• 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.

Cabinet/Amp Head Help - Ampeg/MarkBass

W

waveboy1234

Mar 8, 2022
11
12
Toronto, ON
#1
Hello Bass Buddies - be gentle on me. Still figuring out this watt & ohm lingo.

Short and sweet: rehearsal studio going out of business.
looking at getting some of the used gear.
Ampeg SVT-3 Pro ($400-$500) 450w 4ohm - 275w 8ohm
Long & McQuade SVT3PRO 450Watt Bass Head
Pretty much sold on it. Was trying to see if they had MarkBass heads - no luck. Can you sway me away?

Cab decision:[This invalid link has been removed] (something similar, different vintage)
1x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm ($500)
or
2x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm each (equaling 4ohm load on the amp head) ($1,000 for both)

Also have an option of a Ampeg 8x10e 4 ohm ($500) - which is the goal of getting the 2x 4x10

Music style: currently, covers of punk, rock, emo (paramore, avril lavinge, blink-182, green day, hole, lit, evanescence, fall out boy, etc.)
Playing a 5-string Fender Marcus Miller Jazz (not sire, even though I'm looking at those too).
I'm swaying more towards the 2x 4x10 so there is some flexibility of the venue size. Not a fan that a 1x 4x10 and it would only be 275w at 8 ohm - Will I even notice the dB difference with the lower wattage?
Or go balls to the wall and get the Ampeg 8x10 4ohm

Thoughts on this decision? Any other feedback? Thanks in advance.

Edit: equipment is because rehearsal studio is liquidating and closing down. Don't have much choice on equipment.
 
#3
The 104hr THUMPS! I had one 8ohm can and it did me well in my rock bands (Utah scene). If you just get 1, I would recommend some type of stand to bring the speakers closer to ear level. A stand like a 2nd 104hr :smug:

However the 810 cab would draw full power from your head, at the cost of mobility.
Reminder that the 104hr is not super light or small either, but potentially more mobile than 1 810 cab.

Congrats on finding some great deals local to you!!
 
#4
MrKpawz said:
The 104hr THUMPS! I had one 8ohm can and it did me well in my rock bands (Utah scene). If you just get 1, I would recommend some type of stand to bring the speakers closer to ear level. A stand like a 2nd 104hr :smug:

However the 810 cab would draw full power from your head, at the cost of mobility.
Reminder that the 104hr is not super light or small either, but potentially more mobile than 1 810 cab.

Congrats on finding some great deals local to you!!
Click to expand...

I am definitely leaning towards the 2x 4x10. I have a 4-castored flat dolly that I can stack both on top of and roll around. Just regretting the dead lifting of 50lbs each (MarkBass) into my vehicle and out.
Technically, I always rent a 8x10 if I really wanted the power for a show.

Also thinking of the craziest option...getting all of it. a 8x10, 2x 4x10 and the head. :dead:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrKpawz, TN WOODMAN and johnnynitro
#7
If the 410s are only 50lbs, that's not too difficult to lift into the back of a vehicle. Most 410s weigh a bunch more than that. I have found an 810 very easy to get about, but every 410 I've owned has been a pain. I still own an 810.

275 watts into a 410 is a lot of volume, though the right 40 watts into an 810 is also freaking loud.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ThePez
#9
waveboy1234 said:
Can you sway me away?
Click to expand...

Anything used at a rehearsal studio is likely to have been thrashed within an inch of it's life by some of the users, and been used heavily in general most likely 5+ hours a day everyday for it's entire life.



Edit: Regarding the SVT3pro specifically, the one I liked using at the rehearsal space I use died while I was using it starting to cut out in use, and they said it had done the same thing 12 months before and been repaired. 3 months later now and i guess they aren't repairing it again.
 
Last edited:
#10
coy garcia said:
Ampeg 8x10e 4 ohm and Ampeg SVT-3 Pro. Why mismatch if there is no real benefit. Bass players will want to talk to you about your rig after the gig when your hauling it out and their drunk....lol. :D
Click to expand...

I hate mismatching gear, but not sure the locations we would play at are able to accommodate the fridge in the corner of the bar. I think for the price it's a steal, but still figuring out the used market pricing on gear.

Update: They may have an 1-2x Ampeg 4x10. Thoughts on that single/pair?
 
  • Like
Reactions: coy garcia
#12
waveboy1234 said:
I hate mismatching gear, but not sure the locations we would play at are able to accommodate the fridge in the corner of the bar. I think for the price it's a steal, but still figuring out the used market pricing on gear.

Update: They may have an 1-2x Ampeg 4x10. Thoughts on that single/pair?
Click to expand...
I Like it! The footprint of my larger gear was about the same just taller when speakers are stacked. I use smaller gear nowdays because it's easier to haul.
 
#13
waveboy1234 said:
Hello Bass Buddies - be gentle on me. Still figuring out this watt & ohm lingo.

Short and sweet: rehearsal studio going out of business.
looking at getting some of the used gear.
Ampeg SVT-3 Pro ($400-$500) 450w 4ohm - 275w 8ohm
Long & McQuade SVT3PRO 450Watt Bass Head
Pretty much sold on it. Was trying to see if they had MarkBass heads - no luck. Can you sway me away?

Cab decision:[This invalid link has been removed] (something similar, different vintage)
1x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm ($500)
or
2x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm each (equaling 4ohm load on the amp head) ($1,000 for both)

Also have an option of a Ampeg 8x10e 4 ohm ($500) - which is the goal of getting the 2x 4x10

Music style: currently, covers of punk, rock, emo (paramore, avril lavinge, blink-182, green day, hole, lit, evanescence, fall out boy, etc.)
Playing a 5-string Fender Marcus Miller Jazz (not sire, even though I'm looking at those too).
I'm swaying more towards the 2x 4x10 so there is some flexibility of the venue size. Not a fan that a 1x 4x10 and it would only be 275w at 8 ohm - Will I even notice the dB difference with the lower wattage?
Or go balls to the wall and get the Ampeg 8x10 4ohm

Thoughts on this decision? Any other feedback? Thanks in advance.

Edit: equipment is because rehearsal studio is liquidating and closing down. Don't have much choice on equipment.
Click to expand...
Ampeg would be a great choice for your style of music. That particular amp though, I'd stay away from. Trust me
20210416_180124.jpg


Although it sounds the best out of any of their mosfet amps, this is how it will look most of the time.
20210611_182849.jpg


It has a bias drift problem. They all do. It's not a "case by case" scenario. It's a design flaw.

Go for a 4pro, 7pro, pf800, v4b, or even a Micro vr.
(The micro sounds amazing, by the way. Just might not be enough amp for you).
Or...go for another brand.

Cab, cab's great. Go for it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: S-Bigbottom, five7, coy garcia and 2 others
#14
IMHE there is a massive tonal difference between an ampeg stack and a Markbass one.
Where the ampeg gives you more of a warm texture and a bit of a wooly feel,
the Markbass is very dry and super direct.

The 810 cabinet is actually quite easy to transport, provided you have a car that is big enough.
You'll roll it most of the way and when you get it into the car, you just tilt it over and slide it in.

A 410 cabinet is the nastiest bass cabinet to lug around IMHO. It's so big that when you reach around it, there is no back friendly way to lift it and to set it down (well, setting down can be done back friendly, but that's not cab friendly ;) )
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowendrv, ThePez, coy garcia and 1 other person
#15
waveboy1234 said:
Hello Bass Buddies - be gentle on me. Still figuring out this watt & ohm lingo.

Short and sweet: rehearsal studio going out of business.
looking at getting some of the used gear.
Ampeg SVT-3 Pro ($400-$500) 450w 4ohm - 275w 8ohm
Long & McQuade SVT3PRO 450Watt Bass Head
Pretty much sold on it. Was trying to see if they had MarkBass heads - no luck. Can you sway me away?

Cab decision:[This invalid link has been removed] (something similar, different vintage)
1x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm ($500)
or
2x MarkBass 4x10 8ohm each (equaling 4ohm load on the amp head) ($1,000 for both)

Also have an option of a Ampeg 8x10e 4 ohm ($500) - which is the goal of getting the 2x 4x10

Music style: currently, covers of punk, rock, emo (paramore, avril lavinge, blink-182, green day, hole, lit, evanescence, fall out boy, etc.)
Playing a 5-string Fender Marcus Miller Jazz (not sire, even though I'm looking at those too).
I'm swaying more towards the 2x 4x10 so there is some flexibility of the venue size. Not a fan that a 1x 4x10 and it would only be 275w at 8 ohm - Will I even notice the dB difference with the lower wattage?
Or go balls to the wall and get the Ampeg 8x10 4ohm

Thoughts on this decision? Any other feedback? Thanks in advance.

Edit: equipment is because rehearsal studio is liquidating and closing down. Don't have much choice on equipment.
Click to expand...
I will not "sway you away" good Sir. For the style of music you are playing a Ampeg head would be perfect. It has lots of tube goodness and a real, lead-sled power amp which will hit hard. As for cabinets you could do worse than the Markbass stuff. It would be my preference to find Ampeg cabs so they match but nothing wrong with MB (aside from the yellow speaker cones). If you were to run across a SVT410HLF cab they are killer.
 
#16
:thumbsdown:
JeezyMcNuggles said:
Ampeg would be a great choice for your style of music. That particular amp though, I'd stay away from. Trust me
View attachment 4614583

Although it sounds the best out of any of their mosfet amps, this is how it will look most of the time.View attachment 4614582

It has a bias drift problem. They all do. It's not a "case by case" scenario..

Go for a 4pro, 7pro, pf800, v4b, or even a Micro vr.
(The micro sounds amazing, by the way. Just might not be enough amp for you).
Or...go for another brand.

Cab, cab's great. Go for it.
Click to expand...

Not that I expect everything to work out of the box and especially been through the rehearsal studio ringer, but this definitely does through a wrench into my decision :thumbsdown:
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeezyMcNuggles
#18
Worst case: I can always rent gear when required. I know the ROI might be skewed but still not sure if these bands are committed to gigging and if blowing 1,000’s on dollars is fully warranted.

At the current rehearsal studio we’re at, they have a Mesa boogie M6 head and a 4x10 1x15 cab. Speaking about both…

6B985F43-F365-41A9-9FDA-4FDA20565674.jpeg B1C73A6B-B60D-4A11-AA6B-518975409E02.jpeg
Any thoughts on these? I can try and negotiate pricing of course…
 
#20
waveboy1234 said:
Worst case: I can always rent gear when required. I know the ROI might be skewed but still not sure if these bands are committed to gigging and if blowing 1,000’s on dollars is fully warranted.

At the current rehearsal studio we’re at, they have a Mesa boogie M6 head and a 4x10 1x15 cab. Speaking about both…

View attachment 4614737 View attachment 4614740
Any thoughts on these? I can try and negotiate pricing of course…
Click to expand...
Both of those are great choices. For just about anything.

Me, I'd take a Prodigy over a carbine, but I love that cab.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back