Ampeg Buyers Guide?

[Scatterblak]

Hi guys,

I've got a little extra coin arriving in July, and I need a classic Ampeg rig for some of these country gigs (I live in Nashville, TN). Has to be a classic SVT tube head and an 810 - you know the ones - but there seems to be some differences over the years (made in the USA vs. abroad, etc.) that I'm not familiar with. I'm not interested in replacing my current rig, but for a lot of these artist gigs, the fact is the artist and the producers want to see you pull out a P-bass and a classic SVT rig. Where else would I turn besides TB to learn what to look for, what years, what questions to ask sellers, what prices are reasonable, etc? I need to strike a balance between vintage growl and 'bigness' and dependability.

Lend me your wisdom!
-S

[kander]

I'd look at a new SVT VR: it should do the trick. I believe the general consensus is that the more recent Ampeg amps (made overseas) are of the same quality as the USA amps.

[packhowitzer]

[quote=Scatterblak;11011688]Hi guys,

I'm not interested in replacing my current rig, but for a lot of these artist gigs, the fact is the artist and the producers want to see you pull out a P-bass and a classic SVT rig.

That is one of the problem with the narrow mindedness of country music producers and artists. "OH NO! He doesn't have exactly the right bass or amp- he can't possibly be any good! Don't let him on stage"

Obviously, you are going to play ball because I'm sure it's a good gig. It just sucks that country music still clings to those antiquated notions. Anyway, enough rant...

If you can afford it, the new Heritage CL is like an SVT-VR, but made here in the states. It's a good head with a classic 70's SVT look and sound, but it's dang pricy. I've seen more than a few country guys playing the SVT-VR on Directv 101 which is kind of their concert channel. I don't know about the reliability of these heads though. I don't guess you could go wrong with a US made SVT which means you've got to get one made before 2008 i think? (Guys help me out) My SVT-2pro is a 2007 and it is definitely US made.

Good luck. Make a bunch of money.

[rmkesler]

I bought my VR new in February of last year and love it. I believe the ones that were made in ~2007 when they moved to Asia had issues but they managed to get things back on track.

[allexcosta]

I think you really should try to get some older SVT and let a good tech go over it. The tone doesn't compare to anything Ampeg has made lately.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by packhowitzer

If you can afford it, the new Heritage CL is like an SVT-VR, but made here in the states..

Just for clarity, the Heritage SVT is an SVT-CL, not an SVT-VR. They will sound different.

If it were my money and I was buying new I'd get an SVT-VR and matching 8x10. I prefer the blue/silver look over the black and prefer the sound of the vintage/VR amps to the CL, but either one will be good.

The general consensus (and by that I mean Jimmy speaks and we obey) is that the mid-2000s to the end of US production cabs weren't quite up to snuff with the 90s cabs and current production. Current production has gone back to using birch ply and the speakers have changed slightly. The mid-2000 era SLM cabs used speakers that are characterized as "darker sounding" with more lows, less mids.

[packhowitzer]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Just for clarity, the Heritage SVT is an SVT-CL, not an SVT-VR. They will sound different.

Thanks for setting me straight.

[cheezewiz]

Yep... I'd get a new VR and matching 8/10

[gnjpowell]

I do sound and back-line. Have had nothing but trouble with tube SVT heads. Now running the SVT-450H Classic head and it works great and is reliable. At our last gig one of the bass players liked the rig so much he offered to buy it! Not far sale though, the SVT-810E Classic cab was played by Geezer Butler.....

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

The general consensus (and by that I mean Jimmy speaks and we obey) is that the mid-2000s to the end of US production cabs weren't quite up to snuff with the 90s cabs and current production. Current production has gone back to using birch ply and the speakers have changed slightly. The mid-2000 era SLM cabs used speakers that are characterized as "darker sounding" with more lows, less mids.

LOL! Well I have got to play pretty much all varieties of SVT on the road except the Heritage so that's a wise idea

Corey's dead on, except the speakers in the newer 810e's have changed a lot from the SLM cabs from 2000-2005. They are greatly improved IMHO.

People argue about the differences between the VR, the CL, the 2 Pro, 2 Nonpro, and the vintage heads, but I find little difference in all of them, except the CL and 2 Pro have separate gain and master volume, and they sound a little less "open" (for lack of a better word). But it's not by much, and they're cheaper than the VR, and they still sound fantastic. But for me, the little difference in the VR is worth it, so if I didn't have this primo 69 SVT, I'd get a VR. Honestly, blindfolded I doubt I'd be able to tell the difference. Got no idea about the Heritage SVT-CL, but one guy on here who knows his stuff swears it sounds as good as his 70's SVT.

Cabs are a different story. They've never topped the original flatback cabs with CTS alnicos, but they only handle 250-300w so that would never fly with the kids who demand big numbers. But I think all SVT 810 cabs sound great except the ones from 98-06. They used OSB strandboard, and from 2000 on they used very dark speakers. OK, some like that sound, but I'm not one of them. But the newer cabs sound excellent again. I haven't got to try the Heritage cabs yet, but everyone I know who has says they're the 810 to get these days. But I've used the Chinese cabs many times and they sound really good, too.

So bottom line, stay away from the 98-06 cabs and you're good with all of it. You'll probably develop preferences if you play enough of them, but all of them rock.

[Fair Warning]

If you wanted to take the best band for the buck, and not over analyze the different heads and cabs, go the CL and search "Ampeg". You should be able to find a good USA made CL, SVT-II, or Pro with fresh tubes ($800).... Then find a clean 810 cab with all 8 speakers that work. Most of them out there are USA made, but even if not, they are all good cabs...($500).

Bottom line: It is all good sound......with suttle differences to the watchmakers out there. I think it would be hard to come up with bad country sound from any Ampeg rig out there.

So there you go...$1300 out the door....

[Scatterblak]

Wow, thanks guy!! Just the information I was looking for!!