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Ampeg 810...now which head?!

Musicman20

Musicman20

Jan 6, 2002
4,004
78
45
North West, UK.
#1
Ok, clearly everyone is going to say a proper tube head. Im very much sided with a SVT-CL.

But, what about a SVT-3? These are very reasonable in comparison with the CL prices!

Do they offer anything like the CL?

At the moment using a Trace SM400W 12 Band head...sweet!
 
#4
The CL (I have) and the 3-Pro (I used to have) are not the same beast. Although the 3-Pro is rated for more watts, the CL is WAY louder and (IMO) WAY better sounding. The 3-Pro will work with the 810 just fine, and is plenty loud for most situations, but the sound of the 2 are quite different. The CL is full of the magic that comes with an all-tube amp.

That said, you may like the sound of the 3-Pro better.
 
#7
The 810 can sop up a megaton of power. A single CL, its partner the 2PRO or a 4PRO will kick an 810 just right. I have never ran a 3PRO. The tube amps and the SS amps are rated a bit differently. An 810 without enough poop to it sounds limp, you need to thump it good to get the right sound. Here's where "underpowering" is bad. If your rig sounds limp, well thats not good. Whatever amp you buy just make sure it makes the cab walk. BOB
 
#8
I HAD a 3PRO sold it to go 4 an all tube SVT- NITE & DAY!!! the SVT3PRO is a Solid state amp with some tubes in the pre amp & IMO has not a lotta punch. TOTALLY different to the SVT-CL/SVT2PRO with a sealed 810 I'd DEFINATELY go 4 an SVT-CL/VR(pref) or an older 2nd hand SVTII/'70's SVT... or even try the new Peavey tube amp- but it's SURE hard to beat the ALL tube 300w. IT IS SO much louder/punchier/responsive(& heavier :-( ) than the 3PRO BUT the sound is what I was looking 4 & damn I found it with a ALL tube SVT & a sealed NV610 or Ampeg 810
 
#12
I Just bought a Ampeg 8-10 cab myself. Currently the only thing I have that will power this cab is my Carvin RL1000 head which I'm running bridged at 1000 Watts into 4 ohms. Flexible EQ helps with Bass-Mid-Highs Presets buttons, Graphic Eq, as well as Bass Mid- treble knobs. I also use a Sans Amp bass driver pedal with this. This thing is seriously powerful. I have a RBI Sns Amp but my current Power amp is not enough power to push the cab. If I was rich I get an Ampeg Reissue SVT or a Classic. Never played through one but I'm pretty sure I'd prefer a tube amp:bassist:
 
#17
the obvious answer is any all tube Ampeg head.

with that said, and i believe it was stated above, GK heads are very punchy and match up very well with the also punchy Ampeg 8x10. a real nice mule kick to the stomach kind of sound.

another Ampeg option would be the Ampeg 6pro. it's rated higher than the cab, but i think you'll be just fine.
 
#18
i preferred the gk 8000rb to the svt 3 pro . i had 3 or 4 3 pros over the years and found all of em a little lacking in one manner or another . the gk was a great head with this cab and tons of backline companies and pros have used this very rig for years . but there are limit-less options out there for you . recently heard a buddy of mine playing a lm2 into a ashdown 810 and i loved it !!!!!! so find what you like not what everyone here likes ....
 
#20
I went with the 4PRO to get away from massive supplies of tubes. I've had pretty good luck with other projects using tubes in the preamp to get the sound I was looking for with the SS after stages. I also felt I got what I was looking for with the 4 PRO. I was originally hoping it would drive a pair of cabs better than it does though.

I'm finding the right combination of speakers in the "right" configuration has been just as important as the final. Thats why I've been playing with 215 cabs intermixed with my 810 cabs. I'm looking for a final effect. "My Sound"

The only thing I can't get is the nasties of compression in the FINAL AMPLIFIER. However I am getting the desired effect in the speakers getting pushed to the level I want.

NOW here's a new deal, they have put a circuit in the 8PRO's where you can get the TUBE like overdrive at any volume level. The original run of 8PRO's was a disaster apparently and they are waiting with baited breath for a new run out of The NAM to hit the streets. They've been two weeks out for several months.

I'd sure like to see what that amp has to offer when it comes out. They say its a VINTAGE SVT preamp with 2 AX7's and 2 AU7's all fired into the latest switch mode class D amplifier. This bugger will power a single 810 and when you plug a second in to get 2 OHMS is supposed to give you 2500Watts. Perfect power to drive 2 cabs to full smoke. All without the BS of Stereo, mono block switching and all that other stuff. I'm willing to give one a try. BOB
 

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