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Best 8x10 for metal?

#21
I've owned atleast 3 Ampeg 810s, and played thru probably hundreds - IMO, this is the best cab I've ever played thru, bar none:

IMAG0126.jpg


SWR's Megoliath deserves honorable mention here, too - it's a killer 810...


- georgestrings
 
#25
SteveHeissner said:
Ampeg or Mesa 810 if you can handle the weight. GK 810 NEO or two 410 NEOs if weight is an issue.
Click to expand...

Yup...

I'm loving my Mesa cabs (PH412 and PH610) compared to my older 810e (2001), they bring out everything the Ampeg did and more, I haven't been able to fart out a cab yet and I'm running a 2000 watt power amp into either. The only other brand of cabs I'd really consider at this point would be the GK neo, based on the opinion that they're similarly voiced as the Mesa's but lighter.
 
#32
JimmyM said:
There's bass on that track?
Click to expand...

Haha!

I used to use 2 SVT's full stacks, that is, 16 10's to keep up with my guitar player and drummer. Then I got a GK 2001RB and a Mesa 8x10 and problem solved. I liked the bellow and warmth of the SVT, but there are plenty of lows and low mids with the Mesa, and all the mids and highs you could want as well. And after using the Mesa, I think you might find the Ampeg pretty dark, and maybe a little harder to make your tone distinctive.

There was an adjustment period; I had to rethink EQing mids quite a bit, but it's more than worth it. I think I got better at hearing and dialing in mids as a result. I think you'll find you don't have to beat the **** out of the string 100% of the time to get some clang and bang, which is what I felt I was doing with the SVT. The horn doesn't turn all the way down, which would be nice, but it's OK. I play with a pick and plenty of distortion, by the way. I have the Mesa 4x12 also, which is definitely cool, a little broader tone-wise, probably better for more classic rock type tones, but if I had to do it over again, I would get another 8x10. Anybody want to buy a 4x12?

Also, if you play a fair amount of shows, all the other build features, like the burly inset handles, rails, and bottom handles are pretty useful. The wheels aren't fantastic, though. Good luck!
 
#36
That GK cab is no joke, great tone! Loved the tone, but the narrow footprint on the top does it a disservice, hard to get any large head to fit securely. That being said, the Mesa 4x12 is a killer cab so is the 2x15. I would like to try the Mesa 8x10 with my VBA cranked up.
 
#37
That Gojira track sounds like it was done with a tweeterless cab, but I just read that he uses Fender basses with an SWR rig, which looks to me like a 750x and a Megoliath 810. No matter...not a particularly difficult sound to get IMHO.
 
#38
Gojira bass... SWR rig with Megliath. That's live, who knows what he actually uses in the studio and what kind of magic they used on the mixing/mastering of that album (heaviest sounding band in drop D). If you want that sound play with a pick, get really good, use compression so that your pick technique sounds more consistent and also use distortion. It's not a cab thing but I like your thinking.
 
#40
Floyd Eye said:
Ampeg
Click to expand...

This.

Depending on year, Ampeg 810 cabs sound really great for metal. It's not what my rig is, but I've played them and with a good amp, they punch really hard.


As far as other big cabs that work well for metal, I use a Sunn 2000S 2x15 cab. It's monstrous.

My next choices would be be the Mesa Diesel 215 cabs and the Mesa PH412 cabs.

Or, to go custom, Roller Sound 2x15, 4x12, or 8x10 cabs, or get a Greenboy Dually.
 

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