My SVT backline experience Sat Night...

[BigOldHarry]

So I played this cattle-call of local "talent" at the House of Blues Saturday night... it was one of those 10 band in 4 hours deals, no sound check, 5 minutes to get on stage. Yeah. Loads of fun.

Anyway, they provided a bass backline of a SVT pro-4 head and the standard SVT 8x10 cab. The last time played through one of these rigs was when I was working in music store back in the late '80s, so I was interested to see what I would think using it live...

Given that I had a whopping 30 minutes to sort out how I liked it, here's my impression: If I were a rock and roll bassist with a pickup truck and willing buddies to help me schlep it, it would be *okay*. It didn't handle a low B very well (I had it EQ'ed dead flat) but the rest was loud... just loud. Not much tone, but *loud*. The fact is, I felt like my gear sounds much better, but like I said - a half hour is not much time to really judge. I also know that there is "Ampeg", and then there is "Ampeg". So who knows what year/era of gear this was. It looked fairly used, so I'm guessing it wasn't the latest/greatest.

[Sartori]

I've played through an SVT-4pro. It wasn't for me. Nice, but too... polite, I guess.

Though, I gotta ask, if you didn't like the sound you were getting that much, why'd you leave the controls flat?

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I've played through an SVT-4pro. It wasn't for me. Nice, but too... polite, I guess.

Though, I gotta ask, if you didn't like the sound you were getting that much, why'd you leave the controls flat?

Did I mention I had *5 minutes* to set up and start playing...?

[BassBob1]

I like ampeg, some people don't and thats cool. The 4 pro is not my favorite head of theres. I have one of the new 410hlf cabs and svt-7pro. I know some people complain about the last usa made cabs sounding too dark. Also the controls set flat on an ampeg amp isn't really flat. If you had time to play with the eq you may have liked it better.

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Did I mention I had *5 minutes* to set up and start playing...?

oops just saw that. probably just isn't your thing then.

[dannylectro]

Hard to say. I did the classic SVT/810 thing for a while. Also did V4/V4B through a variety of cabs. Then GK800RB and my current 400RB through lots of cabs/combinations. I guess I'm loving my GK 400RB paired with an Ampeg 4X10 with horn for the last 15 years... but I just got a compact 12 w/horn with a Little Mark Tube 800 and it has been rockin' my ass...

[Selta]

The 4-PRO takes a lot more tweaking to really get where you want to go. It's really misunderstood .
However, from my minimal experience with it, and other SS/hybrid "SVTs", I wouldn't compare then to the true SVTs. They just don't quite have "it". Still great amps, but it bothers me a bit that they have the SVT tag on 'em.

[svtb15]

I get SVT4 on back-lines all the time when i fly.. so that is why i bring my Genz Shuttle or Streamliner.. It really makes a difference.

[James Simonson]

The SVT II. The rack mount one from the 80's. That's the one... the best one they ever made IMO.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by svtb15

I get SVT4 on back-lines all the time when i fly.. so that is why i bring my Genz Shuttle or Streamliner.. It really makes a difference.

Tell me about it!

I really dislike the SVT-4's. Sounds nothing like a real SVT, always feels underpowered and has a pretty sketchy reliability record. I always sigh when I see it at load in!

Why does Ampeg have to call everything "SVT"? I mean, come on! The little VR Micro sounds more like a real SVT than the 4.

[Buster Brown]

I use and have used a 4Pro and an 8X10 for the last 6 years or so and have had outstanding results. My day job is as an A&R rep for a label in Los Angeles. I do quite a bit of traveling (obviously) and I ran into these guys in Saint Louis a while back:

YouTube - LOGOS - Mystic Haze

This kid has the best sounding 4Pro and 8X10 rig I have EVER heard...now, I always liked the qualities of the 4Pro and the 8X10, but after hearing him live, I have a new found respect for that particular rig.

Look, some like Ampeg, some don't. I would suggest that if you don't care for the gear - cart your own with you....tell the venue they'll just have to wait while you set your gear up. See how far that gets you....

Oh, and just so we're crystal clear - I have no connection to the band, their management or their label (if any). Just for the record. I actually saw them by accident while catching a Robin Trower show.....

[scotch]

Wait, I love Ampeg! The SVT-4 just isn't for me. I'm glad yours is working great & it's certainly capable of good sounds. Its' power section is known to have issues, though. I've read plenty of stories here on TB, I have 2 colleagues in Nashville who's 4's spent more time at the tech than on stage & I've chatted with 3 different shops who confirm the issue.

[BagelBruin]

I really like my Ampeg SVT 4.

Works well as a weekend warrior.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by scotch

Wait, I love Ampeg! The SVT-4 just isn't for me. I'm glad yours is working great & it's certainly capable of good sounds. Its' power section is known to have issues, though. I've read plenty of stories here on TB, I have 2 colleagues in Nashville who's 4's spent more time at the tech than on stage & I've chatted with 3 different shops who confirm the issue.

My bad!! I wasn't aiming that at anyone in particular....just throwing it out there.. But speaking of the 4...I have carted mine from one coast to another for 6 years and never had a hiccup (just lucky I guess)..but to be fair - I have switched from the standard 8X10 to the Heritage 8X10 and also use the Heritage CL....

[JimmyM]

you should have dated it while you were there. how hard can it be to look at where it's made?

i like the micro vr better than the 4 pro too, but i've never been bummed out by having to use one occasionally. i think it's a great amp. next time you use one, remember that the gain has to be cranked HARD, even if you like clean sounds. don't know where yours was set, but that to me is key for getting a good sound out of one. light that input light up good.

[Calaverasgrande]

I also think it is too bad that Ampeg plasters the "SVT" on so many amps that bear no resemblance to the OG SVT. I know my first "SVT"(one of the black with blue lines) was entirely devoid of tubes. It sounded bland on its best days and awful on its worst days. That experience soured me on Ampegs for a while. If I hadn't played my friend's REAL Ampegs a few times I would still be. As it stands I'm holding out for an old 70's SVT with the 4 inputs and all. I figure If I am gonna schlep a one hundred pound head, may as well be vintage. That and the old ones really arent any more coin than the "heritage" versions.

[JimmyM]

if i owned ampeg, there wouldn't be a single product that didn't have "svt" on it, and the heritage b-15 would be called the heritage svt-b15. svt sells.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by BassBob1

oops just saw that. probably just isn't your thing then.

Doesn't take me 5 minutes to twiddle a few knobs.

[faulknersj]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

if i owned ampeg, there wouldn't be a single product that didn't have "svt" on it, and the heritage b-15 would be called the heritage svt-b15. svt sells.

.
And if I owned Fender, every
Bass would be a limited edition custom classic jazz precision deluxe limited anniversary re-issue.

Roadworn would remain optional

[Alex1984]

Didn't like the hybrid SVT's that I tried, and from what I read here on TB, the 4-pro seems to be the worst of them. That doesn't change my appreciation of their tube offerings though!