Algae Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) I am looking for a light weight 4x10 bass cab and am trying to decide between the Bergantino and the Ampeg neodymium cabs. I use an Ashdown ABM500 Head and am currently playing through Ashdown 410 and 115 cabs but would like to get rid of those and get something easier on the old back. Anyone got any comments as to which would sound better with my Ashdown head ? I play a Musicman Stingray 5 and a Fender P mainly for rock and blues , not into slap style stuff. I need to be able to hear the Stingray's full range especially the low B well and would like to get a good growl with plenty bottom end from my Fender P like JJ Burnel. If anyone has either of these cabs and can let me know what they think of them that would be great thanks. Edited February 10, 2011 by Algae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Hi there With that price range, id definitely try to test them both out. Ive not seen the new Ampeg Neo cabs as yet. From what I hear from reports, the AE410 is loud, compact, and has quite an aggressive edge in the high mids. Personally, it wouldn't be smooth enough for me, but your tastes may be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 PS AE410 is 4 ohms only, and the PN-410HLF is 8 ohms only. If you want a one cab solution, the AE410 is probably better. Or, you could opt for 2 x 210, giving you a modular setup. The TC Electronics RS210 cabinets are superb and have suprised even those who like very high end bass cabinets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 You might be suprised on the ae410. It's a great sounding cab, I wouldn't say harsh at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve A Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Turning the horn down or off on the AE410 helps to give you a more old-sKool sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) If you REALLY want to hear your low B, then get an Acme Low B2. It's a 2x10 that sounds like a 4x10, and really does broadcast your low B. It's also probably the 'flattest' sounding cab out there. Even with shipping and import duty it's a lot cheaper than Bergantino cabs. Which to my mind are way over priced and over hyped, mainly to justify the over pricing. See what Dood has to say about his B2. I have a B1 (1x10), it sounds amazing. I plan to get another in the next month or so. Edited February 10, 2011 by Soliloquy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 From this distance, I would expect the Berg to be by far the better cab...but you are going to have to hear it, I am afraid. Either may or may not work for you. All people here can do is post their thoughts but you have to answer the question, ultimately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Also, not sure the Ashdown is upto taking advantage of the Berg but again, you may make the decision in context. If it were me..I'd be trying to get my amp fired up into the cab and then go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 The difference between Ashdown to Bergantino is that Ashdown are in the Championship and Bergantino are in the Premiership. These days Ampeg are in the premiership but just hanging on in the relegation zone! Upgrading to Bergantino should knock you socks off, but if you want to include another great lightweight 410 in your list, there’s also the Epifani UL410 in the FS section. Just my 2p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Mmmm lots to think about there. Thanks folks. So if my Ashdown is not in the premiership should I be thinking about upgrading my head too to go with the neo cab ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1122928' date='Feb 10 2011, 05:37 PM']Which to my mind are way over priced and over hyped, mainly to justify the over pricing.[/quote] Hmm... now - can I think of another product like that? Oh yes - Chord Cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1122928' date='Feb 10 2011, 05:37 PM']Even with shipping and import duty it's a lot cheaper than Bergantino cabs. Which to my mind are way over priced and over hyped, mainly to justify the over pricing.[/quote] Which Berg cabs have you had gigging experience with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Algae' post='1123609' date='Feb 11 2011, 10:14 AM']Mmmm lots to think about there. Thanks folks. So if my Ashdown is not in the premiership should I be thinking about upgrading my head too to go with the neo cab ?[/quote] I wouldn't do this in the first instance..get used to a new piece of kit first. It may well be that you don't like the sound of the Berg for what you do or want. My beef with Ashdowns, generally, are that the amps need work to get a sound. I played one of their better amps..a Mag 500 thingey..? and it was a bugger through pretty clean cabs. I hated it...as I knew what the cabs could sound like. That graphic slider thing was a PITA and I never got a clean sound from it. I prefer amps that respond to a flattish level..on the dials..and then you can see what to boost and the less playing around the better. gone are the days where I will want to be fiddling with this parameter or that... just plug in and play and a knotch here and there for the room. I have also used Ashdowns where I was getting a decent sound, but most of the tweaks I do on the bass pre, so don't need to go around in circles finding it on the amp. There cabs are big and solid but nothing special, IMO, but they may be quite a few people's ideal sound...YMMV..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Toasted' post='1123644' date='Feb 11 2011, 10:43 AM']Hmm... now - can I think of another product like that? Oh yes - Chord Cables.[/quote] I agree, but I was given them . There's a huge difference between a £40 cable though and a £960 cabinet. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Bergantino,_Passive_AE_bass_speakers.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...s_speakers.html[/url] Any other decent cable with set you back about £30. Edited February 11, 2011 by Soliloquy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='JTUK' post='1123653' date='Feb 11 2011, 10:55 AM']My beef with Ashdowns, generally, are that the amps need work to get a sound. I played one of their better amps..a Mag 500 thingey..? and it was a bugger through pretty clean cabs. I hated it...as I knew what the cabs could sound like. That graphic slider thing was a PITA and I never got a clean sound from it.[/quote] The Ashdown MAG are the cheaper range solid state heads. Mine is an ABM which is higher spec with a valve preamp so may justify the neo cab , a MAG certainly doesn't. Edited February 11, 2011 by Algae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Algae' post='1123748' date='Feb 11 2011, 12:27 PM']The Ashdown MAG are the cheaper range solid state heads. Mine is an ABM which is higher spec with a valve preamp so may justify the neo cab , a MAG certainly doesn't.[/quote] Sorry my mistake..didn't take too much notice...I think it was an EVO 500/600. It was supposed to be 600watts [url="http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6"]http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6[/url] This looks like it...but not sure on the models generally, and this likes what I am often given.... I'll take note of the MAG/ABM config next time. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 A little bump of this question to Soliloquy... I'm genuinely intrigued: [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1123645' date='Feb 11 2011, 10:45 AM']Which Berg cabs have you had gigging experience with?[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1124018' date='Feb 11 2011, 04:36 PM']A little bump of this question to Soliloquy... I'm genuinely intrigued:[/quote] I've owned an IP112 and the 112 extension cab, and a separate pair of 112 cabs, and I've gigged with a borrowed 4x10. My Acme B2 was deeper, clearer and more accurate than the 4x10, and my single B1 is deeper, a lot clearer and more accurate than the 1x12's. I don't just say things unless I've experience of them. I wouldn't pay £960 for a Bergantino 4x10 cab. There are better cabs available for a lot less money. My choice of Acme is one example, but Epifani also spring to mind. Edited February 11, 2011 by Soliloquy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1124154' date='Feb 11 2011, 06:16 PM']I've owned an IP112 and the 112 extension cab, and a separate pair of 112 cabs, and I've gigged with a borrowed 4x10. My Acme B2 was deeper, clearer and more accurate than the 4x10, and my single B1 is deeper, a lot clearer and more accurate than the 1x12's. I don't just say things unless I've experience of them. I wouldn't pay £960 for a Bergantino 4x10 cab. There are better cabs available for a lot less money. My choice of Acme is one example, but Epifani also spring to mind.[/quote] Ah, OK. Ta for clarifying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) I'm not disputing that they're not good, because they are. I just feel that they're very expensive for what they are. The Aguilar GS410, is a whole £200 cheaper ! [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=97"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=97[/url] I also get annoyed when I see the slogan 'extreme accuracy'. They're not accurate, not in my mind anyway. They have a very distinct sound, a low mid bump. If you don't like that sound then you're stuck, 'cos it's hard to get rid of. Edited February 11, 2011 by Soliloquy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 [quote name='Soliloquy' post='1124195' date='Feb 11 2011, 06:56 PM']I'm not disputing that they're not good, because they are. I just feel that they're very expensive for what they are. The Aguilar GS410, is a whole £200 cheaper ! [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=97"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=97[/url] I also get annoyed when I see the slogan 'extreme accuracy'. They're not accurate, not in my mind anyway. They have a very distinct sound, a low mid bump. If you don't like that sound then you're stuck, 'cos it's hard to get rid of.[/quote] Yeah - I like the low-mid bump. It's probably for that reason why I don't think I'd get on with the Aggie GS stuff. I've never tried the Acmes. I'd like to, though. That said, I got my HS210s used for a very good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 The Aguilar pricing almost matches Berg in the USA, but here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 [quote name='JTUK' post='1124003' date='Feb 11 2011, 04:25 PM']Sorry my mistake..didn't take too much notice...I think it was an EVO 500/600. It was supposed to be 600watts [url="http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6"]http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=6[/url] This looks like it...but not sure on the models generally, and this likes what I am often given.... I'll take note of the MAG/ABM config next time. Thanks[/quote] Yeah that's the one. Maybe I need a new head as well then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 There's nothing wrong with your head - although the Ashdown amps have a distinct sound it's a good sound if you like it and it works for your music. You only need to change it if the tone with whatever cab you get isn't to your liking (or if you want to go light with the head too but it's not exactly heavy heavy). I'd be surprised if you need more power (which would be the only other reason to change it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve A Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I did a side by side comparison of my old Epifani UL410 with a Bergantino AE410 and it was like someone had removed a blanket from infront of the cab when I heard the AE410. Interestingly though, the Epifani had a sound which was warm, dark, smooth... lovely. The Berg had warmth, clarity and punch. Both great cabs... just different. And, at the time, not that different in price for a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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