Ampeg SVT CL EQ Question

bluesbass99 · #1 01-03-2011, 03:31 PM

I recently bought an Ampeg SVT CL and 810e cabinet. I am still fiddling with the various settings, but for the most part, I tend to keep everything at around 12 o'clock with the bass being between 2 & 3 o'clock and the Hi/Lo switches turned off. My gain is set around 2 o'clock. My bass is a Lakland Joe Osborn Skyline model and I'm using light gauge (40/60/80/102) flatwound strings. I've noticed that when I hit a anything above a G on the D string, it almost like I'm not even playing that note. I hear nothing.

Should I be adjusting the bass pick-ups and/or the amp settings to something other than what I indicated above? Or, could it be the the light gauge strings I'm using? It is almost like the notes don't resonate at all. I've also played my '72 Fender P through this and have not noticed the same problem that I get using my Lakland. The Fender is strung with flats, but are a thicker gauge.

I sure would appreciate any feedback that be offered. Thanks.

BassBob1 · #2 01-03-2011, 03:38 PM

if you play the lakland unplugged can you tell if its fretting out anywhere? Could be an issue with the way your bass is set up. I dont see how the eq settings would cause something that drastic. I have a '08 fender mia jazz bass strung with flats (45/65/80/100) and i play through an ampeg svt7 pro and classic 410hlf. Eq is set similar to yours. If your p-bass isnt doing the same thing i would check the set up on the lakland and see if that fixes the problem.

micahturner · #3 01-03-2011, 03:45 PM

Adjust your pick-up heights.

JimmyM · #4 01-03-2011, 03:55 PM

the svt is not a flat response amp when nooned. when i use one, i put the mids at 800 up to 3:00 and treble at 2:00 because it is almost all low end at noon and the frequency response tapers off diagonally as it goes up the frequency spectrum.

and sorry, the svt 7 pro's eq is not applicable to a tube svt and it has nothing to do with pickup height. you have to turn knobs. that's all there is to it. i know it's the cool thing to put all the controls at noon, but it doesn't work with the svt. all heads have a voicing at noon that may or may not work for you. if it doesn't work, all you have to do is move knobs until it does. don't fear the knobs

okcrum · #5 01-03-2011, 04:01 PM

For a quick test, raise the saddle height on your D string on the JO and see if the symptom changes or vanishes. That will tell you whether you have a setup or possible neck issue.

It sure doesn't sound like it's the amp. Could be the pickups, though.

JimmyM · #6 01-03-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

For a quick test, raise the saddle height on your D string on the JO and see if the symptom changes or vanishes. That will tell you whether you have a setup or possible neck issue.

It sure doesn't sound like it's the amp. Could be the pickups, though.

moving knobs is a lot easier

countrybassist · #7 01-03-2011, 04:08 PM

Bass at noon, Mid at 3 set at 800, treble at 1-2. Bass boost on. Master 8-10 and control volume with gain.

okcrum · #8 01-03-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

moving knobs is a lot easier

This just sounds like a problem I had on one of my basses that needed a bit of fret levelling. The SVT-CL rolls off at noon but doesn't do brick wall tone shelving on one bass, and not on another. It could be twisted strings, too. I'm just not getting the feel it's the amp, but better to rule that out, since we're in the amp forum.

blastjv · #9 01-04-2011, 09:01 AM

What happens when you play the same bass through another amp? First figure out if it's the Bass, the Effects (if any), or the Amp (or cabinet, I guess). Sounds more like a problem with the instrument to me if it's as drastic as you say. But like Jimmy said, the easiest thing to try first is the twist some knobs to see if there's a difference.

-JV

Jim C · #10 01-04-2011, 09:20 AM

If the Pbass doesn't have this problem, it sure sounds like the Lakland is the culrpit; possible bad pickup(s)?
I've had a few SVT's and currently own a CL and have never had this problem; what happens with all the EQ knobs at 12:00 with both basses?

bluesbass99 · #11 01-04-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

If the Pbass doesn't have this problem, it sure sounds like the Lakland is the culrpit; possible bad pickup(s)?
I've had a few SVT's and currently own a CL and have never had this problem; what happens with all the EQ knobs at 12:00 with both basses?

Thanks to all of the great feedback regarding this. We're having rehearsals tomorrow night, so I'm taking some of the comments offered here, along with my P-bass, and see if I can better isolate the problem. I'll also use the suggested settings and see if that makes a difference. Again, thanks again.