Mini SVT II non-pro

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy:

In a recent series of purchasing events I'm going to be trying out a new amp setup.

I recently bought a few Peavey Classic 120 mono tube power amps for what I think was a great deal. I tested the first one out at rehearsal last week with my sansamp bass driver as a preamp.

Sounded really good. I dimed the input gain on the amp and brought everything else up to taste.

Thru a 410 it kept up nicely though as usual for 100W amps you need to cool it on the bass and add some mids help it to cut thru.

A few days ago, an Ampeg SVT II P preamp came up for sale here on TalkBass and I bought it.

I used to own a late-80s SVT II non-pro that I loved but it was damn loud to get to the sweet spot. Appropriate for some gigs but at rehearsal couldn't get near the sweet spot without bandmate complaints....

So, here I have an SVT II with 100W, or with 200W if I use both amps!

Also the one thing I didn't like about the II non-pro was the single master volume control. User couldn't control the mix of gain and overall volume.

I'm always seeing here how everyone wishes there was a 200W SVT - so perhaps this is how.

Anybody here ever try this?

CM

[Alex1984]

Nope, haven't had luck finding tube power amps locally. But I'm still in love with my SVT-II non-pro even though I play below the sweet spot most of the time. Have you tried using a pair of ACME cabs though? the low efficiency should allow you a full-tone at a reasonable volume at the sweet spot.

[christw]

Niiice setup. I should probably buy that preamp and a similar power amp and be done.

I'm in love with my old SVT-II non-pro more than I was with my SVT-CL. So I traded the CL for a V4BH which was just a baby (100w) CL. I know it's not a II but it is a 100w SVT for me.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

Nope, haven't had luck finding tube power amps locally. But I'm still in love with my SVT-II non-pro even though I play below the sweet spot most of the time. Have you tried using a pair of ACME cabs though? the low efficiency should allow you a full-tone at a reasonable volume at the sweet spot.

Yeah, I played some at a local music spot and they do have a great deep tone that I would use if I still had a high-power amp like my MPulse 600.

But, I don't think they have the right vintagey tone to pair well with a tube amp, especially one with only 100W.

[Alex1984]

Oh. I meant pairing an SVT-II non-pro with those cabs might be cool.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by christw

Niiice setup. I should probably buy that preamp and a similar power amp and be done.

I'm in love with my old SVT-II non-pro more than I was with my SVT-CL. So I traded the CL for a V4BH which was just a baby (100w) CL. I know it's not a II but it is a 100w SVT for me.

Thanks! Of course I don't have the preamp or any pics yet so I'll need to get them to prove it.

I actually own a V4BH and I do really like it. Like you say, like a mini CL. And, my original plans for the Peavey 120 was to use it as a slave amp to a second 410HE to get me over the fence when needed.

I have not tried this YET, but I will.

When I saw the SVT II P come up for sale at a reasonable price though, I knew that I needed to try it out to see if it would scratch that itch my old amp left me.

I hope to report back later this week.

Rawk!

CM

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

Oh. I meant pairing an SVT-II non-pro with those cabs might be cool.

Oh right. Yeah maybe. It's not the kind of pairing that I'd think of, but I see your point - it might bring out the amp's mojo at a lower volume.

I'll say, I have been watching the prices that the non-pros are selling for and to be honest, with the deal I just got on the preamp I could have bought one of the few SVT-300 power amps that have sold in the past few months and made a really nice non-pro for less - and with more control due to the fact that the volume of the pre and the input gain of the amp would be SEPARATE. AND you'd have the added bonus of a presence control.

That would allow for a little better control over the character of the tone I think.

CM

[Alex1984]

Well, it's a great rig nonetheless (yours), and you must've shaved off quite a few pounds from the good ol' SVT.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

Well, it's a great rig nonetheless (yours), and you must've shaved off quite a few pounds from the good ol' SVT.

Yeah, and alot of $$$ too.

Less than $500 invested in the preamp and one of the power amps.

Not bad...

Can't wait for the preamp to show up so I can try it out.

CM

[Colonel Monk]

Oh man. ONE of the SVT II preamps I bought arrived today - broken.

Would you believe, the guy just rammed it into a fedex box and shipped it off UPS ground?

I heard tubes rattling around in there so I cracked it open for a closer look.

1) Transformer ripped loose from it's moorings. Not mounted to standoffs, it was tied to lugs on the board via the coil wires. Looks like 6 of 8 wires have broken off, right at the potting of the coil. Trying to find out if the transformer is available or not for replacement. Not sure if this one is salvageable.

2) One tube loose and the other two halfway out of the sockets. All tube pins bent. Unit looks to have been dropped on it's side, everything bent in that direction.

3) Transformer popped out the fuse and bent the sockets, but probably can be straightened.

Jeebus - what kind of dummy throws vintage equipment in a box like this? Good thing I bought a backup....

CM

[Colonel Monk]

Well the good news, is that the guy is being cool about it. Accepted blame for packing it badly, and offered to refund me $150 bucks of the sale price for repairs. I paid $220 on Ebay for it, which was a very good deal.

He's also sending me a Carvin Wireless Unit (must feel bad) which isn't worth much to me as I'm a wired kinda guy but I might be able to use it in trade.

Not sure yet if I can get a replacement transformer but my Brother is an amp tech back east and said if we need to we might be able to free up enough wire to make it work.

The better news, is that the SVT II Preamp I bought from a fellow TB member has also shown up, and it works well!!

Very interesting to listen to the output of only the Preamp. Having owned an SVT II non-pro previously, it's obvious that much of the tone comes from the power section. It's where the grunt and grind comes from.

I've got rehearsal tonight and can't wait to try it out. Won't have my regular cab but I'm sure it'll sound great thru the Peavey Classic 120 and My Walkabout 12.

I find that playing thru the single speaker is even better for being able to hit the sweet spot with a tube amp at low volume. I wouldn't hesitate to use a Walkabout 12 to record an album.

I'll try to remember to snap a photo.

CM

[Colonel Monk]

Didn't end up having rehearsal last night as the power was out.

But, I have tried her out a little - but unfortunately not cranked.

It sounds amazing. So smooth - I'm really a fan of the Mesa Scout 12. I wish they weren't so expensive because I'm getting close to wanting 4 of them as my main rig.

I do have rehearsal on Sunday so I'll let you know how she sounds wide open.

Rock On,

monk

[will33]

As far as the first pre goes, unless this seller is your long lost brother, or you two have already worked out a deal, you need to file a claim against the shipping company NOW. You get your money back as you didn't get what you paid for and there is obvious shipping damage/total loss. Let the sender and the shipper argue about who's fault is what.


That said, the svt pre is also very even/clean. A lot of the color does come from the power section.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by will33

As far as the first pre goes, unless this seller is your long lost brother, or you two have already worked out a deal, you need to file a claim against the shipping company NOW. You get your money back as you didn't get what you paid for and there is obvious shipping damage/total loss. Let the sender and the shipper argue about who's fault is what.


That said, the svt pre is also very even/clean. A lot of the color does come from the power section.

Yeah, it's all set. He already refunded me 150 and he is gonna tangle with the shipping company.

Have to do more checking with Ampeg about the transformer, but my brother is an amp tech and said if we have to reuse the transformer in there it's probably doable.

So a little hassle and an SVT II Pre for $70? Awesome. Being recently unemployed I have a little time for hassles. Couple this with the 215 bucks I just paid for the Peavey Classic, and it's the cheapest tube tone monster ever.

Totally psyched. And need to stop buying gear. I also just scored a Peavey 120 / 120, at 240W and a couple of 410s I'll be set for a while.

monk

[grendle]

I run my svt 2 pre through a 1200 w power amp. Couldn't be happier. Usually keep the volume at noon or less. It breaks up really easy (EH tubes ) , so I use the power amp as a master volume basically.

[Colonel Monk]

Originally Posted by grendle

I run my svt 2 pre through a 1200 w power amp. Couldn't be happier. Usually keep the volume at noon or less. It breaks up really easy (EH tubes ) , so I use the power amp as a master volume basically.

I'm certain that sounds awesome. I'm looking for a more saturated tone though, and that you can only get with the power tubes.

Rock on,

CM

[Colonel Monk]

Today I finally had a chance to play the new rig at rehearsal.

SVT2 P > Peavey Classic 120 > Ampeg 410 HE. Precision Bass.

It sounded awesome, and with just the right overdrive. I think this amp is every bit as loud as the v4bh, but I'm liking the tone of the SVT2 P, it's what I remember from my SVT 2.

I had the volume at about 3 o'clock and I think the input control on the amp at say 7 of 10?

It's on the back of the amp so I didn't actually look at it.

Can't say for sure that I'm sold on the 410 HE. I haven't had it very long. I'm sorta in love with my Scout 12, and if I had 4 of them I think I'd be a happy man.

I recommend trying a set up like this. It's great to be able to crank it up for great tone but at a non-punishing level.

CM