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Head/Cab Combo Question

Count Bassie

Count Bassie

Supporting Member
Jun 10, 2006
16,784
64,484
Smithfield, RI
#1
So. I just got, by some favorable alignment of stars, dust, nuanced dynamic and convoluted karma, a large Fender tube-powered bass head (Bassman 300 Pro).
I'm looking for a cab for it, am currently using an SWR Big Ben. It sounds wonderful, the lows are beautiful...
I'm either picking up another Big Ben (Bag End loaded), or, I'm also looking at an Ampeg PR410HLF. That is one heavy bastard, but it's actually my old cab and is available.
I'm just interested in some feedback, especially about the apparently power-hungry nature of the Ampeg... which might be a good thing:
The Fender amp is 300 (tube) watts, and has been upgraded to handle KT-120 tubes, which it's loaded with now. So there's the relatively low efficiency of those Ampeg drivers and the upped power of the Fender amp. I don't know if that's significant, but I do wonder if the Fender amp is adequate to power the 410? It is more than adequate for the SWR

Any substantial input is appreciated! Thanks for your time.
 
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#2
I did not know KT-120 tubes existed! It's more wattage than the KT-88! I had the Fender Bassman 300 - it powers whatever the heck you give it. I had two Eden 410XLT's running off of mine - quite LOUD. Only used it for one show, but never had an issue with the power output. Likely 6550 tubes (less wattage than what you are using, I speculate).
 
#4
Gearhead17 said:
I did not know KT-120 tubes existed! It's more wattage than the KT-88! I had the Fender Bassman 300 - it powers whatever the heck you give it. I had two Eden 410XLT's running off of mine - quite LOUD. Only used it for one show, but never had an issue with the power output. Likely 6550 tubes (less wattage than what you are using, I speculate).
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I'm just trying to see if the Ampeg will be adequately powered by this stupid-monstrous head I've got here. I suspect it will be ok.
 
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#9
Ahh the pr410hlf…. All the weight of an svt810, but less portable…..

All my amps play well with it, including my smallest which is the Ampeg pf50t.

I haven’t decided if the PR410hlf or the Yorkville xc808 is my favorite cabinet.

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55CA6EAF-B8E8-45A1-A151-E942EE91794D.jpg
 
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#10
Count Bassie said:
The mod includes an extra transformer for handling the filaments... I'm not even educated on what that means exactly, but it keeps the main transformer from overheating. I do not know the benchmarks.
Click to expand...

I'm just curious about how worthwhile such a mod would actually be, in my usual way. ;)
 
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#12
Count Bassie said:
I'll get the skinny on it and get back. I bought it, it sounds great, I might as well know what's under the hood!
Click to expand...

Thanks, and of course sounding great is always the main thing. My main motivation is that I'm sitting on some very cool NOS tube power amp boards and power transformers and some may have the potential to work pretty well with that sort of mod. But cash is very tight and I no longer even gig, so I don't really feel like just charging in like I used to do so blithely. :cool:
 
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#13
Passinwind said:
Thanks, and of course sounding great is always the main thing. My main motivation is that I'm sitting on some very cool NOS tube power amp boards and power transformers and some may have the potential to work pretty well with that sort of mod. But cash is very tight and I no longer even gig, so I don't really feel like just charging in like I used to do so blithely. :cool:
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I get it, ideas are free! Lol.
I wrote the guy I got it from (a TBer actually, so he might even get involved here) and asked after spec info, et al. He's a good chap, I expect to hear back in good time.
 
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#15
Wasnex said:
The people I have discussed the KT120 with suggest it is a bit fuller sounding- no work or stress is apparent at all. There is also a perception of slightly more headroom, but as you know that is very hard to judge accurately.
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True. I can tell you though that the lows are very broad, deep, and very pristine sounding. It's danged impressive. Lol, I nearly swooned when I first plugged it in and switched out of Standby! To be fair I'm presently running into a Bag End loaded Big Ben (1x18), but still, it's noticeable.
 
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#18
JJR58 said:
I have a suggestion, The older Mesa 215
cabs. Not exactly light weight.
But built like tanks and sound great.
I forget what their power handling is though. That Bassman can rip apart the wrongly matched cab.
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If it's got the EVs in it, I'm betting m-o-o-n, that spells doom...
That Bag End is a 400 watt driver, and it feels like I can strain it with the Master Vol on 2...
 
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