SVT: Too loud?

Penepasta · #1 11-09-2011, 02:08 AM

So, I've finally got my act together and am on my way to buying a proper bass setup. I'll soon have the Rickenbacker that I always wanted and after that, it's time for an amp. I really want an Ampeg SVT-VR and a matching SVT810-AV. The only thing I've been thinking is, is that too loud for me? I gig regularly, but we haven't really been in venue with huge volume needs. Plus, my bandmates have some pretty pathetic amps right now. Is it bad to play a tube amp at low volume? Maybe I'm just over thinking this.

anonymous122511 · #2 11-09-2011, 02:16 AM

Too loud? No.
Too heavy? Yes.

johnk_10 · #3 11-09-2011, 02:55 AM

i think that you are over thinking it. you don't always need to use the volume, but it's nice to have it when you do. IMO, if you get an SVT-VR and an 810AV, it would be the last amp you'd ever need to buy. i love mine.

WhiteNinja · #4 11-09-2011, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i think that you are over thinking it. you don't always need to use the volume, but it's nice to have it when you do. IMO, if you get an SVT-VR and an 810AV, it would be the last amp you'd ever need to buy. i love mine.

+1. Really happy with my SVT-VR/810E combo, and completely GAS free when it comes to amps.

blastjv · #5 11-09-2011, 05:42 AM

You can certainly turn down, the only issue with 'too loud' is that the SVT sounds different at different places on the volume knob, so you may find that when you turn down you can't get the quite sound you want. For example, if you want to really push the amp to get some overdriven grind, you need to turn up a bit and may be too loud, etc...

This is a nit-picky kind of thing, but that what we do here!!!

-JV

vincenzomauer88 · #6 11-09-2011, 05:49 AM

I have the vr and a slm 810 It is a little much for certain venuesbut I play loudly to begin with so it suits me. you'd do fine with a 410.but like mentioned the 810 is the end alllllll be alllllll.it's really a personal thing

coreyfyfe · #7 11-09-2011, 05:50 AM

I think your trouble is the cab. I'm in the same boat. I like the sealed 8x10 sound, definitely the tone I'm after, but in some venues I play that much cab is just overkill with a non-master svt. Personally I've been trying to find a smaller cab that can do the same tone so I can turn up a bit on the head, and my short list is two svt-210av cabs, a Berg nv610, or maybe the new barefaced 69er when it arrives. Most of those options aren't cheap so for now it's the 8x10 and managing the volume.

4StringShooter · #8 11-09-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penepasta

So, I've finally got my act together and am on my way to buying a proper bass setup. I'll soon have the Rickenbacker that I always wanted and after that, it's time for an amp. I really want an Ampeg SVT-VR and a matching SVT810-AV. The only thing I've been thinking is, is that too loud for me? I gig regularly, but we haven't really been in venue with huge volume needs. Plus, my bandmates have some pretty pathetic amps right now. Is it bad to play a tube amp at low volume? Maybe I'm just over thinking this.

I tried my SVT with an 8-10 the other day. The Cab must have had some blown drivers, cause it sounded like ****.

lfmn16 · #9 11-09-2011, 06:34 AM

It's the last amp you'll buy until you're too old to carry it. When I played with an SVT head and 8X10 cabinet I was always happy with the sound; it's just a matter of the inconvenience of carting it around.

Do you want something easy to carry or do you want killer sound?

By the way, I played a ric through mine to. I never wanted another bass either.

Jonyak · #10 11-09-2011, 06:44 AM

I have a SVT-CL and 410 HLF I use for gigging, it can be too loud and I generaly get told to turn it down.

I have a 74 SVT and 810E at home and it is definately overkill, but I love it.

been_effected · #11 11-09-2011, 07:01 AM

I have a PRO-2 running into an NV610, I play a Thumb NT 5 and there is simply nothing this baby cannot sit in a mix with. Even with two guitarists and a loud ass drummer.

Oh, and for the first time in my life I'm amp-GAS free. Kinda...

TheBasicBassist · #12 11-09-2011, 07:08 AM

A lot of the folks here seem to have a problem with having to turn the amp up too loud to get their sound; has anyone had any luck throwing a limiter pedal in front of their amp? I've used an Aguilar TLC with my Walkabout to push it into to OD territory with very favorable results, and I don't find it colors my tone a particular amount, and it certainly doesn't "suck tone."

rockstarbassist · #13 11-09-2011, 09:15 AM

Depends. Are you running sound or are they usually shared bills with the venue hiring the soundman? The bigger the rig, the less the amateur soundman is gonna run you through the PA. I started bringing just one of my PH212 cabs and it's really helped me being heard according to our regulars.
Yes, you can "always turn down", but the guy behind the board very rarely understands that, as does your average player in a rock/metal band who doesn't know there's such thing as a PA and your signal runs through it.

**jmattbassplaya** · #14 11-09-2011, 09:21 AM

An svt definitely isn't too much, however, I'd consider a different cab. I like my svt through my gens Benz neox 212 a lot.

Gearhead17 · #15 11-09-2011, 09:24 AM

I suggest getting the tube head you like and getting a smaller cab. You can crank the head, and with fewer speakers, get the tone you want at decent volumes.

boethius · #16 11-09-2011, 11:12 AM

I've had a few SVT2's and 2 Pro's over the past 25 years or so. At one point when I had all 3 at the same time I had them tubed differently for different volume gigs. I ran KT88s for large loud gigs and 810/215 combinations. A well matched sextet of KT88s can bring the RMS to at least 320 and in some cases higher. For regular loud gigs and 1 810 I used good quality 6550s.

And for quieter gigs, jazz/theatres, etc., I used cheap 6550s (Sovteks) and 2 smaller 4 ohm cabs like a 115 and a 210 or a 212 and a 210 so I could run it at a 2 ohm load. I would also swap the 12ax7s for 5751s which would lower the gain, but keep the tone clean in the preamp so that I could drive the power tubes to get the delicious gooey tone we love! If you do this leave the 12ax7 and 2 au7s in the drive section and use them for added grit if you need it.

The 2 ohm load trick with the cheaper tubes worked best for maintaining tone and controlling volume. Just my 2 cents.

VanillaThundah · #17 11-09-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincenzomauer88

I have the vr and a slm 810 It is a little much for certain venuesbut I play loudly to begin with so it suits me. you'd do fine with a 410.but like mentioned the 810 is the end alllllll be alllllll.it's really a personal thing

+1 on this

If the 8x10s is too loud, then get a 4x10s or 6x10s cab. However, I wouldn't worry about being "too loud" when you are the bass player. It's always better to have headroom

Sunnmon · #18 11-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Hello Penepasta,

A simple solution would be a vintage, good condition Ampeg V4B, say a 1974-76 version and the popular Ampeg 810 cabinet and yer set.

when you move up to larger venues, get The SVT. I am NOT a Magnovox guy but a V4B/810 is a great rig, Ask Jimmy

.This rig will serve you well, heck it'd serve me well too. Sorry if I offended anyone. Good Luck

Peace and Happiness to all

JimmyM · #19 11-09-2011, 12:51 PM

I like it all

If you can hang with the weight, it's quite rewarding to rock the SVT-VR/810. But there are times it's quite inappropriate to bring an 810, though I admit to having done it. And loved it. Couldn't use it as my only rig, but it's as good as it gets in ampland.

Old Fart · #20 11-09-2011, 01:16 PM

Bringing an 810 cabinet to a quiet gig would be like hunting rabbits with a cannon. Still, my strong preference is to have lots of headroom. I suspect you'd still have plenty o' headroom with an SVT-VR and 410, and it might fit in a car.