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AMPEG Decision **Please help!!!**
- Thread starter Daywalker
- Start date
I love my 4Pro, 5 years of faithful service and not one glitch. I did re-tube the pre-amp about 2 years ago, and may do it again soon. It's loud, reliable and has sweet tone. It's powerful enough to break-up my Eden cabs, nuff said.
Daywalker-
I have the SVT3pro and the 810 cab, I can lay nuclear waste to a club with this rig. Can you post the settings you use?
I also have a 1979 SVT head, all tube, had it since '84, gigged with it early on, now I use it only in the studio. Never replaced the tubes, it still sounds like the king of all bass amps.
I have the SVT3pro and the 810 cab, I can lay nuclear waste to a club with this rig. Can you post the settings you use?
I also have a 1979 SVT head, all tube, had it since '84, gigged with it early on, now I use it only in the studio. Never replaced the tubes, it still sounds like the king of all bass amps.
Daywalker said:
There's probably a number of people who want to vote hybrid, but think the 6 is overkill.
That's just a guess though....I never voted.
Daywalker,
You currently do have a sufficient rig...if it's eq'd right. In my heavy-rock band, d-tuned and with 5string and all, I can play outdoor gigs with less watts than what you have, and have clean undistorted, cutting bass. I've done plenty of clubs without PA support too.
You currently do have a sufficient rig...if it's eq'd right. In my heavy-rock band, d-tuned and with 5string and all, I can play outdoor gigs with less watts than what you have, and have clean undistorted, cutting bass. I've done plenty of clubs without PA support too.
Go with the CL I have the same set up SVT-CL into Ampeg 610hlf sounds great never run out of power with it and it always sounds amazing thats why people like all tube heads they sound great. with that set up you can cut through any mix. Also the CL has less knobs less knobs = less things you can turn to screw up your sound. Yes it is heavy i would deffinatly suggest that if you do get the CL get a road case for it (one with casters makes moving it alot easier) The tube changing thing is bull I know alot of people who use SVT heads and have never changed the tubes in them. If you are careful with it ( i mean not just tossing it into the car actually placing it down) they'll last along time and it wouldn't be $400 to replace tubes for power tubes it would be around $150 - $200 for pre amp tubes you'de be looking at around $50-$75. You don't have to go nuts buying NOS tubes just be reliable tubes that sound good. Like someone else on here said once nobody is going to be able to tell what kind of tubes you have in your head and the difference between NOS and decent reliable good sounding tubes , but they will be able to tell the difference between an amp that works and one that cut out in the middle of a set or that wouldn't fire up. The 4 pro is a good amp more flexibilty and the 6pro should be fine too ( I haven't had a chance to check one out yet)
I know, the old SVT II non pro really isnt that much more flexible, it has a graphic EQ that the CL doesnt (i just checked, i thought the CL had one too tbh)
Altho the CL does have a gain control aswell as the volume, which the II doesnt have, i was more trying to get the fact that i think it sounds nicer over
Altho the CL does have a gain control aswell as the volume, which the II doesnt have, i was more trying to get the fact that i think it sounds nicer over
demon666 said:
Excellent point. The constancy in power is one major quality of all-tube amps (unless your tubes are dying, but they send you warning symptoms long before they die). No matter how one EQ's, power is still there (and that's the normal way any amp should work, IMO - EQ is for tone, not for volume).
Also I have to say that the only time when I _ALWAYS_ had a great punchy tone whatever I did and no matter the bass I plugged in, was when I had an all-tube SVT. I just was stupid enough to let it go...
screamingdaisy said:
Why is the 6 overkill?? If you mean power-wise, the 4Pro puts out more power than the 6Pro does.
Don't be scared of TUBES!
I've had my SVTII (nopro) for over a year now. I've played about 50 shows on it, and only once had a problem. I often leave it in my van(gasp!), which I use to commute everyday, so it takes plenty of vibration and weather extremes. Maybe I'll paying for new tubes sooner than someone who pampers their amp, but my back sure is happy I'm not hauling it in and out every gig.
The sound I get from my SVTII is always good. Tubes are definately worth it!
GEO
I've had my SVTII (nopro) for over a year now. I've played about 50 shows on it, and only once had a problem. I often leave it in my van(gasp!), which I use to commute everyday, so it takes plenty of vibration and weather extremes. Maybe I'll paying for new tubes sooner than someone who pampers their amp, but my back sure is happy I'm not hauling it in and out every gig.
The sound I get from my SVTII is always good. Tubes are definately worth it!
GEO
I have an SVT-III Pro that I play through two Eden cabs and I can
overpower both my drummer and my guitar players Dual Rec. I have also used my amp with just one cab at lots of shows, indoor and out, and have heard myself fine. I would stay with what you have now unless you want to get new gear just to get new gear.
overpower both my drummer and my guitar players Dual Rec. I have also used my amp with just one cab at lots of shows, indoor and out, and have heard myself fine. I would stay with what you have now unless you want to get new gear just to get new gear.
Are you sure you want only Ampeg? If you want the sound, then you must go tubes. But check out some other amps too, such as a Mesa 400+ or a Fender Bassman Pro 300. If you really like Ampeg sound though, I'd find a good vintage SVT rather than the new one.
Any of those heads will work well if you like the Ampeg solid state sound. Tubes sound great but not better enough to heft 'em around (to me).
I too had volume problems with an SVT-III pro and a 6x10 cab. I got rid of it... now i have the SVP Pro preamp with a seperate power amp. Same sound (which is what I wanted) with more power. And can add a loud of speakers if I ever want/need to.
You might just consider adding a poweramp to the rig, keeping the SVT-III as a preamp....
Just a thought.
I too had volume problems with an SVT-III pro and a 6x10 cab. I got rid of it... now i have the SVP Pro preamp with a seperate power amp. Same sound (which is what I wanted) with more power. And can add a loud of speakers if I ever want/need to.
You might just consider adding a poweramp to the rig, keeping the SVT-III as a preamp....
Just a thought.
OK, so the guy with the CL isn't budging from $1100. But now there's another guy (local) that has a MINT 4Pro for $800. I've pretty much narrowed it down to these two. Would you spend the extra $300 for tube sound, or just bump with the 4Pro? THanks...
Mon Rominee said:
The SVT6 PRO in fact has a lower output than the 4 (just because the number 6 is higher than the number 4, it doesn't make it a bigger or better amp...)
And the CL is known for its overdrive more than anything else IME
If you can transfer the warranty from this guys CL (assuming it's less than 5 yo) then go for it - if not I'd push to get the price lower.
I'm of the opinion that buying such big, heavy amps from ebay etc. is just a pain in the neck for shipping and potential damage in transit so a local sale is always a bonus. BTW have you tried walking into your local GC and asking how much to walk out with a new CL today, if sales are slow you might do well and then have the warranty for not much extra outlay.
I'm of the opinion that buying such big, heavy amps from ebay etc. is just a pain in the neck for shipping and potential damage in transit so a local sale is always a bonus. BTW have you tried walking into your local GC and asking how much to walk out with a new CL today, if sales are slow you might do well and then have the warranty for not much extra outlay.
