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I tried a SVT

This is interesting, I found the 800RB through an Ampeg 8x10 to be an amazing combo(yes, I realize the cabs varied). The Ampeg cut all the harsh hi end frequencies and noise that my 800RB produced, of course I found the opposite to be true when I finally ran it through a full range fEARful and I realized just how noisy GK's could be(I had to disengage the ultra hi button as it was starting to feedback and back off most of the treble)

The most common cab's to be paired with older GK seemed to be Hartke, but even those mask a lot of the treble. If most sound guys would mic bassists nowadays, I'd probably have the GK/Ampeg as they complimented each other so well for my playing. Of course YMMV.
 
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I used an SVT cab on a gig— can't remember what I used for a head.

It was ok, but not an ultimate sound for me.
After years of moving a 360, and later a Sunn Model T, I'm all about light rigs these days.
Many of my gigs are one trip in deals,
Two trips at the most.
 
This is interesting, I found the 800RB through an Ampeg 8x10 to be an amazing combo(yes, I realize the cabs varied). The Ampeg cut all the harsh hi end frequencies and noise that my 800RB produced, of course I found the opposite to be true when I finally ran it through a full range fEARful and I realized just how noisy GK's could be(I had to disengage the ultra hi button as it was starting to feedback and back off most of the treble)

The most common cab's to be paired with older GK seemed to be Hartke, but even those mask a lot of the treble. If most sound guys would mic bassists nowadays, I'd probably have the GK/Ampeg as they complimented each other so well for my playing. Of course YMMV.

an 800RB and an Ampeg 810 is a classic combo which i have seen on countless stages, only bested by an SVT + 810.
 
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what-if-i-told-you-different-strokes-for-different-folks.jpg
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And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
 
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Not all amps and cabs are designed to play nice together and some combinations may yield less-than-ideal results for a particular musical application.

Also, water is wet. ;)
 
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Years ago I got the pleasure of playing thru an SVT half stack at a benefit gig I put on. The bass player from a band before me allowed all the bands to use it as backline. I'm a solid GK loving guy but that all tube SVT half was the best sounding head and amp this guy ever played thru. I was in floored by the sound that night but could never justify the money he had in his rig
 
I have two Mesa Powerhouse ph410s. I have powered them with an SVT 4pro, and SVT 2pro, and a GK MB800. They all sound good to my ears and can all get loud, but the MB800 gets the speakers to full excursion in a way that is more pleasing to my ears for some reason. Maybe it's the eq? maybe it's something inherent to Class D amp? I'm not sure, but it just seems to make those cabs come to life.
Don't get me wrong, when that SVT 2pro warms up, there is a tube-y quality that sits really well in the mix of a live rock band, BUT when I switched to the MB800, even people who know little about music and even less about bass started making positive comments to me after shows about how good my bass sounded. maybe some kind of coincidence, but my gut tells me no.
I love my 'pegs and always will, but these days the GK gets first call for gigs. (it works well in the studio too in my opinion- the song in my sig is the MB800 into the Mesas with a mic plopped in front- no line out, no DI, just a mic in front of the rig).
 
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I have two Mesa Powerhouse ph410s. I have powered them with an SVT 4pro, and SVT 2pro, and a GK MB800. They all sound good to my ears and can all get loud, but the MB800 gets the speakers to full excursion in a way that is more pleasing to my ears for some reason. Maybe it's the eq? maybe it's something inherent to Class D amp? I'm not sure, but it just seems to make those cabs come to life.
Don't get me wrong, when that SVT 2pro warms up, there is a tube-y quality that sits really well in the mix of a live rock band, BUT when I switched to the MB800, even people who know little about music and even less about bass started making positive comments to me after shows about how good my bass sounded. maybe some kind of coincidence, but my gut tells me no.
I love my 'pegs and always will, but these days the GK gets first call for gigs. (it works well in the studio too in my opinion- the song in my sig is the MB800 into the Mesas with a mic plopped in front- no line out, no DI, just a mic in front of the rig).

IMHO when you love the sound you probably play better...I know I do.
 
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I always found the old 810 cabs to be something like PBs. Played solo, or at lower volumes, they sounded a little unimpressive. But with a full band at stage levels they really came into their own. They both just drop into their spot in the overall mix and rule that space.

But maybe that's just me. YMMV.
 
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Well the cab is still sitting at the drummers studio and I'll probably be giving it another run in a week or so.

But if it continues to fall short I'll advise him to sell it and just continue to use my personal cabs.