Eden Still Got It!

[jjk2007]

I picked up an Eden WT550 a few years back and it has mostly sat around in the gear closet as a back up. Over time it developed some issues that ended up needing some professional attention so I took it in to get it serviced a couple of months ago. One of our local hop up shops here in Austin took care of it and has it sounding like it’s brand new! I got it back yesterday and took it on an outdoor gig today.

While waiting for the amp I ended up picking up a D210XLT for a steal of a price a few weeks ago. It’s in really great shape considering it’s age etc. I have a couple of venues that the sound guys ask for a smaller bass cab (I know…I know) so this is my answer.

I took the full Eden rig today and played the outdoor gig with no PA support. I haven’t done something like that in a couple years and didn’t know that’s how the gig would be going down until I got there. I gotta admit…I was very impressed. So were the band mates. I was close to pushing the cab to the limits but it sounded great. Lots of warm but punchy bass goodness going on. I know Eden is all but dead, it’s heavy, it’s no longer flavor of the month and all that but man it sure has stood the test of time IMO. If I were crazy enough I could easily pick up (if I could find one) a D210XST and make this rig my weekly player. Anyhow, just wanted to show the ole Eden stuff some love! Share what Eden stuff you’re still rockin!

 

[bigtone23]

A good amp is a good amp. There is something to be said for a solid design that not only lasts and lasts, but can be repaired when needed.
I have a 1995 WT500 Highwayman that got some tweaks in the late 90s to make it a little more punchy and tight. As if it needed that, haha.
It sounds great and has never let me down. I will not get rid of it. It's racked up with my 400RB III as my 'old but not in the way' control center. Those amps cover some ground! This is the same rack I have used since the early 90s (when it housed the same power strip and Korg tuner but with an ADA MB1, DOD 31 band EQ and Carvin F600 power amp).

 

[DavidEdenAria]

The Eden Metro 2x10 combos are great but brutal heavy and hard to move.

I pulled the chassis and made a headbox, its a great head and the 2x10 is much easier to move plus you have a little space where the head was to store things if need be.

Mines a Minnesota version, very well built and sounds outstanding thru a variety of cabs, the enhance and semi parametric EQ rule for different basses as well...My no.1!

 

[Lo-E]

My WT-400 still sounds great and so do my D210XLT and an original D210T.

The cabinets hardly ever leave the house anymore but the 400 still gets some use. If a WT-550 cropped up locally at a good price I’d still grab it.

FWIW, Don Oatman once told me that the D210XLT is the tone he aims for when he designs his smaller LDS cabinets and I have an older 1x12 of his that supports that notion.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

A good amp is a good amp. There is something to be said for a solid design that not only lasts and lasts, but can be repaired when needed.
I have a 1995 WT500 Highwayman that got some tweaks in the late 90s to make it a little more punchy and tight. As if it needed that, haha.
It sounds great and has never let me down. I will not get rid of it. It's racked up with my 400RB III as my 'old but not in the way' control center. Those amps cover some ground! This is the same rack I have used since the early 90s (when it housed the same power strip and Korg tuner but with an ADA MB1, DOD 31 band EQ and Carvin F600 power amp).

I bought a 400RB III less than $100 but it has an issue so it sits....i should get it repaired but afraid it will cost more than its worth?

 

[Marko 1]

I was close to pushing the cab to the limits but it sounded great.

Alls ya need is to add one more.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

At closer look, those speakers look a bit different...

replaced maybe?

 

[jjk2007]

Alls ya need is to add one more.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Yeah...had I known the BL wasn't bringing the full PA I would have just brought my 4X10 cab. It worked out though and I was impressed with what I was able to pull off with the single 2X10. Looks like the one in the link you provided has aftermarket drivers...don't think I'd want to pull the trigger on that one.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Nothing sounds like an Eden.

 

[12bass]

...
I have a 1995 WT500 Highwayman that got some tweaks in the late 90s to make it a little more punchy and tight. As if it needed that, haha.

Are you authorized to share these secret tweaks? Curious minds want to know...

 

[bobyoung53]

I thought at least some of those Eden amps were unrepairable now? They sound great.

 

[Grinderman]

Eden XLT and XST cabs for sale, not roach'd out, have become almost rare. I keep my eyes out for good Eden cabs, primarily 210 and 410.

 

[Mark_70]

Not sure about the amp, but when I upgraded from Eden D210T (the Minnesota made series) to Bergantino CN112’s, I was surprised how much of an improvement it was. Much lighter and sounded much better. Granted - bit of a different price bracket. Made me realize the cabs have much more impact on sound than the amp.

regards
Mark

 

[jjk2007]

I thought at least some of those Eden amps were unrepairable now? They sound great.

Yeah, that’s what I thought too and I was worried once the tech dug into mine he was going to tell me that. But he pulled it off….sounds like it’s brand new.

 

[jjk2007]

Not sure about the amp, but when I upgraded from Eden D210T (the Minnesota made series) to Bergantino CN112’s, I was surprised how much of an improvement it was. Much lighter and sounded much better. Granted - bit of a different price bracket. Made me realize the cabs have much more impact on sound than the amp.

regards
Mark

Bergantino stuff is definitely top notch. Out of the 2X10 cabs Eden has made I would consider (just my opinion) the D210T to be the least desirable. For me the XLT and XST cabs are where it’s at when it comes to the ‘Eden sound’…

 

[Taustin Powers]

I miss my WT-550. After a good ten years of use, it developed a sporadic crackling noise to accompany the sound of my bass. Two different techs were not able to fix it, so I sold it.

If I could buy a brand new one again, I would. After trying a few things, I‘m playing through a Mesa Subway rig now. Very happy with that!

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I’ve got the little Traveller 350 that I bought in ‘94, and it suits me just fine. I don’t think I could get $350 for it, and it is mint. I’ve paid more for a pedal. I’d recommend it as a practice amp, I’d play it out. Stupid good value.

 

[57pbass]

I used the 550 for many years with my Bag End 15’s. That’s a great head.

 

[socialleper]

I miss Eden and SWR if for no other reason than for there to be a broader selection of amps out there. It feels like the selection of major brand bass amps and cabs is so much smaller than it used to be.

 

[Gizmot]

Bass amps are a rough business. Marshall owns the Eden brand but I don’t think they’re doing much. SWR was killed by Fender. Trace Elliot is owned by Peavey and have a smaller mix of products than they used to. What about TC Electronics? They were growing at the time of their acquisition by Behringer’s Music Group. Ampeg is owned by Yamaha and it looks like they’ve expanded their line. It will be interesting to see what happens as the market evolves.

 

[57pbass]

Wouldn’t it be great if Sadowsky did something like he did with the licensing deal with Warwick for his basses with his amp. Probably really complicated to find a builder with those high standards required to make those heads.