Are 8x10s still in use?

[Tim Skaggs]

I owned / used one for a couple years in the 2010-12 time frame. Mine wasn’t a good year, it was from around ‘04 I think, and was made of flake board / blandex. It sounded kinda’ “dark” with the amp section out of a Fender Studio Bass combo amp (~180 watts, all tube). I traded it in on a new Ampeg SVT 410 HLF, which ended up being one of the worst sounding cabinets I’ve owned (except for a couple home-made cabs I built).

The 810 I had was lighter than the older ones, but still about 120 lbs. It got me thinking about weight very quickly & I still think about that.

I still see them on back lines of live music events, usually on broadcast TV.

I played through an older one back in October ‘25 that was being provided by the sound company at a blues festival. It was being driven by a real 300 watt, all tube, Ampeg SVT. It was a major disappointment because it had two blown speakers and rattled like a marble in a shoe box….

 

[Geri O]

I owned an SVT Classic/810 rig for a long time until a few years ago, Before I bought my WD800/215 rig, I had a smattering of amplifiers and 410 cabs that would suffice for smaller gigs. The Subway rig wound up covering all the gigs that the SVT rig did and much easier, too.

I did sell the SVT rig, but I really enjoy seeing them on backline-provided gigs. They sound as good as ever.

Something I noticed about SVT 810 rigs that I don't seem to notice so much with other amps..... When we record to multi-track live, the SVT 810 rig seems to permeate every open mic on the stage to some degree. I don't notice this so much with the Subway rig which is my preference for mixing purposes. I've no idea why this is, maybe that many drivers in contact with the surrounding air?.....

No matter. I don't know and I don't need to know. I find issues and go about solving them and move on rather that waste time digging into how and why.

 

[Lobster11]

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.

I never had the need for one of these, but I stack a pair of 2x10s on end to get the benefit of being able to hear myself when standing in front of it.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

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.

Used to see them all the time, but now that you mention it, I haven’t seen one gracing a stage in a very long time.

In my regional scene it’s all combos, lightweight mini-stacks (eg 2 1x12s) or pedals/modelers/ DI’s.

 

[cymbop]

I still take the 810e to most gigs. It tips right into the back of my old Mazda wagon, easy-peasy. I still enjoy the looks I get from venue staff as I roll it into the place. As their eyes get big I say, "I use it for good, not for evil."

 

[HardNHeavy]

had a classic 8x10 svt back in the 80's. It was backline at our rehearsal space, i just borrowed it for gigs as i didnt have anything else when first starting out. never brought it home. Now use 4x10's or 1x15's, since early 90's

 

[Fuzzbass]

The SVT head and cab was my favorite rig back in the 80's. My first head was a blackline (early 70's), and my first cab was the original "coffin" style with dolly. Because I didn't know better, I "upgraded" to a newer head (rocker switches, not toggles) and "fridge" style cab. My band back then got somewhat popular and we toured a bit, with road crew. Big backline was in (along with big hair) so I acquired a second SVT cab to flank the drummer on each side (with Marshall stacks on far left and far right). The second cab was just for show.

The big backline days ended so I scaled down to smaller/lighter gear. However in the early 2000's I got a Bergantino NV610. Like the SVT cab it's sealed with ceramic drivers, but only 100 pounds instead of 160 or whatever.

The Berg NV610 replaced the Ampeg 8x10 as my favorite cab of all time. However it's too much for the bar gigs I'm currently playing, so as much as it breaks my heart I'll probably let it go. It'll be a tough sell because big heavy cabs are essentially passé.

 

[Ric Vice]

They were very prevalent in St.Louis at one time as most back line providers owned a SVT for touring acts. Once line arrays became the standard for MainStage sound then those amps started to fade away. GR Bass actually makes a “lightweight” (at least by SVT standards)Carbon fiber 8x10. They went by the wayside along with SWR’s and Gallien Krueger 800RB’s. I actually drove a SVT cabinet with a Walter Woods MI-400-8 for a couple of shows. It sounded pretty darn amazing. Personally I “keep to small”

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Never owned one. But played through lots of em in provided backlines.
Back when I rode my Triceratops to gigs.

 

[Bergerman]

Been using my restored ‘78 SVT 810 for a while now…mostly medium bar and club gigs. My band mates get annoyed when I DON’T bring it. Even at lower volumes, it sounds fantastic and I much easier to haul than most people realize. Our band leader loves the look on stage…after all, Rock & Roll is not just music, it’s also a fashion show!

 

[RGerhart]

Yes, I still see them occasionally, mostly for backline situations at festivals. If you like their sound and don't mind transporting them around, keep doing it. I've never really been too happy with how they sound.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I come across them frequently as part of backline. Most working bass players are not gonna carry a freaking refrigerator around these days, it’s ridiculous. However, it seems like lots of pro audio folks are acquiring them which is great. I’ve also noticed a lot of clubs/music venues have them as their house rig. Again, this is great

 

[Wasnex]

The first bass rig I ever bought was a new MTI era SVT and 810. I had never seen or heard one, but the research I did suggested it was the best amp I could get. So I had the rig special ordered site unseen on lay-away. Turns out it did not suit my needs/expectations very well. Also I did not sound anything like I expected based on people comments. Within seconds of playing it for the first time, it was clear that I had made a mistake in ordering it. But no refunds on special orders, so paid it off, took it home, and made do.

To this day I have not seen many SVTs or 810s in the wild. I sold mine before turning pro and did most of my career with something like a 210. My last touring rig had an Eden D210XLT and D410XLT, I typically just used the 210 pushed by one side of a 260W power amp. I was offered an SVT and 810 as part of the backline for a couple of gigs, but always turned them down.

I currently own a 69 and 87 SVT. Still don't care for the sound of the 810.

As far as how easy it is to move an 810. Well they do roll, but IMHO it takes considerable strength and effort. The cab is tall and tippy, and it does not balance particularly well.If your not strong enough or try to go too fast, there's a good chance you will drop it, and you might get hurt in the process. I also takes considerable strength and effort to load an 810 into a truck or hatchback, especially if you want to avoid damaging the cab and vehicle.

For the record I actually loaded my 810 into the trunk of a 71 Ford Galaxy, which was way harder than getting it in and out of a truck or hatchback. So I was no wimp when I owned the rig.

If you are willing to put in the work and like the way the cab sounds. Go for it. However, keep in mind that people tend to "hear" with their eyes. By this, I mean some people will see a huge cab and get very anxious about your volume. Also keep in mind that you will need help to get an 810 and SVT over certain obstacles such as stair or to lift the rig up onto certain stages or risers. I would rather deal with smaller/lighter gear that I can lift by myself.

 

[Enrique M]

We see them around here, out in the provinces. A local band (of fellow geezers) brings one to every gig. The back line of couple local outdoor festivals typically has one. I am always happy to see them, and to get a chance to play through them. But I am a hobbiest gigging once a month, at best, and my gear lives at the bottom of a narrow twisty stairwell. Getting a 2x10 through the maze is enough of a trick.

 

[ValerieK]

My friends have one as their only bass cab with some kind of SVT. It lives in their studio with a bunch of guitar 4x12s and tube amps, none of them ever move.

We rehearse there using in-ears and don't even turn on the amps. I run through a Darkglass preamp pedal, guitar runs through a kemper, and keys and vocals are direct to IEMs with no PA. The only live sound in the room is the drums - which are frankly still too loud and bleed into the vocals like crazy.

They do use the tube stuff but it's for paying clients, so I guess some people are still into it.

 

[Johnny Fingers]

I used two of them flatbacks with the SVT head back in the 70s.
Used two roadies to move them, the wheels and the dolly made them hard to roll on uneven ground but once you plugged in and flipped the switch it was good (very good).

 

[sheesh]

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 ...

The Italians are working on it for you:

Markbass ~ 89lbs
GR bass ~ 50lbs (no towel rack or wheels I guess)

Other 8x10s available, in pounds:
Ampeg ~ 165
Aguilar ~ 184
Ashdown ~ 138
Laney ~ 135
Fender ~ 120
Orange ~170

 

[mikeswals]

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.

Yeah as coreyfyfe mentioned, the Barefaced 810 is 79 lbs!
However you're paying for that at $3k.

I owned a Mesa 810 for years in my original band; that Powerhouse 810 was 173 lbs.

 

[jjk2007]

I don't get out to that many shows but I know they are out there. What's funny to me is....at about 90% of the venues I play I could easily wheel an 8X10 in and get it all set up on stage etc all by my lonesome. I drive Nissan Frontier so I could easily slide it in and out of the bed. I guess the only issue would be if bad weather popped up during transportation.

On a side note....back in the day my close friend played for (and still does) the Christian rock band Pillar. I went to a show early one time back when I lived in So Cal and got to spend time with the bass players gear. He was running a pair of GK 1001RB's into 3 of the GK 4X12 cabs. You want to talk about a wall of sound....that was it!! Since I'm bald my Dad joke is before I plugged in to his setup I had hair....you know the rest....

 

[2thAche]

I like to play through it at home but would never bring it to a gig.