I wish AMPEG would build an amp head...

[SherwoodGreen]

Originally Posted by jlepre

Not 80's. We cover mainly 60's 70's woodstock"esque" music. The guitarists have old VOX amps, and we try to look like the era we are representing. We play mainly showcases that are putting out that VIBE, if you will.

Well OK then! Understood.


For the record, I work a rhythm section; we perform a number of classic covers- The Isleys, Jacksons, Gap Band, Etta James, etc.
(As well as contemporary R&B- Joss Stone, Shemekia Copeland,etc.)

We go for the sound, updated & to our approach/instrumentation of course, but I would not be interested in using the gear of the era-
(Well, maybe a Vintage P-Bass!) But amp-wise; the sound & size of today's micro-rigs are a pleasure to carry, set-up, and PLAY!

Good luck with your cab project!

[blubass]

That wasn't a poke at how you sound. Be it good, bad, or otherwise. It was a comment stating anyone who cares how your rig looks and knows the equipment knows your sound isn't coming from an svt. I don't think your rig is bad the way it sits, but you are asking how to put lipstick on a pig so to speak. Most people wouldn't try to pass off pork as beef.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by blubass

That wasn't a poke at how you sound. Be it good, bad, or otherwise. It was a comment stating anyone who cares how your rig looks and knows the equipment knows your sound isn't coming from an svt. I don't think your rig is bad the way it sits, but you are asking how to put lipstick on a pig so to speak. Most people wouldn't try to pass off pork as beef.

That analogy, I don't think you know what it means.

[blubass]

I know it means to dress up something ugly. Take it a step further, op
wants to disguise his amp as something else

[jlepre]

You're totally missing the point. I'm not dressing up my rig to LOOK like something else to FOOL someone into thinking I'm using an SVT for SOUND purposes. I want to give the illusion of using classic equipment with the weight saving of my current setup.

To say my current rig needs DRESSING UP, says that I am unhappy with my SOUND.

Let's get one thing straight. I LOVE MY RIGS SOUND. I just want to address the current packaging, and give in an Old School vibe.

[blubass]

I understand what you just said. Just because you say it doesn't make it so, or make every person in the crowd believe it. You want the illusion of classic stage equipment. Except when you play on stage and people only see svt. People can't read your mind for your intentions. Maybe I read too much into integrity and respect but it seems pretty disrespectful to the amp company whose tone you are happy with, to instead place a prop out in its place.

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by blubass

I understand what you just said. Just because you say it doesn't make it so, or make every person in the crowd believe it. You want the illusion of classic stage equipment. Except when you play on stage and people only see svt. People can't read your mind for your intentions. Maybe I read too much into integrity and respect but it seems pretty disrespectful to the amp company whose tone you are happy with, to instead place a prop out in its place.

Exactly!
If Genz made a Vintage line of Class D Streamliner heads, I would get one. I'm not looking to deceive anyone, but to enhance the ILLUSION of the 60's/70's experience.

I think I will look more into making my OWN cabinet. Maybe with a removable front panel to allow access to the amp. I will use a nice vintage grill look and use the same on my cab(s) to complete the look.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by blubass

I understand what you just said. Just because you say it doesn't make it so, or make every person in the crowd believe it. You want the illusion of classic stage equipment. Except when you play on stage and people only see svt. People can't read your mind for your intentions. Maybe I read too much into integrity and respect but it seems pretty disrespectful to the amp company whose tone you are happy with, to instead place a prop out in its place.

Who cares? Really?

Over the years, I have looked up vids of people who complain about others who like to inject a little showbiz into their presentations, and invariably they stand there onstage looking like they're bored out of their skulls. So I have learned to tune them out. I suggest the same for Mr. Lepre.

[blubass]

Okay jimmym. I now understand the op's point and respect his ideals. You ask who cares. Myself and people like me care. Your YouTube videos don't serve your point well because I can point out just as many of the opposite. You endorse Ampeg, that's cool. I'm endorsed by GK. If we swapped rigs hidden behind the original, and your endorsing amp manufacturer caught wind, how long would you continue to have a relationship with them? I know GK would drop me in a heartbeat.

[SherwoodGreen]

The answer is simple!

Go ahead with the amps "disguise", BUT--
Post a disclaimer on stage, or pass out flyers to the crowd, - stating:

"WARNING!
The Ampeg SVT bass rig you see onstage is in fact a modern-day micro-head that has been altered to resemble a period-correct and performance accurate Bass rig of the era of music being performed!
Please note that using 21st-Century technology is done for ease of use only!
Enjoy the Show!"

That should do it-
Or; like stated above-
Really, Who cares? Do whatever you want to do!
It's 100% Kewl!

[Jazz Ad]

It would go fine with the relic Fender to back up a lipsyncing singer. Right between the muted drums and the unplugged marshal 4x12.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by blubass

Okay jimmym. I now understand the op's point and respect his ideals. You ask who cares. Myself and people like me care. Your YouTube videos don't serve your point well because I can point out just as many of the opposite. You endorse Ampeg, that's cool. I'm endorsed by GK. If we swapped rigs hidden behind the original, and your endorsing amp manufacturer caught wind, how long would you continue to have a relationship with them? I know GK would drop me in a heartbeat.

Last I heard, J bought his amps with his own money and doesn't have a deal But I know plenty of people who endorse products non-exclusively. Happens all the time. And even with my deal, I still have to do gigs with non-Ampeg products from time to time. I'm not big enough and don't have enough FU money to threaten the promoter of the show with cancellation if my rider isn't met. The folks at Ampeg know this and don't care.

Moot point, though, since J bought his amp with his own money and can do what he wants.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jlepre

...that LOOKED like a classic SVT, but housed a micro amp head.
That way we could get that HUGE classic head LOOK with about 120 pounds LESS weight.

I play in a classic 60's 70's tribute band, and it would help with the overall vibe.

I mean they could even just make an empty head that would just be used as a sort of rack for a D-Class head.

Anyone have thoughts?

Hire Carrie Underwood to play tambourine and project an SVT image on her dress.

[tomydacat]

I got rid of my Ampeg SVT 4 pro and went with the 7 PRO . It might not be all the power of the 4 but it does have the Tone of Ampeg and I went from 45 pounds to 15 for the head.. the 7 Rocks and want to check out an 8PRO as well..

[stiles72]

Originally Posted by will33

That looks like good work, man. Did you do a red lamp on the inside or something?

For my Bassman/400RB deal, I'm thinking of leaving all the Fender front panel/controls where they are, and turning the lower grillcloth covered panel into a flip-down door to access the real amps controls to dial it in, then just close the door to hide it. Cover the lights on the GK and hook up the Fenders jewel lamp.

Yep. Lined the inside of the head with some silver bubble wrap type insulation I had lying around and added a red christmas bulb. Also added the top handle and black plastic gutter guard mesh to the sides were the spring handles would normally mount. Back in '99 when I bought the amp and the shell, the guy at the music store I ordered them through thought I was nuts, and that I should just get an SVT-350H or a SVT-CL since I wanted a classic head and not a piece of rack gear. But it worked out well - and I've had lots of people just assume it's a tube amp with the glow coming from inside the head.

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Last I heard, J bought his amps with his own money and doesn't have a deal But I know plenty of people who endorse products non-exclusively. Happens all the time. And even with my deal, I still have to do gigs with non-Ampeg products from time to time. I'm not big enough and don't have enough FU money to threaten the promoter of the show with cancellation if my rider isn't met. The folks at Ampeg know this and don't care.

Moot point, though, since J bought his amp with his own money and can do what he wants.

You are correct sir.

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Hire Carrie Underwood to play tambourine and project an SVT image on her dress.

That made me chuckle a lil

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Hire Carrie Underwood to play tambourine and project an SVT image on her dress.

World's most expensive tambourine player.

[will33]

Originally Posted by stiles72

Yep. Lined the inside of the head with some silver bubble wrap type insulation I had lying around and added a red christmas bulb. Also added the top handle and black plastic gutter guard mesh to the sides were the spring handles would normally mount. Back in '99 when I bought the amp and the shell, the guy at the music store I ordered them through thought I was nuts, and that I should just get an SVT-350H or a SVT-CL since I wanted a classic head and not a piece of rack gear. But it worked out well - and I've had lots of people just assume it's a tube amp with the glow coming from inside the head.

Cool.

On second thought, my Fender is over rack width, mayne I'll stuff my Tubeworks amp in there. It sounds more "tubey" than the GK.
3pros get a nice Ampeg tube sound to them as well.

As far as this other nonsense, OP likes his sound but wants to change the look....what's the big deal. I don't get people calling it silly and stuff....it's his amp.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jlepre

That made me chuckle a lil

What you want to do makes perfect sense to me, BTW. Lookin' forward to seeing what you come up with.