relatively” easily rolled around. Its been quite few years, and I can tell you that I still have absolutely no regrets with offing those cabs. I still own multiple 70s SVT and VT heads, but they are in my home studio storage locker (aka hall closet).

 

[groooooove]

I don't think they were ever particularly common as a gigging rig.

they were tour rigs, backlines, studio gear, for sure.

Obviously there have always been some people who lug them, but even back in the day I don't think that was even close to "the norm," right?

 

[mdlewis]

I seem them occasionally as backlines, and used one disastrously with an 800RB when I was in the studio last spring. They are luxurious in a live setting but don't own one at present and not likely to for the foreseeable future.

 

[Iristone]

I often see Ampeg 810 as backline or rehearsal cabinets, and they sound very good for sure. I think it's the tuning of the chambers, and can be emulated in a more portable rig with an Ampeg 410HE or 210AV that are tuned similarly.

 

[staurosjohn]

Never used an 8x10… but here’s a shameless plug for a 4x15 I lugged for many years! I, sometimes, actually added a Sunn 2x15 for my treble p/u (Ric-O-Sound) when I played in a RUSH cover band! I was young & strong back then
IIRC - cameras were prolly 0.000000001 megapixels back then Pic circa 1980

 

[AccursedBass]

Used them for years. Still see them out and about but I’ve switched to a 212 personally

 

[Ibycan]

I will use my Ampeg 810AVs for as long as I can get them out of the trailer. Easy roll in and out. I also do IEMs, but having the big cab behind me is just something special to me. Smallest I get is a Fender 410Neo, and if I need to go smaller than that, I just go direct tot the PA.

 

[Michedelic]

I see them frequently at actual concerts, and one recently at a club gig.
I personally use 4x10 or 2x15, no problem. 1x12 and head for mini-rig.