Ampeg Heritage SVT CL opinions?

[ED3]

I have to opportunity to purchase an ampeg heritage SVT cl locally but I currently have a fender rumble 500 with an extra fender rumble 115 cab.

I know what I have is more than enough, but the more I have been looking at this ampeg, I'm pretty impressed. The only con I can see is the extra weight.

is there anything I'm not thinking of or should I go for the ampeg or stick with my current rig?

any advice is appreciated

 

[Wasnex]

IMHO you are the only one who can answer this question. The best thing you can do is try each rig side by side and do a demo; then choose which you like best.

Either amp should be plenty loud.

The other con of owning a tube amp is you need to let the tubes cool a bit before you move the amp and the tubes need to be replaced from time to time.

 

[ED3]

IMHO you are the only one who can answer this question. The best thing you can do is try each rig side by side and do a demo; then choose which you like best.

Either amp should be plenty loud.

The other con of owning a tube amp is you need to let the tubes cool a bit before you move the amp and the tubes need to be replaced from time to time.

I've had the opportunity to try the Ampeg and I already like my setup, I guess I don't know how people enjoy the extra weight and owning the heritage svt cl, since my setup is pretty lightweight. Ampegs sound phenomenal, I just was also looking for a bit more guidance for owning a tube amp over a solid state.

 

[Bent77]

There’s a thing. Tube amps are just a bit different than SS amps. Some
People hear it, some don’t. Some get it, some don’t. Some don’t care. You have to figure out what’s best for you

 

[Funk With Me]

What do you plan to use for speakers or does it come with? My personal opinion is that without some stout cone, an SVT is wasted. There would need to be an 8x10 or some such in your future. That said, I always encourage people to have the SVT experience.

 

[Wasnex]

@ED3 , @Bent77 nailed it. Some people hear and feel something special in a tube amp that makes dealing with the extra weight and maintenance worthwhile.

I have 28 amps in my collection and about 2/3rds of them would be classified as all tube. So I certainly get it, but I was touring pro for about 25 years, and I stopped gigging with tube amps while I was still an amateur.

So I think think tubes are cool, but they are not something I can't live without. For live performance I would rather have a hybrid or solid state rig.

Each player really should assess their needs, expectations, and how hard they are willing to work, and then make a decision for themselves.

A lot of people who love tube amps are going to tell you to get the SVT because it's the best amp ever made. IMHO that's rubbish because a lot of people don't actually like SVTs. I personally like SVTs and I own an 69 and 87. However, I can't stand to play through the Ampeg 810. So I guess some of the faithful would still consider me a heretic .

For most of my professional career I used something like an Eden D210XLT and about 250-300W. I used several different rigs over the course of my career, but my last touring rig featured the Eden stack on a 16-space rolling rack. I also had a D410XLT that was available any time I wanted it, but I rarely used it unless it suited someone else's needs. The D210XLT was plenty for me.

A Heritage SVT is definitely a very desirable rig. But it's up to you to decide if its the right rig for you. Don't let anyone else make the decision for you (including me). It's your back and your cash that are at stake.

 

[JW56789]

Aside from the obvious (and considerable) difference in weight, a Rumble excludes you from a) all kinds of tube amp maintenance, and b) finding a suitable tech to do just that, because the truly-qualified can be hard to find.

SVT's are legendary for their tone, but they are truly a different beast from a different time in a world full of five-pound Class D power and lightweight neodymium cabinets. For some the difference is worth it, and for some, it just isn't.

Wasnex, you're far more fluent than I in this sort of thing. Wouldja wanna tell him what he could be in for with an SVT, whether seriously misbehaving, or simply tube-related maintenance ?

 

[Funk With Me]

I don’t like to overstate the tube maintenance thing. I’ve owned 4 different SVTs and an V4b. I currently have two SVTs and the V4b. I always got a few years of busy gigging without tube issues. Eventually the power tubes need replaced, but the newer amps have the simple, DIY bias adjust so there is no technician needed these days.

 

[Wasnex]

Aside from the obvious (and considerable) difference in weight, a Rumble excludes you from a) all kinds of tube amp maintenance, and b) finding a suitable tech to do just that, because the truly-qualified can be hard to find.

SVT's are legendary for their tone, but they are truly a different beast from a different time in a world full of five-pound Class D power and lightweight neodymium cabinets. For some the difference is worth it, and for some, it just isn't.

Wasnex, you're far more fluent than I in this sort of thing. Wouldja wanna tell him what he could be in for with an SVT, whether seriously misbehaving, or simply tube-related maintenance ?

An SVT can be be pretty reliable for extended period of time if you treat it right. Or it can be a real drama queen. It's not a problem for me because I used to be a electronics technician and I know enough to be able to maintain my tube amps (most of the time). It can be a real hassle for anyone who does not have any background in electronics.

As I mentioned earlier, it's a real good idea to let the tubes cool for awhile after you turn the amp off before you move the amp. The guts of the tubes get really hot, so you are giving the metal time to cool of so it's not going to bend if you bump into something and expose the amp to a bit of a sheer force.

I wouldn't necessarily say tube amps are more fragile than solid state, actually the opposite. The circuit cards and components in a tube amp tend to be more robust than those found in a solid state amp; they have to be to survive. But you need to consider tubes expendables, like light bulbs, spark plugs or oil in a car. The tubes wear out, and need to be changed from time to time. The rate at which they wear can be unpredictable and is somewhat dependent on how the user treats the amp. If you really crank the amp hard, or turn it off and move it before it has a change to cool, the tubes will generally have more problems.

The small signal tubes in the amp may last for decades, or they can go bad randomly. A single small signal tube runs about $15 to $30 unless you want to buy esoteric stuff, so not to bad.

If you play regularly at high volume the output tubes may need to be replaced once a year or more. It really depends on how hard you push the amp. Some users get several years out of a set of tubes, and some say they are wearing them out in a matter of months. A matched sextet of 6550s will run you about $260-$280. Sometimes you can get away with just replacing one or two tubes if the tech has a tube tester and can get a reasonable match with the tubes that are in the amp. Sometimes when a tube fails it takes out screen resistor, so the tech will have to disassemble the amp and install a new resistor.

 

[Searay]

I like playing through the SVT/810. That said, I can get everything I need out of an Eden WT400 and it is 16lbs which some consider heavy. I sold my 410XLT. Plus I can plug in my phone and headphones. I think the SVT is a bit more reactive and maybe the notes feel quicker and stronger, if that makes any sense. I'll keep them both for now, but the Eden would stay if a choice was needed.

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

I have an Ampeg 810 in a road case and an Ashdown ABM 900 (50+ pounds), and have gigged using both from time to time. They sound great, but I always considered the load in/out ramifications of that rig vs a smaller, lighter set up. Up/down stairs? No way. Easy roll in/out? Probably. You may enjoy lugging heavy stuff. I wasn't always a fan.

 

[Sparky Mark]

SVT amps need a 4 or 2 ohm load. I know some people use them with a single 8 ohm cab and report no problems but I wouldn't want to risk it with such a special SVT. You should therefore also factor in a second 8 ohm cab.

 

[Johnny Fingers]

You need 2 8x10 cabinets for the full SVT experience.

 

[Wesley R]

I used to be a tube addict/fanatic, and truly detested anything not tube. I am wiser and more mature now, yet still enjoy a well maintained and set up tube amp.

Personally I wouldn't fear owning an SVT, yet at 66 years of age, moving into a Travel Trailer for retirement it can be said it would not work for me.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I have to opportunity to purchase an ampeg heritage SVT cl locally but I currently have a fender rumble 500 with an extra fender rumble 115 cab.

I know what I have is more than enough, but the more I have been looking at this ampeg, I'm pretty impressed. The only con I can see is the extra weight.

is there anything I'm not thinking of or should I go for the ampeg or stick with my current rig?

any advice is appreciated

You can get it, and love it, and never want to take it anywhere. Or, you can not get it, keep money in your pocket, and be happy with what you have.

 

[bumperbass]

If you appreciate the tube sound and are mindful of the maintenance, go ahead and get it.
I'd love to have one, but I'm 69 so it ain't gonna ever happen.
Once the band starts cranking, nobody will know you have an SVT or a Rumble. YOU will know, so I don't know what else to say except, if you can lug it around, go for it.

 

[Chris Breese]

What size stages do you play?

I've had two different SVT/810 rigs (I didn't learn the first time). They sound really good as long as you have the big enough stage. Personally I couldn't get far enough away from the 810 cabinet to even be able to hear it. That, and all I heard from sound men are 'your bass rig is too loud.'

For me, it was just more of a struggle than it was worth. It sure does look cool on stage though. Full disclosure, playing the bass is not how I make my living.

I do have a Fender Rumble 500. That thing packs a wallop that is very satisfying to me. Even more satisfying is when I go to pick it up at the end of the gig with one hand!

 

[drumvsbass]

I think the SVT is a bit more reactive and maybe the notes feel quicker and stronger, if that makes any sense.

When I tried my first SVT (it was an early 2 pro) it was the first thing I felt. The notes were quicker, bigger when they got there and sounded better doing it. It was a revelation that stayed for 20+ years. The SVT is the truth, the standard. But I'd be lying if I said it was a necessity. The PF50T does that trick better these days, you can rail the power amp without creating seismic events. Unless you want seismic events...

 

[SiSoldier]

It is a nice amp I recorded with a VR a few weeks ago and it sounds like Ampeg, not sure how much different the Heritage is. However, if the Fender Rumble set up works for you i'd stick with that and save the cash...or sell it all and get the matching 810 to go with the Heritage. I am in the camp that tubes are awesome if you "hear" them, I think I can but prefer SS or hybrid tube amps.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I have a 300 watt tube amp that weighs 75lbs according to the specs. I can just about move it onto my cabs on my own. If it was 85lbs I think I'd struggle.
The weight is the big factor that you should consider. Imagine carrying it 50+ yards from car to stage whilst using a trolley could shake the tubes, destroying them on uneven/rutted ground.
I remember the days when other band members would automatically help us bass players shift our necessarily heavyweight rigs; nowadays they all know lighter bass gear is out there and willing roadies are few and far between.