SVT Questions

chubrocker · #1 09-15-2011, 12:02 PM

OK, I think I'll finally gonna get an all-tube SVT. I've gone the cheaper route and have gotten a cheaper amp then used a pedal, etc. to get "close" to the SVT tone. I'm tired of going the "cheap route." I currently run SVT3 Pro. It's close, but still not there. If its an SVT tone I want, I need to get an SVT with 810, right?

Questions:

Is there much tonal difference in the newer two input versions vs. the older 4 input?

Its easy to get grit with an SVT, but do the older versions have more/less headroom? Are newer versions perceived as being louder?

Is the quality down on the SLM versions? I hear the LOUD versions are quality altho not made in USA.

I just really want this amp to my last purchase for a while. I'm willing to make the investment but I want/need to make sure its a solid purchase.

coreyfyfe · #2 09-15-2011, 01:06 PM

The two input vs four input is really just one channel vs two channel. The modern SVT-CL is designed after the first channel of the vintage SVT and uses basically the same circuit path. The SVT-CL has gain and a separate master volume so if you plan to drive either the pre-amp or power amp, that's probably the way to go. The older amps and the SVT-VR, having only the single volume knob take more volume to get them really cooking.

There are always SVTs on the used market, if you want to save some coin I'd say go used, get it checked out by a tech and retubed if necessary. If all is good to go, you should be set for a while. The only thing you lose vs buying new is the warranty.

will33 · #3 09-15-2011, 01:09 PM

You'll have to consult Jimmy on the nuances between the amps. The cabs to stay from are from about 2000-2006 years. They were made of osb and had quite dark sounding, IMO lesser quality speakers, sounded like they had a blanket over them. Pre 2000 or the new ones are good cabs.

chubrocker · #4 09-15-2011, 01:32 PM

I know the "bad" years for cabs, but I didn't know the similar quality issues applied to the amp heads as well or not.

TheNightLife · #5 09-15-2011, 01:37 PM

I have an overseas svtcl and the only problem I've had with it is that it wasn't biased from the factory properly and wound up having to replace a tube 92 days after I bought and have it rebiased. I would recomend having a tech look at it when you buy it. Other then that everythings great

AwkwardLoudness · #6 09-15-2011, 01:48 PM

I'd go vintage if I were going to get an SVT again. I've owned a couple.

The SVT with the most clean headroom is the original blueline amp (1969 to mid-1970) with 6146b power tubes. These are awesome but hard to find for sale sometimes especially in good shape. All of the later SVTs after have stock 6550 power tubes.

1970 through 1979(?) - black line Magnavox era beginning 1972 - These SVTs are all very similar....same circuit but some variations in individual components and cosmetics. The later 70s amps lacked the polarity switch.

early 80s - MTI Japan era - same or very similar circuit as the 70s amps but look very different.

The current SVT-VR amps are based upon the 1970 through 1972 blue line design and appearance. I prefer the sound of the vintage amps...I'm not sure if that's due to the aged signal capacitors or other component factors.

For the cab, I'd choose a Bergantino NV610 or a Barefaced '69er since they are vintage voiced like the early SVT cabs, but louder and more efficient. At all cost, avoid the 1998 to 2006 cheaply built Ampeg cabs.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 09-15-2011, 02:00 PM

Jimmy usually says that an SVT, is an SVT, is an SVT, is an...

Honestly, go out and try a bunch of SVT's and see which one sounds the best to you. I'm happy with my CL from '06

Alex1984 · #8 09-15-2011, 02:29 PM

Between 2 vs 4 inputs, probably not a big difference, but between master and non-master volume, there's definitely a difference, with the master volume ones being slightly veiled, but still has similar characteristics.

stiles72 · #9 09-15-2011, 03:43 PM

And listen to all cabs and follow your ears. I play through 2x15's and typicall don't care for 10's. But when I do hear a an 810 that sounds good to me, it's usually a late model SLM made of OSB and the darker Eminence drivers. All depends on your tatses.

JimmyM · #10 09-15-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Jimmy usually says that an SVT, is an SVT, is an SVT, is an...

Honestly, go out and try a bunch of SVT's and see which one sounds the best to you. I'm happy with my CL from '06

You are close, JMatt. They're divided up into two categories...SVT's with no master volume, and SVT's with separate gain and master volume. Within those categories, I do believe an SVT is an SVT is an SVT. But there are some slight differences between the two types. Personally I prefer the ones without separate gain and master slightly. But both are great heads and I use both all the time and I love both, and it all depends what you're looking for.

chubrocker · #11 09-15-2011, 05:34 PM

I'm going for more of a Timmy C tone, particularly AudioSlave era tone. There are others I can point to, but let's just say they all use Ampeg SVTs with 810s. I like the looks of the older models but I do think I'd prefer gain with master vs. one master.

ubercore · #12 09-15-2011, 10:05 PM

I'd say to give the Berg NV610 a good hard look. It's lighter, with good wheels, and well placed handles. Still a big 6x10, but pretty easy to deal with. Some say it sounds better, but that's not the main I reason like it. Not very cheap, though.

It's kind of shallow, but I like the way a nice worn-in head looks. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have put as much effort into snagging an older one. I think the head differences between new and old, while probably real and quantifiable at some level, and small enough to make it a non-issue.

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 09-15-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

I'm going for more of a Timmy C tone, particularly AudioSlave era tone. There are others I can point to, but let's just say they all use Ampeg SVTs with 810s. I like the looks of the older models but I do think I'd prefer gain with master vs. one master.

Oh man, there is sooooo much going on with his tone that the rig is the last of your worries. He mods all his pedals himself and has a tone that is, literally, impossible to recreate. An SVT-CL will get you closer than a VR, but there is so much more going into his rig that it'll only get you so far.

chubrocker · #14 09-16-2011, 05:18 AM

Yeah, I know Timmy C has a ton of ingredients in his mix, but he's just one example. He uses multiple amps too. Virtually all my fave tones are players using an SVT. Also, my SVT3 Pro is the closest to creating the tone that's in my head.

NV610s are haunting me. I had a chance two months ago to get one but was dead broke. Can't find a used one in KC area and with shipping you can almost get a new one for what you'd pay for used+shipping.

jmpiwonka · #15 09-16-2011, 07:41 AM

i've got an svtII that i'm just now getting to know.
had it for a few months, didn't really get to play for a bit. also had it checked out and retubed.

now we've got some practices and shows down since then i'm really diggin this head...perhaps the tubes and everything are getting settled in too.
must say, i like it better through an 810 than i did my mesa 215 cabinet...
playing an old pbass straight into it, i also use a fuzz pedal sometimes.

chubrocker · #16 09-16-2011, 08:56 AM

Is the tone very similar from the SVT CL and the SVTII? Its mainly the mid-frequency control that's different, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmpiwonka

i've got an svtII that i'm just now getting to know.
had it for a few months, didn't really get to play for a bit. also had it checked out and retubed.

now we've got some practices and shows down since then i'm really diggin this head...perhaps the tubes and everything are getting settled in too.
must say, i like it better through an 810 than i did my mesa 215 cabinet...
playing an old pbass straight into it, i also use a fuzz pedal sometimes.

jmpiwonka · #17 09-16-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

Is the tone very similar from the SVT CL and the SVTII? Its mainly the mid-frequency control that's different, right?

i'm not sure how it compares to an svt-cl. i haven't played one in a long time, but i think my head is a little more aggressive sounding.

the svtII i have is an older non pro version so it only has a master volume.
it has ultra hi and ultra low switches, use of the eq is optional.
i leave that turned off and just use the bass, mid and treble controls. there is the knob for the mid frequency points which is nice.

with my 810 (older one but the guy i got it from replaced the drivers when ampeg was using the dark sounding ones) the ultra hi switch doesn't do much, i think it's because of the cabinets frequency response.

Alex1984 · #18 09-16-2011, 03:00 PM

I love my SVT-II non-pro too. I agree with jmpiwonka in that I like my SVT-II a lot better through 810s than through my Mesa 215. If it was a darker head like a Traynor or a Mesa, that'd be different, but I feel the 10s were better than the 15s in this case.

JimmyM · #19 09-16-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

Is the tone very similar from the SVT CL and the SVTII? Its mainly the mid-frequency control that's different, right?

That and the SVT 2 Nonpro is a single volume design. They are slightly more aggressive than the gain/master design, but really, I think the differences between the two are a bit exaggerated by some. There is a little difference and I guess some might see it as a world of difference but I don't.

Rockmusician · #20 09-16-2011, 04:19 PM

I use an SVT 6 Pro. It has an all tube pre-amp, tube driver with a mosfet power amp. 1,100 watts at 4 ohms. I run it through 2 SVT410HE cabs. It sounds great. Plenty of power. It has a knob which allows you to control the amount of power going to the tubes. I can easily get that vintage sound.