Closest Modern Cab to Flatback SVT?

[baddarryl]

Hi all. I played through my friends 69 Flatback today and was in sonic bliss with his Eden WT 550 driving it. I am looking for a cab for my newly acquired Walkabout head. I played it today at home and have no doubt it would sound unreal with that cab. Thing is like everyone I don’t want to lug an 8X10 so I have been looking at alternatives and reading a lot. What modern cabs have that same sound and punch? I think I have narrowed it to three, but am certainly open to suggestions? Thanks.

Edit: I am really leaning towards the Mesa.

 

[bobyoung53]

You should really suck it up and buy an SVT and a flatback. Those old flatbacks are only rated at 240 watts RMS.

 

[JimmyM]

You should really suck it up and buy an SVT and a flatback. Those old flatbacks are only rated at 240 watts RMS.

I used to say that till I bought a Heritage 810e. Don't get me wrong...the CTS loaded flatback is the standard, but the Heritage actually matches up to it tonally.

 

[bobyoung53]

I used to say that till I bought a Heritage 810e. Don't get me wrong...the CTS loaded flatback is the standard, but the Heritage actually matches up to it tonally.

If I didn't have the two I have now that is most likely the way i would go and if I ever have to go on the road which is extremely unlikely at my advanced age I'd definitely get one.

 

[JimmyM]

Anyway, to answer your question, the 810 is just something that's so crazy good that a lot of people accept no substitutes...but it is a tote. A 610 can be a pretty nice substitute that sounds big as well, but a lot of the reason that people love the 810 is because it's big, and bigger is always better for bass. Now it's extremely possible to have a great sounding rig with a smaller cab than an 810, but I've yet to play one I liked as much as the big one. And yet I rarely gig my SVT and 810 anymore and often use quite a small cab

 

[Heady]

Anyway, to answer your question, the 810 is just something that's so crazy good that a lot of people accept no substitutes...but it is a tote. A 610 can be a pretty nice substitute that sounds big as well, but a lot of the reason that people love the 810 is because it's big, and bigger is always better for bass. Now it's extremely possible to have a great sounding rig with a smaller cab than an 810, but I've yet to play one I liked as much as the big one. And yet I rarely gig my SVT and 810 anymore and often use quite a small cab

What are you using instead of the 810 that satisfies your needs?

 

[Alexander]

+1 to the Heritage 810 - I don’t know how it compares to the old flat back, but it is the best sounding cab I’ve ever played.

 

[Mark Reccord]

The tweeterless version of the NV610 sounds very close to the the flatback 810s (like barely distinguishable if at all in the AB test I did with them) and is a lot smaller, lighter and easier to manage. Good luck finding one, though.

But the Heritage 810 is definitely true to the sound of the old ones as well and much easier to find than an NV610. Really, though, any of the non dark era 810s will do the trick. I think the dark era cabinets were produced from around 2000-2006, is that right @JimmyM?

 

[JimmyM]

The tweeterless version of the NV610 sounds very close to the the flatback 810s (like barely distinguishable if at all in the AB test I did with them) and is a lot smaller, lighter and easier to manage. Good luck finding one, though.

But the Heritage 810 is definitely true to the sound of the old ones as well and much easier to find than an NV610. Really, though, any of the non dark era 810s will do the trick. I think the dark era cabinets were produced from around 2000-2006, is that right @JimmyM?

Right!

 

[anderbass]

I own a early-70's Flatback w/orig speakers, Berg 610 and an AudioKinesis Hathor 1544 cabs.

I've never played a Walkabout, but I've gigged these 3 cabs for the last 6 to 15 years alternating between my Mesa 400+, Mesa D-180, 72 Ampeg blueline SVT, SVT-II, vintage V4 & Orange terror bass 500 amps.

My Berg 610 has a very similar sound and feel to my flatback, It's very punchy although it has a bit tighter responce that I prefer. I go through different phases but tend to prefer my Berg over my flatback more often, even at my home studio where my bands rehearse and I don't have to haul a cab.

But surprisingly, my little 35lb. AudioKinesis cab ends up getting the most use of all 3 of these cabs; both at my home studio and at gigs. My Hathor gives a very similar vibe, its very punchy and accentuates the low-mids in the same ballpark as my flatback & Berg 610. My older Hathor 1544 model has been discontinued, but there's serveral newer Hathor models that are reported to be even better; and should be on your list of cabs to consider.

 

[JimmyM]

What are you using instead of the 810 that satisfies your needs?

Usually a 210av, sometimes 2. I also have a PF112HLF that's cool. None are quite the same as the 810, but a lot of my gigs won't fit an 810 on the stage.

 

[nilorius]

Why do you think that flatback svt is the most modern cab at this time ???

 

[JimmyM]

Why do you think that flatback svt is the most modern cab at this time ???

He said he wanted a modern cab that sounds like the Flatback. Doesn't sound to me like he was calling it a modern cab.

 

[nilorius]

Hi all. I played through my friends 69 Flatback today and was in sonic bliss with his Eden WT 550 driving it. I am looking for a cab for my newly acquired Walkabout head. I played it today at home and have no doubt it would sound unreal with that cab. Thing is like everyone I don’t want to lug an 8X10 so I have been looking at alternatives and reading a lot. What modern cabs have that same sound and punch? I think I have narrowed it to three, but am certainly open to suggestions? Thanks.

Edit: I am really leaning towards the Mesa.

Well if you look for some modern difference, maybe try some 12" from Hartke or Aguilar.

 

[baddarryl]

Really guys what I am looking for is some with a smaller foot print and weight that comes close to that tone. Doesn’t necessarily have to be modern.

 

[Killing Floor]

If you want to keep the beer cold and the rocks hot you're gonna need a refrigerator. Just saying.
There's really nothing that sounds and feels like an Ampeg wall except Ampeg.
For everything else, I'd say Mesa has it covered. But if you want Ampeg there's not a body double, just get one of those compression back braces and go to work.

 

[Heady]

If you want to keep the beer cold and the rocks hot you're gonna need a refrigerator. Just saying.
There's really nothing that sounds and feels like an Ampeg wall except Ampeg.
For everything else, I'd say Mesa has it covered. But if you want Ampeg there's not a body double, just get one of those compression back braces and go to work.

+1 for this

 

[toddbooster]

I like the 210 av a lot. I have two of them as well. They sound great, they're light, and cheap. They're, apartment sized!

 

[H Nighttrain]

Wasn't the Berg NV610 ("new vintage") designed to emulate the frig?

I had an 810 frig for a couple months only, moving it around was too much of a chore. My big rig of choice now is a WT550/NV610, had these both for quite a while now. The Berg is actually pretty easy to move around... as long as stairs are not involved.

 

[BogeyBass]

It's really a speaker thing

In the room with you.
8 drivers at the same time is a different sound.
Either cheap or decent speakers.
All 8 sealed and pumping away.
It's going to have a nice feel to it.
8 drivers at once is unique at any volume


Anyways, any sealed Ampeg cabinet really. Like a 810E or 410HE