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Need opinions on potential head to go with Ampeg 410HE cab.

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oldmatemahns

Apr 12, 2013
2
0
Melbourne
#1
Hey guys.
I've recently sold my Laney RB9 head and Laney cabinets because I was dissatisfied with them. I've gone to Ampeg because I've always enjoyed the thick tone those units provide. I picked up a second hand 410HE cab. I'm not currently in a band but I will be getting back into gigs by the end of the year.

What's the best head you can recommend? I'm playing a 4 string Musicman Stringray, I'm after a punchy but most importantly DEEP tone. I play Hard Rock music. I'd prefer to stick with Ampeg for the head but if anyone can recommend something else I'll have a look. What are the SVT3/4 like?
 
#8
I tried an ampeg portaflex and it was awesome tone . One is worth a try. I play mesa boogie big block 750 .The only thing that came close to this amps tone was an 70's svt that was run thru A 2-15 jbl e140 cab .The mesa bb750 cab can be had on ebay for 850 . I like it but would try before I buy . It is a rare breed and takes some learning. The midrange is very touchy versatile and complex. Thats a good thing in my book. I love mine. Also love sansamp rpm with huge power amp.
 
#10
oldmatemahns said:
What's your opinion on the Classic Ampeg head? Over rated? I know they're expensive but I've never been able to play one.
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There are a few classics. The B-15, the V-4B and the SVT to name the big players. Personally, I love the sound, hate toting them. I have a '79 SVT that hasn't left the house in 7 years, but the tone, when she's humming, is aural sex.

It's that "industry standard" tone, in the best, most recognizable way.
The SVT3 has a 3 tube pre, and solid state power section, they sounds really great too, subtly different, but massive.

I currently use a Portaflex350 for gigs. And while not a true repesentation of any of the aforementioned heads, nor a tube head like them, it certainly cops that desirable "round sound" they're synonymous with. Are there better options? Most definitely these days...Aguilar comes to mind. What really needs to happen is you defining to yourself your budget and then coming back to us with your tone goals and that price point in mind.
 
#11
What really needs to happen is you going out trying heads and buying the one thats right for you. You wont be satisfied with anything unless you try it , like it and find a favorable price for it. Ebay and talkbass are good places to find deals if u know what your dealing with.
 
#16
oldmatemahns said:
I can always sell and change to the 410HLF, I know a guy who would buy my cab. What's your opinion on the Classic Ampeg head? Over rated? I know they're expensive but I've never been able to play one.
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I'd stick with the 410he personally. More my kind of cab. The 410hlf goes super low, and the 410he is more my speed. As for the Classic, it and the SVT-VR are the very best heads on the market as far as I'm concerned, but you'll need two 410he's to use one since the tube SVT's don't do 8 ohms, or at least shouldn't be doing 8 ohms. I like all the Ampeg heads with the exception of the B2RE, but if you don't go all-tube, the 4 and 7 Pro are my favorites, even though I don't own either one and use a PF350 ;).
 
#20
I tried an Ampeg portaflex last week. I wasnt real excited about it looking at it .It sounded awesome . I kept looking all over it on the tag on the back etc. i was trying to see if it was tube driven cause it sure sounded like it and it very much fooled me. Try one sometime. I thought it rocked.
 

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