I Guess I Have An "Issue" With My SVT-VR

PolkaHero · #1 06-05-2011, 08:46 PM

What a great sounding amp, but I guess it's too loud. I'm running it through a Bergantino NV610 and every gig I get complaints that it's too loud even though I hardly have the volume up (usually around 9 o'clock). Can I pull a couple of the power tubes to tame this beast or should I start looking for something else? It's a shame this amp isn't realizing its full potential. I also own a Markbass LMII, I suppose I could control the volume better with that but I don't think it will sound as good. What do you guys suggest I do?

kosmicwizard · #2 06-05-2011, 08:51 PM

SVT for bigger shows, Markbass with a Tech21 VT Bass pedal for smaller shows. Alternatively, If I had a Berg 610 and wanted to not make as much noise, I would get a couple of inefficient 8 Ohm 2x10's and play the VR into them at 4 Ohms. Cheers.

mpdd · #3 06-05-2011, 08:54 PM

that's why i bought a mesa d180 head, the ampegs rule, but overkill for most of the things i'll be doing

JMac4strngr · #4 06-05-2011, 09:02 PM

V 4 Maybe.... 100 watts of sweet Ampeg tube tone.

Kael · #5 06-05-2011, 09:14 PM

Just get a smaller cab (115 or 210) for lower volume gigs. Done.

bThumper38 · #6 06-05-2011, 09:16 PM

yeah I wish I had your problems=).

Jazzdogg · #7 06-05-2011, 09:21 PM

If you take a full swing at a golf ball in a tiled bathroom, you're bound to get clobbered.

PolkaHero · #8 06-05-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

Just get a smaller cab (115 or 210) for lower volume gigs. Done.

Sorry, but I like the Berg as the speakers are higher so I can hear myself better. The smaller cabs I've used in the past just blow the sound underneath me.

Seriously, can I pull a couple of tubes to reduce the wattage? Do they make power brakes for these? I really don't want to have to buy something else as this one's a keeper!

JimmyM · #9 06-05-2011, 09:25 PM

Why can't you turn down your VR? I play in a band where I have clean headroom even when I use a 25w B-15, and I use SVT's all the time and never had a problem turning them down to a level equal to what I use with the B-15.

Having said that, I used to own an LMII and once AB'd it with my 69 SVT on a gig. LMII's a great sounding amp, but even at my puny volume levels, the SVT still sounded better. The LMII hung pretty darn well so respect to Markbass, but it just isn't an SVT.

Anyway, this question has been asked before, and the techs on here agreed that if you want a lower powered SVT, either turn it down or get an old V4b because tube pulling isn't good for it.

someparts · #10 06-05-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

Just get a smaller cab (115 or 210) for lower volume gigs. Done.

Agreed. The 6x10 is a lot of speaker area.

PolkaHero · #11 06-05-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why can't you turn down your VR? I play in a band where I have clean headroom even when I use a 25w B-15, and I use SVT's all the time and never had a problem turning them down to a level equal to what I use with the B-15.

Having said that, I used to own an LMII and once AB'd it with my 69 SVT on a gig. LMII's a great sounding amp, but even at my puny volume levels, the SVT still sounded better. The LMII hung pretty darn well so respect to Markbass, but it just isn't an SVT.

Anyway, this question has been asked before, and the techs agree that if you want a lower powered SVT, either turn it down or get an old V4b.

Jimmy,
It is turned down! It's barely at the point where it kicks in and I still get complaints. I even have the Berg turned sideways so the stage mikes don't pick up the sound as easily. I agree with your assessment on the LMII vs. the SVT, just not quite the same!
What's the wattage on the V4, BTW?

JimmyM · #12 06-05-2011, 09:41 PM

100w.

PolkaHero · #13 06-05-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

100w.

Hmmm, maybe I should just start bringing my B100R combo and put it on an amp stand. Still wouldn't sound the same.

Tim1 · #14 06-05-2011, 10:43 PM

I use my VR into an NV610 or 215 for most gigs, even when it is overkill. If my back is objecting or I want a change or for a smaller gig I have an Orange AD200 which down here costs half the price of the VR. I have tried the VT pedal into Markbass but for me the gap is still too great - guess I am addicted to real tubes

. I have no problem with turning down the VR, its tone still sings, but the Orange is real sweet at lower volumes too. It's a pity it is so expensive in the States or I am sure it would be more popular over there.

staindbass · #15 06-06-2011, 07:21 AM

can i inquire "who" is complaining ?? club owner, or soundman, maybe guitarist ? do you have a 50 foot cord so you can go into the audience during soundcheck to see if its too loud? ? if you cannot play at the volume that is comfortable for you, your in the wrong band

or- if its the guitarist, turn down to where he is comfortable. then ask him to turn down please because now you cannot hear yourself well enough. if that doesnt work, its not the band for you....

staindbass · #16 06-06-2011, 07:24 AM

by the way, no one tells me how loud to turn my amp. thats like commenting to a friend that his wife should lose a few pounds. johnny a, staind

Buster Brown · #17 06-06-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

Jimmy,
It is turned down! It's barely at the point where it kicks in and I still get complaints. I even have the Berg turned sideways so the stage mikes don't pick up the sound as easily. I agree with your assessment on the LMII vs. the SVT, just not quite the same!
What's the wattage on the V4, BTW?

Wait a minute...I'm trying to understand the deal here...

You have turned down so low that it is barely on - and it is STILL too loud!?!?

It sounds like a situation that I used to run into "way back when"....I carried (2) 2x15 Traynor cabs and a traynor mono block head. Really loud when it had to be...unfortunately, the venues we played at during that time weren't that large and no matter how low I set it - still had complaints.

One night I set up a small Peavey combo BEHIND the rig and turned it to "2".....STILL had the complaints.

I finally realized that it wasn't the volume - it was the LOOK of my rig that was scaring the hell out of the management...I swear - true story.

Could it be that that is what is happening here??

blastjv · #18 06-06-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

by the way, no one tells me how loud to turn my amp. thats like commenting to a friend that his wife should lose a few pounds. johnny a, staind

Sig-able for sure!!! HA!!!

Quote:

I finally realized that it wasn't the volume - it was the LOOK of my rig that was scaring the hell out of the management...

I had that problem at an hourly rehearsal studio we used to use before we got our own room at a place. I was running an Aguilar AG500 into an Aguilar GS412 and (though I was certainly loud) I was not NEARLY as loud as the owner liked to complain I was...made some smartass comment about the Philadelphia International Airport calling to complain about having to divert air traffic due the the sonic boom.....sissy...

He was even more of a crybaby when I brought my SVT-VR down for the first time. Then he was worried I was gonna' kill his cabinets (which I started using when he kept giving me a hard time about the GS412). Finally I decided that I'd do what I wanted to and what I thought was reasonable and he could go pound sand. Eventually we just got our own place and it's no longer an issue.

Again, we were loud, but it wasn't THAT bad and he was running a rehearsal studio for Heaven's sake!!!!!

-JV

Alex1984 · #19 06-06-2011, 11:28 AM

Get a pair of ACME cabs. The low sensitivity should allow you to compensate a bit.

JimmyM · #20 06-06-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

by the way, no one tells me how loud to turn my amp. thats like commenting to a friend that his wife should lose a few pounds. johnny a, staind

A little perspective here, Johnny...you've been spoiled by 10 or 12 years of superstardom

Of course nobody's going to tell you...in order to get that kind of clout, you have to have drawing power. Kids playing in original bands at their local clubs have less clout than the guy who cleans the bathrooms at the end of the night.