Many years ago I borrowed a vintage SVT from a friend just to try it out and see what all the fuss was about. He didn't sound that great through it, but I figured since I was so awesome
, I'd be able to get it sounding fantastic. I hated it. I was playing an active P bass with Rotos and running it through a 2x15 (either a 80's Sunn, or a Mesa Roadready, I can't remember which I had at that time). Both cabs were big shelf ported boxes. I was a cocky punk in my early 20's, and knew a LOT less than I thought I did.
I have gone through a LOT of different rigs and configurations over the years searching for the sound in my head. I have finally got it now!!!
I've since switched to a Jazz bass in Drop C tuning.
The funny thing is that I have also periodically tried SVT Classic rigs at Guitar Center or Sam Ash over the years and always hated them, until recently. I think the main reason was that I tried them with my own bass finally, instead of whatever poorly setup crap they had hanging on the wall...
Things I've learned (I think) much of this may be obvious to many of you:
- The 810, and especially the Sealed cabinet design is a HUGE part of "the SVT Round Sound"...maybe more so than the amp...maybe...
- This rig is a MONSTER!!! I have never, EVER, played an amp on which I had to turn down the bass pot to below noon, but I'm doing that now and still getting tremendous bass response.
- I hear and feel WAY more bass than the numbers would imply. Previous rigs, on paper, went MUCH lower, but this rig sounds bigger and fuller and lower in every way.
- Standing a couple of feet in front of the rig it does not sound that great, moving about 12 feet away I could feel every note in my ribs and the clarity was amazing.
- I really only seem to need the "Ultra Lo" on channel one. I tend to goose the mids and the treble a bit, but could live with them flat. The bass rolled off a touch helps keep it tight and focused and helps to not overpower the guitars (which are loud themselves).
- The mid selector seems to do less than I expected. The differences are more subtle.
- I am really liking my Aguilar Agro as a roaring distortion through channel two's bright input with treble and bass knobs dimed. I'm not settled on this yet, but love the clarity it gives me...
- The tube vs. SS thing has been beaten to death, but I think I am now firmly in the camp of "there are a LOT of fantastic sounding SS rigs, I have played many that I loved, and they can sound amazing, but there are still very distinct differences in sound, and more so in the FEEL of an all tube amp which I prefer."
I'm sure I'll keep learning as I continue to tweak, but I have NEVER been this satisfied with a rig!!!
-John
The SVT-VR is a monster of a head. I'm definitely excited to hook mine up to an Ampeg 810. I've read before that sealed cabs work very well with tube heads. I'm glad that it does make such a big difference.
