After doing some research, I found that a lot of the players that have my dream bass tone use Ampeg SVTs. I didn't realize just how many well-known bassists play Ampegs. There are a LOT!!!
The only experience I've had w/ Ampegs was with their cheaper B series (a B-2R head and a B-115 combo). So, I can't make any judgments having only played the 'B-line'.
I've read reviews on Harmony Central and heard a some good experiences through other people, but I thought I'd try some of the local bottom dwellers. Has anyone on here had the opportunity to own an Ampeg SVT PRO, particularly the SVT-4???
Thanks
Dan
Ampeg SVT PROs...
Ampeg SVT PROs...
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All kinetic, no potential.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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lonewolf
- Diamond Member
- Posts: 6249
- Joined: Thursday Sep 25, 2003
- Location: Anywhere, Earth
- Contact:
Hey Dan--how's things going? Are you still at the asylum?
Forces' bass player had an original 300W SVT with the 2-15" folded horn refrigerator cabinet that he bought new in 1977. To this day, I haven't heard anything quite like it. It was thunderous and clean, but it could also growl like a grizzly. It had lots of tonal character, not "sterile" like a lot of modern stuff. Its why I tend to like Ampeg more than others in the bass amp category.
Forces' bass player had an original 300W SVT with the 2-15" folded horn refrigerator cabinet that he bought new in 1977. To this day, I haven't heard anything quite like it. It was thunderous and clean, but it could also growl like a grizzly. It had lots of tonal character, not "sterile" like a lot of modern stuff. Its why I tend to like Ampeg more than others in the bass amp category.
...Oh, the freedom of the day that yielded to no rule or time...
Hey Jeff! I'm no longer in the loony bin! I'm at another nut house about 1 mile down the road!
That's the story I've heard with pretty much all Ampegs, and that's exactly what I want. I'm looking for bark and bite for a slap 'n pop tone, and I want to be able to tweak it a bit to get a filthy dirty growl.
I love the fact that it has two power units for bi-amping or an excessive 1200W in mono bridged mode.
That's the story I've heard with pretty much all Ampegs, and that's exactly what I want. I'm looking for bark and bite for a slap 'n pop tone, and I want to be able to tweak it a bit to get a filthy dirty growl.
I love the fact that it has two power units for bi-amping or an excessive 1200W in mono bridged mode.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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Dan, if that's what you're looking for, Ampeg is surely your best bet. I personally am into the sterile sound. Gritty doesn't work for me, either pristine or full-blown distortion. That's why I have a pedal that says Pi. I love my G-K, but I keep my eyes open always for the elusive Mesa(hint, hint Oh seller of all that is good).
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bassist_25
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6815
- Joined: Monday Dec 09, 2002
- Location: Indiana
I'm with Steve. I like clean, pristine, and hifi. That's not to say that I'm against a sweet all-tube bass head, but when it comes to that, I'd probably gravitate more towards something like a Mesa 400+ or a Fender/Sunn 300T.
For me personally, I've always put Ampeg in the same category for bass as I put Marshall in for guitar: I hate the majority of Marshall tone out there, but once in a while, I'll just hear a Marshall rig that sounds like the voice of God. I don't dig the majority of the Ampeg rigs I hear, but once again, I'll occasionally come across one that makes me stand up and take notice. Last summer, PT Cruiser allowed old sKool and me to sit in at The Anchor Inn. The bass player was using an SVT reissue, and let me tell you that thing was the shizzle. It was warm, full-bodied, and had this really sweet top-end. For the past couple of years, I've been opposed to ever owning a tweeterless bass cab, because in my experience, drivers just don't accurately reproduce the higher frequiencies that a horn can handle. This cab was definitely the exception; it didn't need a horn.
Of course, this is all my subjective taste. The SVT-4 is a pro piece, through and through. Still, if you decide to go with one, you may want to check into the used market and get an older USA model. You may or may not know that Ampeg has moved all of its manufactering off-shore. As my esteemed collegue, Sapo, would say, it's probably good to be skeptical of the build-quality from a Third World Asian country.
Also, you probably knew I was going to say this, but you may also want to consider the Aguilar DB750. It's a beast of a head with a crazified tube-front end and a slammin' SS power section. Not quite an SVT, but it may give you want you want too. I'd like to own one someday.
For me personally, I've always put Ampeg in the same category for bass as I put Marshall in for guitar: I hate the majority of Marshall tone out there, but once in a while, I'll just hear a Marshall rig that sounds like the voice of God. I don't dig the majority of the Ampeg rigs I hear, but once again, I'll occasionally come across one that makes me stand up and take notice. Last summer, PT Cruiser allowed old sKool and me to sit in at The Anchor Inn. The bass player was using an SVT reissue, and let me tell you that thing was the shizzle. It was warm, full-bodied, and had this really sweet top-end. For the past couple of years, I've been opposed to ever owning a tweeterless bass cab, because in my experience, drivers just don't accurately reproduce the higher frequiencies that a horn can handle. This cab was definitely the exception; it didn't need a horn.
Of course, this is all my subjective taste. The SVT-4 is a pro piece, through and through. Still, if you decide to go with one, you may want to check into the used market and get an older USA model. You may or may not know that Ampeg has moved all of its manufactering off-shore. As my esteemed collegue, Sapo, would say, it's probably good to be skeptical of the build-quality from a Third World Asian country.
Also, you probably knew I was going to say this, but you may also want to consider the Aguilar DB750. It's a beast of a head with a crazified tube-front end and a slammin' SS power section. Not quite an SVT, but it may give you want you want too. I'd like to own one someday.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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orangekick
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 778
- Joined: Monday Dec 13, 2004
- Location: Johnstown
The Ampeg SVT-IV is one of the worst amps in its price bracket. It doesn't have anywhere near the output that it should have with its supposed 1200 watts. I had an SVT-III that was louder and sounded better. Every single one of these SVT-IV's that I've seen have been running cranked and then just barely pushing the cabs that they were sitting on.
I'd personally go with an SVT-III, or an all tube model.
I'd personally go with an SVT-III, or an all tube model.
Thanks for the advice y'all. I'll definitely take it to heart. Based off the mixed reviews, it's clear that I'm going to have to do what I was initially thinking; I'm going to have to go to a Guitar Center or other Ampeg dealer with my cab and my Spector (a key ingredient!) and see which Ampeg head (if any) will give me the tone I'm looking for.
And yes Jeff, I'm right across the road from you apparently. However, I like this office MUCH more that the zombie-like attitudes and annoying atmosphere up the road. And it's non-union, so the production people are friendly and everyone seems to treat each other with respect. How's retirement treating you? Have you taken up golf, bridge, and bingo??? Any new toys?
Thanks again
Dan
And yes Jeff, I'm right across the road from you apparently. However, I like this office MUCH more that the zombie-like attitudes and annoying atmosphere up the road. And it's non-union, so the production people are friendly and everyone seems to treat each other with respect. How's retirement treating you? Have you taken up golf, bridge, and bingo??? Any new toys?
Thanks again
Dan
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All kinetic, no potential.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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