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Ampeg question.

BigEee

Guest
Jan 8, 2018
11
3
Hello this is my first post. I've read through a lot of these threads and have been helpful. I just have a dumb question to start with. I have a PF500 and a PF410HLF. I want to invest into a SVT CL head but not sure if my PF410HLF would be compatible? Dumb question but one that needs an answer. Thank you.
 
Ok that brings clarity to my ampzzilion questions in my head. After all it's quite an investment and i am taking every precaution because it would be my first tube head. And I love the sound of them. Going to give it that TLC. Thanks.

Any other advice is welcomed.
 
The regulation way to run an SVT tube amp is 4 ohms, but the inventor of the SVT has been on here and states that they are so overbuilt that they can handle an 8 ohm load no problem if you set them at 4 ohms, even if you crank them into the red hard. This is not the official policy of Ampeg, nor am I recommending you doing it as it could void your warranty should you have an unrelated problem. But I've done it several times with rental SVT's and never had a problem. Wasn't cranking them, but I have done it.

That said, I like the sound better with a 4 ohm load. It's a subtle difference but it sounds a little bit tighter and compressed at 8 ohms.
 
The regulation way to run an SVT tube amp is 4 ohms, but the inventor of the SVT has been on here and states that they are so overbuilt that they can handle an 8 ohm load no problem if you set them at 4 ohms, even if you crank them into the red hard. This is not the official policy of Ampeg, nor am I recommending you doing it as it could void your warranty should you have an unrelated problem. But I've done it several times with rental SVT's and never had a problem. Wasn't cranking them, but I have done it.

That said, I like the sound better with a 4 ohm load. It's a subtle difference but it sounds a little bit tighter and compressed at 8 ohms.


True. We'd see a lot more damaged SVT's for sale if 8 ohm cabs were really detrimental to these heads. There's more people out there that don't know TB or a user manual even exists, doing the wrong thing night after night. Some how, it works out.
 
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Man this site is Great! Yeah I would want to run one 410 but to be on the safe side and making sure my investment will last me in the long run with only minor maintaience. I know the PF410HLF has a horn would that need to stay off? Or can I adjust frequencies and leave it on. I plan on using it for practice/studio in a 19x17 room and live performances. I admire the sound and it's that tone I crave.
 
Last edited:
Hello this is my first post. I've read through a lot of these threads and have been helpful. I just have a dumb question to start with. I have a PF500 and a PF410HLF. I want to invest into a SVT CL head but not sure if my PF410HLF would be compatible? Dumb question but one that needs an answer. Thank you.
Just make sure the Ohms of the cab(whatever it is) match up with the head and you'll be fine.
 
Man this site is Great! Yeah I would want to run one 410 but to be on the safe side and making sure my investment will last me in the long run with only minor maintaience. I know the PF410HLF has a horn would that need to stay off? Or can I adjust frequencies and leave it on. I plan on using it for practice/studio in a 19x17 room and live performances. I admire the sound and it's that tone I crave.
The horn doesn't have to stay off. I prefer cabs that way with electric bass, but there's nothing that will hurt the horn unless you start cranking distortion, and even then you can get away with a little bit of cranking. Sounds bad but shouldn't hurt the tweeter at reasonable volumes. For cleans, it's just fine.
 
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