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Double Bass Epifani Ul310 vs 410

Robin Ruscio

Robin Ruscio

Supporting Member
Dec 15, 2003
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Denver, CO, USA
robinruscio.com
#1
I got into an Epifani Ul410 a year and half ago primarily for my electric rig and hemmed and hawed between the 310 and 410 because I was concerned that the 410 would create low end feedback/ bomminess on the occasional gig where I doubled on URB, but I went with the 410 to get the max sound for my electric. And now I think I might have been right about URB feedback and find myself never short on bottom end or volume with electric and that I should have gone with the 310.

Anyone A/B'd these cabs with URB (maybe electric as well)? My local dealer just went under and I couldn't verify my theory without purchasing.

Also, are the newer versions of the UL's (with series 2 speakers) significantly better sounding?

Perhaps i could propose an across the board swap with someone wanting to go the other way.
 
#2
I use (and love) my UL310 with series I drivers. I've played through a UL410 before but never with upright. But I can say that
I dig the UL310 for upright. I did a lot of high volume outdoor gigs with it this past summer and had great results. Low end was just right. Feedback free. There are certainly cabs out there that are less boomy but the UL310 is very manageable- and it will give you a pleasant "bloom" with electric if you push the EQ a bit.
That said, the right preamp or head is essential to make this work. Lots of bass pres/heads are just not upright friendly and this fact will be very audible through the Epifani 310.

I've also heard/read a few opinions in posts on this site that you should not take my word for, but investigate more:

1. Some people who have a/b-ed the series I drivers with the series II say that the series one have a more open sounding upper midrange. The series II reportedly have more of a hump in the low mids- more typical of speakers designed for electric bass (think: Ampeg, Eden)
2. A few people have said that between the UL 210, 310 and 410 that the 310 is the best balanced and flatest response of the bunch.

Last personal anecdote is that I can carry the UL310 in one hand, up flights of stairs, etc. While the 410 is also incredibly light for what it is, I think it's just a tad too heavy for me to do this with.
 
#3
That's interesting what you said about the voicing being better for the 310. Now that I think about it more, I think I find the 410 a little pillowy even for my electric. And from your description of the Series 2, i don't think that's what I'm looking for.

I'm usually using my Epifani 502 with this rig, although I have used my Clarus head for just URB- on loud latin jazz gigs for instance.
 

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