Need Help on choosing a preamp

BobbyLeeP · #1 02-23-2011, 10:20 AM

In the poll above the last SVP CL Preamp

the ampeg;
SVT IIP
SVP Pro
SVP CL

I like some growl when I dig in a little. I use my fingers 90% and some slap and I use a pick it depends on what song I'm playing. I play clean & dry most of the time. Im using the RBI with crown XLS 1500 & dbx compressor into 2-15" JBL cab. I love the old ampeg sound but never owned any ampeg equip. I think the sound of the bass in Great White's Rock Me tune is nice sound too. My primary bass is the warwick double$$.

Looking for input please

chucko58 · #2 02-23-2011, 11:34 AM

Why are you limiting yourself to Ampeg? There are lots of choices out there with "old school" tone.

svtb15 · #3 02-23-2011, 11:53 AM

I was a full ampeg "A" endorser for 20+ years and I have played all of those preamps at one time or another. .The SVT IIP sounds the closest to the original SVT. The others do not have the same Ultra HI or Ultra LO parameters as the original. As well as the Mid Freq select that has a different sounding "Q" width. So it depends on what you are looking for..
The SVTII2 is also the same preamp as the much sought after SVT 2 NON pro amps.

BobbyLeeP · #4 02-23-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

Why are you limiting yourself to Ampeg? There are lots of choices out there with "old school" tone.

I always has SS equipment, I really dont know what is good or bad. early Ampeg has a respected sound I was wondering about the Eden WP-100 Navigator Bass Preamp. but i have no idea what to try
toss some names and models out, im at a loss...

BobbyLeeP · #5 02-23-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtb15

I was a full ampeg "A" endorser for 20+ years and I have played all of those preamps at one time or another. .The SVT IIP sounds the closest to the original SVT. The others do not have the same Ultra HI or Ultra LO parameters as the original. As well as the Mid Freq select that has a different sounding "Q" width. So it depends on what you are looking for..
The SVTII2 is also the same preamp as the much sought after SVT 2 NON pro amps.

Are the SVT IIP noisy?

kosmicwizard · #6 02-23-2011, 12:26 PM

I have heard they are quiet compared to the SVP-PRO, but good luck finding one! Cheers.

chucko58 · #7 02-23-2011, 01:16 PM

There are an awful lot of choices out there. I'm afraid you're at the beginning of a learning process.

The sound you get out of a rig depends on so many things... starting at your fingers and ending at the room and your ears. The only way to figure out which preamp works for you is to try a bunch of them with the rest of your rig. This is how GAS gets started! I wish there was another way, but there really isn't.

What is it about your current rig that falls short of the sound you hear in your head? That will help us figure out what to suggest.

Fuzzbass · #8 02-23-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtb15

I was a full ampeg "A" endorser for 20+ years and I have played all of those preamps at one time or another. .The SVT IIP sounds the closest to the original SVT. The others do not have the same Ultra HI or Ultra LO parameters as the original. As well as the Mid Freq select that has a different sounding "Q" width. So it depends on what you are looking for..
The SVTII2 is also the same preamp as the much sought after SVT 2 NON pro amps.

This is very good advice, coming as it is from someone with extensive experience with all of the preamps in question.

I've only used the SVP-Pro, but FWIW I'm very happy with it. I'm aware of reports of noise/hiss issues with these preamps, but mine is extremely quiet. I'd been using Tech21 RBI/RPM preamps (which I also recommend for Ampeggy tones), but lately I've been gigging the SVP-Pro again.

bassplayerbob · #9 02-23-2011, 01:28 PM

Why not hunt around for an ADA MB1? Those were like the multifx of preamps! Dial up a tone and save it in a bank. You can choose tube or SS or blend them. I used one for many years without an issue. You can find these for around 200 used. The ampeg preamps I owned seem to lack in the output to the power amp.

BobbyLeeP · #10 02-23-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

There are an awful lot of choices out there. I'm afraid you're at the beginning of a learning process.

The sound you get out of a rig depends on so many things... starting at your fingers and ending at the room and your ears. The only way to figure out which preamp works for you is to try a bunch of them with the rest of your rig. This is how GAS gets started! I wish there was another way, but there really isn't.

What is it about your current rig that falls short of the sound you hear in your head? That will help us figure out what to suggest.

It doesnt have the alive low end sound..the sound doesnt for lack of better words have that 3d sound, no depth. The sound seems to be all on the front of the speakers instead of coming from inside the cab. Kinda like singing and pushing from your diaphragm vs your nose. Im looking for that depth in the sound instead of just low end. and I want the growl there when I need it. my old GK800rb had the decent growl in it. its hard to explain. Thanks for the help and input.

JGR · #11 02-23-2011, 01:55 PM

If you want growl, the SVP CL will NOT get you there IME. Extremely clean preamp. I ended up returning mine.

tsunami1052 · #12 02-23-2011, 02:05 PM

Run a RPM with your RBI.

GLEN18INCHSPICA · #13 02-23-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtb15

I was a full ampeg "A" endorser for 20+ years and I have played all of those preamps at one time or another. .The SVT IIP sounds the closest to the original SVT. The others do not have the same Ultra HI or Ultra LO parameters as the original. As well as the Mid Freq select that has a different sounding "Q" width. So it depends on what you are looking for..
The SVTII2 is also the same preamp as the much sought after SVT 2 NON pro amps.

The same preamp as the SVT 3 non pro as well.

BobbyLeeP · #14 02-23-2011, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the help, any other suggestions for tube preamps

Tunaman · #15 02-23-2011, 05:15 PM

I sold my RBI, couldn't hang with my Eden Navigator. 6 years & going strong, its in the never will sell department.

Jeff Scott · #16 02-23-2011, 07:06 PM

Hmm, not much in the way of choices.

Sorry, no vote here.

clintotron · #17 02-23-2011, 07:20 PM

From what I've read here on TB within the last 24 hours, I'd suggest a tube mic pre (Presonus bluetube, etc.) and a Behringer V-amp. MAKE SURE to follow CharlieC's instructions in the V-amp thread started in Oct of '10. As soon as I move a cab or two, this is MY next step...

BobbyLeeP · #18 02-23-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

Why not hunt around for an ADA MB1? Those were like the multifx of preamps! Dial up a tone and save it in a bank. You can choose tube or SS or blend them. I used one for many years without an issue. You can find these for around 200 used. The ampeg preamps I owned seem to lack in the output to the power amp.

I have been reading a lot about the low output and different mods to bump up the level

12bass · #19 02-23-2011, 08:40 PM

If you're seeking a bit of overdrive when you dig in, the SVP-PRO may be a good choice. Bought mine in 1998 and like using it for rock tones where there's a bit of tube overdrive. No noise issues here. Compared to the Tech21 VT Bass (Ampeg emulator), the SVP has greater girth and a more organic tone, IMO.

Another option worth considering is the new Genz-Benz Streamliner. Although not just a preamp, it is a lightweight, high-powered Class D amp with a nice overdriveable tube preamp section.

bassplayerbob · #20 02-23-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbyLeeP

I have been reading a lot about the low output and different mods to bump up the level

I was baffled. I owned a Bsp Billy Sheehan model and a SVP model.
I always had the master on 8 and the pre on 5 or 6. They were hooked up to a Mackie 1400i power amp bridged mono.That should have set off car alarms!!! I compared it to a Peavey Maxx preamp and i couldnt go anywhere near 8 on the master.