Dumping an ampeg stack and going with avatar

[throw_this_away]

What exactly do the specs need to say for the cab to sound good?

Well for some people all the specs need to say is a brand name and a high price tag to sound good.

 

[The 0x]

You know people...... not everbody exactly LIKES Ampeg cabs.

 

[BassyBill]

What exactly do the specs need to say for the cab to sound good?

Good point. If manufacturers actually published a frequency plot measured under standard conditions it would help a lot for comparison purposes (you know, a sweep done from 20 Hz-20kHz with 1W at 1m, also maybe the same thing done at 30, 60 and 90 degrees off axis).

 

[cheezewiz]

I know, that's why it is hard for me to justify this. But like others have said, looking at the specs it doesn't seem like it. I found a used avatar from a fellow tb'er. I may buy it and see how it sounds. If i like it may order another cab.

Specs are BS. It is all in the actual sound.

 

[Masher88]

Boy, I guess I'm the only person who really was disappointed in the Avatar cabs. I bought a 2x10 Delta and a 4x10 Delta Avatar (both 4 ohm) to take off some of the strain of lifting an Ampeg 8x10. I used that setup 2 times at gigs and now it sits in the garage. It was very weak sounding with no bottom end. They also have a very low sensitivity which made them not use all the power I have availabe. At the time I had a Mesa 400+ as amplification (it can handle the 2 ohm load of the 2 Avatars together). I replaced the Avatars with a Schroeder 310212. What a difference!!!! I'm not trying to bash the Avatars because they are a very good "bang for the buck". They are constructed very well. They are great entry level cabs. But getting rid of your Ampegs? That's crazy talk! Just my opinion, though.

 

[The 0x]

Boy, I guess I'm the only person who really was disappointed in the Avatar cabs. I bought a 2x10 Delta and a 4x10 Delta Avatar (both 4 ohm) to take off some of the strain of lifting an Ampeg 8x10. I used that setup 2 times at gigs and now it sits in the garage. It was very weak sounding with no bottom end. They also have a very low sensitivity which made them not use all the power I have availabe. At the time I had a Mesa 400+ as amplification (it can handle the 2 ohm load of the 2 Avatars together). I replaced the Avatars with a Schroeder 310212. What a difference!!!! I'm not trying to bash the Avatars because they are a very good "bang for the buck". They are constructed very well. They are great entry level cabs. But getting rid of your Ampegs? That's crazy talk! Just my opinion, though.

I wasn't impressed with the 10" Delta avatars either.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

you might want to check out the new PS series from Epifani, they're not super light, but they're definately not as heavy as ampeg stuff, plus they're not crazy expensive like the UL series.

 

[JordanDrinksTea]

Avatar and Ampeg are both fine brands.

Avatar may not provide a tone you want or it may provide a tone you love.

personally i would go for the avatars (neo) I'm pretty sure i'd give up my ampegs so i don't get 3346347 years of back problems.


But like many said before, try before you buy sir.

 

[jpark]

you might want to check out the new PS series from Epifani, they're not super light, but they're definately not as heavy as ampeg stuff, plus they're not crazy expensive like the UL series.

I checked their website and didn't see anything on them. You have anymore info on them?

 

[teedub]

personally i would go for the avatars (neo) I'm pretty sure i'd give up my ampegs so i don't get 3346347 years of back problems.

Exactly the reason I began searching for replacements. The BXT cabs were already a step down in weight from the PR410HLF I had before, but they're still a little heavy. The Avatars provide nice tone, at a nice price, and I can carry the 2x10 in one hand. The 2x12, I probably could to, but it would be a little awkward.

I know we beat the phrase to death, but "try before you buy" is one of the most useful pieces of advice ever given on this forum.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

I checked their website and didn't see anything on them. You have anymore info on them?

Yea there's a thread on here that's about them if you search for PS410. Also, they're on the Bass Emporium website.

 

[Crescent Seven]

Boy, I guess I'm the only person who really was disappointed in the Avatar cabs...I replaced the Avatars with a Schroeder 310212. What a difference!!!!

Imagine that.
I can imagine that if I traded my Pathfinder in on a Lotus, I'd have the same feeling.
C7

 

[jeff_bass28]

I hate to disagree with the Bassman, but I just finished doing what you are thinking of doing, and I regret NOTHING. Other than the fact that I can't seem to move my old cabs......(see my sig).

I've lightened up my entire rig, and I couldn't be happier. The tone is still awesome, and I can lift everything in 2 trips or less rather than 4. I take the 2x10 to rehearsals and super small gigs, the 2x12 to smallish gigs, and both whenever possible. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with that setup. A 4x10 would SMOKE, but the 2x10+2x12 is all I'd ever need now.

Avatar cabs are FAR from "econo cabs". Inexpensive doesn't necessarily mean "cheap". BUT, if you can, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. What's great for me, may not work for you.

I was hoping YOU would see this thread!

 

[teedub]

I was hoping YOU would see this thread!

LOL! You bet! I couldn't wait to see who was going to put this all together and bust me! LOL! You are Columbo.

And FTR, I CAN carry the 212 with one hand. These cabs are perfect for me. Barely break a sweat moving my gear around now.

 

[jeff_bass28]

LOL! You bet! I couldn't wait to see who was going to put this all together and bust me! LOL! You are Columbo.

And FTR, I CAN carry the 212 with one hand. These cabs are perfect for me. Barely break a sweat moving my gear around now.

Bond...James Bond.
Or I just have no life and nothing better to do...hmm...

 

[shirojiro]

I bought an older Avatar 4x10 to supplement an SWR Goliath II that I was running with an Ampeg SVT400T.

I wanted to do the 8x10 thing at that time.

Side by side, I prefer the tone of the Avatar. Now that I am no longer trying to be Derek Smalls, I sold the SWR and kept the Avatar.

It has a nice, balanced tone, and it reproduces mids nicely, to my ears.

 

[otis_thick]

DO IT!

The other similar cabinets may sound slightly different given the same wattage and EQ settings BUT that's what your EQ IS for and you should not need much. And once you find your sound, you can pound it out LOUDER! And yes, at the end of the night carry it with one hand! If you do some research, you will find there are only so many ways to build a cabinet using standard THIEL perameters and a given driver. If the same driver is used in two similar size/style cabinets ie an Eminence 10" NEO is used in 2x10 box A and 2x10 box B, In theory, the same THEIL perameters apply to box A and box B
You should want a cabinet that sound good and will hold up under YOUR useage!



Link Removed

 

[teedub]

Blast from the past! I STILL have my Avatar cabs (actually the same entire rig), and I couldn't be happier. Modular, easy to move and tone for miles. I think this is likely the longest I've even maintained the EXACT rig. Impressive indeed, especially for a GASing gear whore such as myself.

 

[matt_m]

I also use (neo b210, and a b212) and have found both to be very reliable, and sound great. Both cabs have seen well over 100 gigs and they only maintenance I have ever had to do was clean they potentiometer for the tweeter in the 212. I have had both ampeg and epifani and i keep going back to my avatar stuff.

 

[molenam]

only Ampeg I owned was a B25 and that sucked to high heaven.... Never even THOUGHT of using an Ampeg after that.... just my 2 cents here
Basses:
Fender Precision 84-86, Fender Precision 2007, Squire Fretless Jazz, Eppie Ripper mega-modified, BC Rich Special NG Series circa 1984?, Eppie Goth, Fender Jaguar Bass