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The Ampeg vs Hartke 410 Cabinet Debate

Which of these cabinets do you think I should get?

  • Ampeg SVT-410HLF

    Votes: 49 44.5%

  • Hartke HyDrive HX410

    Votes: 61 55.5%
  • Total voters
    110
ryevick

ryevick

Dec 19, 2009
343
118
#1
I thought I'd start this new thread to focus on my current situation. I just bought an Ampeg SVT3-Pro and I need a cabinet. I can only afford one. I am leaning toward the Ampeg SVT-410HLF but as mentioned in an earlier thread I really want to check out the Invalid Link Removed as well and do an A/B comparison. I suppose in my head I'm thinking, could the Hartke give the clarity/sound/range and sensitivity as the Ampeg and I would guess yes. Could the Ampeg do what the Hartke could and I'm thinking probably not because of the speaker design of the Hartke but I have not plugged these in yet. I do have some time to work with... a month or two so I would like to hear feedback on this... I know how some of you feel but feel free to re-emphasize your take on it.

Which of these do you think would sound best with my setup and is the 410 the best route to go for only one cabinet?

Just FYI I play a 5 string so bottom end clarity is important. I play all kinds of music but lean toward heavy funk and jazz I suppose.


Ampeg SVT-410HLF Product Video

Hartke Hydrive 410 Product Video


AmpegSVT410HLF.jpg
HX410_angle-web.jpg
 
#2
if you get the hartke, give us a full report! I am putting together a rig for my son and have just about decided on the hartke hydrive 4 x 10 but i'd like some feedback from someone who has really put it to the test

since the hydrive in question is rated to 1000 watts, how big is your amp?

/s/ Dave
 
#3
Lonesomedave said:
if you get the hartke, give us a full report! I am putting together a rig for my son and have just about decided on the hartke hydrive 4 x 10 but i'd like some feedback from someone who has really put it to the test

since the hydrive in question is rated to 1000 watts, how big is your amp?

/s/ Dave
Click to expand...

I will, though it will be a couple of months before I can.

RMS Power Output (8 Ohms): 275-Watts
RMS Power Output (4 Ohms): 450-Watts
 
#4
I'm guessing the Hartke Hydrive's hybrid speaker design is an important aspect of your decision, but are you aware of an older Hartke cab that is really comparable to that Ampeg cab?

The Hartke 4200 cab is an oversized 410 with a beefed up tweeter and major porting. It's a 4 ohm cab with wheels and a handle bar... which would come in handy since it weighs in at 125 lbs, give or take.

They are reputed to have massive, full bottom end. Lots of depth underneath that tight Hartke punch. I promise I have no affiliation with this auction, but here's a couple for sale on the bay, just for reference...


Hartke 4200 Professional Series Bass Cabinet | eBay
 
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#7
I have the Hartke cab paired with the LH1000 head and i LOVE it!!! I play almost every weekend and i get nothing but compliments on my tone. I play 4 string with a D tuner and the drop D sounds fine. Now on the other side, a friend of mine had the same setup with a Musicman 5 string and he thought the cab didnt handle the B string very well. He went with a Genz Benz uber 212.

2011-02-12_15-49-05_671.jpg

:hyper:
 
#8
I own and gig with the Hartke. Probably the biggest pro is it's 30 pounds lighter than most 4x10s.

Tonewise I think both cabs would give you a loud and deep sound.
 
#9
Lonseomedave: The Hartke 4200 is rated at 400 watts. And while I have it from Larry Hartke himself that it is a perfect match for the HA5500 head (500w at 4ohms), I think 1000 would be a bit much.
 
#11
I own the Hartke and have backlined the ampeg. I would rather haul an 810 SVT than that Ampeg 410. The angle when you tilt that 410 back is awful.

There is something about that Hartke LH series with the Hydrive cab that strikes me as somewhat similar to Ampeg.
 
#12
bassplayerbob

i have to admit, i do not know the brand.

there is a music store in nashville called corner music, where they have everything.

their pa/sound guy is named ray arsenault, he and i are talking about this rig.

the heart and soul of the rig will be a universal audio 610 pre amp. it is old school & all tube.

he said he had a good amp in mind rated at 1000 watts. bear in mind, ray's criteria are, first and foremost clean clean sound, second reliability, and third, light weight. i did not even ask him about the brand, because when it comes down to it, i will trust his judgment.

i have done business with them for years, they have worked on every bass my son owns, and i trust their judgment implicitly.

when i finally have the money and can buy, i'll let ray pick the amp.
 
#13
Lonesomedave said:
bassplayerbob

i have to admit, i do not know the brand.

there is a music store in nashville called corner music, where they have everything.

their pa/sound guy is named ray arsenault, he and i are talking about this rig.

the heart and soul of the rig will be a universal audio 610 pre amp. it is old school & all tube.

he said he had a good amp in mind rated at 1000 watts. bear in mind, ray's criteria are, first and foremost clean clean sound, second reliability, and third, light weight. i did not even ask him about the brand, because when it comes down to it, i will trust his judgment.

i have done business with them for years, they have worked on every bass my son owns, and i trust their judgment implicitly.

when i finally have the money and can buy, i'll let ray pick the amp.
Click to expand...

Its good to have someone local to guide you through, just ask if that is a bridged 8 ohm to get 1000 watts. Most of the time the watts listed is at the lowest possible ohm rating and bridged. Great example is my own head. It is listed at 1000 watts, at 4 ohms bridged, which means i would need 2 cabs to get that wattage or a single 4 ohm cab. now if i run in parallel mod, i now have 225 per side on an 8 ohm load.
 
#14
Billnc said:
I own the Hartke and have backlined the ampeg. I would rather haul an 810 SVT than that Ampeg 410. The angle when you tilt that 410 back is awful.

There is something about that Hartke LH series with the Hydrive cab that strikes me as somewhat similar to Ampeg.
Click to expand...

I was noticing in the video I listed above it is actually much smaller than I had thought it would be... I'm about 6'4" lol and the top is at this guys knees almost lol :p
 
#15
Jeff 66 said:
I'm guessing the Hartke Hydrive's hybrid speaker design is an important aspect of your decision, but are you aware of an older Hartke cab that is really comparable to that Ampeg cab?

The Hartke 4200 cab is an oversized 410 with a beefed up tweeter and major porting. It's a 4 ohm cab with wheels and a handle bar... which would come in handy since it weighs in at 125 lbs, give or take.

They are reputed to have massive, full bottom end. Lots of depth underneath that tight Hartke punch. I promise I have no affiliation with this auction, but here's a couple for sale on the bay, just for reference...


Hartke 4200 Professional Series Bass Cabinet | eBay
Click to expand...

If I see one I will plug in for sure :bassist:
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#18
I can't speak to the Ampeg cab, never used it before. I have owned the hydrive 4-10 for 2 years.

I use a Crown XTi-1000 power amp, to a Pod XT Pro set on tube preamp (setting flat) and run a a VT pedal as master for the tone settings. The Hydrive has the horn turned off.

With my old school P (Atkinson bass with Duncan SPB 1 pickup) I get a perfect thump tone and the cab has not EVER let me down. Same when I use my U.S. Spector NS-2J bass for modern sounds (and obviously way different settings).

The cab delivers every time without fail. Looks cool as hell too!

My (Canadian) 2 cents!@ :)

Marc
 
#19
Correct me if im wrong, but I believe the 410-HLF is a 4 ohm cab. If thats the case, your amp only goes down to 4 ohms, so you wouldnt be able to add a 2nd cab in the future even if you wanted to. If all other things come out equal in your books between the two cabs, I'd pick the 8 ohm Hartke for that reason.

Regarding tone, I've never played the Hartke or the Ampeg 410-HLF, but I have played the Ampeg 610, which I really liked. Great compromise between the portability of a 410 and the power of an 810.
 
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