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GK410MBE or Ampeg PF410HLF?

Alright I'm in a pickle here. Which of these cabs has better low end? I'm leaning a bit more towards the Gallien Krueger because I've played one of their higher end before and it was awesome. I've never played an Ampeg before, but on paper it seems to be better for the low end. The GK is also easier on my wallet :P help please I've had a headache over these 2 for the past hour!
 
Thundar said:
Man...you couldn't pick 2 cabs that are more different if you tried...you really need to play those, and a few others, before making your choice.

Dang. Ok thank you. I was anxious to order one or the other already. Thanks for your reply, I guess I'll have to wait until I go out of town to a guitar center before I have the pleasure of sporting a new cab :(
 
CL400Peavey said:
The 410HLF is one of the lowest tuned mass market cabs available. It is also a very heavy example of a 410, but that in no way correlates to the low end.

Sorry but what so you mean by "lowest tuned" I was actually ok with the weight listed online. I think it was 76 pounds. 70 pounds isn't that bad, considering my current 410 is 100lbs LOL
 
Sorry but what so you mean by "lowest tuned" I was actually ok with the weight listed online. I think it was 76 pounds. 70 pounds isn't that bad, considering my current 410 is 100lbs LOL

The newer ones may be around that, older HLF's were 100+ pounds. That particular GK you listed is something like 50 pounds.

By lowest tuned, I mean it has a lot of low end potential. It wont fart out as easy as some other mass market cabs.
 
CL400Peavey said:
The newer ones may be around that, older HLF's were 100+ pounds. That particular GK you listed is something like 50 pounds.

By lowest tuned, I mean it has a lot of low end potential. It wont fart out as easy as some other mass market cabs.

Yeah when I read the GK was around 50 so pounds I couldn't believe it! (Like I said I'm hauling a 100pound monster right now) I was already set to purchase the GK, but a few of my band mates (guitarists) advised me to go with the Ampeg if they're both the same wattage. So I thought I should get some Bassist's advice on this. I've never played an Ampeg cab only GK once at a show and the low end was amazing!! It was one of their expensive rigs though
 
Yeah when I read the GK was around 50 so pounds I couldn't believe it! (Like I said I'm hauling a 100pound monster right now) I was already set to purchase the GK, but a few of my band mates (guitarists) advised me to go with the Ampeg if they're both the same wattage. So I thought I should get some Bassist's advice on this. I've never played an Ampeg cab only GK once at a show and the low end was amazing!! It was one of their expensive rigs though

wattage ratings mean almost nothing, the majority of them are way fluffed up. All you can reasonable ask a 410 to handle is about 500 watts. The ampeg will go lower than the GK. I prefer the voicing of the ampeg 610HLF to either of those personally.
 
CL400, the PF410hlf is a new cab from Ampeg and is designed to be lighter than the SVT 410hlf while retaining most of the low end and losing a lot of the weight. I say "most" because reports I've heard from people who have played it say it doesn't go quite as low as the SVT 410hlf.
 
I think I'll try out the Ampeg instead of the G-K. I was really looking forward to getting a G-K, but the amp head I'm planning on purchasing later on is an Ampeg PF500, it might sound better paired with the matching cab.
 
I think I'll try out the Ampeg instead of the G-K. I was really looking forward to getting a G-K, but the amp head I'm planning on purchasing later on is an Ampeg PF500, it might sound better paired with the matching cab.

Not quite. GK heads/cabs sound good with Ampeg's heads/cabs. I have noticed this quite a bit. Used to own the SVT410hlf (different model) with a GK 1001RB - sounded really good.
 
I've never been a stickler for matching heads and cabs, but I would recommend the pf500 til the sun goes down. It's a fun little amp, and is deceptively loud. I grew up when loud amps were enormous to house all the junk that makes them loud. I love the fact that I can easily carry it around the house to practice in different rooms, and with a pair of decent headphones, you can get great tones out of it without waking anybody up. That said, you'd do well to read up on the 5 or so threads regarding the PF series, though. It seems that early on, more than one person had problems with the amp failsafing (is that a word?) in a few conditions - mostly with everything cranked while playing through a 4 ohm cabinet setup. It scared me for a while, but I bought one anyway and haven't had a problem in the 6 months or so since I bought it. I would definitely look at a new one, just so you have the warranty should that happen to you - and like I said, it wasn't the majority. It seems as though a small run of them came out of the factory a bit lemony, and the people who got those have been the most vocal about bashing that line. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing though.
 
If you want to buy today, go with the GK set. You have already played through one, albeit a different cab, and loved it. I'll bet this one will sound similar to what you liked. The Ampeg is completely unknown to you and despite some people going gaga over anything they make, many of us cannot dial-in a tone we like with an Ampeg. The GK MB500 head is great and more compact and lighter than the Ampeg (which is pretty big and heavy for a Class D amp). The MB500 also comes with a footswitch which allows you a second channel on the amp which is cool for soloing or mood changes in a song.

Order from Musician's Friend today and they'll give you 15% off (only if you call, not online).

Decision made. Go order.