810 or 215

[Hagel123]

There is a chance that I may be able to trade my diesel 215 for an ampeg 810. Is this a good idea? I've been wanting a tighter sound, but still have that guy crushing low end that is needed for bass these days. Can an 810 do this for me? I would like to hope that it does. If I can do a straight trade, should I?

[D.o.S.]

in order:

Yes.
Maybe.
That's up to you.

It very much depends on what era of Fridge it is, though. Some are better than others.

[Timm Grimm]

It sounds like an 810 should be able to do those things you're look for. If you aren't happy with the diesel, then I'd say go for it.

[BoatRich]

I've always used 810s, even when playing in drop f. They're the standard for a reason, they just sound right.

[Timm Grimm]

Yeah if you could swing it I'd say get both. I run an 810 & 215 and never had a complaint.

[Kacey Y]

If you've played an Ampeg 810 before and you want that sound, get it. It's a distinct sound, had to say what's better since it's all subjective. I have two ported 2x15's and an Ampeg 810e and I like and use all of them for different purposes. The 810 is a bit of a "tighter" sound, after a fashion. It doesn't go quite as low as most ported cabs, but has a pretty burly low mid response, which translates to "punch" to most people.

[archlilim]

Yeah if you could swing it I'd say get both. I run an 810 & 215 and never had a complaint.

This. My bassist switched to an 810 thinking it would replace his 215, but then ended up running them together (lack of lowend on the 810 was too noticeable after going from one to the other). One of the best bass tones I've ever heard tbh. Just so much depth to it.

I feel like a lot of this comes down to context though? On it's own I'd probably take an 810 over a 215, but if I was playing with a band I think it would depend on what the other people got going on and whether I'd want/need the added lowend and openness of a 215 or the tightness/punch of an 810.

[BoatRich]

I run a ported 412 with my 810 and it definitely helps fill it out. More cabs is always the way to go

[whiskey_face]

or just run a shitload of 810s

[ShaolinLambKiller]

Yea I never had a problem getting great low end with an 810, but I like running that 810 and a 210 218 cab.

More cabs are always the way to go.

[Chankgeez]

or just run a shitload of 810s

What about a 1218?

[Hagel123]

I had a chance to get a 218 but the guy stopped responding. And I love the openness and depth that the 215 has, but I could use a bit more tightness when playing chords clean. Ideally, I think 12s would do me right, but I haven't found a ported 4x12 or 6x12 that won't leave me high and dry on funds. I've found some really good deals, but they are all local pickup and make me sad.

Who can make me a straight speaker, ported bass 6x12 that won't cost a grand? I mean the ports will give me the depth and openness and the 12s should give me tightness. Right?

[ShaolinLambKiller]

a grand is really the cheapest you can get that for. you do realize that those 12's aren't just given away. let's say at the cheap end you find some decent ones at 75 each that are new. that's 450 right there. 550 left. materials and I'll just average be it tolex or stain cause really they cost about the same there goes another 200-250 for that. so 300 is left. and since you now say in your previous post that all those other cabs were local pick up and make you sad. so I'm assuming that you would want the cost of shipping to be included. well the price to ship that will be around 200 bucks. so that leaves a hundred bucks for someone to take their expertise and care to craft you a custom cabinet. You might think oh that's fair for their time... well lets see getting all the material together through ordering and picking up at the lumber yard and then cutting, putting together, sanding, staining, sealing, or gluing and tolexing, wiring the speakers, testing everything... around 20 hours maybe a bit less. so you are paying a person 5 dollars an hour to put one together for you.

I make more money cutting grass on the side per hour than that.

Sorry, you want quality you pay for quality.

[whiskey_face]

slk ill pay you 6$ an hour to cut my grass if you read me bedtime stories with that accent of yours

[D.o.S.]

$6.50!