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I've a NV412. Should I get an SVT810E?

#41
Well Rod, I used my Super Bassman 300 with the Fender neo 810 for the first time at a very well known New Zealand venue I have played many times over the years, the Cabana. I used my tried and true 59P with TI flats, since that is a nice safe axe with which I am very comfortable and it always sounds good in the onstage mix. I got to say that surprisingly I struggled with my tone in the first set. Not necessarily the fault of the cab but definitely not like a fridge where you can plug in and just get "that" sound instantly. The cab had sounded great at home and in the rehearsal space, but onstage in a loud gig it initially did not work for me and was surprisingly bright for want of a better word with a real upper mids emphasis. Took a fair bit of tweaking to get it right, ended up using the vintage channel with both volumes on just over 5, bass on 3.5, mids 8.5 and treble 4.5. I had the horn on the cab almost dialled off. Got it sorted in the end and I was told by a couple of bass players the tone out front was great, but the bulk of that would have been the PA feed, plus we had a great sound guy. Got to say it was a delight to do a one handed roll in and out of an 810, it was so light and easy to schlep.
So, a guarded pass for the Fender 810 on its first outing. Its extended range at the frequency extremes makes it a little more work to work with, and I am sure my old Ampeg fridge would have slotted in a little more easily. Still, I am more familiar with the Fender cab now so next time should be easier. Next gig I get a chance to use it is an outdoor festival in six weeks. Got to say though, it was PLENTY LOUD:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#45
Jeez Rod, they are getting stuck into you :D. Hope nobody starts reading my past posts about products I have supported wildly. To be fair, though, you did say that you didn't need an 810 - you just said you wanted one.
Think I might go back to my Berg 215 next gig ;).
 
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#46
Great decision on picking up that 810, especially with that sweet Fender tube amp. Not sure how different the Super Bassman 300 is from the 300 pro but it's the best rig I have ever played with. The combo sounds insane live.

IMAG0357_zps6640f6c9.jpg
 
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#48
I still love the NV412 and the Neo Bassman 115 wasn't what was advertised. The advert card on it stated 45lbs. It was 58lbs. So I gota refund and would've bought another if Fender could've gotten me one at 45lbs in time. Then, just in time, a SVT810 came up locally ata great price.
I've always wanted one and thought. .. It's now or never.
It's all good. I doubt either the NV412 or the Neo Bassman 115 are going anywhere.
 
#50
As Tim1 States, the 300 PRO is very different sounding to the Super Bassman. Both use 6x6550s in the power section....
I've never directly compared em buti did own a 300 PRO a few yrs ago. It seemed much tighter and maybea li'l louder too. Very versatile with its built in 2 band comp and graphic eq etc but, myself, I prefer the tubbiness of the Super Bassman.
It's gota real soft attack bit still punches very solidly.
The only amps I like close to it are the SVT-VR and it's ilk and the Orange AD200 which was very nice on the limited times I've used that amp.
 
#53
I went through three different ampeg 810 cabs before trying a NV412. I've run the cabs using an SVT-VR. Overall the NV412 is a much better cab then any 810 I ever played. The lows are better controlled and I get a much better high frequency response (without a tweeter, I hate the sound of tweeters). I find the NV412 easier to transport, both cabs aren't small either way. The ampeg has a natural low mid punch but you can easily get that tone with the right amp EQ out of the NV412. I now own two NV412 cabs. I recommend them to anyone who can get their hands on one.
 
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#54
Some Ampeg 810e cabs are better than others. From 2000-06, I thought they were all muddy and lacking in highs. Any other ones, though, and they've sounded great to me. Could it be all 3 of your cabs were from that era?
 
#55
The first one I had was a 2006 810e, it was made of 5/8" chipboard and had a 7 ply baffle. Then I bought a second hand 2005 810AV because it would match my head, it was made of 3/4" particle board but had an 11ply baffle. I owned them both for a while and it was an easy decision to sell the 2006 cab since the 810AV had a more significant mid low punch. Later on I bought a 2009 810e (after hearing that they sounded better then the 2000-2006 cabs)(I planned on swapping the grills if it did sound better). It was a bit brighter, but the mid-low punch of the 2005 810AV was unmatched. I wouldn't mind trying out a heritage 810. The NV412 matches that mid-low punch if i want it and it has a much better low end 40-80hz octave- not just a chest punch node at 100hz (not that it's a bad thing)
 
#56
Hey Rod, I've been playing the SB300 into an NV412 too and been considering the same move. I find the Berg wider, smoother, clearer and sweeter. The Ampeg cabs are more colored, though and in a good, traditional sounding way - I haven't found any other cab out there to replicate that. I also think the Ampeg is a bit more punchy (like the NV610). I find the Berg NV cabs to be more transparent by comparison. Both are great for various reasons. I'm just thinking the Ampeg may "fit" better with the traditional sounding band I'll play it with. As long as I don't have to deal with too many stairs and have a vehicle that these cabs will fit into, I find both pretty easy to schlep - easier to tilt/roll or tilt/lift than 410s or 212s, in my opinion.
 
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#57
It's an awesome rig huh- SB300 /NV412
I got the 810 coz I'd always wanted one and it came up at a good price.
And Fender had just refunded me for the outta spec Neo 115 Bassman.
Fender did find me a 45lbs 115 neo Bassman eventually but I'd already committed to the Ampeg.
If Fender were a day earlier, Probly a different story and I'd have two (light) neo 115 Bassman cabs.
I'd be completely happy with either scenario honestly.
The Bassman 115 cabs (when they're the advertised 45lbs) ate light and sound great, the Ampeg is huge, heavy, cumbersome and I love it :woot:

I honestly don't think my NV412 will be going anywhere. Great cab. But the price I got the 810 for, having all those 10s pumping away and right up at ear level......:hyper:
I had to do it. :thumbsup:
 
#60
Forrrest said:
The first one I had was a 2006 810e, it was made of 5/8" chipboard and had a 7 ply baffle. Then I bought a second hand 2005 810AV because it would match my head, it was made of 3/4" particle board but had an 11ply baffle. I owned them both for a while and it was an easy decision to sell the 2006 cab since the 810AV had a more significant mid low punch. Later on I bought a 2009 810e (after hearing that they sounded better then the 2000-2006 cabs)(I planned on swapping the grills if it did sound better). It was a bit brighter, but the mid-low punch of the 2005 810AV was unmatched. I wouldn't mind trying out a heritage 810. The NV412 matches that mid-low punch if i want it and it has a much better low end 40-80hz octave- not just a chest punch node at 100hz (not that it's a bad thing)
Click to expand...
I've talked to some folks who like those dark era cabs because of the bigger mid-lows and lows. I'm not one of them. The 100hz chest punch has always been good for me ;)
 
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