Possible Replacement for SVT?

[jmattbassplaya]

Hey guys,

*I did a few searches but surprisingly couldn't quite find what I was looking for*

So I've been playing through an SVT for a little over half a year now and have been absolutely loving everything about the amp besides (of course) its weight. It's beginning to be a deal breaker for me as I'll often opt to use my Markbass and VT whenever I play out. That said, the MB+VT combo definitely pales in comparison in the 'warmth' and 'heft/weight to notes' departments in comparison to the SVT.

I've been looking around for possible hybrids that can cope the same feel and 'tonal weight' that an all tube amp can deliver. While understand nothing can completely copy the sound of an all tube amp except an all tube amp, I'd just like to find something that's enough in the ballpark while giving my muscles a break during load in and load out.

Right now I currently have the Mesa M6/9 and Aguilar DB750/1 on my radar. I'm curious what else might be out there, and I'd even like to hear some success stories of people going from all tube amps to hybrids (or even solid states) and finding something that makes them happy.

My criteria:
Under 50lbs
$2000 new or used

Thanks!

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

While understand nothing can completely copy the sound of an all tube amp except an all tube amp, I'd just like to find something that's enough in the ballpark while giving my muscles a break during load in and load out.

My criteria:
Under 50lbs
$2000 new or used

Mesa Boogie Bass 400 or 400+. Is only 46 lbs. And I can carry it in and out of the club all day long with one hand.

[Mirios]

I believe the Peavey VB-3 is 300 watts of all tube goodness under 40 lbs. I haven't personally experienced the amp though. I do believe it is under 2k new.

[cheezewiz]

Mesa Boogie 400+, Eden 300 tube head, Markbass 300 tube head, Orange AD200, etc. Lots of great tube heads around that clock in around 50 lbs. The ONLY reason I don't use an SVT is the weight. I love my Orange.

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

The new Traynor YBA300 is worth checking out.

Rezdog

[JimmyM]

6 months ago I'd call you a wuss, but I have to admit I've succumbed to the lure of light gear. I have a gig in the same place for the next 3 days so I brought my B-15 stack, but I got real beaten up a few times lugging that stuff around for the past 2 years, and since getting the Micro VR I've become a wuss my own self. But really, I'm not a wuss because when I was lugging the tube stuff around regularly, I was actually way more manly than most, and now I'm at more normal levels of manliness

The heft is just not going to be there no matter what you use unless it has power tubes and a tube pre IMHO. However, some stuff is heftier than others. Like Johnk swears by his UA 6176 pre to get it. The Jule Amps Monique is a very B-15-like pre that cops some grunt. JGR's new Reiner preamp is a hottie that should get some ass behind it. The SVT 7 Pro cops an amazing amount of heft, especially when you consider it's SMPS/class D with a single tube. I haven't been able to AB it with an SVT in the same cab, but that one's shot right to the top of the list for me. Not sure what it's heft level is but it definitely is much heftier than the VT or the Markbass, or even the Micro VR

But heft is in the eye of the beholder, so who knows what you'll think? I'd hang onto the SVT for a while, though.

[rodl2005]

Mesa Walkabout. Amazing amp with an amazing ability to sound great thru almost any cab. But thru its own Scout combo, has a real 'all tube' like quality

[babebambi]

the DB750/1 has even more heft then the SVT
but may lack the complex mid harmonic found in the Ampeg all tube

the M9 has about the same weight to the note
but lack the bouncy feel of the tube head

I like all three heads, they can't replace each other in any absolute terms
but if I can only keep one, I'd pick the DB751, power is addicting

I am also curious, is the V4(B) a completely different animal?
or a SVT lite?

P.S. I am using my SVT2pro as reference, YMMV

oh BTW, there is a new Yorkville 300W all tuber
50 lb. I think, you may want to try that too

[jmattbassplaya]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys!

The Eden, Markbass, Orange, and Traynor are probably out of the question since I rarely ever see them on the used market. I don't mind spending up to $2,000 for an amp, but it'd be nice if I could get one for less. Plus most of those go for over $2,000 new.

The Mesa 400/+ was an option I was considering earlier, but I read their weights vary. I think I remember a guy in another thread saying they can weigh up to 60+lbs. I'm not sure how true that is, but it has made me a little wary about possibly getting one.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by babebambi

I am also curious, is the V4(B) a completely different animal?
or a SVT lite?

I'd say half B-15, half SVT. Been years since I last played a V4B, but mine's flat setting reminded me more of the B-15 than the SVT, although you can dial up the same sounds in each. So it's not a completely different animal but it's a little different.

[steve_rolfeca]

How loud are you pushing the SVT?

If you're slamming the tubes hard, it's going to be difficult (I'd say impossible) to match the feel and harmonic complexity of the SVT with a hybrid.

If you're running it at more normal volumes, and just dig the round, warm tone, then a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 might be worth considering.

The Genz isn't trying to be an SVT clone per se, but the three-tube preamp certainly adds that big, round "heft" to the notes, and a clever circuit in the output stage offers up a surprisingly good imitation of power supply sag. Plus, it's stoopid cheap compared to an all-tube head.

[chadds]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

6 months ago I'd call you a wuss, but I have to admit I've succumbed to the lure of light gear. I have a gig in the same place for the next 3 days so I brought my B-15 stack, but I got real beaten up a few times lugging that stuff around for the past 2 years, and since getting the Micro VR I've become a wuss my own self. But really, I'm not a wuss because when I was lugging the tube stuff around regularly, I was actually way more manly than most, and now I'm at more normal levels of manliness

The heft is just not going to be there no matter what you use unless it has power tubes and a tube pre IMHO. However, some stuff is heftier than others. Like Johnk swears by his UA 6176 pre to get it. The Jule Amps Monique is a very B-15-like pre that cops some grunt. JGR's new Reiner preamp is a hottie that should get some ass behind it. The SVT 7 Pro cops an amazing amount of heft, especially when you consider it's SMPS/class D with a single tube. I haven't been able to AB it with an SVT in the same cab, but that one's shot right to the top of the list for me. Not sure what it's heft level is but it definitely is much heftier than the VT or the Markbass, or even the Micro VR

But heft is in the eye of the beholder, so who knows what you'll think? I'd hang onto the SVT for a while, though.

Glad you mentioned the Monique, Jimmy. I've used a lot of tube pres into SS power amps and they are at most a third of the way there.
My point is that the Monique through a class D sounds seamlessly tube. The low end is expansive and open. The highs are smooth with no brittleness and the mids just rich like a good Murgh Tikka Masala.

[77PBass]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Mesa Walkabout. Amazing amp with an amazing ability to sound great thru almost any cab. But thru its own Scout combo, has a real 'all tube' like quality

+1

To my ears, the walkabout gets a tube power section compression that is a lot of the Ampeg sound from a mosfet amp.

[bassgod0dmw]

Just to throw out another option, how about an Ampeg SVP-CL preamp and your poweramp of choice. The CL really sounds glorious!

[77PBass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I'd say half B-15, half SVT. Been years since I last played a V4B, but mine's flat setting reminded me more of the B-15 than the SVT, although you can dial up the same sounds in each. So it's not a completely different animal but it's a little different.

Jimmy is right... the V4B is probably 65% of an SVT. It is a great amp for those looking for the classic Ampeg sound and not willing to lug an SVT. Keep in mind that the weight savings are not that great.

Hav you thought about Tech 21's 1969? It is 23lbs and is a good facsimile of an SVT. Or maybe a VTBass pedal with a Crown Drivecore class D power amp? There is always an SVP-CL pre with the crown amp.

[Rezdog]

Greetings,

YBA300 Traynor usually go for less than $1500 brand new in the USA. In fact Musicians Buy have them on sale for $1388. And it's hard to beat Traynor's great warranty & ruggedness.

Rezdog

[Selta]

SVP-CL + power amp of your choice. My rack weighs in at about 35lbs with those two. If I have my RPM in there too that adds a little weight, but still overall under 1/2 what the SVT weighed.
If the SVP-CL isn't viable for you, the SansAmp RPM is indeed pretty sweet.

That poor SVT is going to have issues, though. I sold it to you cos of the weight. Now it's gonna get sold again due to weight Maybe it'll put down the cheeseburger and go on a diet...

[Alex1984]

It's hard to replace an SVT. To my ears, the V4B does indeed feel like a midpoint between the SVT and a B-15. Not exactly the same, but comparable, but it's still not LIGHT.

[BurningSkies]

I'd be looking to pair a high powered lightweight power amp (peavey IPR, crown drivecore, etc) with the tube pre that sounds best to you... Monique, SVP, Kern, etc. You could be 90% of the way there at $2k and under 25 lbs.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Rezdog

Greetings,

YBA300 Traynor usually go for less than $1500 brand new in the USA. In fact Musicians Buy have them on sale for $1388. And it's hard to beat Traynor's great warranty & ruggedness.

Rezdog

That Traynor sure sounds sexy on paper. I just wish the amp looked a little prettier I'll definitely see if I can try one of them out sometime, although 51lbs still might be pushing it in the weight department.

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

SVP-CL + power amp of your choice. My rack weighs in at about 35lbs with those two. If I have my RPM in there too that adds a little weight, but still overall under 1/2 what the SVT weighed.
If the SVP-CL isn't viable for you, the SansAmp RPM is indeed pretty sweet.

That poor SVT is going to have issues, though. I sold it to you cos of the weight. Now it's gonna get sold again due to weight Maybe it'll put down the cheeseburger and go on a diet...

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

I'd be looking to pair a high powered lightweight power amp (peavey IPR, crown drivecore, etc) with the tube pre that sounds best to you... Monique, SVP, Kern, etc. You could be 90% of the way there at $2k and under 25 lbs.

Haha, it's definitely going to have trust issues for a while I've never been fond of the idea of having a separate power amp and preamp, but it's definitely beginning to look like a worthwhile option to keep that tone.