Sunn 300T or Ampeg SVT Classic (Us)

AltraSound · #1 10-09-2010, 02:51 PM

Just like the header says, im looking at a SVT Classic American Made or a Sunn 300T in great condition. Which would you guys recomend?

I play in a prog rock band (myspace.com/mindtheband) and i love my low mids. CUrrently looking to purchase a 2x15 mesa cabinet or a bergantino (if i can find one) to go with it. All tube sound with a good amount of overdrive with heavy serious low end (barely any highs eqd in). Thanks for the help!

AltraSound · #2 10-09-2010, 02:55 PM

Or an SVT 2 (american made). Im very interested in the comparison to the SVT 2 and the Classic, both seem like very nice amplifiers

jastacey · #3 10-09-2010, 04:06 PM

I'd recommend the SVT II Pro and the NV 215 cabinet ..... If you get the Sunn amp, make sure it has all the updates, or get a later model Fender Bassman 300 Pro , the Sunn/Fender will go cleaner/ louder than the Ampeg, but the Ampeg has the sound your looking for.... I believe

thedude77md · #4 10-09-2010, 04:36 PM

Even though I am the guy selling the 300T you are referring to, I will not be biased- try them all if you can. Some folks like others better than others. I have owned many a tube head so will give you my thoughts on some of the big tube jobs I'd look at in that price range or less:

Sunn/300T or Bassman Pro- I find the most versatile of the bunch. I thought the overdrive channel sounded like dirt until I started blending the clean channel in. The compressor is great on it as well but it took me a year of gigging to understand exactly how the strange controls worked (I had the Fender version for a few years in the early part of the decade). Again, versatile and can do just about any kind of tone you want but there are a ton of controls. As Jastacey said, be careful on the Sunn's and make sure it's been gone over. Mine hadn't, hence all the tech work I recently had done.

Peavey Classic 400- If you find one in good shape, jump on it. Versatile, much cheaper, built like a rock. Great drive channel. Overall it sounds like a Bassman (the classic kind) but beefier and louder than God.

Mesa Buster- My favorite clean sound ever. low amount of dirt compared to most tube heads and a little more modern sounding than the others. Nice lighter weight too. My second favorite after the 300T

SVT Classic- Pretty much a one trick pony at volume, but it that's the sound you want, nothing else comes close. For low volume settings, I really like the clean tone and find the EQ pretty flexible.

SVT II Pro_ I didn't like it as much as the others. It broke up too early, IMO, and I didn't like the graphic EQ.

I have never head the pleasure of playing through a Mesa 400 beyond screwing around with one in a store years ago but try one of those too. Same goes for a Peavey VB-2 and Traynor YBA-200.

Listening to your band's myspace, it sounds like you use some effects on bass. I would also consider how well it takes pedals. Some amps just seem more pedal friendly than others

AltraSound · #5 10-09-2010, 08:55 PM

How is the sunn with effects?

jimmyjames77 · #6 10-09-2010, 09:07 PM

If you don't put any highs in then maybe think about a Stewart power amp with a good tube pre. The highs are the reason to get an all tube amp, the highs are sooo sweet. Yeah the low end is different with an all SS amp but with a good tube pre it should be the bees knees. That and a good cab. I used to be a "highs" deficient type of guy but with the right cab, amp, and combo of pedals you might enjoy a healthy dose of hi end AND be able to be super thick.
My .02
Jim.

waleross · #7 10-09-2010, 09:26 PM

I own the Fender Bassman 300 and the SvT Cl. ImO the Fender is a better head in quality and sound......

mellowgerman · #8 10-09-2010, 09:31 PM

I have spent lots and lots of time with a sunn 300t, a little with the fender 300, and a little with the svt. IMO the sound and versatility of the sunn/fender heads makes them the better amp.

thedude77md · #9 10-09-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltraSound

How is the sunn with effects?

Great, IMO. I say so because if you do not have clean headroom, most effects just turn to more dirt/grit on your tone. The Fender/Sunn has the headroom and seems a little more gradual going from clean to dirt than the other heads.

I would say the Mesa Buster is the best option there as it stays pretty clean with just a hint of "wooly coloration" if that makes sense, but it doesn't have that massive air moving low end the others have. The Peavey Classic 400 seemed to like effects too.

Tim1 · #10 10-09-2010, 11:52 PM

I have played both in gig situations, they are both good amps and you cannot go wrong with either IMO. I prefer my SVT VR to either and the CL to the Sunn, but that is just me. I didn't like all the tone controls on the Sunn and the CL is much more intuitive for me (and certainly not just a one trick pony as others have implied).As I said, I would be happy with either.

ducknturtle · #11 10-10-2010, 08:00 AM

Laney makes an all tube amp as well. I've never hear one, but would love to hear from those who have.