Searching for a 410 bass cab/head Total noob

[Kgveteran]

Hello! I started lessons (which i still attend)last October 2022 after buying my first Bass (fender squire) and practice amp (EDEN 10”), im 60yrs old
I play totally for fun, and it has been a riot learning an instrument i have heard and loved my whole life. I think im ready for an upgrade since an open E will cause a buzz when playing loud (ac/dc back in black haha)

I really like the idea of a smallish cab with great output (410/head amp). Im a custom home audio installer, working around speakers and amps my whole life, even some sound reinforcement it local bars and stuff, but i dont know the in’s and out’s of pro gear which is why im here.

I really like the size and output of the 410 style cabs, this will be for playing in my 19’x13’ hometheater/ music studio. My theater has amazing output and can easily drown out my little 10” amp with a whizzer cone. My theater system uses (4) QSC1450’s bridged mono into (4) 15” subs, so theres serious competition.

So, when i design a system i always over power speakers capabilities by 200% so the amps are always in their comfort zone and limit volume to not damage the spkrs output. Will a 50watt all tube head give me enough output. I understand a 4ohm load would be ideal and also the sensitivity of the cabinet is a consideration, but this type of gear is new and i dont want to buy twice, i’d like to be sure i make a love connection and upgrades wont be necessary….

thanx for reading this very long first post

 

[lomo]

Glad to hear you're a happy thumper A 410 would be massive overkill for your application with 300 or more watts, but possibly just dandy with 50. If you don't anticipate moving it and have the space, have at it. Personally, I'd favour a smaller, taller cab .... or even better, 2 smaller cabs (like 112s or 210s) in a vertical stack with a small SS head and a tube pedal preamp in front of it......right now you think you'll only be at home......but trust me......there will be a jam out there somewhere in the future, and hauling a 410 will be a far less recreational event than 1 or 2 smaller cabs, and in that case the 50 watts will be marginally adequate or woefully insufficient, depending on the context. What's your budget? There's a ton of big, heavy, frayed used gear out there for pennies on the dollar because the new kids on the block are far lighter and more powerful (and I would argue just as good sounding....but that's a separate thread that has been done ad nauseam). If I stuck with your parameters and had infinite budget, I'd go with an Ampeg PF50 tube head and a Mesa Subway 410 cab......but If I was buying for myself with your $$$$$ I'd go with a Mesa WD800 head and their 12/115 cab stack There are so many moving parts here.....have fun!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Nothing wrong with a 4x10 although many players are opting for the smaller enclosures and modularity. Gets old when having to transport with any regularity. I'd be looking for a 2x12 if starting over...currently using a 3x10 which comes in under 50 lbs.

Riis

 

[Kgveteran]

While i can play the hell out of a 12bar blues, im thinking i probably wont be playing out at all, famous last words but thanks for the props!!!
Im gonna go back to the store where i purchased my bass and amp to audition in person and weigh up the output.
If they have some cabs i’ll report back to see what you guys think of them, there is a fair amount of used gear too at my store

 

[lomo]

I'm 60 and started at 40......after about 6 months my teacher suggested I start to practice standing for "when I play out". I responded that I'd never be playing outside of my living room or with anyone other than a couple of close friends......but 3 years later I was playing local bars.....stuff happens

 

[Nebadon2000]

Like your Martin Logans

If you want to go the way of HT System and also buy once;

Ampeg V4B with SVT 410HLF 4 Ohm Cabinet if full tube amp is mandated

OR Just get Ampeg SVT [CL/Heritage] and 8x10 [still the standard for many Pro's] or
Ampeg Heritage SVT-410HLF 4x10"

but I wouldn't dismiss Mesa WD800/TT800 Amp with Subway 4x10 or Aguilar AG OR Tone Hammer Amp with DB410 Cab[more old school]

My guess is if you get something like a Ampeg PF50 & Matching 4x10 you may or may not be happy enough to
resist seeking an upgrade

 

[Marko 1]

I'm ~66, have gigged in the past, but I'm now in a band with other retirees and playing out again, so don't completely discount the possibility.

I suggest a minimum of 350 watts at 4-ohms, and one 8-ohm 2x12, which will do fine in your studio... and won't be embarrassing to look at.

Then if/when you get to playing out with others, if you need/want, you can add that second matching 8-ohm 2x12.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I've got a reasonably priced Peavey Headliner 410 with a padded cover for sale in the classified...

 

[jthisdell]

You clearly appreciate quality audio so I would recommend looking at some of the new hifi cabs such as Bergantino, Genzler, Barefaced, etc. You will be surprised what a smaller but higher quality cab can do, I use a Berg 210 and/or 112. Just because that 110 farts out does not mean you need a 410.

 

[DECOSTAJ]

I understand the alure of running 4 ohms, maximum power and all that, but possible better to go with 8 ohm. so you can readily add a second cabinet if needed.

 

[Grinderman]

I'd approach this by patiently look for the most (primarily qualitatively speaking) for my money in a used cab. An 8 ohm Eden D210XLT or D410XLT in good shape for about $300 for example.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Play through your home stereo! I bet it will sound great

 

[Kgveteran]

There’s something else in the mix, my friend Andy past away sometime back and was a bass player for SavoyBrown back in the 90’s,
I believe he had a Hartke 410 that may be available, and to play through his gear would be an honor, he was an amazing bassist. The family may want it, but if not, that may be an option too.

My budget isnt much, so i think used is my best bet for now…..

And thank you all for all the great suggestions, this forum is fire, as my young son would say

 

[CatOnTheBass]

Since you've had good luck with QSC power amps, you might take a look at the Quilter brand of bass amps. Pat Quilter is the 'Q' in QSC and his bass amps pack some serious 'oomph.'

 

[Spirit of Ox]

There’s something else in the mix, my friend Andy past away sometime back and was a bass player for SavoyBrown back in the 90’s,
I believe he had a Hartke 410 that may be available, and to play through his gear would be an honor, he was an amazing bassist. The family may want it, but if not, that may be an option too.

My budget isnt much, so i think used is my best bet for now…..

And thank you all for all the great suggestions, this forum is fire, as my young son would say

Welcome to TalkBass! Sorry for your loss. If you could get that Hartke 4X10 it would sound amazing and would be a great way to honour his legacy! Good luck with your search.

 

[Kgveteran]

Welcome to TalkBass! Sorry for your loss. If you could get that Hartke 4X10 it would sound amazing and would be a great way to honour his legacy! Good luck with your search.

I guess this means im gonna have to practice a little more than i do, my favorite memory was Andy was playing “real me” by the Who, he was no more than 17 and had great ability way back then.

Thanx for the message

 

[Kgveteran]

Since you've had good luck with QSC power amps, you might take a look at the Quilter brand of bass amps. Pat Quilter is the 'Q' in QSC and his bass amps pack some serious 'oomph.'

My 4 QSC’s have been rebuilt, taken apart, fan mods, i resoldered the gain pots, and they just keep chugging along

 

[Element Zero]

I understand the alure of running 4 ohms, maximum power and all that, but possible better to go with 8 ohm. so you can readily add a second cabinet if needed.

Or a head that’ll run at 2 ohms…

Get yourself a Mesa Subway D800+ and the Subway 410 and you’ll be all set there good buddy. As an owner, it’ll put nearly anything to shame.

 

[bwoodman]

Get a pair of 210s instead and stack vertically. Modular is better plus a 410 is not very tall. You can hear the rig much better with a stacked pair of 210s + lighter cabs

 

[guitarflinger]

Chiming in here. Playing bass (in a band) for about 15 years.
Started with a Marshall stack - 2 410's and a 200 W solid state head. Loved it, but the cabs weighed 90 lbs apiece. Sold those. Kept 2 Genz Benz 410's and added and Genz Benz Streamliner 900. Still my gig rig. I like the thought that the rig is loafing along at any volume, I can add distortion with pedals. I also bought a Genzler 800 Watt head, which I now use for Gigs. The Genz Benz cabs are about 70 lbs apiece - easier to manage. I am still looking at the Genzler cabs and will likely go for a pair of those. I also have 2 Ampeg SV210's, which I stack vertically, and can't tell the difference. Just not as much volume as 2 410's. Much depends on your venue. We tend to play outdoors, where the 2-410's are very worthwhile