I recently purchased a 2005 model in excellent condition. Everything seems to be working fine and I'm happy with the sound that I'm getting out of it. I was wondering if any TBers who own one might have any advice on the use, care and feeding of this puppy?
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Ampeg SVP-CL Tips?
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DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Always warm up your tubes and NEVER EVER EVER turn it on without a proper load connected. Other than just be careful when loading it in and out, just cause it is heavy like a tank does not make it a tank.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Here's some advice from someone who actually owns one:
The early units had a .775 Volt output to be used with a corresponing Ampeg power amp that also had a .775 Volt input. BTW, this is not the Ampeg SVP1500; it's a great amp but has an input of 1.5 Volt; I have oneh of these too.
There was a mod (that I can send you) that changes something like 7 resistors and Gerald has a recommend company that will do the work for approx $175. Some TB's say that this mod is still not enough to drive a modern amp. Another route is to use an amp with a 1 Volt input sensitivity like most of the Carvin amps or an older Stewart World unit. The pre still won't allow the amp to produce full power but it's better than some alternatives. I wanted to use a Crown Drivecore but it wants to see 1.5 Volts for full output power which is no better than what I have.
What all this means is that the pre will not drive most modern amps to their rated output power; it just doesn't have enough guts. The Peavey IPR is the only amp I can find with a .775 Volt rating that will drive to full power.
With a 1500 watt amp, I really don't need to be able to push it hard, but for testing, I've used a dbx compressor for an additional gain stage (pre amp to dbx to amp). I don't believe that this is the best method due to s/n ratio I've experienced. Recently Bongo suggested either a mic pre with a standard amp, or, using the effect loop of one of the new micro amps (like GK MB 500 or 800). These effect returns match up well with these pre's and allows the internal amp to be driven to full power.
Other than output, I've found this pre to be quiet, very nice tone (although the bass frequency selector knob is useless except for 1 position), and well made. Ironically, I haven't spent time on tube rolling (even though I have plenty premium tubes to try) as it sound really good with whatever it currently has in it.
All in all, a well made tube pre with great tone; have also had an Alembic and a Pre-Sonus tube unit that I did not like nearly as much.
Also very nice for recording.
Mp plan was to have a 1500 watt SVT; it does not sound like this but does sound closer to any of the hybrid or SS amps that Ampeg has made (including 7 Pro) IMO.
The early units had a .775 Volt output to be used with a corresponing Ampeg power amp that also had a .775 Volt input. BTW, this is not the Ampeg SVP1500; it's a great amp but has an input of 1.5 Volt; I have oneh of these too.
There was a mod (that I can send you) that changes something like 7 resistors and Gerald has a recommend company that will do the work for approx $175. Some TB's say that this mod is still not enough to drive a modern amp. Another route is to use an amp with a 1 Volt input sensitivity like most of the Carvin amps or an older Stewart World unit. The pre still won't allow the amp to produce full power but it's better than some alternatives. I wanted to use a Crown Drivecore but it wants to see 1.5 Volts for full output power which is no better than what I have.
What all this means is that the pre will not drive most modern amps to their rated output power; it just doesn't have enough guts. The Peavey IPR is the only amp I can find with a .775 Volt rating that will drive to full power.
With a 1500 watt amp, I really don't need to be able to push it hard, but for testing, I've used a dbx compressor for an additional gain stage (pre amp to dbx to amp). I don't believe that this is the best method due to s/n ratio I've experienced. Recently Bongo suggested either a mic pre with a standard amp, or, using the effect loop of one of the new micro amps (like GK MB 500 or 800). These effect returns match up well with these pre's and allows the internal amp to be driven to full power.
Other than output, I've found this pre to be quiet, very nice tone (although the bass frequency selector knob is useless except for 1 position), and well made. Ironically, I haven't spent time on tube rolling (even though I have plenty premium tubes to try) as it sound really good with whatever it currently has in it.
All in all, a well made tube pre with great tone; have also had an Alembic and a Pre-Sonus tube unit that I did not like nearly as much.
Also very nice for recording.
Mp plan was to have a 1500 watt SVT; it does not sound like this but does sound closer to any of the hybrid or SS amps that Ampeg has made (including 7 Pro) IMO.
I'm considering a Carvin DCM 1000 for power. I don't play large venues, so I'm not too concerned about the pre-amp not being able to drive the power amp to full power. Plus, I can still go DI into the PA for additional support if I ever do something large.
Right now, my inclination is not to tinker with the guts or have it done. But, I appreciate the information and this is exactly the kind of stuff that I'm looking for.
After playing it a while, I may change my mind.
Right now, my inclination is not to tinker with the guts or have it done. But, I appreciate the information and this is exactly the kind of stuff that I'm looking for.
After playing it a while, I may change my mind.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Me too; I've had mine a couple years and never took the cover off; am afraid some of the mojo will escape.
I did just A/B it with a SVT-CL and through a Berg HT322. This pre w/ an iron poweramp (and probably other good amps) has the wamth of the SVT but the clarity and the girth of the bottom is outragesouly good. There is something about having lots of power (and not using it) that makes the extreme bottom more clear and defined.
What cabinet(s) will you use?
For starters, I'll be using my Mesa/Boogie 1X15 that I bought new in the early 90's.
I put the bass down in about 1995 and picked it up again last year. I sold my Hartke 3500 years ago and I'm re-building my 6space rack rig. I never was really satisfied with the Hartke pre-amp section's sound anyway. It never spoke to me like my Ampeg SVPCL does.
After I buy the power amp, I'll start trolling around for some other (probably used) cabs. I've been fairly impressed by the way Hartke 4X10s sound. I'm getting old now, so I'm not interested in hauling refrigerators around any more. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own a classic SVT and 8X10 cab just as long as I wasn't moving it around.
I put the bass down in about 1995 and picked it up again last year. I sold my Hartke 3500 years ago and I'm re-building my 6space rack rig. I never was really satisfied with the Hartke pre-amp section's sound anyway. It never spoke to me like my Ampeg SVPCL does.
After I buy the power amp, I'll start trolling around for some other (probably used) cabs. I've been fairly impressed by the way Hartke 4X10s sound. I'm getting old now, so I'm not interested in hauling refrigerators around any more. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own a classic SVT and 8X10 cab just as long as I wasn't moving it around.
Sorry to bump an old-ish thread but I think this post most likely belongs here.
I (literally) just bought an SVP-CL for a great price. Aside from the obvious "plug and play", is there any way to tell whether I have a low output model? Hodgy, Jerrold, JimmyM, JimC... I'm looking at you guys
. I know other Ampeg gear (like the 7pro) has different letters for revisions/updates but aside from the serial number, there isn't any information on the outside of the SVP-CL. I know this won't help much but it's in very good condition, which makes me somewhat hopeful that it's a post-output increase model.
I'm only going to be using it for recording for the next little while so it's not too big a deal but I eventually plan on grabbing a power amp and using it with the SVP-CL as an amp through 2x210AVs. I have a VT-Bass also so I'm looking to cop a V4B/SVT-esque sound in a lighter-weight package (very excited about the new V4B but it's way out of my price range at the moment).
Thanks very much in advance for anyone's help!
I (literally) just bought an SVP-CL for a great price. Aside from the obvious "plug and play", is there any way to tell whether I have a low output model? Hodgy, Jerrold, JimmyM, JimC... I'm looking at you guys
. I know other Ampeg gear (like the 7pro) has different letters for revisions/updates but aside from the serial number, there isn't any information on the outside of the SVP-CL. I know this won't help much but it's in very good condition, which makes me somewhat hopeful that it's a post-output increase model. I'm only going to be using it for recording for the next little while so it's not too big a deal but I eventually plan on grabbing a power amp and using it with the SVP-CL as an amp through 2x210AVs. I have a VT-Bass also so I'm looking to cop a V4B/SVT-esque sound in a lighter-weight package (very excited about the new V4B but it's way out of my price range at the moment).
Thanks very much in advance for anyone's help!
Most all of them got updated at some point, and the factory update was after the first run or so.... odds are it is updated.
What's the serial #? all we need are the first 6 characters of it...
What's the serial #? all we need are the first 6 characters of it...
Hi Jerrold, thanks for chiming in. Turns out I had to do more searching, but I think I found my answer from this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/svpcl-low-output-346004/
And I quote:
My serial number is DZWDT10018, so I'm going to assume mine is a higher output version. Serial numbers are almost consecutive as well...weird. Not sure who bgavin is (excuse my ignorance) so I don't know if he's as officially Ampeg as you are but can you confirm that he's correct? Thanks again for offering to help
And I quote:
My serial number is DZWDT10018, so I'm going to assume mine is a higher output version. Serial numbers are almost consecutive as well...weird. Not sure who bgavin is (excuse my ignorance) so I don't know if he's as officially Ampeg as you are but can you confirm that he's correct? Thanks again for offering to help
Do a search on my Topics...
You'll find that I addressed this preamp, and its power issues in depth, a while ago... Should be helpful to you
You'll find that I addressed this preamp, and its power issues in depth, a while ago... Should be helpful to you
