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How popular are 8 x 10 cabinets?

Believe it or not, some of us actually buy, and move our own gear. We might even play shows where we dont have PA support.

I think transport might be a problem too for some of us. I know a man who drives a Mercedes van that I can use if I ever need to move a lot of stuff around.

However, if the 8 x 10 can be tilted backwards and has wheels under it, I'm fine. Only going stairs up and down sucks :p
 
A couple of things - installing casters isn't brain surgery, and TBH, if you need help lifting less than 70lbs, you oughta hit the gym - unless you're injured, old, or a female, that is...

Lastly - there are plenty of working musicians that use 810s on a regular basis, that have more than enough experience "to know better" - what works for them, and what doesn't - just sayin'...


- georgestrings

Ahh yes, the old "You must be weak if you like light gear" argument. I'm 27, a smallish guy, and would probably buy an 8x10 for my own use.

Why?

Simple. I have to take public transportation to gigs and jams, and live up a flight of stairs. Screw that noise.

And that's before we get into the fact that, subjectively, my particular cab of choice sounds much clearer, deeper, fuller, and less "congested" (even in a heavy rock mix) than the Ampeg 8x10 at the practice space.
 
Well I was 18 when I was moving that 8 x 10 around and it wasn't funny at all. Heck, even the drummer suggested we would lift that thing together. So there you have 2 young guys, both 18 years old lifting a 70 kg cab. Still heavy but better than doing it on your own.

A couple of things - installing casters isn't brain surgery, and TBH, if you need help lifting less than 70lbs, you oughta hit the gym - unless you're injured, old, or a female, that is...

Lastly - there are plenty of working musicians that use 810s on a regular basis, that have more than enough experience "to know better" - what works for them, and what doesn't - just sayin'...


- georgestrings
 
I do production for a couple hundred live band shows a year at least, for the last 20+ years. All size venues. For many years the 8x10 was the gold standard for rock and other styles, the number 1 rental as well as band provided cab.
But the last few years, as economics have changed the touring circuits I deal with, I see a lot less of them and smaller cabs are more common for the touring acts. They are still pretty much the standard rental for my shows.
 
By reading on this forum, one would think that small light weight rigs are the norm, but at least as far as what I have seen in real world situations the old 810 stand by is still by far the most common cabs I see, followed closely by 410s.

I have yet to see anyone using a fEarful cab in a live situation.
 
By reading on this forum, one would think that small light weight rigs are the norm, but at least as far as what I have seen in real world situations the old 810 stand by is still by far the most common cabs I see, followed closely by 410s.

I have yet to see anyone using a fEarful cab in a live situation.

Again, depends on your location. In Manhattan and a lot of NYC, smaller rigs are the norm; in Vermont, where I'm from, you tend to see the bigger stuff since people can drive to venues and often have less PA support (and, often, a bit less disposable income).

When you get to the level where you're renting or not carrying your own gear anymore, it often becomes a question of consistency. Every rental company has an SVT/810 setup (just like every one has a Recto half stack and a JCM 800 or 900 halfstack and an AC30 of some sort), so it's very easy to get the same sound day in day out in different venues, and consistency is pretty important when you're playing different stages each night.
 
Your location depends as well, yes :) Here where I live, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, I see a lot of bass players use 4 x 10 + 1 x 15 cabs but when playing a gig outside, 8 x 10 cabs are the norm. I guess some people like to have that 8 x 10 all the time wen they are outside.

Again, depends on your location. In Manhattan and a lot of NYC, smaller rigs are the norm; in Vermont, where I'm from, you tend to see the bigger stuff since people can drive to venues and often have less PA support (and, often, a bit less disposable income).

When you get to the level where you're renting or not carrying your own gear anymore, it often becomes a question of consistency. Every rental company has an SVT/810 setup (just like every one has a Recto half stack and a JCM 800 or 900 halfstack and an AC30 of some sort), so it's very easy to get the same sound day in day out in different venues, and consistency is pretty important when you're playing different stages each night.
 
Ahh yes, the old "You must be weak if you like light gear" argument. I'm 27, a smallish guy, and would probably buy an 8x10 for my own use.

Why?

Simple. I have to take public transportation to gigs and jams, and live up a flight of stairs. Screw that noise.

And that's before we get into the fact that, subjectively, my particular cab of choice sounds much clearer, deeper, fuller, and less "congested" (even in a heavy rock mix) than the Ampeg 8x10 at the practice space.

No, I made the assertion that a healthy adult male *should* be able to lift 70lbs, unassisted - if you can't, then yeah - you oughta "man up"... FWIW, I'm 50, and have no problem gigging my 173lb PH810... I don't do public transportation, either - since I'm a working musician, I've owned either a van or a truck for atleast the last 20 years...

Truthfully, I don't care what anyone else plays - I play what works for me, for gigs(not the practice space), but I still think that getting rid of a cab for a lack of casters is dumb, and didn't care for the "you oughta know better" BS that I quoted... YMMV,


- georgestrings
 
I have recently bought ampeg 810s.

No cab I have tried in the process of buying sounded better than the almighy fridge.

before that I owned Fender 4x12 (pyramid).

810s in EASIER to move around.

I just got back from the first tour with 810s and didn't regret buying it;)

btw, I'm 34 :D
 
i prefer a 4X10 or 2X10 combined with a 1X15 or 1X18 sound..
having said that, i toured a lot and one of the best sounds i got is from a ampeg svt (80s blue face) into an 8X10 cabinet (heavily modified by the claire bros at the rosemont)
played an old marshall 6X10 once and that just had to be miked:) but that baby's too hard to buy.. played the bergantino (all kinds of cab configs) and they are blooooody good.. some cabs eat up the low end and some dull the harmonics.. i would avoid these things if i was buying a bass cab
 
Unless that's what you want xD

i prefer a 4X10 or 2X10 combined with a 1X15 or 1X18 sound..
having said that, i toured a lot and one of the best sounds i got is from a ampeg svt (80s blue face) into an 8X10 cabinet (heavily modified by the claire bros at the rosemont)
played an old marshall 6X10 once and that just had to be miked:) but that baby's too hard to buy.. played the bergantino (all kinds of cab configs) and they are blooooody good.. some cabs eat up the low end and some dull the harmonics.. i would avoid these things if i was buying a bass cab
 
In my opinion, an 8x10 is unnecessary unless you find it easier to move than an alternative. I rocked eight tens for a while, but did so by stacking two 4x10s of the same type. I liked this alternative because I would turn the tweeter off on the bottom cab and keep it on with the top cab. I also found this easier to transport than a single 8x10.

It also seems that most 8x10s are not ported and therefore unable to achieve the "monstrous" lows of some reggae, dub, metal, etc.

I am currently using a shelf-ported 90s Peavey TVX-412 with the original Sheffield drivers and I find it to be louder and deeper than any 8x10 I have used. However, at 150 lbs, it is very difficult to transport (especially up/down stairs).
 
A bass player named Gary Herman plays bass for The Kevin Fowler Band plays through two Ampeg 8x10 cabs that, get this, they used to belong to Billy Sheehan!!! I happened to be checking out the the band and I got to visit with Gary and he told me how he got them. He said he loves the way they sound but he has help help loading them in and out of the trailer.
 
Who of you TB-ers own a 8 x 10 cab and can you tell me as well why did you choose for such a big cabinet? Do you just want to have that ''little bit of extra'' or do you gig at big places?

^ was this the original question, I keep seeing more and more posts to justify why you dont have a 8x10. or other kool aid BS.

I own a 8x10, because it was the normal thing used by most signed original bands. Most who seemed to be loud as ####

So me too wanted to be in a loud as #### signed band. And a used 8x10 was the affordable thing to do at the time. And I was not biased by the fact that it what was cool and supposed to be used.

Its just I wanted something that worked within budget and was sick and tired of not being loud and consistent and blowing cabs all the time.

The 8x10 seemed to work for many professionals, so I tried it and it worked well. loud, consistent and did not blow up.
When things needed to get louder I did not look any further then adding a second one.