Ampeg SVT-3PRO or Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe

FireGloRIC · #1 09-28-2011, 10:27 AM

I am currently using an SWR SM400S head with a Goliath II 4x10 cabinet. It sounds good but I am thinking of going to an Ampeg SVT sound. It would also be an advantage to have a backup head for gigs.
What's your opinion between finding a used SVT-3Pro or just picking up a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe?
My thoughts are this. Having a second head may be fun to play around with, who knows...the 3Pro could become my main amp. On the other side, the VT Bass Deluxe is lighter and can be used in front of my SWR for a different sound and if the amp dies during a gig I can connect it to the FOH.

Alex1984 · #2 09-28-2011, 11:50 AM

VT Bass Deluxe. It's great to have different tones available w/ a tap of a button. Also, the range of tones it offers is more than the 3 Pro. The SWR has a very nice power section, the VT Bass is simply a great pedal.

77PBass · #3 09-28-2011, 03:32 PM

I play through an SVT 3pro in rehearsal...hate it. I started bring my VTBass pedal and putting everything flat on the amp. Much better tone.

FireGloRIC · #4 09-28-2011, 09:02 PM

Interesting. Does anyone like the SVT-3Pro as an option?
Has anyone used the VT Bass to go to FOH? It seems that you need to go to the Deluxe version to get the DI. I assume that you would need an adapter of some kind with the 1/4 output of the standard VT Bass.

FireGloRIC · #5 09-30-2011, 08:39 AM

Bump:
Any other input?

satchmo · #6 09-30-2011, 08:47 AM

I haven't tried the VT bass so ymmv etc. But I love my SVT 3. Running it through a 2x10 and 4x10 it sounds great. That being said tonally it is limited. But for the pop rock stuff I play it is perfect. If you need more variety, the VT bass may be a better option

mazdah · #7 09-30-2011, 08:49 AM

l'd prefer any ampeg over any sansamp. Had bddi, loved it until bought my first Ampeg. Since then never looked back. Sorry for the grammar, my opera mobile doesn't want to work properly. Does not show the single ''I''letter.

pbassnut · #8 09-30-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireGloRIC

Interesting. Does anyone like the SVT-3Pro as an option?
Has anyone used the VT Bass to go to FOH? It seems that you need to go to the Deluxe version to get the DI. I assume that you would need an adapter of some kind with the 1/4 output of the standard VT Bass.

I haven't had a chance to audition the Tech 21 VT pedals yet ... but really want to. I have an SVT3 Pro which I think is a good workhorse of a head. It seems to sound the best to my ears with a P-Bass strung with a set of round wounds. I have my SVT3 Pro in a rack with a Trace Elliot V-Type preamp that I use patched into the "poweramp in" jack of the SVT3 Pro to just use the power section of the amp. This yields a really good sound, IMHO. This setup gives me the option of using the SVT or Fender Showman preamp circuits ... both of which work well for the blues / soul / r&b styles of music I play.

chubrocker · #9 09-30-2011, 09:04 AM

IMO, I never cared for the VT pedal. Not sure exactly why. I have a 90's SVT3Pro. I use a compressor in front of it to push the amp a bit more and beef-up my tone. Dial in the gain I want, viola! Love the amp!

Most people who don't like the 3Pro have not spent time working with the amp IMO. This whole "set it flat" stuff just doesn't work for me. Have the tube gain all the way to the left (100% tube) and the graphic gain (far right slider) is up all the way. Turn the volume to almost max then bring the gain know (not the tube gain) to volume level you want. Don't worry about the blinking red light. You want it to light up.

Son of Bovril · #10 09-30-2011, 09:39 AM

yup cause that's how it was intended to run...

mazdah · #11 09-30-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

yup cause that's how it was intended to run...

Nooope.

IMO maxed master and using gain to adjust the overall volume works great only at high levels, when the tubes are properly fed with signal (this is when the red knob is blinking).

For quieter gigs setting the gain properly high, tube gain to taste and master to needs, without touching the last slider on graphic EQ to control the volume is the best way to use SVT-3pro.

Period.

Peg_legs · #12 09-30-2011, 11:02 AM

My plan was to switch from Mesa to an Ampeg 7 pro. I tried the vt deluxe as a cheaper way to get the tone, and am happy

chubrocker · #13 09-30-2011, 12:56 PM

Pfft, I don't do quieter gigs!!

SVT 7 Pro MIGHT be my next purchase if I don't go SVT-CL. It's more of a weight thing than 100% tube. Might get a V4 for my "quieter" gigs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazdah

Nooope.

For quieter gigs setting the gain properly high, tube gain to taste and master to needs, without touching the last slider on graphic EQ to control the volume is the best way to use SVT-3pro.

Period.

mazdah · #14 09-30-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

Pfft, I don't do quieter gigs!!

SVT 7 Pro MIGHT be my next purchase if I don't go SVT-CL. It's more of a weight thing than 100% tube. Might get a V4 for my "quieter" gigs.

Well, I consider every gig at clubs up to 500 people quiet.
And outdoor stages like this:

too.

Might need more volume for bigger stages and bigger clubs without the PA, but for up to 500 people and outdoor gigs on tages as big as two truck trailers I did with master at noon with 3pro and 410HLF. We played The Cult covers.

The Removal Machine - Star - YouTube (here with my old rig)

chubrocker · #15 09-30-2011, 03:04 PM

THANKS for posting this video. I think this should prove there is NOT a volume issue with this amp. What year is your 410? I'm looking at 610s right now, but am only find SLM years, not newer. Everyone has me worried to buy a SLM era cab.

mazdah · #16 09-30-2011, 03:26 PM

Mine was from 2006 and I miss this cab a lot. Had to sell it because of the money problems... So currently I'm using my 3PRO with single SVT-15E cab - works great, but sometimes I had to crank master volume past noon (usually outdoor gigs and clubs without PA)

Here is more current video, unfortunatelly you probably won't be able to understand the lyrics

Tangerine - Wynocha! - YouTube

SVT-3PRo, SVT-15E, US Vintage 62 P-bass, 2 y.o. Labellas 760FL and short bass solo-bridge in the middle of the song

Never heard newer and older HLFs, mine was great. Very warm, rumbling with powerfull lows and low mids - kinda Roger Waters sound on In the flesh live DVD. Loved it and I will buy one as soon as possible.

rodl2005 · #17 09-30-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireGloRIC

Interesting. Does anyone like the SVT-3Pro as an option?
Has anyone used the VT Bass to go to FOH? It seems that you need to go to the Deluxe version to get the DI. I assume that you would need an adapter of some kind with the 1/4 output of the standard VT Bass.

Well you can just plug this way -bass-VT pedal-DI-link to amp & the sound of the Bass & VT pedal (with it's amp sim) will go to the board.
But to get the DI in the VT pedal, yes the DLX version is required.

I like both. The 3 pro is a cool amp & the sound outta the VT into a DI is good too. I think you'll get more varied sounds outta the VT than most amps, as it has very powerful eq, & the Character control is also very powerful, as is the Drive. It will go from sparkly clean to full on 'screaming pwt tubes' overdrive.

FireGloRIC · #18 10-01-2011, 08:17 PM

Thanks for all the input. Tough decision but I ended up picking up a USA made SVT-3Pro for $329. I figured that having a second head to play with can't be bad. I'll probably also pick up the VT Deluxe eventually since it sounds like a great pedal.