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Bergantino NV610 vs Ampeg 610

G

Gord

Jan 10, 2004
458
102
40
Calgary, Alberta
cera.bandcamp.com
#1
Hello!
I've seen this discussed before, but not recently. In the older threads, it seems to be during the era that the 610s weren't quite so hot.

I recently purchased an Ampeg 610 and while I am enjoying it, an NV610 just became available for a not-so-crazy price.

Is the difference enough that I should go for it? It's a craigslist find in a city an hour away, so I can't exactly try it out in a band setting, so what have your experiences been? I mostly play harder sort of post rock stuff. Which amp would be best for that?

Thanks guys!
 
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#2
To my ear the Berg NV 610 sounds a lot like the Ampeg 810E with more bottom end and lower Mids. The Ampeg 610HLF Had huge booty but not so much definition and was more laid back in the mids the highs were dependent on tweeter level setting. I would go with the Berg any day over the Ampeg in this case . I do not know if there were less dark sounding 610 HLF cabs from different years like the 810's were JimmyM would probably know that
 
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#3
I'd dare say the B erg would destroy the SVT610, I had a love/hate relationship with the SVT610...sometimes it seemed too flubby then sometimes it rocked. I let it go for $300 a few months back...meh! You just never run into Bergantino stuff, at least I haven't and that actually pisses me off.
 
#4
Bassmann79 said:
I'd dare say the B erg would destroy the SVT610, I had a love/hate relationship with the SVT610...sometimes it seemed too flubby then sometimes it rocked. I let it go for $300 a few months back...meh! You just never run into Bergantino stuff, at least I haven't and that actually pisses me off.
Click to expand...
well, far fewer of the Berg NV610's were made than either of the Ampeg cabs - of course .... but Bergs do come up from time to time (the OP has the opportunity to grab one for instance). I have seen them here on TB and on Reverb.
I recently went on the hunt for a Berg CN112 that involved some frustration for a month or so, but eventually I was able to grab one.
Keep looking, they are well worth the trouble and the search
 
#6
Bassmann79 said:
There is an AE410 in my area..giving it some thought but wondering how that would sound with my Ampeg HSVT-CL
Click to expand...
I went from an AE410 to a NV610 and couldn't be happier. The reasons;
-easier to move the 610 than the 4x10 - 6x10 tilts and rolls, the 4x10 has to be picked up
-the 410 seemed to have a nasty sound when pushed hard, the 6x10 loves power
-my knees could hear the 4x10 a lot better than I could, the 6x10 puts the top two speakers at ear level
-the 6x10 is sealed, tight punchy sound. The 4x10 is ported and harder to control in the low frequencies. Doable, but harder.
Hope that helps!
Fishheadjoe
 
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#7
I'd say get the NV610, I can honestly say, anything you use will sound good, also the Berg if bought used is a good value, you'll most likely be able resell it for what you paid for it .... oh if you do get it, spend the $$$ for the padded cover, it will be money well spent, IMHO

Here's some cabinet porn ....
30172036414_ec771c9b69_b.jpg
IMG_20161105_142811 by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr
 
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#8
Very different cabs that appear to be setup for different styles of music. The SVT 610 is ported and where very muddy at the start of production. The Berg is a tighter sounding cab that is a bit more flexible.

They both are heavy cabs, so it's a coin toss to whether or not going to a full 810 is worth it. I would love to see a Ampeg Classic 610he as an offering, or even a PN-610HLF to cut weight.

I'd say it's worth it to have the Berg if anything to have flexibility in tonal options.
 
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#9
jastacey said:
I'd say get the NV610, I can honestly say, anything you use will sound good, also the Berg if bought used is a good value, you'll most likely be able resell it for what you paid for it .... oh if you do get it, spend the $$$ for the padded cover, it will be money well spent, IMHO

Here's some cabinet porn ....
View attachment 2964179IMG_20161105_142811 by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr
Click to expand...

unrelated. Whats that bass hook/stand on there? I should get something like that.
 
#10
The Bergantino NV610 is my favorite cab I have ever owned. Perfect tone. Fit in the trunk of my Honda Accord. Relatively easy load in/out, as long as stairs aren’t involved. Only reason I sold was because I was using a 212 cab for most gigs at the time, and didn’t have space to store both. So, now I’ve got two 212’s, which pretty much can get the same firepower, if somewhat different tone. You can’t go wrong with any Berg cab; and the NV610 is one of the best.
 
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#13
Thanks everyone! I ended up getting the Bergantino, and oh my god. Everything I read has been completely true.

I struggled with the Ampeg 610 at band practice. It would always sound thin when I was near it, but super boomy over on the side that my guitarist plays on. If I managed to get it sounding ok to me, it would be nothing but mud in the mix. No middle ground. I definitely understand where the Ampeg fits with bands, but unfortunately it's not in the bands that I play in.

Tried out the Bergantino, and it was instant. Even with the same exact amp settings, I sat perfectly in the mix, and oh my god. So much punch. I love it.

Anyone in Vancouver, BC looking to buy an Ampeg 610? :D
 
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#14
Nighttrain1127 said:
To my ear the Berg NV 610 sounds a lot like the Ampeg 810E with more bottom end and lower Mids. The Ampeg 610HLF Had huge booty but not so much definition and was more laid back in the mids the highs were dependent on tweeter level setting. I would go with the Berg any day over the Ampeg in this case . I do not know if there were less dark sounding 610 HLF cabs from different years like the 810's were JimmyM would probably know that
Click to expand...

I think this is a very accurate assessment. I'm showing my bias, but I've just never cared much for the Ampeg 610. It's not a smaller version of the 810E; it's a bigger version of the 410HLF, which I feel pretty ho-hum about. If you really are looking for a modern version of the Ampeg 810, then the NV610 is what you're after. Even though it's not always the most practical cabinet for every gig and situation, I love mine.
 
#15
LiquidMidnight said:
I think this is a very accurate assessment. I'm showing my bias, but I've just never cared much for the Ampeg 610. It's not a smaller version of the 810E; it's a bigger version of the 410HLF, which I feel pretty ho-hum about. If you really are looking for a modern version of the Ampeg 810, then the NV610 is what you're after. Even though it's not always the most practical cabinet for every gig and situation, I love mine.
Click to expand...

I would totally agree with that. I was looking for a more compact Ampeg 810. I now have that in the NV610. The 610HLF is totally great, and totally not what I'm looking for! I know it's been said a few million times, but Ampeg should do a sealed 610, and make it identical to the 810, just with 2 less speakers.
 
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#17
Last edited:
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#18
Bassmann79 said:
Everyone mentions an NV610 but you guys have tp realize by now they don't grow on trees. Its the one cabinet I want to try and have never had the opportunity to see one let alone play through one.
Click to expand...

I was like that for YEARS. In fact, that's why I ended up buying the Ampeg 610. I heard so many great things about the Bergantino, but realized there was no way I would ever actually find one. I was absent-mindedly searching Craigslist for basses, and guess who showed up? In slightly worse condition than I wanted, priced a little higher than I wanted - and, I definitely didn't need it. I already had the ampeg!

GAS always wins in the end.
 
#19
Gord said:
I was like that for YEARS. In fact, that's why I ended up buying the Ampeg 610. I heard so many great things about the Bergantino, but realized there was no way I would ever actually find one. I was absent-mindedly searching Craigslist for basses, and guess who showed up? In slightly worse condition than I wanted, priced a little higher than I wanted - and, I definitely didn't need it. I already had the ampeg!

GAS always wins in the end.
Click to expand...

I search all the time just to be sure not to miss something. There is an AE410 for sale right now but from what I have read it might not be so great? HSVT-CL or PF-800 with Bergantino AE410? I'm going into the studio on Saturday so likely need to sit tight on the Portaflex cab (PF-410HLF)

There is an HD410 for sale in Houston (4hrs) that is in premium condition so the cost is up there $930.
 
#20
Bassmann79 said:
Everyone mentions an NV610 but you guys have tp realize by now they don't grow on trees. Its the one cabinet I want to try and have never had the opportunity to see one let alone play through one.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I enquired with Bass Gear Direct here in Australia about an NV610 being put back into production only a month or so ago. He said he believed they may be doing a limited run later this year - not sure if he meant the NV610 or NV610T and not sure how accurate his info was. In the meantime he was steering me towards an NV412 - read up on forums here about the 412 v 610.

A week later the guy from Bass Gear Direct messaged me out of the blue, telling me of a second hand NV610 available on an Australian Bass Forum. (How cool is that ? A retailer happily losing a potential NV412T sale by directing me to a secondhand cab. I will be buying something else from them in the future) I luckily acquired it, and had it a couple of weeks now. it's everything that everyone said it was going to be, paired with my Heritage SVT.

So, I guess my point is, hang on, or make some enquiries and see if the rumour about the NV610 run I was told may have some truth to it.

I was unable to try one before buying, but I can suggest you should buy with confidence.
 
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