defining SVT tone (as it applies to pedals)

[taurus1]

I have a vintage SVT rig, defining it's tone is kind of difficult.
I read posts by people saying certain pedals don't have that "SVT" tone, yet they don't play an SVT.
I own and SVT and consider it an amp that's capable of pretty much any clean tone imaginable, I have difficulty nailing down a description of it's tone.
what say ye

[Swift713]

As one of the millions who have never owned an SVT I can say that I have an impression of the amp's tone based on the typical tones I've heard coming from SVTs in numerous rock bands over the years. In other words, to me the words "SVT tone" mean more or less "somewhat scooped, compressed, and driven, edgy rock tone." It's quite vague.

[taurus1]

Originally Posted by Swift713

As one of the millions who have never owned an SVT I can say that I have an impression of the amp's tone based on the typical tones I've heard coming from SVTs in numerous rock bands over the years. In other words, to me the words "SVT tone" mean more or less "somewhat scooped, compressed, and driven, edgy rock tone." It's quite vague.

they can be scooped (if you want), but you can also dial in massive midrange, so scooped doesn't really define them.
"compressed", maybe if turned up to extreme levels.
I play mine a gig acceptable levels which is about halfway up, it's not very compressed at that volume, like say a Bassman would be.
Bill Wyman used them, (Richards and Woods even used them at one time).
they can be edgy and driven if turned up loud enough, or clean and dynamic if not turned up super loud.

[johnbegone]

I agree that is it just the quintessential bass tone found on major label rock records. A little gritty a little scooped with a fat compression that you get when you push an svt. Ironically I had an svt and didn't care for it much. It is definitely capable of more sounds then what I just described but that's the "holy grail" tone that all the preamp pedals who label themselves as tube emulators are trying to recreate.

[hover]

Commanding, girth-y compressed and immediate, yet articulate warm tone with a somewhat pillowy bottom.
Like every note has 20 pounds of balls behind it.

At least that's what my 79 tells me.

[taurus1]

Originally Posted by hover

Commanding, girth-y compressed and immediate, yet articulate warm tone with a somewhat pillowy bottom.
Like every note has 20 pounds of balls behind it.

At least that's what my 79 tells me.

you're good dude, I like it