Ampeg SVT Classic?

EyesOfAnguishbassist · Post by **EyesOfAnguishbassist** » Saturday Apr 04, 2009

I was thinking about purchasing one if I could get rid of my Mesa 400+. I really like the Mesa but its been giving me some problems and Im just sick of dealing with it. It was blowing fuses and then it just started working again and works as of right now fine but yeahhh enough of my rambling... Was wondering what you bassists out there thought about the SVT Classic. Thanks!

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Saturday Apr 04, 2009

Its probably the standard in bass amplification. Personally, I think there are better options available.

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Sunday Apr 05, 2009

MeYatch wrote:Its probably the standard in bass amplification. Personally, I think there are better options available.

'nuff said.

-but-

nothing sounds like an ampeg... except for a line6 model of an ampeg. and i think with tech 21 stuff you can get close...

having said that i think there are better, cheaper options available.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Sunday Apr 05, 2009

I haven't had a chance to rattle my bones with an SVT Classic, but I'm a huge Ampeg fan after getting an SVT-4 PRO. All the pros that had my dream tone played the SVT-4s, so I switched to one after not being able to get the 'it' tone from my Mesa Basis M-2000, even though it was an amazing and ahead-of-its-time amp.

I probably won't be looking for another bass head for MANY years to come. I'm very happy with my Ampeg. However, I would avoid the new Vietnam-made Ampegs at all costs. I'm disgusted that they moved their operations over there and would refuse to buy a new item from Ampeg.

You have my vote on a used USA Ampeg, and I doubt you will be unhappy with it. BUT.....as with all gear purchases, go to as many stores and hear as many different amps and cabs in person before you spend that kind of money. Harmony-Central reviews and word of mouth won't quite have the same effect as hearing a rig for yourself.

Keep us posted!

grimmbass · Post by **grimmbass** » Thursday Apr 09, 2009

You couldn't pay me to take an Ampeg made in the last five years. The quality has gone to absolute hell (just ask Deathmaster Funk Jae), and the new Vietnam-made models, well, they just IRK me. The company outsources all manufacturing to save costs and then doesn't drop prices for consumers. Not to mention that they eliminated a bunch of U.S. jobs. That being said, I wouldn't want one of the last U.S.A. models either (how much quality control would you put into a product if you knew YOUR job was being shipped overseas?).

I've got my heart set on a new Peavey VB-2. 225 watts, all tube, fuzz and clean channels, and made in the good ol' U.S.A. for under $900. Originally, this amp was going to be built overseas, and the good folks at Peavey brought manufacturing back to the states (good on you, Hartley!).

The new Eden all-tube stuff (also U.S.A.-made) can be had for less than the price of a Vietnampeg as well.

Slackin': I totally agree with you on the Sans-Amp emulation. The good folks at Tech21 even make a stompbox designed to directly emulate the SVT sound in a completely analog format!

Fuck Ampeg. Buy an American-made tube amp and SAVE money in the process!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thursday Apr 09, 2009

I agree with everything that Kent just said, but then again, I've never been an Ampeg guy with to begin.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Thursday Apr 09, 2009

I'd love to try the Peavey VB-2. I ended up getting a Traynor YBA-200 on ebay at a price I couldn't refuse.

Sapo · Post by **Sapo** » Thursday Apr 09, 2009

I've got a VB-2. They have been having issues - I mean lots of VB-2's. basically, they are running too much power for the design. Mine was dead soon after I got it. Plate voltage was too high. Blew the tubes and some fuses. The tech had to convert it to a class B and it now puts out about 180 watts. Thank goodness it was new and under warranty.

I hope it proves to be reliable as I have been getting some good tones out of it. My first gig with it is Saturday.

All that being said I had been an Ampeg guy for about 20 years. When they sold the company to LOUD and shipped things overseas I decided to bail on them. I have slowly been getting rid of all my ampeg stuff. The only thing I have left other than my ampeg cabs is my SVP-Pro. I decided to go to Ashdown and of course, I picked up the VB-2 at a sick price.

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Friday Apr 10, 2009

Sapo wrote:I've got a VB-2. They have been having issues - I mean lots of VB-2's. basically, they are running too much power for the design. Mine was dead soon after I got it. Plate voltage was too high. Blew the tubes and some fuses. The tech had to convert it to a class B and it now puts out about 180 watts. Thank goodness it was new and under warranty.

I hope it proves to be reliable as I have been getting some good tones out of it. My first gig with it is Saturday.

All that being said I had been an Ampeg guy for about 20 years. When they sold the company to LOUD and shipped things overseas I decided to bail on them. I have slowly been getting rid of all my ampeg stuff. The only thing I have left other than my ampeg cabs is my SVP-Pro. I decided to go to Ashdown and of course, I picked up the VB-2 at a sick price.

you gonna get rid of the svp? let me know if so... yea yea, there are better options than 'nampeg, but, i still like the sound of them. thinking personally of going with a pre-amp/power amp set up, and then just getting a bunch of pre amps cuz i can never decide on what i like

figure i can have it all this way

Sapo · Post by **Sapo** » Friday Apr 10, 2009

slackin@dabass wrote: you gonna get rid of the svp? let me know if so... yea yea, there are better options than 'nampeg, but, i still like the sound of them. thinking personally of going with a pre-amp/power amp set up, and then just getting a bunch of pre amps cuz i can never decide on what i like
figure i can have it all this way

Not at the moment. I really like the sound of it but I also need it to maintain a practice rig. Then again, money talks. But I won't part with it at bargain prices. If I recall its a USA built one from about 2001-2002, but I'd have to check the serial # or receipt to be sure.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Friday Apr 10, 2009

Sapo wrote:I've got a VB-2. They have been having issues - I mean lots of VB-2's. basically, they are running too much power for the design. Mine was dead soon after I got it. Plate voltage was too high. Blew the tubes and some fuses. The tech had to convert it to a class B and it now puts out about 180 watts. Thank goodness it was new and under warranty.

that's dissapointing, especially from a company with such a reputation for reliability as peavey has.

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Friday Apr 10, 2009

Sapo wrote:
slackin@dabass wrote: you gonna get rid of the svp? let me know if so... yea yea, there are better options than 'nampeg, but, i still like the sound of them. thinking personally of going with a pre-amp/power amp set up, and then just getting a bunch of pre amps cuz i can never decide on what i like
figure i can have it all this way
Not at the moment. I really like the sound of it but I also need it to maintain a practice rig. Then again, money talks. But I won't part with it at bargain prices. If I recall its a USA built one from about 2001-2002, but I'd have to check the serial # or receipt to be sure.

i've seen them for sale used for like 500 bucks. not too bad. but, if you do decide to part with it ever, let me know.

anyone here try the mesa m9 carbine? i tried the one they have at rainbow a couple of days ago, and it sounded awsome. 900 watts, amazing tone, completly tube up untill the power amp... hmm... better than ampeg, and cheaper, too!

EyesOfAnguishbassist · Post by **EyesOfAnguishbassist** » Tuesday Apr 14, 2009

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it. I was just going by hearsay and I know alot of my favorite bassists use that head so that weighed on why I was leaning towards one of those. I found one on ebay with new tubes though for 750$. Think thats a deal even if you arent a big Ampeg fan?

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Tuesday Apr 14, 2009

yea, that's an awsome deal. i'd go for it.

don't misunderstand me, though. i do like ampeg tone, i just think there are better options. but at that price, that's a deal. i wouldn't pass it up.