Ampeg SVT with non-Ampeg cab?

santacruzom · #1 09-02-2010, 12:09 PM

My Eden WT-550 has been in the shop for an astounding 5 weeks and I'm beginning to doubt that they can rebuild it. I'm thinking of using this as an excuse to finally go Ampeg.

I found a head on Craigslist that I'll check out, but does anyone have any experience using an SVT with a non-Ampeg cabinet? I've got a 4-ohm Epifani 4x10 ultralight that I really like. It won't blow apart will it? Or sound like crap?

tekhedd · #2 09-02-2010, 12:12 PM

Well, it won't blow apart, I can help you with that part. Soundwise, I think you have an excuse to take your cab to your nearest Ampeg dealer and make loud noises.

Selta · #3 09-02-2010, 12:20 PM

I use mine with Avatar cabs.

Vinny D · #4 09-02-2010, 12:48 PM

The Ampeg tone is very different from a WT550, if you are going to look at Ampeg I would suggest trying the SVT3-pro.
That amplifier will give you the warmth of the WT550 but with a more aggressive tone.

The SVT3-pro would be a nice match with a 4ohm cab, but just remember you could not add another cab to the setup as the 3-pro will only go down to 4ohms.

KramerBassFan · #5 09-02-2010, 01:01 PM

You can't beat a SVT.

kranahan · #6 09-02-2010, 01:05 PM

I use my SVT-CL with a 4 ohm Aguilar db 410 and it sounds great. The Mesa Boogie 6x10 I had sounded better than the Ampeg 8x10 I have now.

Tim1 · #7 09-02-2010, 01:16 PM

I use my SVT VR with Bergantino NV 610 or NV 215 cabs. A match made in heaven - and I have owned a 'fridge but the Bergantinos just sing with it.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #8 09-02-2010, 01:20 PM

I use mine with EarCandy BassBombs. I like the sound I get out of my BassBombs better than what I get out of my SVT-610.

GBassNorth · #9 09-02-2010, 01:30 PM

Bergantino NV610 is what I use with my SVT for old school. Also have an older Bergantino HT322 that sounds great but because of the horn and higher SPL its more hifi, great for slap if you do that. Always wanted to try the Bergantino 215, they are supposed to sound great with this head as well.

okcrum · #10 09-02-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzom

My Eden WT-550 has been in the shop for an astounding 5 weeks and I'm beginning to doubt that they can rebuild it. I'm thinking of using this as an excuse to finally go Ampeg.

I found a head on Craigslist that I'll check out, but does anyone have any experience using an SVT with a non-Ampeg cabinet? I've got a 4-ohm Epifani 4x10 ultralight that I really like. It won't blow apart will it? Or sound like crap?

Sounds like an excuse for a new amp tech.

Bijoux · #11 09-02-2010, 01:32 PM

I used to have the SVT-3 Pro, and although I love the sound it doesn't put out a whole lot of power. Go for the SVT-4 PRO! it's heavy, 40 pounds but you won't regret it. You can find it used anywhere from $600 to $700 these days. IMHO nothing sounds like it!

stiles72 · #12 09-02-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bijoux

I used to have the SVT-3 Pro, and although I love the sound it doesn't put out a whole lot of power. !

The 3-Pro has plenty of power if you set the gain correctly. Ignore the red idiot light - it's not a clip light. Turn up the gain until that light is firing with each note, then turn up the master to suit your needs. Also playing with the tube gain can give you a little more edge/juice if you turn it up. All the way to the left is softer and tubeyier - all the way to the right is more defined and attacking like a ss amp.

edbass · #13 09-02-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

You can't beat a SVT.

Absolutely you can. In fact, you can wail the tar out of it and it just keeps going, and going, and going...

Bijoux · #14 09-02-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiles72

The 3-Pro has plenty of power if you set the gain correctly. Ignore the red idiot light - it's not a clip light. Turn up the gain until that light is firing with each note, then turn up the master to suit your needs. Also playing with the tube gain can give you a little more edge/juice if you turn it up. All the way to the left is softer and tubeyier - all the way to the right is more defined and attacking like a ss amp.

wow! unfortunately it's a little too late for me to find that out!
I really love the sound of the SVT-3 PRO. probably even more than the SVT-4 PRO. I have the EA Micro which also has a led light which is supposed to be on when you play. It actually means that you have enough input signal. Back when I had the SVT-3 PRO i thought that I was overdriving the input signal...

JimmyM · #15 09-02-2010, 04:13 PM

if this is an all tube svt and not a 3 pro, just make sure it's a 4 ohm load and the epi will be fine.

Folmeister · #16 09-02-2010, 04:29 PM

I use my SVT-CL with a Whappo and a 322. Both are very complimentary.

santacruzom · #17 09-02-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny D

The Ampeg tone is very different from a WT550, if you are going to look at Ampeg I would suggest trying the SVT3-pro.
That amplifier will give you the warmth of the WT550 but with a more aggressive tone.

Yeah... honestly I never really dug my Eden's tone. I was always using something like a Sansamp or my Boss GT-10B to try to emulate the Ampeg tone anyway.

I've always wanted an SVT, but I know they're headaches.

JimmyM · #18 09-02-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzom

I've always wanted an SVT, but I know they're headaches.

only if you're a wuss

actually they're not any more of a headache than anything else. they'll all end up in the shop eventually. and tubes aren't as delicate as some make them out to be. not unusual to get a decade out of a set of tubes. yeah, sometimes they break, but so do ss amps.

they are heavy, though...can't deny that. but no more delicate than anything else imho. bands wouldn't use them if they didn't hold up.

johnk_10 · #19 09-02-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzom

Yeah... honestly I never really dug my Eden's tone. I was always using something like a Sansamp or my Boss GT-10B to try to emulate the Ampeg tone anyway.

I've always wanted an SVT, but I know they're headaches.

IMO, they aren't any bigger of a headache than any other amp i own (and i have ALOT of them).

i run my (100% tube) SVT's thru a bunch of different cabs that i have and it sounds great thru all of them, so while an ampeg 8x10 does really compliment an SVT, i don't think it's absoultely necessary to use an ampeg cab. one of my favorites is an accugroove whappo jr with it.

santacruzom · #20 09-02-2010, 05:16 PM

Thanks guys. I think my main concern was that the Ampeg cabs are just "voiced" in a way that better suits their own amps than mine would be. Or something. But now that I'm at least sure that I can't damage my cab, I'll just bring it along and see how it sounds.