Looking for a new bass amp but the choice is overwhelming....I'm lost!

[FrankH]

Hi All,

I;m looking for a new bass head but I can't seem to make a choice.
I really like the fat ampeg sound, so I probably should get me a SVT classic, but I got a few questions.

I currently use a SWR 400S through an SWR Goliath III and a Gig Ben (which I might replace by another 4x10 or 2x10, in due time), and these probaly stay for a while. The SWR gets unbelievably hot (I've had molten cables where they touched the case metal) and I solved this by putting it in a rack together with two fans. I'm looking for a back-up or even better, a step up.

I'm playing a variety of basses, like a stingray, mocking bird, Washburn XL1000, traben and even a six string Tune.

1> Has anyone ever succeeded in dialing in 'that' fat SVT sound on a hybrid or even a D-class amplifier?
2> What's the difference between a CL, the heritage version and the VR?
3> Ampeg fans will probaly want to shoot me now, but how does a SVT react to effects?

Any suggestions welcome!
Thanks in advance.

[waleross]

In my opinion its all about money and weight. . The trend is to go lite and emulate the warm tube sound.
I have the Ampeg CL ,the Fender TB1200 and Ampeg and Fender Cabs. Others will post what they have and in my case it was trial and error. I buy new since I want a warranty , I tried getting used and B stock but it didn't work out. The small lite heads are under-powered and small cabs don't put out enough. Genz Benz is also worth mentioning,I have the gbE1200 (42 lbs). Great company and I might go there for my next cab. A good rig like I mentioned adds up to around $2000,sure you can buy used (no warranty, other peoples headaches ) and cut the weight down but in the end you have to do your homework and make your own decisions..................Have fun

[JxBass]

If you like the SVT sound you could also go with either any of the good, light heads out there paired with a VT Bass pedal.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by waleross

The small lite heads are under-powered :

I disagree. Small heads are like the large ones in that each is a different animal. I've played a few 900 watt heads under 10 lbs and they are most certainly not underpowered.

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by lomo

I disagree. Small heads are like the large ones in that each is a different animal. I've played a few 900 watt heads under 10 lbs and they are most certainly not underpowered.

+1. I have two 900 watt heads that are 4 and 7 lbs and underpowered is not how I would describe them.

[FrankH]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for replying.
I'm doing my homework (mostly talkbass forums, takes a while reading through it all) and at least I know I want an Ampeg SVT VR (If I go that way).

I've seen/heard a bass player using a MarkBass LMIII tube 800, which sounded quite impressive to me, so next week I'm heading to Music Store in Germany for a day of amp-testing (I hope they serve coffee). Maybe I can do some A/B-ing of different tube amps like the Marshall and the Ashdown or whatever they have.
Also I want give the TC RH750 a run, as it seems the tube sound
should be quite good.

I dont have a VT pedal but I've got a Pork Loin on the board, pretty darn good, but takes a while to dial in as it's got five pots up front and three under the hood.

[lomo]

If portability means anything to you, try real hard to check out a VT Dlxe in front of a power amp or a micro.

[FrankH]

Interesting idea. I've read threads of bass players using a pre-amp with single channel PA-power amp to drive their cabs. I've never seen or heard it myself though.

[Barisaxman]

Originally Posted by lomo

I disagree. Small heads are like the large ones in that each is a different animal. I've played a few 900 watt heads under 10 lbs and they are most certainly not underpowered.

I think this usually depends on what sound you're after. I loved the sound of my SWR Headlite, but I couldn't push it nearly hard enough to get the volume I wanted. I switched to Mesa Boogie of roughly the same rating, and it is obviously louder. Ask on a pro audio board and you may hear the same thing...for some reason digital and switch-mode power amps don't seem to provide the same raw power on the low end (sub usage in the pro audio world) as good old heavy iron. That's why I think those that like a thicker sounds at the very low end find the lightweight amps to be less than fullfilling. I believe Agedhorse over on HC (of Genz Benz relation) talked at one point about some of the EQing and processing done on their lightweight amps to extract maximum SPL's. At the end of the day each amp is going to perform differently, in my case and probably the OP's...getting real SVT tone is going to require either the real thing, or compomising and using a VT pedal into something that provides adqueate output for his tone goals.

[lomo]

Sure there are differences, but there are light heads that pack major wallop (not sure about the Headlight). The GB Shuttlemax 6 and 12 have the same power rating as the Eden WTX500 And EA micro, but the GB heads bury the other 2 in terms of volume and authority. Ditto for my Mesa M9 as compared to certain other larger heads with the same power rating. I reacted to the blanket statement that all micro heads are in some way lacking, which IME isn't true at all, and I wouldn't want the OP to eliminate them without hearing for himself. I'm a garage band wannabe, but many pros use heads that weigh under 10lbs and are plenty entheused.

Originally Posted by Barisaxman

I think this usually depends on what sound you're after. I loved the sound of my SWR Headlite, but I couldn't push it nearly hard enough to get the volume I wanted. I switched to Mesa Boogie of roughly the same rating, and it is obviously louder. Ask on a pro audio board and you may hear the same thing...for some reason digital and switch-mode power amps don't seem to provide the same raw power on the low end (sub usage in the pro audio world) as good old heavy iron. That's why I think those that like a thicker sounds at the very low end find the lightweight amps to be less than fullfilling. I believe Agedhorse over on HC (of Genz Benz relation) talked at one point about some of the EQing and processing done on their lightweight amps to extract maximum SPL's. At the end of the day each amp is going to perform differently, in my case and probably the OP's...getting real SVT tone is going to require either the real thing, or compomising and using a VT pedal into something that provides adqueate output for his tone goals.

[Alex1984]

The SWR SM400S is designed to get hot, that's why they recommend mounting it in a 3 space rack and leave some breathing room.

I like how they sound, despite volume being a bit quiet for what they were rated for, but they gave a very smooth and punchy sound with a very full body. I love my SVTs, but for completely different reasons.

If you want an SVT-type sound, you'd pretty much have to get an SVT. You can mimic it and get pretty close with a VT Bass though. Also, they do have the Micro-VR available as another worthy option.

[EricF]

One of the best live "SVT" sounds I've heard recentkly was from a MarkBass amp through a 2x12 Genz Benz cab.

[JimmyM]

The absolute closest to the tube SVT ideal I've gotten is with an SVT 7 Pro. But I have a Micro VR which cops a very reasonable SVT tone, if not that big-ass feel of an all-tube amp. And I've played the PF350 and PF500 and gotten much the same results as the Micro VR, albeit with more wattage. Also used to own a Markbass LMII, which up until the newer Ampegs would have been my choice. And I have a VT Deluxe, which is superb and I use it with my tube amps all the time (effects work great in SVT's, BTW)

But really, there is just no substitute for tubes, so if you can handle the weight, I say get the VR.

[FrankH]

Thanks. I've narrowed it down to a SVT VR. a LMB 3 tube or the Traynor YBA300 head, which comes at half the price (and weight) of the VR at the same power rating, and looks pretty cool. I hope I can try it out next week (that's where I've set my deadline), otherwise I probably will be hauling the VR back home.

[FrankH]

Okay, it took some time to play through all the gear you mentioned and after playing the VR and several other tube amps, I've changed my mind. I ordered myself a Genx Benz Shuttle Max 12.0 in the end, due to arrive tomorrow. I'll still have to see how it sounds with my own cabs (SWR goliath III and Big Ben) though, but in the shops it came out on top, at least to my ears.

[rodl2005]

Should sound great! The GB shuttle series are good gear