SVT-4 Pro or SVT-CL....Help me decide

Fair Warning · #1 01-30-2011, 05:24 PM

Greetings Forum! I am getting back with it after many years of other priorities. Starting to swap out equipment for the better sounding stuff. I am old school, gigged in the late seventies in Hollywood and the OC. Looking to get into a high energy Groove Metal project.

In my collection of new equipment, I need urgent help in deciding between 2 different Amp heads. I know they are both good. Both are available for the same price. 1. Ampeg SVT-4 Pro and 2. the SVT-Classic (USA).

Both are in super condition. Here are my thought after testing both:

SVT-4 Pro test results: through 810, using my own 5 string, thought it had the clarity, depth and tone that we all like. I was a little surprised at the lack of volume that I got from the volume settings that I had. I think the hybrid design may be a less-trouble way to go.

SVT-Classic, USA Made. Played through Eden Stack (410 and 210), using a 4 string bass provided. I was blown away by the tone and clarity at low and high volumes. I am a little hesitant about the prospect of having to service this unit regularly, but dont know what to believe (reading conflicting reviews) on how extensive that would be. I think the all tube USA made Ampeg would be a better return on investment.

Anyway, I am the techy type, who does not shy way from fixing things myself if that would be any help. The amp head will be played through a SVT-410HLF.

So give me some words to help me decide which way to go tomorrow with my money.

Thanks, and gald to be part of this forum.

Gearhead17 · #2 01-30-2011, 05:33 PM

It's going to be a tough decision since you do not know what each head sounds like through YOUR cabinet.

The 4 PRO is very clean sounding and the SVT CL is great for dirtier/edgier bass lines. Both are going to get you great volumes for just about any stage (depending on the speaker mostly). The 4 PRO will have more headroom, and will be cleaner at all volumes. Make sure to do a search on how to properly run the 4 PRO and you can get more volume out of it.

The SVT CL is a great head, but if you want clean low end out of your 5th string, NOT a good choice.

The 4 PRO has a LOT of LOW END with the Bass knob set flat. Do not boost the low end with the 4 PRO in conjunction with the 410hlf. The cab will fart out.

allexcosta · #3 01-30-2011, 05:45 PM

The SVT-CL will look better, sound better/louder and make you happier than the SVT4-Pro any day of the week...

Maintenance will be minimal if you treat it right...

JDLowEnd · #4 01-30-2011, 05:51 PM

did you have the 4Pro bridged mono? if not than you lose power right there, because you are only utilizing one side of the power output. The SVT CL is going to be quite heavier, and more expensive when you add the cost of tube replacement. I had the 4pro, I loved it, great sound, solid build, and plenty of power! The graphic eq is nice too and can shape your tone to your liking a little more than the SVT CL. I would say the 4 Pro because I have A/B'd them and I enjoy the flexibility of the 4pro more than the classic!

Fair Warning · #5 01-30-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The SVT CL is a great head, but if you want clean low end out of your 5th string, NOT a good choice.

Yea.....forgot to mention that......I do tend to tune my top string to a B or A, I even run my 4 string bass with a 125 on top... thanks for that.

Fair Warning · #6 01-30-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDLowEnd

did you have the 4Pro bridged mono?

....yea....it was hooked up on mono bridged in back. That was the first thing I checked. Also fiddled with the buttons on the back but did not notice a volume change......hummmm?

RickenBoogie · #7 01-30-2011, 06:04 PM

it comes down to 300 tasty all tube watts vs. 1200 pretty clean solid state watts. I'd re-test with YOUR bass, and YOUR cab.

Gearhead17 · #8 01-30-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fair Warning

....yea....it was hooked up on mono bridged in back. That was the first thing I checked. Also fiddled with the buttons on the back but did not notice a volume change......hummmm?

If you did not have the correct mono bridged cable, then you were not running the cab with the full amount of power. Still, running 500 watts at 4 ohms stereo and 1200 watts mono into the same cab is not going to make difference in volume.