• 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.

Cab Comparisons

Q

qunndo

Jun 20, 2006
222
0
Gold Coast, Australia
#1
Hi guys,

i posted a few weeks ago requesting a little info on the mesa powerhouse 4 x 10 and 1 x 15 seperate cabs i am looking at investing in to go with my svt pro 4 head. I wanted to go with mesa because here in aus they are available, affordable compared to the ampeg, and of course they are one of the big names.

I am also looking at ampeg, probably a 610, but everyone over here has stated how tehy are overpriced, and the top combo above would be a better option with value in mind.

In terms of efficiency i have heard both aren't that efficient.

So for either of the above i'd be looking at about 3200 au.

Now, heres the problem, and you bassists are solely responsible. I have building gas concerning the bergantino nv 610. Firstly, they are not as great in the numbers as the other two are (a little unique) and you guys rave on about them like they are the second coming of christ.. lol.
I have contacted the only dealer of bergantino's in australia and he has one which will be in stock in 2-3 weeks due to a prior shipping arrangement. He is based in sydney, and i wouldnt be able to get a hold of the cab to try it.
I could get this for 2300 au.

Really, i dont want to buy site unseen, but if it is as great as you all say it is then it might really be worth investing in. I play in a rock/metal band, for an example we have a couple of demo's at Link Removed

Really personal opinions is what i am after, with personal comparisons between the brands, also state if you own either cab. Please put why you prefer whichever you do, with reasons.

Thanks guys
 
#4
qunndo said:
Yeah, i dont like anything to trebly, i like to be able to get a real classic tone that just sounds FAT. Oh, and congrats on the 2500 posts!

Btw, what do you mean where you say a more hi fi tone?
Click to expand...
Didn't even notice 2500! Anyway, the Ampeg and Mesa will be trebly, especially the Ampeg to my ears. By hi-fi, I mean they will not sound very "vintage". They are ported tweetered cabs. They are not as middy as the Bergie. The lows are not as controlled as the Bergie, and I find (especially the Ampeg) fairly boomy. The tone on the Mesas is fairly meaty and fat, but the Bergie is definately more so. The Ampeg is somewhat fat, but not as much as the others. If you go Ampeg, the 810 is a much better choice than the 610 for a vintagy sound. But even then, the Bergie gets louder and lower, and just sounds better in general to my ears.
 
#6
Looks like you might be settled on a decision, but just wanted to throw my 2-cents in, since I spent a bunch of time A/B'ing the smaller Mesa cabs recently...

First Mesa cabs, in general, seem to have more clarity than the Ampeg Classics that I've compared them to. In this sense, by clarity, I mean that they sound less distorted.

The Powerhouse 1x15, I did not find particularly efficient, and after trying out an individual one and a pair for a while, just decided that I didn't like them very much.

I'll say one thing about that 1x15 though... The more you push it, the more it pumps... at least at the levels I was able to try it out at.

The Powerhouse 4x10, otoh, is a nice cab. I thought it was actually pretty efficient - next to my Eden D212XLT, I think it was actually a little loulder at the same amp level. And in a way it was deeper sounding than the Mesa 1x15.

It also has a clearer, more articulate top-end as one might expect from 10" drivers.

I play in a hard-rock trio... our stuff approaches metal in places, but really isn't, you can look at my profile to see what I'm running with right now.

As an aside... I did do an A/B of the Ampeg classic 8x10, 6x10hlf and 4x10hlf, and the ported cabs, the second two are definitely more boomy/pronounced in the low-end. The 8x10 doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid... maybe when pushed hard it gets good... don't really know, and I'm not willing to haul one around.

For myself, I have an Aguilar GS212 4-ohm on order from music123.com (will be here this Wednesday), so that I can try it out against my Eden 2x12 and Ampeg 2x10. If it works out, I think I want to get a pair of them.
 
#7
Ok.

Yeah, for whatever reasons, mainly personal opinions i've recieved from people i rely on at gigs etc, the ampeg is overpriced for what it is.

So i already had ampeg kinda ruled out..

And the mesa, i do like, nice amps. Also had the plus of higher resale value compared to the ampeg.

The bergantino, as much as it is an unknown really looks like it would be the right choice as a price point, and also because it is something a little different. I value the opinions on here, and thats why i have placed so much emphasis on what has been said. I havent got my tone yet, i just havent got anything i've been set on. So going for a high quality cab (bergantino) with the head should provide me a good stepping stone to get a clearer idea and sculpt my tone. The guy who i am buying the cab off seems pretty cool anyway, offering two weeks to try the cab with the possibility of a refund.

Have you tried the bergantino's at all detractus?

Also, whats the deal with all these cabinets with the different speaker configurations. I have noticed the berg ip's, the schroeders have like 2 10's and 1 12 in the box. Thats crazy, never seen anything like it in the music shops around here. I am guessing they would be a little more "hi-fi".
 
#8
I don't have access to the Bergantino stuff to try. That NV610 gets a lot of raves on this board... I know they're relatively compact for a 6x10, but still don't really have a good mode of transportation for something that size.

I'd love to try one out just to hear, but at the end of the day, I think I really would prefer two smaller cabs to move around, rather than one big one.

Also allows me to set up a 2-ohm load for my Mesa head, where it is supposed to be most efficient.

Yeah... as far as heads go, at least, I don't think I'll ever go back to Ampeg. Not after the experience I've had with this Mesa Boogie head. Ampeg cabs, I'm just kind of indifferent about at this point. Has nothing to do with price.

So... I'm sorta doing the same thing w/ Aggie 2x12 as you are w/ the Berg NV610... ordering one on research and instinct - hoping it will work out.

Don't know what to say about the mixed driver cabs. It has to make design/tuning a lot more challenging for the speaker builder. I tried out a Schroeder at the local bass store here, and was underwhelmed by it. They get raves here too... but just not for me.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back