SVT or Ampeg!?! Tonal Conundrum!!!

[Sliver2281]

THIS POST SHOULD BE TITLED SWR OR AMPEG...Sorry...
Ok,
So I recently purchased an SWR 550X Bass Head. It came used in very good condition....the preamp tube had even been changed out to a late 50's West German 12AX7!

I like the head. I got it for $220....(They sell new for $1,100)...but I don't think it has the right tone for what I'm doing. I recently joined a band, and am playing bass for the first time ever...(I've been a rhythm guitarist for 10 years)...The sound I'm going for is that kinda what I would describe as "change dropping" raw sound similar to the bass player from Rancid, or early Green Day.

Now, everyone tells me that those guys use Ampeg heads, and that those will have the closest sound...(combined with an 8X10 cab)....

So, here's the thing...I could get an Ampeg SVT350 head in mint condition with the footswitch for $220...first off, does this ampeg have a preamp tube? and Second....which would you choose, considering the sound I'm going for?

P.S. I know I made a dumbass mistake titling this post.

[IronLung1986]

wait do you mean SWR? SVT is a type of ampeg...

[thedude77md]

An all tube Ampeg head will sound entirely different from an SS one. For that matter, a 70's SVT will sound different than a 70's V4-B, an 80's SVT, an 90's SVT-CL, etc. I personally love the B25-B and V4-B, the rest not so much.

[Sliver2281]

Yeah...Should be SWR or Ampeg. I'm stoned, sorry.

[Jaco D]

Are you talking about the SVT350H head? It's a solid state head, and I don't think it needs a footswitch.

[Sliver2281]

I dunno....The one I have in my shop definitely has a footswitch with it.

It has a full EQ on the right side and a bass ultramid and treble on it....along with a limiter....if that helps....its quite large.

I just checked...Yes, it is an Ampeg SVT350H

[Phendyr_Loon]

I played thru a SVT Classic (all tube)/ 8x10 cab for a while, the amp I though could do that tone the best, and couldn't achieve the tone you're describing. When I plugged all that into a Sansamp BDI, I got the sound instantly. Then I noticed I can get that tone from almost any other amp using the Sansamp.

I haven't heard that exact SWR head you're describing, but of it's like the SWR heads I've had then it's probably pretty hard to get a lot of gain out of it. Gain is IMO the key to that "punchy, jangly" tone.

I believe the SVT 350 head is MOSFET front end, and SS power, not nessesarily a bad thing just different when it comes to EQing. If you have a chance to test drive the Ampeg, you're better off. If the sound still doesn't suit you then keep the SWR and check out the Sansamp.

[Calaverasgrande]

I had one of those ampeg "svt" heads. They look similar to a real svt but aren't.
Speaking as someone who has done sound for and hung out with both bands you reference, you are better off with a GK 400 rb for that tone.

[dukeisdog]

Look at the Fender stuff. I know Matt Freeman is endorsed my Fender now and has been for a few years, and his gear sounds awesome.

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I'd go GK or maybe that SWR head with a Sansamp like the BDDI or the VT BASS. It's the opinion of just everyone on Talkbass that the Ampeg 350H and 450H are terrible bass heads. They look cool, but do not sound at all like a REAL Ampeg SVT, bland sounding overall, and the worse part is that they don't have any volume what so ever. You are basically paying for a very cheap, bland sounding, weak head in a 40lb box.

[vin*tone]

The recorded sound of those bassists won't necessarily have anything to do with their rigs - quite likely a large percentage of the tone you're hearing is straight through a nice DI..... which, by the way, is what your audience is going to be listening to if you're playing through a PA.

The SWR is an excellent amp for a beginner and you should stick with it while you learn a little more about the differences in different amps and totally nail down the sound that YOU like (not your favorite bass players).

Welcome to the dark side.

[Sliver2281]

Ah, thanks! Yeah, then I think I may keep the SWR 550X...Question though, is this "Sansamp" you're talking about made by Tech 21? I used to almost exclusively use their distortion/modeling pedal of the same name....

Is this an actual bass head?

[JMac4strngr]

This is is a Sansamp BDDI.....


VT bass (IMO better sounding of the 2).... HUGE PIC, sorry!

[Calaverasgrande]

I wouldn't sweat the whole ampeg tone thing. If you are trying to sound like those guys the swr alone is fine. I would say that the ampeg is the bass rig for the punk bands that "make it". But when those guys were playing house parties and small shows they did not have ampegs. They had GK 400rb's and 800rb's or Peavey MKIV's.

[duff84]

i just got one of these heads used it briefly tonight, its pretty loud amplifier i believe the 550 watt rating. I have a good cab though. Very clean and articulate sound to the amplifier, it cuts through really well. I like the subwave effect adds some beef to the low end. I used a ampeg svt 3 pro for around a year and the tone was alright but it was always muddy sounding, couldnt cut through well. The swr you don't need as much volume to be heard with the amp. Im happy with my purchase, now i need a used goliath III or IV 4 ohm cab.

[FrankLowend]

If you are a bass player playing any kind of rock'n'roll, from the roots as blues to the other side, as heavy rock, hard rock or even some heavy metal, so your amp is an Ampeg, go ahead with it and be happy!

[socknroll1]

We're all forgetting one thing...the bass.

Get a Pbass, knobs on full, and play with a pick, HARD. Turn up the highh mids on the amp. Done. I love both of these bassists and they both play (basically) Pbasses.

[FrankLowend]

At the end before my MMJazz Bass (excelent for rock'n'roll in the Ampeg...) I had one Cort Curbow... and the Ampeg transform that in a solid sound.
No doubt about the Precision, but with a good Head (in this case outstanding) you can have "the sound".
Have fun!!