I have a Fender bassman 800 and a Aguilar Tone Hammer 500. I am looking for a lightweight (under 60lbs) cab. I am somewhat new to playing bass, switching from guitar. I want to jam with some guys and possibly play out a little and I am into classic rock. I want something that looks good under my Fender bassman 800 head. I ordered a Fender Rumble 410 but now I am second guessing myself. Maybe the bassman neo 410 would be better. I was looking at the Ampeg Venture 2x12 or 4x10 or maybe a Aguilar 4x10 but I would have to put it on its side so my Bassman would not hang over the edges. I would spend 1400 on a cabinet. Any suggestions what may sound better for classic rock?
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Cabinet recommendations
- Thread starter TGguitars
- Start date
If I had a. Aguilar Tonehammer 500 I'd get an SL212. It's the perfect mate for the Tonehammer 500.
+1 to the above. I'd be more inclined to work with the Tone Hammer and Aggie stuff for a gig rig. Another cab that would work would be a Genzler Nu Classic 212t. You would have more than enough with that.
I don't know anything about Fender amps or cabs.
I don't know anything about Fender amps or cabs.
As an abnormally thin man, I'd take the 212 because even lightweight 410 cabinets are too wide and I've injured myself picking them up. I'm also abnormally tall and would appreciate the added height of a 212 setup.
I would recommend the Barefaced Four 10, very lightweight (49lbs)
@klokker @SJan3 a 212 is not large enough for the bassman 800 - except the new Barefaced Super 24, same dimension as the 410
- Left: the Aguilar SL212 is perfect for the TH500 head, but not large enough for the Fender Bassman 800 head
- Right: the Barefaced Four 10 and the new Super 24 have exactly the same dimensions (designed for large heads like the bassman 800)
@klokker @SJan3 a 212 is not large enough for the bassman 800 - except the new Barefaced Super 24, same dimension as the 410
- Left: the Aguilar SL212 is perfect for the TH500 head, but not large enough for the Fender Bassman 800 head
- Right: the Barefaced Four 10 and the new Super 24 have exactly the same dimensions (designed for large heads like the bassman 800)
Understood. I was implying that I'd rather build my rig around the Aguilar amp. The OP already has the Tonehammer 500. And as someone here stated, a 4x10" isn't the most friendly to carry. The SL212 is perfect for the Tonehammer. If he really wants to feature the Fender head then the cabinets you suggested would be good choices.
Also, I don't know the price of the Barefaced cabinet but the Aguilar SL212 can be had new for just under the OP's price limit.
Don't get too far ahead of yourself. Give the Rumble 410 a workout first. You may love it!!!
The Bassman 4x10 Neo seems a excellent choice; The Rumble may be nice Cab and good value but the Bassman Cab is noticeable step up and less "Baked in"
sound and will sound fine with Tonehammer
As another poster mentioned you may want to try Rumble; You must have some reason for ordering it
Barefaced 4x10 is also good choice but a little more difficult purchase being in UK, having a Que to be built and return restrictions but is designed for Old School Classic Sound similar to Rumble but far better implemented and overall Quality
sound and will sound fine with Tonehammer
As another poster mentioned you may want to try Rumble; You must have some reason for ordering it
Barefaced 4x10 is also good choice but a little more difficult purchase being in UK, having a Que to be built and return restrictions but is designed for Old School Classic Sound similar to Rumble but far better implemented and overall Quality
Hartke HL410 is also a very good choice. However only available at 8 ohms. But among the lightest cabs I have ever on owned and sounds absolutely fantastic. Same weight as the Aguilar 212!
The Fender neo should be at least as good. I have owned the 810 version.
I currently also own the rumble, but the v2 version. Way too heavy but sounds great. I use it at my rehearsal space so I don't move it.
The Fender neo should be at least as good. I have owned the 810 version.
I currently also own the rumble, but the v2 version. Way too heavy but sounds great. I use it at my rehearsal space so I don't move it.
If you want a cab that is hard to beat in terms of weight and output, the Barefaced Super Compact with a cloth grille might work for you.
Cloth grille because it's not only lighter, but also matches both the Tonehammer and the Fender head in terms of looks, with the black sidewalls and the silver face. You can orient it in portrait or landscape. In landscape it's just large enough for the Fender (both are 22").
It's a single 12" cab that, and I tested that myself because I could not believe the claims on the website, easily takes on a good 212 cabinet from other brands in terms of volume and bass.
Cloth grille because it's not only lighter, but also matches both the Tonehammer and the Fender head in terms of looks, with the black sidewalls and the silver face. You can orient it in portrait or landscape. In landscape it's just large enough for the Fender (both are 22").
It's a single 12" cab that, and I tested that myself because I could not believe the claims on the website, easily takes on a good 212 cabinet from other brands in terms of volume and bass.
There's a Mesa Subway 410 in the classifieds. Only 55 lbs 
Do you have other options available if you ever need a smaller, lighter cab? A 410 is a lot if it's your only cabinet and thus your only practice/reheasal/gigging option.
Personally I like the flexibility of a pair of 210s or a pair of 112s. You get the option of using 1 smaller cabinet when you need it for a rehearsal or a coffeeshop gig and a larger stack when you need it. You get easier load in load out (more trips maybe, but lighter cabs). And, you still get the deeper bass, power handling and added floor coupling you get with a larger cabinet. You also get a little more height which is nice especially on small stages.
If you went with a staggered 210 (as opposed to in-line) you would have something wide enough for the bassman head. And with two of them It'd be taller than a 410. Even 2 x 112s is taller than a 410.
I use an Ampeg portaflex PF210 x1 or 2, or a Bergantino 112 x1 or 2
I'm not saying either of these are the best or the way for you to go, but they work for me, and personally I'd rather have either of these rigs than a 410 or 212, for the flexibility they give. The ampeg 210s make fore a real good-looking stack and exactly match a 19"rack mount head in a rack case.
Personally I like the flexibility of a pair of 210s or a pair of 112s. You get the option of using 1 smaller cabinet when you need it for a rehearsal or a coffeeshop gig and a larger stack when you need it. You get easier load in load out (more trips maybe, but lighter cabs). And, you still get the deeper bass, power handling and added floor coupling you get with a larger cabinet. You also get a little more height which is nice especially on small stages.
If you went with a staggered 210 (as opposed to in-line) you would have something wide enough for the bassman head. And with two of them It'd be taller than a 410. Even 2 x 112s is taller than a 410.
I use an Ampeg portaflex PF210 x1 or 2, or a Bergantino 112 x1 or 2
I'm not saying either of these are the best or the way for you to go, but they work for me, and personally I'd rather have either of these rigs than a 410 or 212, for the flexibility they give. The ampeg 210s make fore a real good-looking stack and exactly match a 19"rack mount head in a rack case.
- Mar 27, 2016
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- I am not the famous Steven Harris, I just happen to share the name with a famous bass player! Can provide ID if necessary
I have the the fender neo 4x10 and can highly recommend it. Very clear and loud
Would be happy for you to try/buy but alas in the UK
Would be happy for you to try/buy but alas in the UK
I was going to sell my other cabs because they are too heavy. I'm not against a 210 but I want it wide enough to put the fender bassman on. If I have to put the cab sideways it would be fine. It would also have to handle the power of the bassman 800, 500 watts at 8 ohms and 800 at 4 ohms. The tone hammer 500 is 500/250. It almost looks like I would need 2 12s for the watts. The Ampeg Venture looks good and I am not sure about the Markbass cabs. What do you think?
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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It's easy to like, and hard to argue with a post with a scale diagram!
IMO this is the kind of concise, helpful answer people came to forums like this for.
