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Getting back into it... Berg NV610

amos

amos

Oct 23, 2003
1,692
8
40
SE Portland Oregon
#1
Coming off a music playing hiatus, and am planning my next live setup for a new project. I definitely want something punchy, loud, and will be using effects 90% of the time (fuzz/OD/octave), so a tweeter is not necessary. Really drooling over the Berg NV610. My only issue with it is... $1300. I know it's a boutique cab and all that, but I never paid more than $800 for bass speakers brand new, it's really hard to justify for me, considering how great my amp sounds through an old Avatar b410 neo (my roommates--if it was mine, I wouldn't be buying a new cab).

Do these things ever come around the used market these days?


For anyone interested, my setup is going to look something like this:

BBE Bmax-T
QSC PLX1602
Bergantino NV610

Micro Pog -->
Wren & Cuff Pickle Pie B

Maybe one or two more effect boxes, like a pitch shifter/whammy. Interested in this nutty synthy "Gray Box" thing wren and cuff is coming out with. Won't go off on this subject in the amps forum.

Going to also be incorporating
- analog synth like a Juno 106
- ampler like a Kaoss Pad 3

Running effects through the effects loop on my BBE pre would be the best way to go, right? That way I can plug both a synth and a bass into my bass rig. Never owned a Kaoss Pad, so I'm not sure how to hook that up. Would like to be able to loop voice/synth/bass on the fly.

Thanks for reading,

Amos
 
#4
Personally, I would run the effects into the front of your pre-amp then run the kaoss pad through the effects loop. I've used that set up before and it worked really well. I hope this all comes into fruition for you. Maybe also consider a Schroeder 6x10? They can probably take out the tweeter for you and for it's smaller size in the 6x10 game, it gets pretty loud.
 
#5
knappymer said:
Personally, I would run the effects into the front of your pre-amp then run the kaoss pad through the effects loop. I've used that set up before and it worked really well. I hope this all comes into fruition for you. Maybe also consider a Schroeder 6x10? They can probably take out the tweeter for you and for it's smaller size in the 6x10 game, it gets pretty loud.
Click to expand...

The Schroeder is ported cab, the sound will be nothing like the Berg.

By the way, if an avatar sounds so good with your head, why not just buying one ? That would leave you with some cash to get other gear, or to wait to find the cabinet you really want.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
for $1300 i'd rather have a heritage svt 810e. looks way cooler and has two more 10"s ;)
Click to expand...

Not me either. Jimmy, have you ever played through an NV610? The ONLY thing an Ampeg has over the Berg is possibly the looks of it on a stage. Like Fender on a headstock.

I've played through lots of svts and none of them give me the volume or punch of my nv610. Not even close. I'm currently rehearsing with an svt, and really don't get what all the love is about. Especially when you have to lug that thing around and try to fit it in a trunk.

I dindn't know all that much about NV610s when I bought mine. In all honesty I got it on the reviews here, and mostly because it was the most speakers in one cabinet that would fit in my car. A hyundai tiburon. It's thinner than any other 6X10 I researched, and actually fits like a glove. It's pretty easy to handle to, without anyones help. Just a matter of figuring out what moves got it in and out of my trunk the easiest. Once it's out it's a breeze to transport also. Easier than some 1X15 combos I've owned. I can just tilt it and wheel it behind me. Can have my bass on my back, bag on my shoulder, amp in my hand, and still have one hand free. Try that with an svt. Not. :)

I don't regret one cent of the money I dropped on that cab. And I'm a real picky and hard to please mofo. Especially regarding amps, and volume.
 
#8
Bought a NV610 with cover for $750 both in mint condition around Dec 2010....sold it less than a week later for $650 to a guy in New York...Sounded excellent but I needed something with a tweeter...But like everyone knows no one sells for better deals than me, I will take a loss of $100 in a week just to get it out of my face. First come first serve no b*** ****, no negotiatiions!!!...So check talkbass at least 5 times a day for a guy like me selling something you covet for very low price.
 
#9
JimmyM said:
for $1300 i'd rather have a heritage svt 810e. looks way cooler and has two more 10"s ;)
Click to expand...
Hmmm, 37 lbs. heavier and I would never need the extra 2 10s (and neither would you ;)). And while I haven't tried the Heritage, it's hard to imagine it sounding as good as the NV610s I've tried. Just get the Berg and find some extra grill cloth, Jimmy.:D
 
#14
well i'm not going to pretend the berg isn't a hot cab. i've yet to play through one but it's hard to go against anecdotal evidence. but i think the latest cabs ampeg has been putting out are great. a few years ago i'd have said don't even bother with them, but since loud bought them, they're a lot improved and right up there with the best sounding cabs they've made, with the possible exception of the early flatbacks. and sorry, but i like the look better. yeah, i know i had some markbass stuff for a while, but still... ;)
 
#15
I'm sure the Heritage is all that, but unless it's BETTER than the Bergie there really is no point in buying one unless the Ampeg name is important.

The extra two speakers not only make it heavier, but MUCH top-heavier. My old 810E was a royal pain to roll around, even with the casters and towel bar. I was always chuckling my fingers against door jambs, and lifting the beast into cars and trucks was always an iffy proposition when alone.

The NV610 balances on it's tipping point rather than trying its damnedest to make a beeline for the floor.

Sometimes the hype is not just hype.
 
#16
Buster Brown said:
Now, C'Mon Jimmy - haven't you heard? There has never been a better cab than the berg.....better in all phases of the game. The Heritage 8X10 has no place in the conversation. :scowl:
Click to expand...

Peeps just relating their experiences. Jimmy hasn't played one, we have.
Jimmy's played a Heritage, I haven't, don't know about the others here.

A friend of mine from whom I bought mine is bringing his old squareback 810 here next time he comes, we can A/B them for the first time. He loves it, says it's miles better than any newer ones he's played. He's never A/bed the two, either.
 
#17
One drop, I would love to get a report on your thoughts when you do the A/B test.

Regarding the Berg - after having just picked up a '70 SVT, I went hunting for cabs. I used to have an 810 with a previous SVT and this time around, based on size and weight, I went with the NV610. Got it on TB a couple days ago and should receive tomorrow and will gig it Wed. Given my somewhat limited but great experience with other Bergs and nothing but glowing reviews of the 610, I kind of saw it as a no brainer. I will say I got very lucky in finding mine - put up a want to buy add and got answered the next day!
 
#18
Used NV610 is the way to go. In mint condition it should run about $800 not including shipping. Put a wanted ad in the TB classifides. As an alternate the NV215 is an equally good cab with a little more top and bottom end and a little less punch.
I'm an Ampeg man and went Berg because it sounded exactly like the 810e but better at all volume levels when paired with my SVT VR amp.
I've also heard folks on this site claim the Mesa 610 gives the berg a run for the money. Probably about the same cost used.
 

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