Ampeg dream will become true but I am scared.

[morgan138]

If driven to the point of clipping into the same speaker(s) and the wattage ratings are honest, the difference between the two amps will only be 4.8dB.

The SVT will put out a lot more low end before it starts clipping though. V-4B pushed hard = midrange city.

 

[GreyBeard]

On the other hand, my band mates, probably, will not like CL. Our lead guitarist has already mationed his thinking:"what is SVT for? Too loud for us".

Why does your guitarist assume you will play too loud?

 

[RoadRanger]

If driven to the point of clipping into the same speaker(s) and the wattage ratings are honest, the difference between the two amps will only be 4.8dB. While audible this is not a huge amount. To be twice as loud to your ears, the wattage needs to increase by a factor of 10, not 3.

Yah know - I see a lot of folks posting that on TB that have never experienced gigging the two amps. It's not just a matter of db - the SVT kicks you in the gut at least 3x the V4B . OTOH an SVT through a 4x10 vs a V4b through an 8x10 would come out more of a tossup - there's no substitute for cone area .

 

[Rich Fiscus]

The 810 cab is the king, but if you are playing a five strong bass or tune down, the HLF cab might be better suited to your needs, and I would suggest the newer model Heritage series HLF. The HLF is very good at producing some great low end, without sounding forced. You will hear some people complain the HLF is too boomy and lacks midrange punch, but the must not have ran the heritage model with the better speakers, or ran a newer one.

I can easily dial on a great midrange tone, then I warm it up by rolling in the lows. This is Ampeg's deepest sounding cabinet in my opinion, and great for playing the lows the b string offers.

I've seen Scott Sutherland use a 70s SVT and 410hlf Heritage for numerous local gigs. It's never been boomy. He doesn't play a 5 string, but I've played mine through it, and it's the tightest my B string has ever sounded.

 

[CRich0205]

I have had a V4B and currently use and SVT 2 probwoth the graphic EQ. I have played both through an 810 AV with a band. The V4B would start to break up at rehearsal volume. We weren't crazy loud but it's a rock band so drums can be loudish. Hard to describe he will
Play with bundles regularly at practice so he's mindful of volume.

When I got my SVT it all changed. I can get some grind by dining the master and using the gain as a volume control with a healthy high mid boost. The low end is much more present though with the headroom. I'm 5'10 and 160 lbs and I cart both of those around everywhere we play. That and my synth rig fit in the back of my Ford Focus hatchback.

Save a smudge more money and go for the SVT and don't wonder what it would have been like. The weight is worth the tone.

 

[RickyWoo]

If SVT is your dream, why don't you know what rig you want?

 

[bobyoung53]

Yah know - I see a lot of folks posting that on TB that have never experienced gigging the two amps. It's not just a matter of db - the SVT kicks you in the gut at least 3x the V4B . OTOH an SVT through a 4x10 vs a V4b through an 8x10 would come out more of a tossup - there's no substitute for cone area .

Nah, I've run both through an SVT cab before (my V4-B was one of the old ones but it was in good electrical shape) and the SVT head was much louder and clearer. And what you said, despite everyone saying there is only a 3db difference in the real world there is big difference. I used to use mine for rehearsal and bring the SVT to gigs, better to have too much than too little. You need the watts for the low end, i plugged an old 50 watt Fender Bassman head into two 8 x 10 SVT cabs once to see what it sounded like (impedance matched up according to Fender anyway) and it sounded great until you went below the A string, the low notes sounded like mush it was so distorted but the higher notes were clear and punchy.

 

[Ric5]

I like the Ampeg solid state stuff ... more volume and no tubes to change

 

[Maxfenderbass]

I finally ponied up and purchased an SVT VR after years of pining for one. Ive had tube heads before, Fender Bassman Pro, Traynor YBA200 and 300. It is a completely different animal than most tube heads. Not only is it like 5165498436514 times louder than all of those, but it sounds way different due to the natural mid range of the amp. It cuts in ALL situations because of this. I still don't have a ampeg 810, (I run mine through a Traynor 412) but I may have to get one...

 

[Buster Brown]

Hi everyone. I am so confused for these days because I can not decide my next amp and cabin combination. I always admire ampeg tube amps svts are my dream.

my wife knows this passion. Last week she came to me with budget for making real my ampeg tubby dream. She always support my bass journey so She create 2000k euros budget for my tube dream.

You can imagine, how happy I were when I heared. And after I started to research(thomann, I live in europe) svt cl, svt v4b etc. I read lots of thing in talkbass(tube watt, ss watt etc)

I play heavy metal, hard rock and I have gig rarely, stages are mostly midium sized or small. I play with two loud guitarist and loud baterist( yeaa heavy metal) first problem is watt problem, I wanna buy SVT Cl or Used SVT VR but These are heavy and maybe more powerful for many stages? SVT v4-b 100w and lighter, it looks perfect for me but I am confused for medium sized gigs. Is it enough? Also i am confused which cab fits? Neo cabs seems perfect but svt cabs are tradation. I am tiny guy(55kg) this is why weight is much more important for me.

Btw I have Markbass 121h combo at home, maybe best way is buying extension to my combo and make it 2x12. But I am heavy metal bassist and I wanna tube dirt... I have never played a tube amp yet but I want it

What do you suggest:

A-) 100w svt v4 is enough for you, If not PA will be there.
B-) buy 300w CL or VR, you wont need another amp until you are death.
C-) Buy extension to your combo, add dirt with pedals(I have tech21 bddi). You are tiny and be light. You can save lots of money and buy another things.
D-) buy darkglass microtube 900 and 4x10 neo, be light and dirt. Miss tube chance.

I tend to live by this rule: "It's better to have it (power) and not need it, than to need it and not have it". Remember, volume knobs are your friend!

Best of luck to you in your decision!!

 

[Buster Brown]

Go for the full 300 watts, otherwise you'll still be wondering if you made the right choice.

When it comes to cabs, the fridge is the obvious companion to that amp, but it might be overkill for your needs. The 410he is basically half an 810, but at 8 ohm they're not a good match for the SVT.

That leaves the 410HLF or the 610HLF. Personally, I'd go with the 610 for two reasons: It's not as boomy as the 410 and it's actually easier to haul around thanks to the tug bar and the wheels (just like the 810).

I have an 810 and a 610. Honestly, in 90% of my jobs - I take the 610 with me. I have always loved the sound that emanated from that cab

 

[Buster Brown]

I just bought an SVT-CL and 810E, found a great deal used on local craigslist. Both are in flight cases. Both! The head weighs 95 pounds without the case. The cabinet would barely fit in my buddies truck. Truck! I don't have a truck. The cabinet is going to stay where it is (in a rehearsal space) for a long time. If you don't have a truck, don't buy the 810. I may buy a 410HLF just to have a portable cab when I decide to lug that delicious creamy tube head out. Now I'm hungry.

Actually, that's not true. I have hauled my 810 MANY times in the back of a PT Cruiser. I SWEAR to you, it fit - along with my Heritage head, basses (2), and all the ancillary stuff.

My Wife got rid of her PT Cruiser a couple of years ago (in favor of a BMW) and I drive a RAM 1500 - so there is no problem there. I have never figured why Chrysler got rid of the Cruiser - it was AMAZING the crap that little car could haul.

 

[Buster Brown]

Man, Will, you had me right up until you posted that picture...that's an SVT 450, which is a B2R solid state amp in SVT clothing. Here...let's go for the gusto:

Brother, I LIKE the way you think!!

 

[Buster Brown]

Why does your guitarist assume you will play too loud?

Like most guitarists = he apparently doesn't know that amps have VOLUME knobs on them.....

 

[two fingers]

Every rock bass player should own a real 300W SVT all-tube head at least once. I don't need one now. But I reeeeeeeally enjoyed my time standing in front of the one I had.

Perhaps @JimmyM could offer his view, but of all the Ampeg hybrids I have owned or played through using provided backline the SVT6 Pro was by far my strongest second place to the real deal.

 

[jwilson67]

Get the 300 watt Classic. You have the budget now so do it and follow your dream!

If you want to venture outside your ideas then give an Ashdown ABM600 with two 410 cabs a try too. That will push some serious air and give you the classic rock sound with a bit of modern-ish sheen as well and give you some versatility of setup. Since you are in Europe they should be easy to get also.

 

[Smogcity]

I've got:
90's Ampeg SVT Classic
90's Ampeg V4B
Aguilar Tonehammer 500

Used with a Ampeg 6x10 cab

99% of the time i gig with the Aguilar because 4 lbs/2 kg

 

[jmone]

Was in a similar situation as you recently and can share my story.

I initially got the SVT-CL (300w is way more headroom than I'll ever need) and a 410HLF.

The 410 sounded beautiful in my bedroom, but awful with the rest of the band. I was learning how to EQ it but then figured, I might as well just haul an 810 since it's still the same number of trips to and from the car. I'm a young guy, I work out, the weight is fine. Although it's taller it's also significantly thinner, thus also takes up less space on stage.

My problem now is stairs. We practice in a basement that has a flight of stairs and has one right angle in it. It's simply too much of a hassle to bring it to our rehearsal space without damaging the staircase/walls. So now, it's my dedicated gigging amp...

 

[JimmyM]

Every rock bass player should own a real 300W SVT all-tube head at least once. I don't need one now. But I reeeeeeeally enjoyed my time standing in front of the one I had.

Perhaps @JimmyM could offer his view, but of all the Ampeg hybrids I have owned or played through using provided backline the SVT6 Pro was by far my strongest second place to the real deal.

Never played the 6 Pro. Have played the 3 and 4 Pro many times and they kick much ass, especially the 4.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

That's 2 million euros! You should be able to buy any Ampeg amp and then some.

Either that or the Euro really devalued since Brexit.