Ampeg SVT-VR versus Ampeg SVT-2 Pro

mountainmike · #1 02-20-2011, 03:17 PM

I'd like to know about the difference in dry amp stages and the driver of these two (current) Ampegs, so it's not about eq and such. Specs show one tube different in pre-amp, but it can be swapped. I can't find schematics ...

Duke21 · #2 02-20-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmike

I'd like to know about the difference in dry amp stages and the driver of these two (current) Ampegs, so it's not about eq and such. Specs show one tube different in pre-amp, but it can be swapped. I can't find schematics ...

JimmyM will know!!!

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass

JimmyM · #3 02-20-2011, 08:51 PM

thanks for the vote of confidence duke, but i wouldn't have a clue

Krügmeister · #4 02-20-2011, 09:00 PM

I had a SVT-2PRO and it was awesome... felt like a boat anchor.. no lie must have been 300 lbs.
I felt it got a pretty good Ampeg tone if you adjusted it correctly... weirdly the Ampeg sound wasn't MY sound.. but the thing WAS built JUST like a REAL tank.

Jerrold Tiers · #5 02-20-2011, 09:10 PM

Schematics I have....

The VR is 2 channel, 4 input jacks, closer to the original SVT, without 12DW7, but with the appropriate parts in right places, since 12DW7 is half a 12AX7 and half a 12AU7. No footswitches, no master, no graphic.

2PRO is one channel, with "drive" control, graphic EQ, has footswitch for graphic EQ, an extra loop, 5 instead of 3 mid frequencies, peak light, input 15 dB pad.

Power amps are similar in general

VR power amp has the external bias AND balance controls, but just the one power amp in/pre out loop. VR has a dumb-as-dirt undervoltage relay which needs to be bypassed (easy with JohnK's bypass harness)

2PRO has bias only, more protection stuff.

Both have DI out, pre-post, but VR has a ground lift.

VR is darn close to an original SVT, with some extras...... SVT-2PRO is not so close, and has many extras.

Duke21 · #6 02-21-2011, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

thanks for the vote of confidence duke, but i wouldn't have a clue

Well, yes you always impress me with your Ampeg knowledge, specially if it about a old SVT or a Portaflex!

Just so you know, the fact you didn't have the answer on this case do not reduce your status as the Ampeg man in my eyes!

mountainmike · #7 02-24-2011, 12:47 PM

Jerrold Tiers : thanks! To me VR being closer to 70's SVT than 2Pro is most important fact of your reply. I'd easily pay for those schematics to puzzle all those differences. I do own a 2Pro btw, and 3Pro, 4Pro, SVT410HLF(2x), 810DL. At 21 feb on 'Amps' forum a similar topic was started by NOVO, comparing 2Pro vs CL, which has less tubes, right? Sure would like to have more Ampeg fulltubes to compare myself, maybe a 70's SVT some day. Think I'll start with Heritage 810E and regular 810E though. Maybe Jerrold can tell something about the SVT-810DL ... ?

kosmicwizard · #8 02-24-2011, 02:57 PM

I just got a SVT II (non-pro) you might want to look into finding one of these in the future (Very close to the original circuitry to the original SVT but rack mountable). Also MTI SVT or SLM SVT HD would be cool to own as well. However, I truly hope you don't have one of each of them as that stops others from having dope heads. Cheers.

mountainmike · #9 02-24-2011, 04:24 PM

kosmicwizard, 'you truly hope' : Do not worry, I'm not rich and Ampeg doesn't come cheap in the Netherlands. I'd have to sell the least satisfactory of two fully refurbished fulltubes before getting another and have it fully refurbished. Maybe I'll get an SVT II nonPro before trying more 810 cabs though, thanks for that tip! Dutch as I am, what does 'dope heads' mean please?

kosmicwizard · #10 02-25-2011, 12:18 AM

Dope is just an expression that I have been exposed to mostly through pop culture as shown on tv but also through the all pervasiveness of hip-hop culture in North America. Far too many young adults think it is cool to act, talk, and dress like a gangster. Dope in this context means really great. Cheers.

mountainmike · #11 02-25-2011, 03:37 AM

kosmicwizard : in your context 'dope' would obviously mean 'really great' but I wasn't sure, thanks for confirming! --- on topic, VR vs 2Pro : the best amp would be a matter of personal taste, so I just wondered how much difference there would be. Good to have learned an SVT-II is closest to a 70's SVT. Anyhow, I'm gonna have to try out different models with different tubes in different bands. Seems like a lifetime job to me. Thanks to all who make TalkBass work!

kosmicwizard · #12 02-25-2011, 09:33 AM

Hey Mike,

OKay so, The VR (vintage reissue) is actually going to be the closest of all the heads to the "bluefaced" ('68-'72) SVT's. There have been changes to the tubes in the pre-amps of all of the all-tubers over the years, but since you can play around with different pre-amp tubes to achieve different things and change resistors to go as period correct as possible, it is pretty close no matter how you dice things. The "blackfaced" ('72-'78) Magnavox SVT's are still big bucks, for a couple of years (early '80's) a company from Japan called MTI made SVT's, SLM brought Ampeg back from the grave in 1985 and the first thing they did was make a SVT head called the SVT-HD (head) which was all hand wired and numbered and sometimes called Skunkworks. All of the aforementioned heads are volume only. The SVT-CL is different slightly darker sounding and has a gain and a master volume.

The SVT II (non-pro) was a departure from the above heads in that it is rack mountable, and has a 6 band graphic equalizer, however with the graphic disengaged it follows the same signal path as channel one from a vintage SVT. It also has a bright input that is padded (and If I Remember Correctly) is like channel two on an SVT. This head also only had a volume knob as opposed to a gain/master setup.

By the time the 2 PRO came along they were quite far away from the original SVT and people who love the older ones sometimes say they sound one dimensional compared to the older ones. There are however a lot of extras or pluses on the 2 PROs. 9 band graphic and gain/master/drive knobs allow for the most tonal options on any SVT head to date and having things like an effects loop and a volume adjustable line level DI are great features. Many say it was the protective circuitry in the power section of the 2 PRO that is what made the amp inferior to the others.

I think that all of the above are all close and I am glad I own one of them. To think that Ampeg made an amp in 1969 that is still the industry standard really speaks to getting it right the first time. There are a couple of other heads out there that are great, DB751, Mesa 400, Fender 300PRO, Etc. But none of these brands hold as much sway in the mind of the average person as to what bass gear is and I am not sure that even Genz Benz (who are really pushing the technological envelope right now) will have a lasting legacy that is as great as Ampeg. All the best. Cheers.

mountainmike · #13 02-27-2011, 11:30 AM

kosmicwizard : 2x amazing > 1) to know all these facts > 2) to line them up so clearly ... I'm very, very happy with my Ampeg all-tube too. After this month's purchase of a 2Pro+flightcase and an 810DL+flightcase it'll probably take some time before I'll be buying another Ampeg. TB has tought me a lot in just a few days. Now I can set my goals a lot better. You've all been really, really helpful. Thanks!