Diffs b/t Ampeg SVT-CL and SVT2 Pro?

[mikeddd]

Was looking at Ampeg tube heads online today and saw that there's a $300 diff b/t the SVT-CL and SVT2 Pro. Same wattage, but the SVT2 Pro is rackmount, has a DI and the graphic EQ. The CL weighs 10 pounds more...wood chassis vs. metal?
Are those the only diffs? Is there a tonal diff b/t the two? Just trying to educate myself. Thanks.

[JGR]

No, the preamp circuitry is a lot different between the two and they do sound different. I have always been a fan of the CL myself.

[mikeddd]

Thanks for the input, JGR. What about the CL do you like better?

[JGR]

I find it to be clearer and less compressed sounding, quieter, and easier to dial in a great tone - I think the EQ is simpler and more effective.

There is a lot more going on in the II-P's circuitry that seems to add noise and make the tone a bit murky. That said, I'm sure you can get some great tones out of either. I think the CL may be more reliable as well.

[mikeddd]

Thanks for the explanation, JGR. You definitely know what you're talking about when it comes to circuitry (your preamp is sounding killer!) so I appreciate your take.

Bump for other thoughts.

[JimmyM]

i don't hear them as differently as jgr. it might be that i never did an ab directly between the two with the same cab, or maybe i make them sound the same somehow, but even though the preamps are different, it still sounds much like an svt-cl to me. my favorite is the vr, but the cl and 2 pro are very sweet amps. between those two, i'd probably get a cl, but mainly because i don't care for rackmounted gear and i like the classic look.

[mikeddd]

Thanks, JimmyM; I was hoping you would post. I hadn't looking at the VR. What's the diff then b/t a CL and a VR? The VR is "vintage reissue" right? I thought the CL WAS "vintage." I know nothing about Ampegs, obviously.

[JimmyM]

well 1994 is when the first cl's came out, and that's rapidly approaching vintage status but the vr's are made more like the real vintage svt's...they have two channels and no master volume. the cl/2 pro design is cool with the separate gain and master because you can use the gain to create preamp distortion at a low volume, whereas the only way to get distortion out of a vr is to crank it till you get fired. but for clean sounds, i like the vr and vintage heads because they sound slightly less...well, not sure if "compressed" is the word, but the cl/2 pro heads do feel slightly less opened up compared to the vr. it's something you'd have to experience for yourself to dig what i mean. they're all 3 great heads and each does something the other can't, so it's a matter of preference.

[mikeddd]

Thanks for the explanation, JimmyM. The CL and Pro2 seems much more up my alley. My practice space is my office at home and with wife and baby there, well, it's necessary for me to be able to get a decent tone at tolerable levels.

[Sartori]

The 2pro has a drive knob in addition to the preamp gain knob, IIRC. So if you're after dirty tones without killing small animals in the next town, that might be preferable.

[NecroticImbecil]

Personally prefer the 2 Pro, though I haven't owned a CL. Compared the 2 in stores, bought the 2 Pro, so I have more experience with it. Seemed more flexible and easier to control the distortion. In the store, the CL just sounded.. ho-hum to my ears, the Pro 2 had more character. There is a bit of murkiness to it, but it's a good sounding, rock-n-roll murkiness. The distortion is sweet and smooth, but still angry sounding as it should be. Easier to carry is a plus, but did not factor into the decision to buy it - that was based on tone alone.

Granted this was at Guitar Center, so the CL I was using for comparison may have been sorely abused, used as a toilet, whatever...

[mikeddd]

NecroticImbecial: Thanks for the detailed reply. Do you find the 2Pro to be flexible in that you can get a variety of tones out of it, or is it a one-trick pony? Most often I like a big, clean sound with a little warmth to it. Sometimes I need a little grit, but I have pedals for that. Thanks.

[JimmyM]

one trick ponies don't exist in amp world imho.

[mikeddd]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

one trick ponies don't exist in amp world imho.

Marshall Lemmy head? I'm sure you can get a clean-ish tone out of it but not at any appreciable volume. Crank that thing past 2 and it's probably filthy...just like Lemmy. For the record: I really dig Motorhead!

[NecroticImbecil]

Originally Posted by mikeddd

NecroticImbecial: Thanks for the detailed reply. Do you find the 2Pro to be flexible in that you can get a variety of tones out of it, or is it a one-trick pony? Most often I like a big, clean sound with a little warmth to it. Sometimes I need a little grit, but I have pedals for that. Thanks.

I thought it was pretty flexible, but it never lost a certain inherent quality. Hard to put into words. Kind of a big, full texture. The best analogy I can come up with: Think of a singer, very skilled, soulful voice with a lot of range. She can do a lot with her voice, but she still sounds like herself, not another singer. I found its "voice" to be great for rock.

I did end up parting with it, but it was tough to do. I had to give up either my 400+ or 2Pro, and needed some decent cabs; I was able to trade the 2Pro for a Begantino rig before I found a buyer for the 400+. The 2 amps were different beasts, liked both. The 2Pro had that lovely overdrive and was louder than the 400+. The 400+ had been with me for many years and most of the band's music had been written on it, so it had become the tone "in my head" when thinking of the music.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by mikeddd

Marshall Lemmy head? I'm sure you can get a clean-ish tone out of it but not at any appreciable volume. Crank that thing past 2 and it's probably filthy...just like Lemmy. For the record: I really dig Motorhead!

ok, maybe one or two

[Sartori]

Even the Marshall Lemmy head has an EQ section.