QUICK OPINION ON AMPEG MODEL COMPARISONS

[father of fires]

EDIT: THAT THREAD TITLE IS CONFUSING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.

I have owned/played several Ampeg heads including:

SVT 3
SVT 3 Pro (x2)
SVT 4 Pro (x2)
SVT II (non-pro)
SVT CL
SVT V4 (not mine but had extensive use)
SVT V4 Classic (V4BH)

I played most of these because I thought Ampeg was the best there was. At the time, I didn't know much about other brands so, I decided to go on an amp journey. Long story short, after tasting many brands I ended up back with V4 classic.

It is by far my favorite Ampeg head. I remember not loving my other Ampegs as much.

Anyways...I know all these heads are slightly different and I'm not sure what makes the modern V4 better (in my opinion).

Well anyways, I have been jamming at home on it with my upright. Not an ideal upright amp but, it sounds way better than my SWR SM400s that I bought for it originally.

I plan to gig on my upright in the near future and the idea of lugging this beast (not to mention my bass) to gig is making my back hurt already. Feel free to laugh, I know I'm getting old.

I don't need much volume so I was looking at other Ampeg offerings to save some weight. Such as another used 3 Pro or even a used Portabass. I was even looking at the new 7 pro or even a B1-RE.

I know I have owned SVT 3 pros before but, I'm thinking my tastes have changed since I last owned one. Maybe they have a similar tone to the V4 Classic and I am finally mature enough to appreciate it.

I could take my upright to guitar center to try some newer Ampegs but, I was hoping to get some opinions before I go through the trouble.

For those of you that may know the minute differences between the various Ampegs, is there a solid state version amp that closely resembles the newer v4's?

I know there are better upright heads but this is an Ampeg question (that is why I'm asking it on the electric side).

My fear is that there is something about the tubes that is taming my piezo pick up in a pleasing way.

It may not be a natural upright sound but that is not necessarily my goal. I am just getting a roundness to my tone that makes me weak in the knees and I was hoping there were other Ampeg models that could do it for less weight.

Thoughts?

[BurningSkies]

You ARE confused...

There's no such thing as a 'quick' opinion on TB.

[RickenBoogie]

Ampeg's range from the very bad, to the very good, and alot in the middle. Though they all have a particular tonal goal, and they're all in the same neighberhood, the re-issued V4BH, as well as the re-issued B-15R, are 2 fine examples of what *I* think of when I think "Ampeg" tone. Sort of a cross between the vintage amps, and something more modern, but warmth, and tubey goodtimes to spare. Nothing like the 3Pro, 4Pro, and 6Pro, which feel much more modern, loud, punchy, whatever, (great amps), but different. The all solid state B series amps, otoh, range from pretty tasty, (B100R, B50R, BA112), to downright disagreeable, (BA115, BA210sp, B1r, etc). They cover alot of ground, and offer something for almost everyone, at almost any price.

[Jim C]

I don't play an upright but have owned a 3Pro, V4B, V6, and SVT-CL
Tone wise I liked the V4B very slightly more than the CL; didn't care for the 3Pro all that much and don't remember the V6.
Yes, there is magic in the tubes

[JimmyM]

ampeg has some new lightweight heads coming out that might be cool for you. i just got a micro vr stack that sounds amazingly like a small version of my vintage svt rig. the new heads have more power but the micro vr does 200w at 4 ohms and 150w at 8...not too shabby. honestly, i think the micro vr sounds about as close to an svt as you can get without tubes.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ampeg has some new lightweight heads coming out that might be cool for you. i just got a micro vr stack that sounds amazingly like a small version of my vintage svt rig. the new heads have more power but the micro vr does 200w at 4 ohms and 150w at 8...not too shabby. honestly, i think the micro vr sounds about as close to an svt as you can get without tubes.

Jimmy, does the micro get a nice overdrive tone? Or is that a no because it has no tubes?

[JimmyM]

it will do a really good slight breakup when you boost the gain but no overdrive past that.

[kosmicwizard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPWikFPwYFc