Ampeg Monster Rig!

[ClassicJazz]

So just played the Vero Beach Blues Festival. The house rig was a monster! An Ampeg 8x10 cabinet with an Ampeg SVT head on top. Man, I glad I did not have to move it! (The head weighs 3 times more than my entire GR Bass rig which is two cabinets and an amp head!)

Sounded great! Ran my basses through my TC Electronic SpectraComp compressor and a Sadowsky preamp in my pedalboard. Can you say Thunderous! Nothing like old school basses through an old school amp!

 

[bholder]

 

[Spectrum]

My band used to rent a practice space that had that rig in it. Fantastic sound, and dangerous, because the more you turn it up the better it sounds. In a volume war with guitarists, he who has the SVT wins. Too bad there's no way I would ever own one, too big and heavy to move, no room in the house, etc.

Also, looking at those nice sunny photos, I turn to my right and gaze at the falling snow outside my window here in the DC area and ponder things...

 

[erratick]

Used to love getting those as backline. Sounded great, and I didn't have to move it.

When I have to schlep my own, I'm going for much lighter.

 

[SpyderX]

Looks like a fun gig - can't go wrong with a fridge at an outdoor blues show

 

[pfschim]

cool! I never mind getting an SVT in a backline. As long as I don't have to haul it, its totally cool with me.
looks like it was a fun gig. I really like festival slots.

 

[skygzr]

Man that looks like fun!

Many years ago I played a charity event with the back line provided by the organizer. It was an SVT through TWO 8x10 cabs (sweet sixteen). I could feel the stage floor moving even at low volume. I know IEMs are what’s going on now but there’s nothing like moving air.

 

[pbass2]

Hard to beat a P and that rig for a blues fest gig. Even if it's just your onstage monitor--gets ya vibin' for sure!

 

[logdrum]

Old School would be non master volume 1st Gen or the Heritage series - It goes from throatier, to barkier to a raring scream. Really interesting to see your tone breakup as the band volume goes louder. Most guitarist will pay attention

 

[MegaSwing]

They are not overrated. I welcome every opportunity to play through a classic SVT setup.

 

[2saddleslab]

Nice backline, OP!

After 40 years of playing I've still never had the opportunity to play an SVT rig. Maybe someday.

 

[Solipsistik]

I'm in the quandary phase of building a two-800W cabinet setup (seen elsewhere here) and one of the options is to get two 8ohm cabs and put a SVT-4 Pro on the top of it. It's the idea of a 48lb head that gives me pause. I've also played through one, and they do sound incredible.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Provided backline gigs are always a crap shoot.
Sometimes you show up, see whats there...and groan.
But sometimes, you show up and say...Oh hellll yeah!!!

 

[pbass2]

There was a time when every backline I encountered on tour was one of two things: either an SVT or a GK 800RB. Maybe once in a blue moon you'd get a Mesa 400+. I was always happy to see any of those beasts. Lots more variety in backline these days, but I still like those old towers of power . . .

 

[JimmyM]

Could swear I did that gig once with the Smokin’ Torpedoes but I can’t remember if it was the Blues Fest or some other event. They didn’t have an SVT for me, though, or I’d have surely rocked it!

 

[brianrost]

Provided backline gigs are always a crap shoot.

The only time I really was in trouble was when there was no bass amp in the backline, just drums and guitar amps!

I also had a knockered Peavey combo to struggle with once.

 

[bobyoung53]

So just played the Vero Beach Blues Festival. The house rig was a monster! An Ampeg 8x10 cabinet with an Ampeg SVT head on top. Man, I glad I did not have to move it! (The head weighs 3 times more than my entire GR Bass rig which is two cabinets and an amp head!)

Sounded great! Ran my basses through my TC Electronic SpectraComp compressor and a Sadowsky preamp in my pedalboard. Can you say Thunderous! Nothing like old school basses through an old school amp!

View attachment 7444249
View attachment 7444250
View attachment 7444251

That is an SVT smile if I ever saw one.

 

[bobyoung53]

Man that looks like fun!

Many years ago I played a charity event with the back line provided by the organizer. It was an SVT through TWO 8x10 cabs (sweet sixteen). I could feel the stage floor moving even at low volume. I know IEMs are what’s going on now but there’s nothing like moving air.

I still have the set up in my avatar, the last time I brought both cabs was at an outside gig about ten years ago. The guitarist on my side started complaining I was too loud before I even turned the head on.

 

[ClassicJazz]

That is an SVT smile if I ever saw one.

Yep!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Old School would be non master volume 1st Gen or the Heritage series - It goes from throatier, to barkier to a raring scream. Really interesting to see your tone breakup as the band volume goes louder. Most guitarist will pay attention

View attachment 7444562

Yup!
Mine:
Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary Heritage
LabSeries 2x15 loaded with Kappalite 3015 (900w at 4 ohm)