i need a modern, micro head to replace my svt-cl

[rob_phill]

basically I can no longer transport my ampeg svt-cl.

are there any micro amps that can do a good svt sound...full, round, huge low end and a bit of grit. must be loud too!

I have played the orange bass terror, and it checked all the boxes but i found it to be severely lacking in the low end department.

any suggestions on how to get close to the ampeg sound from under 5 kilos?

[Mugwump]

TC Electronic RH450.

Check out the mega thread on it.

[Mark Latimour]

BJFE Blueberry -=> Markbass Little Mark III

[RFord04]

Mark Bass LMII or LMIII and a VT Bass pedal.

[StuartV]

My Sansamp BDDI into my Ibanez Promethean head sits right next to my SVT 2 Pro. I think the SABBDI/Promethean setup does a very good job as a substitute for the SVT.

I doubt any micro head by itself will give a good SVT-like sound.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by RFord04

Mark Bass LMII or LMIII and a VT Bass pedal.

This would seem to be the best bet, although the TC RH450 is darn good also... fat and warm and a bit growly with the tube tone engaged.

Low end will not be an issue with either of these.

[rhopper]

[quote=rob_phill;9583969]I have played the orange bass terror, and it checked all the boxes but i found it to be severely lacking in the low end department.[quote]

What cabinet were you playing through? I don't have any problem pushing low end with my rig.

[rob_phill]

thanks for the replies all.

I am playing through an ampeg 610HLF and an ampeg 810

[rpsands]

MB500 and VT bass pedal.

[naturalkinds]

The Mesa Walkabout is just over 5 kilos. Of all the smaller amps I've tried, this is by far the most capable of producing grit and those characteristic complex tube harmonics.

LMII is great, too. Completely different beast. Not a very friendly EQ, in my opinion. There seems to be a pretty glaring gap between the Low and Low Mid bands. IMO.

[kringle77]

When using the sealed 8x10, you can get that type of sound with a lot of amps. That cab imparts so much character as far as limiting the lows and highs. My carvin bx1500 sounds really good into my 8x10. I have a 70's svt that just sounds the best but, Im not dragging that out in february in northern ny. To heavy.

[Touch]

Really digging my Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0. 900W into 4 ohms and 4 lbs. Tube preamp and a super clean direct out. I can't tell you the number of compliments I've gotten from soundmen since I switched to this head. With flats on a Jazz bass it is the sound I've been looking for. It drives an SVT 8X10 cabinet plenty loud too. If you want growl it can do that but I run a VT Bass or Bass Drive in front of it for nasty songs.

[username1]

When i run my swr headlite through my 810 with the aural enhancer off and the bass control boosted a little at 40hz and the input set high to clip a little I can come damn close to the sound of my svt classic. I couldnt believe it when i tried it. It also can go very loud through that cab.

[chicago_mike]

I think they key is the VT pedal here.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by Touch

Really digging my Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0. 900W into 4 ohms and 4 lbs. Tube preamp and a super clean direct out. I can't tell you the number of compliments I've gotten from soundmen since I switched to this head. With flats on a Jazz bass it is the sound I've been looking for. It drives an SVT 8X10 cabinet plenty loud too. If you want growl it can do that but I run a VT Bass or Bass Drive in front of it for nasty songs.

You might even look into the GB Shuttle 6.0. Great 600 watt head with very similar tone stack/pre-amp. VTBass, of course, is great for nasty nasty.

I got my Shuttle 6.0 used on TB for ~$475, IIRC...

So light, yet so lovely!

[goomens]

Have you tried the Ampeg SVT7PRO? It's only 15 lbs, and 1000 watts! I'm playing one thru an SVT410HLF, and loving it!

[Bassist4Life]

I have the perfect solution for you. Mike Putnam does a VT Bass pedal MOD where he can put the pedal into a single space rack and include an amp in the same rack. There are a ton of options available with this mod too.

This is an image from his website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/pztronics/new/mods.htm




You can give Mike a call and talk about different options. He's patient and professional. If you can imagine it, he can probably make it happen for you. (716) 622-2000.

Peace,
Joe

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I have the perfect solution for you. Mike Putnam does a VT Bass pedal MOD where he can put the pedal into a single space rack and include an amp in the same rack. There are a ton of options available with this mod too.

This is an image from his website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/pztronics/new/mods.htm




You can give Mike a call and talk about different options. He's patient and professional. If you can imagine it, he can probably make it happen for you. (716) 622-2000.

Peace,
Joe

That is just way cool! Put a little 500 watt class D module in there, and you are ready to go with a 'mini SVT'. Cool!

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by goomens

Have you tried the Ampeg SVT7PRO? It's only 15 lbs, and 1000 watts! I'm playing one thru an SVT410HLF, and loving it!

I was going to suggest this, as well. It's not micro, but it is somewhat more compact than a "full-size" head and definitely light for its size. It really does nail the "Ampeg tone" though not necessarily the feel of an SVT. Heck, if you don't need a ton of volume, the Micro-VR really does sound convincing as well.

Now depending upon exactly what kind of growl you are after, you might be well served by something like a GK MB500, which certainly does growl on its own, but it's the "GK growl" versus the "Ampeg growl." Through a VT pedal into the mix could give you the best of both worlds, though. The MB500 is one of the more burly sounding micro heads, and it has a very strong, very full, low end.

[IronLung1986]

TC RH450 is awesome. i think you would really like that one. sounds great and has a ton of useful features.