So I think I am ready for a SVT.....calling all SVT experts

[g4string]

In my 20 years of playing bass, I have always been a solid state guy (or a tube pre SS power, the DB728 being my only experience with tube power section). My experience with the Aguilar DB728 power amp was extremely short lived, maybe about three months (with a Demeter preamp). With everything in the rack; the carry was bulky, cumbersome, and heavy. Additionally, it always seemed like the bias slipped on the 728....the amp seemed to break up well before it should have. Sure enough, a quick voltage check revealed cold plates. This continued to happen even after a complete tube swap. Given the issues wit the amp, and the bulk/weight, I decided to sell the 728. That is my tuber history. I consider myself a tuber virgin.

As of lately, my fascisnatiom with tubes has been rekindled. The thoughts of warm fuzzy tube tone thumping and bumping are enough to make me go crazy!! I have narrowed my search down to a SVT. I figured I might as well start with the standard, the benchmark....the SVT. At first, I wanted to sway towards a boutique builder. However after some serious thought, I felt it would be a wise idea to get to know what the "standard" sounds like first. That way, if I don't dig the SVT, I have a good sonic reference as to what I want in my next tuber. Or worse case scenario....if I don't dig the tube thing at all, I can sell the SVT and recoup my cash. If I went ahead and bought a new boutique tuber first and didn't like it, I most certainly would take a hit on depreciation.

So I am looking at a getting a used VR or CL (or maybe a nice used AV). Since this is my first SVT, I figured I would consult the experts for some advice. I do know I want a modern SVT. I want the modern bias controls, power connection, and speakons. NTM, a great deal of bastardization can take place on a 20-40 year old amp. At this point, I would prefer to not take my chances on a vintage buy. So since we know what I am looking for....let's get started

1) I guess my main concern is should I be weary of the current Loud over-seas produced amps....is owning USA built SVT a quintessential part of owning a SVT??

2) Are there any models/years/origins of manufacture that I should avoid??

3) On the flip side, are there any special years/models I should look for??

4) I can't say I have any specific tone requirements regarding the SVT....I just want to get my tube feet wet so to speak. With that, what SVT model do you think I would be more happy with, the VR or the CL (or AV, or others).

Thanks!!!!

[rodl2005]

Well the AV is just the CL with silver clothes, but IMO I'd grab a CL- see how U go then they always sell for a good $$- so grab a VR if the mood takes U later on.
The CL HAS the gain control- so it DOESN'T HAVE to be SUPER loud to get overdriven tubes, like the VR, (or my SVTII) does. The 2PRO is another option- similar to the CL, but with a 'drive' control & rack mount, switchable EQ etc...
My SVTII is a '92 model-still a few around- & has no gain (like the VR) & is a sweet heavy baby!!!

[johnk_10]

since you said that you want to start out with the 'standard' SVT, but you want a modern amp, i'd go with the VR. in my experience, where it was made has nothing to do with the quality of it. my '07 was made in veitnam and it's been prefect since new. it sounds identical a couple of my friend's earlier USA VR's and another friend's brand new one made in 2010. i've seen them go for around $1200 used, but in excellent condion.

[JimmyM]

dude, i've played svt's all my life, all different ones from all over, and honestly i find very little difference in the tones from any of them. some might have better tubes than others but they've all got the sound. i prefer the vr over the cl/av (same head different cosmetics), but i've used many a cl that i thought sounded fantastic. actually i prefer vintage but only because i have one. but you ruled those out so get a newer one. as long as it works right, you're usually good to go. cabs are a different story (1998-2005 cabs wasn't my favorite period for cabs) but the heads are always solid. there were some qc issues when they were making heads in vietnam, but when they work they sound like svt's to me. and the cabs are really good again, too.

[will33]

As far as I can tell, an SVT amp sounds like an SVT amp, no matter where it was made, whether it will still sound like that 20-30 years from now, who knows.

There are however different runs of 810 cabs. The originals had pretty much guitar drivers in them, that's why they came with a pair of 810's for a single amp but the tone can't be beat. Later on, the speakers got beefed up so you could run a single 810 instead of 2. After that the cabs got cheaped out on using chipboard instead of plywood, bad IMO. After that they changed drivers using ones that were bass heavy but lacked in the mids/highs, also bad IMO. Then they got their wits back and started making them out of plywood again and the newer eminence B810 speakers seem to have a good balance of lows vs. highs with decent power handling to boot, (on paper anyway). So what year model/version of cab can have at least as much if not more effect on the tone than the actual amp.

[will33]

^^what Jimmy said^^

[g4string]

Originally Posted by will33

^^what Jimmy said^^

I knew it wouldn't take long for Jimmy to post.....he seems to be the resident Ampeg guy for TB I have no plans to run a 810 sealed cab at this point. I will prob end going with a DB cab of sorts, maybe a 115 or 212. I am interested in Barefaced cabs as well. LDS is another cab choice. Whatever cab do I choose has to be of the portable variety.

[g4string]

Oh....thanks for all your help!!!!!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by g4string

I knew it wouldn't take long for Jimmy to post.....he seems to be the resident Ampeg guy for TB I have no plans to run a 810 sealed cab at this point. I will prob end going with a DB cab of sorts, maybe a 115 or 212. I am interested in Barefaced cabs as well. LDS is another cab choice. Whatever cab do I choose has to be of the portable variety.

johnk is really the ampeg guy on here. i just happen to play a lot of rented svt's of all kinds on the road. i'm also down with these new fangled cab designs, too. i'll be getting a couple. i love my 810 but these newer cabs with the woofer and mid driver are too good for me not to try them out.

[g4string]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

johnk is really the ampeg guy on here. i just happen to play a lot of rented svt's of all kinds on the road. i'm also down with these new fangled cab designs, too. i'll be getting a couple. i love my 810 but these newer cabs with the woofer and mid driver are too good for me not to try them out.

Amen to that.....I am just a club/bar guy. I have no need for the fridge.

[jvdb]

I recently tested three SVT's. 73'er, a CL from Korea and a VR from Vietnam. We all agreed the 73 sounded best. Loudest, most dynamic and the most warmth and punch. We played through Fender Precisions.

The CL sounded awesome as well. The sound is more compressed and it sounds friendlier. Somewhat darker.

The VR was our least favourite. It lacked volume and punch. On the other hand, it sounded cleaner.

My advise for you: test the VR and CL and a-b them.

[waleross]

+1 on what Jimmy said about the cabs vs. the SvT heads. I have a rig built and bought within the last year. The CL (Korea?) is in great order as is the overseas made Loud 810E, Shop around and locate what you are looking for. Older Ampeg SvT's are always for sale and cabs come in all flavors and sizes....Good luck......

[beans-on-toast]

It sounds like you want an SVT-VR. If you want a master volume, go with the CL.

A good set of tubes can make a difference in terms of tone and hum. I've found that some of the stock tubes in the newer models are not the best.

This can make it difficult when comparing different SVT models. It would great if you could take the same set of tubes and install them in each amp under test. Unfortunately, this is impossible to do.

Just keep in mind that if the amp has the stock tubes when you buy it, there is a good chance that you will be able to improve the sound a bit.

I don't think that the country of origin is important unless you want the amp to retain maximal resale value. In that case find a used US made model. As long as you get one that doesn't have any issues, it is going to be a good amp for many years to come. It is always best if you can check it out in person before buying.

[Jonyak]

I have a II pro and I have to say its an awesome amp. it is great for recording with because it has the built in DI, which can be switched between pre and post. Also it has an effects loop which I find useful.

All that Aside I just bought a 74 SVT as well.

I was an all eden guy for years. now I am all SVT. haha.

and Boy are they HEAVY.

[adunham1]

In case you're interested, I've got a used SVT CL for sale currently. $925 shipped. It was re-tubed around a year ago with SED Winged "C" tubes in the power section. Here is a link to my ad in the for sale forum:

Ampeg SVT Classic ($925 shipped)

Price might be negotiable.

[nitram]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

...(1998-2005 cabs wasn't my favorite period for cabs) ...

What was wrong with them JimmyM ?

Nitram

[Lazarus.Bird]

I've got a Vietnamese SVT. No one looking at it from the front will ever be able to tell the difference.

[JimmyM]

nitram, they were made with osb, a type of chipboard/strandboard, for lack of a better word, and in 2000, eminence changed cone suppliers and the speakers ended up having zero high end and too much low end.

[FunkyFrosty]

I've owned a few and for me theres usually a disearnable difference between the vintage SVT's (i'll include the SVT II non pro) and the newer ones CL and AV have a slightly different preamp than the vintage and VR models.

I liked the vintage and the SVT II non-pro's the best followed by the CL, I agree CL's I tried had a slightly more compressed sound - but I liked them a lot none the less, the only VR I played sounded crappy - all edgy and not "SVT smooth" at all.

I have to add that I'm usually looking for big fat creamy tube bottom end, I'm not one of those hard driving rocker types

What kind of sound are you looking for?

[FunkyFrosty]

About cabs, NV610 all the way.

I'm not running an SVT now, current setup is SVP-CL, CA900, NV 215