Ampeg SVT II (Pro or non) vs. Mesa Boogie Bass Buster 200

[Burruss]

Looking for some info regarding these two amps. Can the Mesa overdrive like the SVT when you push the gain? Opinions on both? Anyone played them side by side? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[jetofuj]

Haven't tried Ampeg, but I had Buster combo.

It's an odd beast. It has tricky eq you have to get used to. Your basic three band eq works like volumes of each freq + these three knobs are very interactive with each other. From my personal experience you get two basic tones out of it: clean and doom. When you push it you get distortion more than Ampeg like drive. Buster is rather modern sounding amp and it was too "sterile" for my taste. If you dig glorious mids then Ampeg will be a better solution. Of course IMO.

[Burruss]

I'm looking more towards the head, not the combo. I forgot to mention that I am in a metal band.

[Calaverasgrande]

In a metal band I would go for the SVT II or a Mesa Bass 400(+).
You might find the buster to be not as loud as the SVT or the 400.

[Burruss]

After looking into the 400+ it definately sounds like what I would be looking for from Mesa. So same questions as above, but now looking for comparison between the ampeg svt ii or the Mesa 400+. Thanks

[cheezewiz]

Two different types of great. Heavy grindy mids with the Ampeg. Cleaner but still great tones with the Mesa. There really is no best between the two. They are both awesome. If I were in a metal band, I'd probably choose the Ampeg, however, it's quite a bit heavier than the Mesa. My back much prefers my 400+.

[anderbass]

Dang, I still own all these amps.

I've gigged each with the same NV610 cab, and then also with and without my VT-pedal.

My Buster:

No powertube sag, lightning fast attack. Seemed like I'm playing a 500-watt solid state power section to me.(I swear this amp improves my playing speed over my SVT/400+)

Clean-surprisingly loud lows, bright piercing mids and highs. Punches so hard you'll get bruises

Doesn't seem to poses the low-mid growl tone I prefer, even with a VT pedal into the front-end or poweramp section via F/X-return.

My Buster's tone and feel is as completely different from my SVT-II, as 2 loud tube-amps can possibly be.

SVT-II (non-pro):

Really good punchy-compressed sound/feel with just enough tube sag when played at higher volumes.

Good lows but they get kinda fuzzy at louder volumes. Sweet-musical low mid growl for days, plenty of highs if desired.

Thick rich, syrupy tone that envelops most any room with with a velvety blanket feel, with lots of punch.

I prefer my SVT's playing in my classic rock cover/Americana-original rock bands.

400+:

I truly consider my 400+ to be the halfway point between my Buster and SVT.

With some bands, I prefer my 400+ over any of my other amps.

If I had to bring just 1 amp to a metal band tryout, I'd bring my 400+.