• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Experience With Eden

Kmonk

Kmonk

Oct 18, 2012
6,683
5,538
South Shore, Massachusetts
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
#1
I have been an Ampeg user for many years. I have also tried GK for a short time and tried Hartke for a couple of months. It seems that every time I hear a bassist that has the sound that I want, he is playing through an Eden head and cab. A couple of years ago, I looked into several used Eden WT 800 Heads. I found 3 online, all of which had issues and were out for repair. I also found four 410XST cabs, each of which had at least 1 blown driver. So a few weeks ago, I decide to revisit Eden. I order a used U.S. built head from GC and find a great deal on a 410XLT, even though I really wanted an XST, but for $300 I figured I couldn't lose on the XLT. I connect the head and cab and immediately get a loud pop and then static and a loud crackling noise. I figure it has to be the head and I return it. I have never had these issues with Ampeg and I'm wondering if anyone else has had quality issues with Eden.

Am I better off with an Ampeg SVT 6 Pro?
 
#2
Kmonk said:
I have never had these issues with Ampeg and I'm wondering if anyone else has had quality issues with Eden.
Click to expand...
I have never played Ampeg (except when it was provided as a back-line) so I can't comment on that, but I did use Eden gear for about 12 years.

410s, 210s, 115s WT800s, WP-100s...

I never had a problem with any cab or amp from Eden.

:bassist:
 
#3
I have never used any of Eden's heads, but I have been using a D410XST cab for a year. I've never had any issues, in fact, I was recommended to go
Eden because they were known for being robust. I'd say it's just a one-time occurrence. Definitely get the warranty from Guitar Center if they offer one, if you're worried about it.
 
#4
I've played an Eden WT-550 since 2004 and I've had no problems with it. I love that amp. Mostly, I've used it with an Acme Low B2, but once in a while, it powers a couple of Lopo 1x12's. The first time I heard Eden gear live was Kim Stone playing with The Rippingtons. I was sold...
 
#6
I've been regularly gigging a WT400 since 2001. I haven't even opened the lid on it.
Also have a 410XLT that I've been abusing for about as long. No problems.
I did blow a couple drivers in a 210 eden once, but that was my own stupidity.

There was a transition period when USM bought Eden and there were issues.
But I think the same could be said about Ampeg a few years back.
As for sound, if you like the Ampeg tone the Eden won't really get you there and vice versa.
 
#7
I personally have a bunch of Eden gear US and Chinese made. I still have my heavily abused WT400 that I bought new in '98. It's all been rock solid as I've come to expect from Eden.

As I understand it though, there was a dark couple of years around 2003 where Edens quality and name took a severe dive. The brand has been trying to bounce back ever since but I don't think the public has widely accepted them back.

The Eden gear IME has all been built exceptionally well and always sounds really nice for bass. Many of the cabs were abused because of people pumping too much power into the drivers. There was a thing I remember hearing about the 410XLT way back in the day, "They sound great when you really drive them hard!!" I'd imagine this kind of thinking may have claimed a few drivers in those cabs over the years.

GC seems to sell all kinds of broken and abused stuff in their used section. I'm amazed at all the posts of people buying stuff, shipping is across the USA only to find out it's not what they thought they were getting and the item is littered with problems. I don't think I've specifically about Eden gear in this scenario as it seems to be a problem across all the gear, Ampeg and GK included. I think this is a case of GC's poor quality checks on used equipment before they sell it.

+1 to having GC repair the head. The US made amps are built very well and sound great!!
 
#8
Of all the gear listed - including what you bought - there's one common element - used with unknown history. If I went to a junk yard and saw 4 broken-down chevy's - I would not necessarily question their reliability. Get a a new rig with warranty. I have an Eden WT550/D210XST/D212XLT - about 7 years - no issues.
 
#9
I use Eden gears for years.
I had or have almost every amp and cab.
I bought used (only from the Eden forum) and new.
I never had a real problem with this great stuff.
I like to buy used from my fellow Edenites, there I know the history and they usually sell the equipment to upgrade to something bigger from the Eden line or maybe downsize because of fewer gigs. So I know what I buy.
Well, you bought it from a shop, so have them repair the amp.

Link Removed
 
#11
Love the Eden sound, but look for older stuff, ironically. And I bought my Metro new in the summer of 2001, and the first gig I ever played it on it thermalled out. After 2-3 minutes I turned it back on, no problems for the next 9 years with some fairly consistent gigging. Then it started thermalling over and over and I had to sink a couple of hundred bucks for a new board. It came back better than ever after repair.

My WTX-260, purchased in summer 2007, actually smoked out on me- coughed up a plume of smoke and died. I got that fixed on warranty, also complete board replacement, and it's been a champ ever since, although right now the DI is scratchy/noisy and unusable. But I still gig with it constantly, and I use it as a back up. Saved my bacon when my Mesa M2000 died on a gig.

So I don't see Eden as terribly reliable, but the good ones don't die constantly either. The bad ones, I think they die constantly. But they sound great, very flexible EQs and just a great clean but still beefy sound.
 
#12
I had a WT-405, a WT-800 and WTDI all fail on me, so I gave up on them. Love the sound but I've had bad luck. That said, I've had Genz-Benz and G-K also fail on me, so, it's life... I use the crap out of Markbass, so in my experience they are the most reliable, but currently use G-K because I love the sound. I find that Ampeg is pretty solid, but having so many models and origins, it's hard to say.

Play what sounds best to you and hope for the best!
 
#13
Thanks for the responses. I love Eden's sound but after so many bad experiences, I'm trying to decided what my next step should be. I didn't like Hartke. I have also tried SWR, Mesa and Ashdown in lock stores. None of them have the sound I am looking for. I never had a problem with Ampeg quality but was never able to get the exact sound I was looking for either. My understanding is that Eden is the only manufacturer which makes their own speakers. I am going to try an Ampeg AVT 6 Pro or a 1970s era SVT with a couple of Eden cabs and see how I like it.
 
#15
Bassmann1968 said:
I use Eden gears for years.
I had or have almost every amp and cab.
I bought used (only from the Eden forum) and new.
I never had a real problem with this great stuff.
I like to buy used from my fellow Edenites, there I know the history and they usually sell the equipment to upgrade to something bigger from the Eden line or maybe downsize because of fewer gigs. So I know what I buy.
Well, you bought it from a shop, so have them repair the amp.

Link Removed
Click to expand...


I am so jealous..........:p
 
#17
Kmonk said:
Thanks for the responses. I love Eden's sound but after so many bad experiences, I'm trying to decided what my next step should be. I didn't like Hartke. I have also tried SWR, Mesa and Ashdown in lock stores. None of them have the sound I am looking for. I never had a problem with Ampeg quality but was never able to get the exact sound I was looking for either. My understanding is that Eden is the only manufacturer which makes their own speakers. I am going to try an Ampeg AVT 6 Pro or a 1970s era SVT with a couple of Eden cabs and see how I like it.
Click to expand...

Not true, all G-K NEO speakers are manufactured in the G-K plant in California, the 10", 12" and 15" are G-K designed and built.
 
#18
I have an Eden WT-550 and love it. However, about a month ago I noticed that it would cut out and become staticky and run at about half power. I took it into my guitar tech who noticed that a lot of the screws had become loose, causing the heat distributor (my words, the mettle thing that keeps it cool) as well as the tube to become loose. He tightened everything up, and I haven't had a problem since. He stated it was caused by a lot of loud playing. I play a lot of gigs outside and for those sit my head on top of my Ampeg 8x10. I love the head, with the exception of that one issue. He advised me to check the screws about once a month to be sure that they are nice and tight.
 
#19
B-string said:
Not true, all G-K NEO speakers are manufactured in the G-K plant in California, the 10", 12" and 15" are G-K designed and built.
Click to expand...

Then someone should tell the people at Eden because their website claims that they are the only company which manufactures their own speakers
 
#20
The defective head is now for sale at the GC where I returned it for $100 more than I paid. Manager claims they took it in trade and it works great. I usually have great luck at GC but this is starting to concern me
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back