VINTAGE ACOUSTIC RIG

[gwreid]

That 408 cab sounds amazing. I bought one new in the 70's with a 220 head which I still have in mint condition complete with original cover. I came to the States from England in '79 so the rig only had a few years use before I "retired." I brought the amp with me, the cab was too darn big, and still use it now that I've started playing after not touching a bass in about 15 years. I've also got my '72 P bass which is almost mint... the case lid fell on it when it was one week old and put a small ding in the bottom edge of the bass! Anyway, that Acoustic gear is an amazing value if you an find the right combination. I understand that the last generation had faults and sent the company bankrupt but before that (the 220, 370 etc series) were the best gear out there and among the first to have an graphic equalizer. My gear could flap my trouser legs at 5 or 6 feet away.

 

[Hambone]

I've got one of those 220 heads right here in the living room. It' now a backup gettin ready to hit the market. I got it from a kid about 5 years back that was going up to about 600 watts. Unfortunately, he had goofed up the front by painting it black I snagged a manual from ebay for it just to get a little more info on it. This is my kinda equipment from my era - mid 70's.

Oh yeah...it's LOUD!

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

thats is interesting, how does that affect the sound?

In a broad sense, it's not too far away from what Jorg Schroeder is doing with his cabinets...direct radiating speakers combined with (for lack of a better term) indirect radiating speakers...not really a horn, not really a bandpass setup, etc.

Here's a photo of one with its center grille off that I found in my files. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the middle 15s are pointing up and down (and obviously you only see the bottom middle one pointing up).

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Just had a thought...one could cut the design in half and make an interesting (and compact) 2x15 cabinet. Using Neo drivers would help keep the weight down too...

 

[zombywoof5050]

Do you see in BillyB's pic how the speaker that is facing up is positioned off center and on the right side? Well, the speaker that faces down (that you can't see in the picture) is positioned off center and on the opposite (left) side.
I just thought I would add that bit of information, in case anyone would like to know. Of course it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have them both firing directly at each other.

 

[JSCHRO7376]

I had several Acoustic rigs back in the late 70s in Germany and that stuff was tough as nails. Had another 370 head a few years ago and it sounded very good especially for that age.
Yes, the stuff is bulky and heavy compared to newer equipment, but IMO it's a great setup when you're on the budget. Just make certain that everything works well and try to get a 30 day return deal on it.