Ampeg SVT VR Distorting

novo · #1 08-04-2011, 11:05 AM

Hi there,
I just got myself a new Ampeg SVT VR and I'm plugging it thru a 1994 Musicman Stingray 5... I am bridging both channels together and when I play the bass (I play the bass quite hard) the sound tends to distort not that nicely... I know its a tube amp and its supposed to distort but its an ugly distortion...

How can I get rid of this distortion??? Am thinking of getting a Mark Bass Compressore because I don't think d VR can be rack mounted....

Can you help me out please???

Thanks!

johnk_10 · #2 08-04-2011, 11:10 AM

you're probably clipping the first preamp stage. i'd either make a pad for the input of the amp or just don't the bass's volume control at the max. it won't change the tone since a stingray's active system is buffered.

moebass · #3 08-04-2011, 11:16 AM

Try turning down the gain and turn up the volume.Or try rolling off on the EQ on your ray.The preamps in these put out alot of power which will give you a hot signal. My guess is the EQ on your ray.

novo · #4 08-04-2011, 11:20 AM

The ampeg SVT VR has no gain knob...
As I read on other forums is that when the amp is very loud it distorts....
now I am only using the volume till 11 o clock...(excuse my English)
is that considered loud for a head like that??
could this be coming from the speakers??? I have 610HLF Classic Ampeg Cabinet

coreyfyfe · #5 08-04-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moebass

Try turning down the gain and turn up the volume.Or try rolling off on the EQ on your ray.The preamps in these put out alot of power which will give you a hot signal. My guess is the EQ on your ray.

SVT-VR is a non-master amp so he'll have to dial back the input gain.

Jonyak · #6 08-04-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

The ampeg SVT VR has no gain knob...
As I read on other forums is that when the amp is very loud it distorts....
now I am only using the volume till 11 o clock...(excuse my English)
is that considered loud for a head like that??
could this be coming from the speakers??? I have 610HLF Classic Ampeg Cabinet

Thats about where it will start to distort...

its a tube amp. they do that.

I can't even imagine playing an SVT that loud, I play mine at 9 and its rediculously loud and clean.

johnk_10 · #7 08-04-2011, 11:25 AM

11 o'clock on a VR is just about full power. everything after 12 o'clock is preamp distortion, unless your bass has a very weak output, which a stingray doesn't.

novo · #8 08-04-2011, 11:30 AM

Ohh I did not know that...

novo · #9 08-04-2011, 11:37 AM

Does a compressor help in these situations???
My Band's sound manager told me that with a tube amp its very important to have a compressor with it...

johnk_10 · #10 08-04-2011, 11:39 AM

with an SVT, i don't think a compressor is necessary at all.

BassmanPaul · #11 08-04-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

Does a compressor help in these situations???
My Band's sound manager told me that with a tube amp its very important to have a compressor with it...

Rubbish. The whole point of a tube amp is the natural compression it delivers when pushed!

Jonyak · #12 08-04-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

Does a compressor help in these situations???
My Band's sound manager told me that with a tube amp its very important to have a compressor with it...

Hmm I have NEVER heard that.

tube amps naturaly compress the more you drive them.

I actualy stopped using my compressor when I switched from solid state to tubes because of this.

RickenBoogie · #13 08-04-2011, 11:44 AM

+1 to the advice given so far. Best bet is to roll the bass's volume knob back a bit, and don't boost the low end from the bass either. Should clean right up. Also, another +1- you do NOT *need* a compressor.

novo · #14 08-04-2011, 11:53 AM

thanks guys...I really appreciate your advices..
Sorry I don't understand much since I have got my first tube amp for only 2 weeks...
What does it mean it naturally compresses???
Also I like my sound with a bit of low end (The VR Has 2 Ultra Low knobs which I currently don't use)...How can I resolve the distortion thing, whilst keeping the volume a bit high....

Sorry for the bunch of questions but I got to know alot of things from this thread!

Thanks!

JimmyM · #15 08-04-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

The ampeg SVT VR has no gain knob...
As I read on other forums is that when the amp is very loud it distorts....
now I am only using the volume till 11 o clock...(excuse my English)
is that considered loud for a head like that??
could this be coming from the speakers??? I have 610HLF Classic Ampeg Cabinet

11:00 is usually the point where all non-master volume Ampegs start to distort. So yeah, it's absolutely considered loud for a head like that. And I agree with everyone else...you CAN use a compressor, but it's not necessary, especially when you're cranked that loud.

Jonyak · #16 08-04-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

thanks guys...I really appreciate your advices..
Sorry I don't understand much since I have got my first tube amp for only 2 weeks...
What does it mean it naturally compresses???
Also I like my sound with a bit of low end (The VR Has 2 Ultra Low knobs which I currently don't use)...How can I resolve the distortion thing, whilst keeping the volume a bit high....

Sorry for the bunch of questions but I got to know alot of things from this thread!

Thanks!

What cabinet are you using?

because at 11 oclock that amp should be ungodly loud.

another thing, don't boost the lows too much or use the ultra low settings. Consider instead boosting the lower mids, or the mid mids.

it will cut through much better.

RickenBoogie · #17 08-04-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novo

thanks guys...I really appreciate your advices..
Sorry I don't understand much since I have got my first tube amp for only 2 weeks...
What does it mean it naturally compresses???
Also I like my sound with a bit of low end (The VR Has 2 Ultra Low knobs which I currently don't use)...How can I resolve the distortion thing, whilst keeping the volume a bit high....

Sorry for the bunch of questions but I got to know alot of things from this thread!

Thanks!

That has been answered- lower the volume knob on your bass guitar. It's the hot signal from your bass guitar that's clipping the preamp.

WhoDidTheElf · #18 08-04-2011, 01:37 PM

What kind of cab are you playing through?

BagelBruin · #19 08-04-2011, 01:57 PM

Exact same thing was happening to my Ampeg SVT 4 Pro! Don't feel bad. You are now armed with more knowledge.

Bassoballs · #20 08-04-2011, 02:53 PM

I have 2 VR's and have found that I cant use my active basses with them. It seems to overload the preamp to a point that it reduces most of the low end output. With my passive basses they work great!