Could the SVT blow the Berg?

6jase5 · #1 03-31-2010, 12:50 PM

Using my 71 SVT and a Berg NV215, I don't usually have to turn up my volume past 9 o'clock based on a pretty flat eq on the amp and active jazz (channel one normal/ ultra hi & ultra lo engaged). If I go past 11'oclock, the speakers are shaking (as is everything in the house not bolted down). Berg high end tweet is kept at 0.

I have no plans to test the theory, but how much travel is ok on the 15's before I should be worried? I don't want to confuse tube distortion for speakers crying uncle.

Zako · #2 03-31-2010, 01:04 PM

So your afraid the speakers might blow because there moving a lot?

I actually kinda have a similar dilema,

I have a Carvin b1500 with a Mesa Powerhouse 412, eq sent generally flat, with more rolled of treble, and if i go past 1 o clock, the speakers move a ton and im afraid of going any louder.
I have a VT pedal that adds more low end tube grit with the pedal being flat except mids at 10 o clock, but not a ton of low end or added volume.

Sorry "I" couldnt help, just add to the situation haha.

Rick Auricchio · #3 03-31-2010, 01:45 PM

As long as the speakers are not farting out, they're fine.

You have to be able to hear that happening, so be careful with distortion.

Zako · #4 03-31-2010, 02:11 PM

so even if they're moving back and forth a lot, but not making any bad farting noise, its all good?

awesome thanks

JimmyM · #5 03-31-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zako

so even if they're moving back and forth a lot, but not making any bad farting noise, its all good?

awesome thanks

right. besides, i doubt a clean-running svt can blow one of those cabs. maybe it could if you push it into the red since an svt can deliver up to 700w peak power, but highly doubtful if you keep it clean.

anonymous02282011 · #6 03-31-2010, 02:26 PM

Yea, my 77 SVT (300W) into my Berg Ht212 (700W) is totally cool, even when it's cranked. I never see the speakers jumping around too much. Yes, they move, but it's not scary.

BUT -- be wary -- I see you engage the ultra lo switch on your SVT. If loud enough, that could DEFINITELY do some damage to your speakers.

I've never engaged the Ultra Lo; it seems to suck up power and muddy things up, but you've piqued my interest. I'll check our your settings when I get home today.

My settings are as follows:
Treble on 3-4 o'clock with Ultra HI engaged
Mid to 2 o'clock set at 3K
Bass left at noon (w/out Ultra engaged)

Surly · #7 03-31-2010, 02:35 PM

I would be cautious as well, with only two speakers.

johnk_10 · #8 03-31-2010, 02:41 PM

i would say, yes, its possible, but not probable.
with the ultra lo engaged and the bass control cranked, if pushed hard enough for a long time, i think you could blow a speaker. SVT's actually have ALOT of low end, but their original older sealed 8x10 cabs seems to attenuate it a little bit.

anonymous02282011 · #9 03-31-2010, 02:42 PM

ok --well -- i air on the side of caution.

I shouldn't say DEFINITELY, but I am familiar with that amp and with blowing speakers (!) so I'd just give a word of caution.

It seems *very likely* that with enough juice and with that switch engaged you could damage the drivers.

Last time I blew drivers they were really jumping around. It didn't look right. I should've know something was wrong by the look of it.

Jim C · #10 03-31-2010, 02:47 PM

Use your ears; when cone excursions get too large for the driver it will let you know

metron · #11 03-31-2010, 03:00 PM

I have had my SVT waaay into the red through my NV 610 and I wasn't worried about blowing a driver. It can happen but those cabs are not fragile. I would be worried about that engaged ultra-lo switch though.

Tone-wise I mean.

6jase5 · #12 03-31-2010, 04:07 PM

Call me weird, but I like that ultra low setting on. Nicely felt under a martin acoustic, heavy drummer and bitey strat. I'm going to play with a few more settings, feel free to suggest!

My current settings - I use channel one normal with a fender j, neck pickup preferred for a good solid wood punchy sound.

6jase5 · #13 03-31-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbass

My settings are as follows:
Treble on 3-4 o'clock with Ultra HI engaged
Mid to 2 o'clock set at 3K
Bass left at noon (w/out Ultra engaged)

Hmmmmm....I just tried this. For me, that is incredibly treble heavy. I could get a mean bark out of it by adding some bass tone on the fender j but I had to turn the treble back to 1 oclock. Cranked it really gets a nice svt bite and the speakers barely moved. With my tweak that could be a potential for me on certain songs. THANK YOU.

I totally hear the tone sucking that the ultra low produces as mentioned, but in ways I like the tone produced.

JimmyM · #14 03-31-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6jase5

Hmmmmm....I just tried this. For me, that is incredibly treble heavy. I could get a mean bark out of it by adding some bass tone on the fender j but I had to turn the treble back to 1 oclock. Cranked it really gets a nice svt bite and the speakers barely moved. With my tweak that could be a potential for me on certain songs. THANK YOU.

I totally hear the tone sucking that the ultra low produces as mentioned, but in ways I like the tone produced.

i call that the poison setting

their bass player used to have a really scooped trebly sound, too.

Surly · #15 03-31-2010, 06:42 PM

I usually keep my Ultra Lo on 0 (middle). Sounds cool scooped but works better in a mix the other way for me.

Luckydog · #16 03-31-2010, 07:00 PM

I use my 71 and 73 SVTs and my SVT-II's with my NV215 all the time. Outdoor gigs, and large halls, loud. Never a problem.

**Mulebagger** · #17 03-31-2010, 07:13 PM

I recently got turned on to a Presonus BlueMax compressor limiter by a buddy that has used one on his combo amp for a very long time. I was noticing some large excursions on my Mark Bass Combo. It never farted out, but man it was close. With the Presonus, (and I'm sure with any compressor) it really tightened up the speaker with little change in the sound and none in the volume. I've never been a fan of compression because I like to have the dynamics in my hands. But my buddy said, well, think of it as a speaker protector more than a compressor. He made a good point and it also explains how he managed to get about 5K gigs out of his Super Redhead combo's original speakers.

just a thought on how to protect your gear. I'll let the compressor debate begin from here:

**Mulebagger** · #18 03-31-2010, 07:15 PM

BTW, I had that same SVT head in the 90s and it used to make my pair of CerwinVega 15's "bounce" like crazy. I always felt like they were going to come flying out of the cabinets. Wish I had tried a compressor back then.

anonymous02282011 · #19 03-31-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6jase5

Hmmmmm....I just tried this. For me, that is incredibly treble heavy. I could get a mean bark out of it by adding some bass tone on the fender j but I had to turn the treble back to 1 oclock. Cranked it really gets a nice svt bite and the speakers barely moved. With my tweak that could be a potential for me on certain songs. THANK YOU.

I totally hear the tone sucking that the ultra low produces as mentioned, but in ways I like the tone produced.

Cool . . .but . . . i didn't explain this right . . .

Treble, Ultra HI on but at 8 o'clock
Middle 3k, 2 oclock
Bass, set at noon.

That should be a little less trebley.

Every cab will sound a little different of course.

My bass is an old P, volume and tone open.

Cheers

Mingo Sanders · #20 03-31-2010, 08:27 PM

Mind the gap.