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Getting an affordable Ampeg

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dllive

Dec 30, 2011
147
47
#1
Hi guys,
I want to get that classic 8x10 Ampeg sound. However, I dont have the budget or muscle to drag such a massive cab around.

I see Ampeg do a 'micro' cab and amp. But I dont think this would do for live gigs or rehearsals. At the moment I have a 200watt amp, so I might not notice much difference(?)

So Im thinking about buying a 4x10 Ampeg cab. Theres one (500watt!) on ebay for £400. Would this be good for live gigs? What (affordable) ampeg amp would go with this?
Thanks
 
#4
The classic ampeg 810 sound comes from the speakers they use in a sealed cabinet. The 410HLF is a ported cabinet if I remember correctly, so it'll have a different response.

What do you class as affordable? I've seen a few SVT-II's going cheap recently (as well as a really cheap SVT300, which is the 300 watt power section of those SVTs, throw a good preamp on there and you'd be set!). Saw an SVT 2 Pro going for ~500 quid too.
 
#5
I suppose for me, 'affordable' means £1k for both the cab and amp. I want to get a really beefy vintage funk tone without slepping massive cabs around. I think Im zoning in on Ampeg stuff. Do you think £1k for a second hand (or new?) Ampeg amp and cab is feasible?
Thanks
 
#6
If you look around here on TB you´ll soon see lots of people praising one of Ampegs PF heads and two of their SVT210AV cabs stacked vertically, as a SVT+810 "light". Ive got the PF350 with one cab, wich is fine for sensible reahersal levels with guitar and drums. Will be getting a second cab (soon I hope), wich should be good for anyting but bigger gigs.
 
#9
Also, check out the PF series as noted. Great little amps through the right cabs. I would personally go for the 5 or 800 myself for powers sake. I played the pf500 through an ampeg 410hlf in GC one day, it ended up sitting there for about an hour before I knew it, just twiddling, that how great it sounded to my ears. It may put you over the 1K mark a tad, but it would be worth it IMO.
 
#17
johnpbass said:
JimmyM, who is the resident authority here on all things Ampeg, has run 2-210AVs with his SVT head on occasion.
Click to expand...
Yes I have, and most of the time now I use a new V4B, but while I love the sound, I will admit that the cabs aren't the most heavy duty of cabs, and if going very very loud is necessary, I'd do the 410he.

I'd also suggest one of the PF heads...probably the PF500 since you're on a bit of a budget.
 
#18
dllive said:
I suppose for me, 'affordable' means £1k for both the cab and amp. I want to get a really beefy vintage funk tone without slepping massive cabs around. I think Im zoning in on Ampeg stuff. Do you think £1k for a second hand (or new?) Ampeg amp and cab is feasible?
Thanks
Click to expand...

My SVT-II (used) cost £500 and I picked up a Marshall VBC810(also used) for about £300 (which is in the same ballpark as the Ampeg 810), though I've seen the Ampeg fridges occasionally going in the same region. Granted, this was about 7-8 years ago, but the used prices don't seem to have changed much.

It's certainly possible, just keep an eye on the used market :)
 

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