im looking into getting an ampeg 2 pro as it's all tube (what im looking for), and it has a overdrive option which i love since i use a driven sound, (keep in mind that it's not a heavy driven sound as i use a boss overdrive w/ the drive on 10 and the gain at 1)...but sence my local music store doesnt carry a 2-pro i was wondering if any of you know how the overdrive sounds and how flexible it really is? and what are the pro's and con's
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ampeg 2-pro...good tone?
- Thread starter iplay4-5
- Start date
I had one for about a year and I ended up selling. It;s not a bad amp, but I never really loved it. The sound was too muddy and not as clean as I wanted sometimes. It had that great tube goodness but I finally figured that it wasn't my cup of tea. Turning the GAIN up and volume to where you need gets you that juicy tube overdrive, but keep in mind it's nos a distortion by any means.
I tried a few preamp/power amp setups afterwards and found them better for the warm yet clean sound I like. I ended up with an Aguilar DB750 and I'll never want another amp (yeah right
). It has that tube juiciness but remains very defined and clean. The SVT2 is a nice sounding head but the weight was an issue for me as well. I'd recommend also giving other hybrid heads a try or try a Mesa 400+; i used one once and it's lighter and better sounding IMO than the Ampeg.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
I tried a few preamp/power amp setups afterwards and found them better for the warm yet clean sound I like. I ended up with an Aguilar DB750 and I'll never want another amp (yeah right
). It has that tube juiciness but remains very defined and clean. The SVT2 is a nice sounding head but the weight was an issue for me as well. I'd recommend also giving other hybrid heads a try or try a Mesa 400+; i used one once and it's lighter and better sounding IMO than the Ampeg.Any other questions feel free to ask.
as by muddy how in a way was it muddy?...like a boomy bass, none defined highs, gloomy widrange so it sounded "lost"? im not going for a clear/clean sound at all as the way i want my bass to sound is the strings ringing but nasty to where it sounds like a bear and a great white shark are in death fight, but not a distortion overdrive just a very bawls to the wall grindy nasty tone but still hear the strings natural crisp and sound ring out thru it but i like a little mud in my bass
I played through a rented SVT2 pro with an 8x10 cab during a tour some years ago. Loved the sound, big, fat, boomy and dynamic. Shortly, everything you want in a rock bass sound. I didn't end up getting one of my own, since they were quite expensive at the time and I was offered an endorsment deal from another brand.
And today, I simply don't need a big rig. But if I did, an SVT2 pro would definitely be on my shortlist.
(EDIT: )
As for your questions about the distortion, yes you can get a nice, natural valve growl out of it, but if you want your sound to "scream", you'd better get a good stomp box.
And today, I simply don't need a big rig. But if I did, an SVT2 pro would definitely be on my shortlist.
(EDIT: )
As for your questions about the distortion, yes you can get a nice, natural valve growl out of it, but if you want your sound to "scream", you'd better get a good stomp box.
non-pro is much better IMO, but, thats because i dont see the point in overdriving the pre tubes when the sweetness of an all tube amp comes from driving the power tubes!
the SVT-II (non-pro), just sounded so much sweeter IMO, not missing anything at-all which i felt the 2-pro was, like afroman said, they arent bad amps, not at all, its just they seem to lack a bit IME
the SVT-II (non-pro), just sounded so much sweeter IMO, not missing anything at-all which i felt the 2-pro was, like afroman said, they arent bad amps, not at all, its just they seem to lack a bit IME
the II has fewer pre tubes, only 3 pre tubes, 3 driver tubes and the 6 power tubes
fewer controls too, but hell, it sounds alot better, much closer to vintage svt apparently (by what people say, im just going by it sounds alot nicer)
fewer controls too, but hell, it sounds alot better, much closer to vintage svt apparently (by what people say, im just going by it sounds alot nicer)
I have the non-pro. I love this amp and would never part with it - it sounds fabulous.
I'm currently using an SVT610HLF. The non-pro is (as far as I know) as close to an original SVT as you can get without actually having an SVT. I run mine similar to an original SVT...EQ turned off, treble on about 7, midrange on about 4, and with the added low end of the ported 6X10 I need to keep the bass at about 3. I set the midrange frequency control to a little left of center.
I had a "Classic" which is pretty similar to the II-Pro and didn't care for it much but I feel like I didn't really give it much of a chance, in retrospect. I also tried a V-4BH and didn't care for it either. The SVT-IV-Pro, SVT-III-Pro, and B2r (not the B2RE) are all great sounding heads as well, IMHO.
I'm currently using an SVT610HLF. The non-pro is (as far as I know) as close to an original SVT as you can get without actually having an SVT. I run mine similar to an original SVT...EQ turned off, treble on about 7, midrange on about 4, and with the added low end of the ported 6X10 I need to keep the bass at about 3. I set the midrange frequency control to a little left of center.
I had a "Classic" which is pretty similar to the II-Pro and didn't care for it much but I feel like I didn't really give it much of a chance, in retrospect. I also tried a V-4BH and didn't care for it either. The SVT-IV-Pro, SVT-III-Pro, and B2r (not the B2RE) are all great sounding heads as well, IMHO.
sweet thanxz alot guys that really helps out alot!!! as in seeing that the pro-2 n the non-pro are almost simler the pro-2 has for of the options i need and want in a an amp as the eq and the extra power...so i think the 2-pro is good for me as the non-pro isnt lacking in tone but tonal flexiblity so imma see if i can rent or barrow a pro as it seems to be the amp i need
The tone is what counts, the 2-pro isnt really that much more flexible, only 2 bands more on the graphic EQ, and preamp overdrive (which you dont want in an all tube amp, power tube overdrive damn it! 
)
)well i went on a 4 1/2 hour test of amps at my music store found a pro-2 and i'm gonna say wha most ppl said its not bad but imma get a mesa boogie they blow me away so powerful and flexible tone was there right where i neded it but i dont know wether to get the m-pulse 600, the bigblock 750, or the bass 400+, im leanin for the 400+, but the 750 has the overdrive on it but not as flexible as the 400+, and the m-pulse is almost to clean for me but soo much more flexible and a wee bit more punchyer then the 750...but idk imma have to go for a shoot out n try them in the mesa power house 1000 cab so ill get back when they get the cab in and up date it w/ my results
Turn up the 400+ and then tell me which has better overdriveiplay4-5 said:
. I would try to find a SVT-II non pro, as they get better tone than the pro (IMO of course). I have a Mesa 400+. It does great for my needs, but if you need a ton of overdrive/distortion the II is your beast. I would stay away from Ampeg cabs though. Mesa cabs are good, albiet a bit overpriced. One thing you need to make sure to do is turn the master up. Try the amps at loud volumes. Thats when all tube amps truely shine. Overdrive/distortion as a feature on an amp simply means preamp distortion, which is not nearly as rich as power tube distortion.
[high five]
Totally agree there, the 400+ and 400 also have a bit more flexibility than the SVT-II , but, IMO, the SVT-II is the daddy of overdrive from the listed amps
Totally agree there, the 400+ and 400 also have a bit more flexibility than the SVT-II , but, IMO, the SVT-II is the daddy of overdrive from the listed amps
Here is my review of the SVT 2 PRO off of harmonycentral.com. By the way, the "Drive" knob on the 2 PRO creates the same growl you get out of the power tubes, just not the volume change. So you can get the power tube growl at lower volumes and thus control your stage volume better when playing live. Plus, the Drive knob is interacting more with the Driver tubes (3 x 12Au7) not as much with the 5 x 12AX7 pream tubes
Sound Quality: 10
The unit can do Slap, Reggae, RAP, Pop, Rock, Metal, Country, Jazz, Solo stuff.... The sound is quite amazing- I am using this amp with an Ampeg 810e, a Spector Euro 5 and a Warwick Corvette 5. I can dial up any type of midrange sound I desire with the 2 PRO. With the Spector, I can dial up a smoothe punchy sound with plenty of high end. The Warwick (known for the awesome growl) turns into a monster on the 2 PRO! Punchy/growly, low and full of high end. The best part about this amp is the Drive control. Here is the secret of the 2 PRO- the SVT Classic has the awesome tube growl in it as you turn the volume up. The 2 PRO allows you to have the growl at lower volumes and allows even more growl at higher volumes. When the Classic starts overdriving the tubes, certain mid and low frequencies "drop out" of your bass sound. The 2PRO has the exact same thing happen, but, the Equalizer allows you to dial the lost frequencies back in. So you can have a growly/overdriven, full sound at high volumes!
The unit is %@#^***&!$@ LOUD!! I used to use a QSC PLX 2402 and a Aguilar DB 680 before the 2 PRO. No comparison! The 2 PRO sounds better and is much louder than the lousy QSC amp. The low end from the 2 PRO going into the 810e is UNREAL! I never knew my 810e could go so low! The high end is great and the amp is overall very responsive. Excellent Low end, Very punchy if you want it, and awesome growl! I never thought I would like tube overdrive and tube growl in my sound, but now I love it! I had the Master on 7, my bass tuned to ADGCF, and the drive control at 8, what a menacing sound! I had destructive lows, smoothe punch, massive growl and defined high end all at the same time! When I tried Slapping, I was amazed by how good it sounded! I was able to keep the growl somewhat subdued and retain definition with all of my slap notes. Very cool slap sound. This unit has excellent variety of tones. From smoothe and punchy, to growly and mean, this thing kicks ASS! The volume of the 2 PRO could crush 2 guitarists and a drummer. Last thing, this unit sounds better as you turn the volume up. This unit requires earplugs at those volumes (according to me), make sure you wear them! Finally, this unit achieves the same growly tone of the SVT-Classic, but the 2 PRO can control it better and make it even more insane, if needed.
Sound Quality: 10
The unit can do Slap, Reggae, RAP, Pop, Rock, Metal, Country, Jazz, Solo stuff.... The sound is quite amazing- I am using this amp with an Ampeg 810e, a Spector Euro 5 and a Warwick Corvette 5. I can dial up any type of midrange sound I desire with the 2 PRO. With the Spector, I can dial up a smoothe punchy sound with plenty of high end. The Warwick (known for the awesome growl) turns into a monster on the 2 PRO! Punchy/growly, low and full of high end. The best part about this amp is the Drive control. Here is the secret of the 2 PRO- the SVT Classic has the awesome tube growl in it as you turn the volume up. The 2 PRO allows you to have the growl at lower volumes and allows even more growl at higher volumes. When the Classic starts overdriving the tubes, certain mid and low frequencies "drop out" of your bass sound. The 2PRO has the exact same thing happen, but, the Equalizer allows you to dial the lost frequencies back in. So you can have a growly/overdriven, full sound at high volumes!
The unit is %@#^***&!$@ LOUD!! I used to use a QSC PLX 2402 and a Aguilar DB 680 before the 2 PRO. No comparison! The 2 PRO sounds better and is much louder than the lousy QSC amp. The low end from the 2 PRO going into the 810e is UNREAL! I never knew my 810e could go so low! The high end is great and the amp is overall very responsive. Excellent Low end, Very punchy if you want it, and awesome growl! I never thought I would like tube overdrive and tube growl in my sound, but now I love it! I had the Master on 7, my bass tuned to ADGCF, and the drive control at 8, what a menacing sound! I had destructive lows, smoothe punch, massive growl and defined high end all at the same time! When I tried Slapping, I was amazed by how good it sounded! I was able to keep the growl somewhat subdued and retain definition with all of my slap notes. Very cool slap sound. This unit has excellent variety of tones. From smoothe and punchy, to growly and mean, this thing kicks ASS! The volume of the 2 PRO could crush 2 guitarists and a drummer. Last thing, this unit sounds better as you turn the volume up. This unit requires earplugs at those volumes (according to me), make sure you wear them! Finally, this unit achieves the same growly tone of the SVT-Classic, but the 2 PRO can control it better and make it even more insane, if needed.
Never played a II-Pro, but I have 3 non-pros, so I guess I like em! I also have 2 early 70's SVT heads, and can't tell a lot of difference between the II's and the origs. Maybe its my bad ears though! I'm willing to haul an 85 pound head around just so I know I'll have that grunt and grind when I want it.
so i tried the non pro ampeg and the mease 400+ i came to this the ampeg deff had grind but was a little to dark and muddy ( not really muddy just not as clear when i drive it as i wanted it to be). and i just couldnt get that sweet mid growl that i wanted n have it ring. the mease was alot more powerful and was a little more clearer and had just the same grind and was very flexible w/ that 7 band eq and it weighs alot less as well lol but i must say that the mease is also built better and my deal who has delt w/ booth amps says that the mesa's have showen that they last longer and tour heavier then ampeg but (IMO) as well so yea deff have to give it up to mesa....as for the cabs im deff not a fan of ampeg to dark w/ no bark but the mease is very punchy and road worth w/ it's casters rails and skidrails and alot lighter and very flexible for having the cab sound the way i want it
but the mease is very punchy and road worth w/ it's casters rails and skidrails and alot lighter and very flexible for having the cab sound the way i want it
It depends on the cab, ive never found my SVT-II to be too dark or muddy in the slightest, you should have tried the bright input, also, if you had tried using the mid selector on the higher end it might have been better for you
I dont see where your getting the mesa being more reliable? read up on the non-pros, they are regarded as being almost as reliable as peaveys! (and thats saying something, all that'll be left after nuclear wars will be cockroaches and peavey amps!)
Also, dont see where the more power came from, sounds like something may have been wrong? as they are both 300 watt all tube, and i know from my SVT-II its just ungodly loud!
But, fair is fair, the 400+ is also a hell of a good amp!
I dont see where your getting the mesa being more reliable? read up on the non-pros, they are regarded as being almost as reliable as peaveys! (and thats saying something, all that'll be left after nuclear wars will be cockroaches and peavey amps!)
Also, dont see where the more power came from, sounds like something may have been wrong? as they are both 300 watt all tube, and i know from my SVT-II its just ungodly loud!
But, fair is fair, the 400+ is also a hell of a good amp!
well the mesa is a 400 watt tube amp n if i can remember correct 500 at 2ohms but i dont run that kinda cab but it's 400 into 4 ohms if i am correct, i did try the bright input but it made things to harsh on that side so it was hard to compromise w/ the eq on that setting (IMO), and when i siwtched to a diffrent mid range of the 5 i gained something i liked but lost what the other had and couldnt find a happy medium for myself. but yes ampeg people will be ampeg people...it's kinda like fender it's a 1st go to guitar/bass im sure many can agree that ampeg is the go to amp but the mesa is my butter for now, and as i sai ealrier it is alot lighter around 40 pounds lighter n makes it better on me as i'm building a rack n thats wayy to much to carry on tour w/ me
Pfft, its only 85lbs, i might be getting a new shockmount case for mine which would bring the head up to 151lbs, making it the same weight as my 8x10, but it still isnt that heavy . . . some people
And your wrong, the mesa 400+ is 300watts RMS at all of its useable impedances, the same as the SVT-II
But thats fair enough if you didnt like it as much
And for the record, that is my first ampeg, i tried a load of heads and it was right, so, meh i wasnt an ampeg person before hand!
Enjoy it tho, the 400+ is still a hell of a good head, you should get an SUS case for it, those are sweet!
And your wrong, the mesa 400+ is 300watts RMS at all of its useable impedances, the same as the SVT-II
But thats fair enough if you didnt like it as much
And for the record, that is my first ampeg, i tried a load of heads and it was right, so, meh
i wasnt an ampeg person before hand!Enjoy it tho, the 400+ is still a hell of a good head, you should get an SUS case for it, those are sweet!
Mohawk, I don't mean to hijack thread, but I really don't see a need for rackmount with my SVT-II heads. Of course you may see it differently. I found that the rack can interfere with the fan which is on the side. I carry my heads in a Pelican style case along with a slab of foam. I just set the head on top of the cab. I put a couple strips of heavy duty velcro on top of the head and set my wireless and my tuner on that. Works great. Of course I have to occasionally switch arms when carrying the Pelican case, otherwise one arm will end up longer than the other :^)
