MesaTT800 subway through an ampeg610hlf?

[leekland]

So I’m currently upgrading my rig and I’ve decided on the mesa tt800subway and trying to decide what cabinet I want to run the mesa subway through which is rated 800 watts at 4ohms. I live in a city that doesn’t really have anything other than small combo bass amps in the music store show rooms so im kinda out of luck when it comes to trying some cabs out. The two guitarists that I play with which play mostly funky jam like music both have pretty loud tubs amps so I needed an upgrade to cut thru their amps. I play a lakland 55-02 and tend to favor nice punchy fat warm clean tones mostly but recently have been intrigued with tube amps hence the decision to go mesa subway. So the question is, does/has anybody here used an ampeg 610hlf cab with their mesa subway? Can it even be used without pushing the speakers too much? Would this give me fair amount of clean headroom and am I correct in assuming it wouldn’t be too smart to dime the master or gain on such a cabinet as the 610hlf is rated at 600watts and is a 4ohm cabinet with a tweeter. I guess I’m just curious as to if the 610hlf with mesa subway will give me punch while also supplying fat enough bottom end? I’ve mostly been a 10 inch speaker kinda guy my entire life. I’m certain I am not into 15 inch speakers. And recently been intrigued by the bottom end that 12 inch speakers supply. Or would it all just be a lot easier and safer to go with mesa cabinets? If anybody has any links to subway thru ampeg610hlf i would be interested in hearing. Thanks

 

[agedhorse]

I really, really recommend that you try that cabinet first. The HLF is a decisive cabinet due to its loose, low freq heavy voicing.

Since the damping factor of the TT is low (roughly matching the Bass 400), it may not be the greatest match for articulation, tightness, etc. Any of the other Ampeg speaker series would be a better choice IMO.

If you are set on that cabinet, I would recommend the D-800+ or even the WD-800 as a better choice. More appropriate voicing and much higher damping. You will also want to slide the variable HPF up to around 40-50Hz.

 

[Mosfed]

Buy a Barefaced. The Ampeg 610HLF is a flabby beast that is way too heavy and frankly sounds terrible.

 

[gtirard]

So I’m currently upgrading my rig and I’ve decided on the mesa tt800subway and trying to decide what cabinet I want to run the mesa subway through which is rated 800 watts at 4ohms. I live in a city that doesn’t really have anything other than small combo bass amps in the music store show rooms so im kinda out of luck when it comes to trying some cabs out. The two guitarists that I play with which play mostly funky jam like music both have pretty loud tubs amps so I needed an upgrade to cut thru their amps. I play a lakland 55-02 and tend to favor nice punchy fat warm clean tones mostly but recently have been intrigued with tube amps hence the decision to go mesa subway. So the question is, does/has anybody here used an ampeg 610hlf cab with their mesa subway? Can it even be used without pushing the speakers too much? Would this give me fair amount of clean headroom and am I correct in assuming it wouldn’t be too smart to dime the master or gain on such a cabinet as the 610hlf is rated at 600watts and is a 4ohm cabinet with a tweeter. I guess I’m just curious as to if the 610hlf with mesa subway will give me punch while also supplying fat enough bottom end? I’ve mostly been a 10 inch speaker kinda guy my entire life. I’m certain I am not into 15 inch speakers. And recently been intrigued by the bottom end that 12 inch speakers supply. Or would it all just be a lot easier and safer to go with mesa cabinets? If anybody has any links to subway thru ampeg610hlf i would be interested in hearing. Thanks

There's a strong belief that each driver size have an inherent character (10 inch = punchy, 15 inch = deep…), but it's no longer true.

With modern cabs, the tonal character depends on the designer's goals, not the driver size.

For example Barefaced has chosen to make 10 inch cabs with a warm and fat coloration, and uncolored 12 inch cabs, while Jad Freer has chosen to do just the opposite.

Why not buy Mesa Subway cab(s) to pair with your Subway head?

If not, I recommend Barefaced cabs : they sound great, loud, with excellent dispersion, and they are super lightweight. Last you can customise the finish to your taste.

 

[MCF]

The TT is an incredible amp. Two channel versatility with a lot of tonal options. If that’s what you want, then pair it with the Subway 410 or 215. They are perfectly matched. And weigh half what that Ampeg weighs. IMO, the only thing good about the 610 HLF is the cheap price.

 

[Microbass]

It's got be a Subway cab or Barefaced.
The Subway line is perfectly paired with all the MB amps and the alternative BF cabs are a dream.

 

[hennessybass]

I had a 410 HLF for a while, and I found it very heavy, very difficult to transport (even with the tilt-back casters), and very muddy.
Tone was kind of soft and mushy - no articulation or punch. Kind of low end wash...
The next cab I owned after that was an SWR Goliath III. Talk about day and night.

I've not played the Mesa cabs, but people sure love the 15". I've had some not great 15" cabs in the past, but I don't think the Mesa is that.

I've been using 212 cabs for many years (Aguilar and Bergantino). With the right amp, I've never really needed more.
I used a 2x210 rig as well for a while, but preferred the small size and 1 cab 212.

 

[Jaycephas]

Ampeg SVT 212av. It and the TT-800 are like peas and carrots. Just works extremely well together for my taste.

 

[rodl2005]

I'd be seriously considering the Mesa 215 Subway.

Keeping all preconceived opinions on 15" speakers on hold until it's been tried and tested

 

[goodformetal]

I’ve heard (read) a lot more praises for the 610 than the 410. My 410hlf lives at a rehearsal space. If I had to move it, and then by accident it fell out of my truck, I’d probably just keep driving.

 

[dbase]

 

[leekland]

thanks for the info everyone: i had spent months researching on the internet and trying to go around town playing every amp and cab I could find and had spoke too soon on the mesa. Decided against it. Since I’ve had a very positive experience with markbass in the past I ended up deciding on the perfect one for me. And that was the markbass casa with the matching cab they made for it……..however I would soon find out these amps are harder to come by than the holy grail….so I went v4b with the 212av and well……I love it. I don’t have time to excercise much so hauling 100 pounds around gets me all the exercise I need too hahah

 

[BuglerBass]

V4B works fine with a AV and HLF cabinets as well.
HLF is just a ported cabinet.
Have fun with your tube journey.

 

[rodl2005]

I’ve heard (read) a lot more praises for the 610 than the 410. My 410hlf lives at a rehearsal space. If I had to move it, and then by accident it fell out of my truck, I’d probably just keep driving.

The 410's a b!tch to move, lift. Phew!