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which Eden head 400, 550, 800?

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normalized

Jun 25, 2009
51
29
san francisco
#1
I recently got a used older Eden 4x10 XLT cab which I've been using my markbass littlemark III on. Which is okay but curious about seeing how Eden heads would sound through it.

Noticed that locally a WT400, WT550 and a WT800 are all available used. I'm thinking a WT800 might be overkill. I play through somebody's WT800 through a SVT cab at my practice space and awesome as it is, the XLT is heavy enough for me never mind a SVT cab.

So the question is with that cab would a WT4400 be sufficient? currently in 2 projects one is a loud punk band the other is a cover band that's not as loud. Prior to this I've been running the Little mark through a 4 ohm neo genz benz 2x10 which was okay but lacked a little of that low end. Anyways wondering about folks experience with the eden package.

Thanks!
 
#3
I've owned the WT400 for more than 10 years and while I still like the Eden sound, I would never use it for a loud punk band, it won't cut (IMO).
I use mine for rehearsals or jazz gigs only, never in a loud(er) band, I always get burried, very little headroom.
The WT800 sounded great when I used it for a few times a couple of years ago (rock cover), the weight was a bit annoying though.
Don't know anything about the 550.
 
#5
The five band EQ with three parametric midranges is the big thing for me. I would choose either the 550 or the 800. Advantages of the 800 are more power, a mute switch, and two channels. I own a 550 and it's great. with that EQ section there is no mix I can't cut through. I sometimes wonder if the stereo capability of the 800 would be worthwhile, either to run a Rickenbacker in stereo mode, or to blend clean signal with effects.

Ultimately I think I'll stay with the 550 because I don't need the extra power, it's a little lighter in weight (and cost), my Ric is not my main player, and there are other ways to blend clean and effects signal.

I wish they would put a handle on one side and some rubber feet on the other, though. It would be nice to pick it up and set it down like a briefcase.

[edit] looks like the WT400 does have the 5-band EQ so it's probably just as good as its big brothers. I would choose based on how much power I needed.
 
#6
Wt400 ! Bearing in mind loudness isn't so much represented in wattage, more so speaker coverage. For instance a 300watt amp into an 810 will be louder than 500 watts into a 210.
There isn't much difference in loudness between the wt400 and a wt550, if any.
I played both heads at the same gig through my 212xlt last week, one set for each and much prefer the added warmth of a wt400. Also the wt400 is becoming rare and will hold its value over time more than a 550. Don't get me wrong, the 550 rocks and goes down to 2ohms in case u want to add another cab, but unless that's your intention I'd take the wt400 over any bass amp out there. It's one of the best amps ever produced and has a little extra character compared to the wt550.
 
#7
What's the impedance of your XLT? If it's 4 ohm I think you'll be fine with the WT400. I ran that same rig for over 12 years in loud rock alt bands. Some shows it was maxed out with the clip light blinking on my loudest notes and during deep feedback set finishes. Man, I abused that amp and cab. I still have the amp and miss the cab dearly. Not it's weight though. Eden gear not only sounds great, it's generally built exceptionally well save a couple of years post Music Corp buyout.

If you cab is 8 ohm and you plan on playing loud the WT400 is only 235 W RMS which is not enough IME for a loud group. Unless you plan to add a second cab soon I'd say you'll be best off with the WT800 as it can be bridged into 8 ohm and really give that cab the power it can take.
 
#9
the cab is 8 ohm so I was thinking the WT400 might be a little too under powered. Seems like for my situation maybe the WT800 or WT550 might be the best solution. I'll see if I can give the WT550 a try. For the 500 and 800 the head is mounted in a case. Not so for the 400.

My markbass LM III seems sufficiently loud for my projects using this cab. So i guess that being the case the WT550 would be more than enough. I suppose in this situation the LM III would be somewhat equivalent to the WT400? As the LM III puts out 500 watts for 4 ohms and 300 for 8?
 
#11
caligula said:
I've owned the WT400 for more than 10 years and while I still like the Eden sound, I would never use it for a loud punk band, it won't cut (IMO).
I use mine for rehearsals or jazz gigs only, never in a loud(er) band, I always get burried, very little headroom.
Click to expand...

Gotta agree with this, and it's the reason I have (reluctantly) eventually sold three different WT400 heads, despite loving the preamp and eq sections.
 
#12
normalized said:
the cab is 8 ohm so I was thinking the WT400 might be a little too under powered. Seems like for my situation maybe the WT800 or WT550 might be the best solution. I'll see if I can give the WT550 a try. For the 500 and 800 the head is mounted in a case. Not so for the 400.

My markbass LM III seems sufficiently loud for my projects using this cab. So i guess that being the case the WT550 would be more than enough. I suppose in this situation the LM III would be somewhat equivalent to the WT400? As the LM III puts out 500 watts for 4 ohms and 300 for 8?
Click to expand...


I've run a WT400 since 2001 with a 4ohm 410XLT. At first I used an 8ohm cab and it was way under powered. It would clip like crazy.
Since switching to the 4ohm cab I've had no problems keeping up with the loudest bands.
If I were you, I'd either switch cabs, or get the WT800 which ever route is cheaper.
 
#14
Well, I think I'm sold on the WT550 I just tried it out, it was at a GC near me. And it looks like they take other gear towards trade in on it.

I had the markbass with me and I noticed that not only is there more power, but the dynamic ranges was just so much better. Better lows, nice highs and just a boatload of tone possibilities with the EQ. The Markbass does have that certain sound. Somewhat warm and gushy but I noticed you can't quite EQ out of that zone. And when you do, it does get a little harsh.

But the increase in headroom is very noticeable. Will finalize the transaction next week, thanks for all the advice.
 
#15
I always think it's better to have more power than you think you'll need. Especially when someday you decide that you want to add a cab or play bigger rooms or jam with a loud band that will push you past "having a little headroom" with a less powerful amp.

You don't always have to be using it, but it's nice to have if it fits in the budget.
 
#19
WT400 is IMO the warmest of the Eden WT amps. The WT550 still has the Eden "warmth" but has tighter lows and an overall crisper tone that the 400. As others have said, you'll get a bit more headroom with the 550 and you can do 2 ohm if necessary. I ran my WT550 many times at 2 ohm with no issues.
 

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