Ampeg Question

[BrainOfJA]

Can someone educate me on the differences between the different SVTs? There’s the CL, VR, Heritage, hell I’ve even run across a couple of the Limited Edition SVTs from ‘87.

They’re all 300 watts of tube goodness, and all seem to have the same tubes in them, so what’s the differences other than price and the obvious “look” each has?

I’ve seen a lot of comments on here about people’s love for the VR and Heritage, just curious why those so much more than the CL? What makes them so much better that would justify the additional $400-600 more on the secondary market?

 

[Jim Carr]

Can someone educate me on the differences between the different SVTs? There’s the CL, VR, Heritage, hell I’ve even run across a couple of the Limited Edition SVTs from ‘87.

They’re all 300 watts of tube goodness, and all seem to have the same tubes in them, so what’s the differences other than price and the obvious “look” each has?

I’ve seen a lot of comments on here about people’s love for the VR and Heritage, just curious why those so much more than the CL? What makes them so much better that would justify the additional $400-600 more on the secondary market?

There was recently a thread about this very topic that may be of interest to you: trying to understand differences in Ampeg 300W tube amps...

 

[Jeff Scott]

The main difference is how much out-of-pocket expense you'll have.

 

[BrainOfJA]

There was recently a thread about this very topic that may be of interest to you: trying to understand differences in Ampeg 300W tube amps...

Perfect thanks!

 

[BrainOfJA]

The main difference is how much out-of-pocket expense you'll have.

Lol true

 

[Wasnex]

Can someone educate me on the differences between the different SVTs? There’s the CL, VR, Heritage, hell I’ve even run across a couple of the Limited Edition SVTs from ‘87.

They’re all 300 watts of tube goodness, and all seem to have the same tubes in them, so what’s the differences other than price and the obvious “look” each has?

I’ve seen a lot of comments on here about people’s love for the VR and Heritage, just curious why those so much more than the CL? What makes them so much better that would justify the additional $400-600 more on the secondary market?

The vintage amps include MTI and the 87 special edition. They have two channels with different voicings, and they do not have a Master volume. The vintage amps all shared the same basic construction and they all had the same signal path in the preamp, but at some point MTI converted the 12DW7 circuits to use 12AX7 tubes. The earliest SVTs, 69-70, ran different output tubes (6146).

The CL and Heritage have a Master Volume and only have one preamp channel. The preamp channel uses less tubes, but is a bit higher gain than a vintage amp so it can be pushed into overdrive. The voicing is very close to channel 1 of a vintage amp.

VR (Vintage Reissue) is loved because it has the functionality of the vintage amps. It does not use the original preamp tubes or the original signal path. To recreate the original gain structure achieved with 12DW7 tubes, this amp routes the signal between various 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes. Note: 12DW7 is a dual triode tube, with dissimilar sections; one triode is like a 12AX7 and the other is like a 12AU7.

The Heritage is essentially an upgraded version of the CL. It has pretty much the same signal path and functionality but higher quality components. In other words it cost more to make the amp.

There are also the rack mount SVT II and SVT 2 Pro. The SVT II functions pretty much like channel one of a vintage amp with a graphic EQ. The 2 Pro is more like the CL as it has a Master Volume. There were some intermediate model names as well. For example there was an SVT II Pro Premier Edition. I believe this is just an early SVT 2 Pro with SVT II cosmetics.

 

[FenderB]

The main difference is how much out-of-pocket expense you'll have.

Haha, good one.

 

[cactus1]

Maybe @JimmyM can add something.

 

[JimmyM]

Maybe @JimmyM can add something.

Wasnex got most of it, but I will add that they all sound like SVT's, and I'm deliriously happy to plug into any of them.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

JimmyM is right....I have been using the SVT pro 4 for several years now..through multiple cabinets..all sound good..the pro 4 has 3 tubes in the preamp section..go with what you like..

 

[JimmyM]

JimmyM is right....I have been using the SVT pro 4 for several years now..through multiple cabinets..all sound good..the pro 4 has 3 tubes in the preamp section..go with what you like..

Yep, the 4 Pro is a hybrid, but damn is it a great sounding hybrid!

 

[pbass2go]

My SVT II does sound like the first channel of my old SVT that I used to carry around as a teen. It has all I need from an SVT.

 

[3basS]

Hi guys,
Awesome question and awesome info!
Thanks you!
May I ask hence does that also mean a SVT III (non pro) also sounds like 1st ch of a vintage SVT as far as the pre amp section goes?
Also where does the V4-B reside sonically?

 

[JimmyM]

Hi guys,
Awesome question and awesome info!
Thanks you!
May I ask hence does that also mean a SVT III (non pro) also sounds like 1st ch of a vintage SVT as far as the pre amp section goes?
Also where does the V4-B reside sonically?

Can't answer about the SVT 3 nonpro but my first instinct is to say "I doubt it." The power section is way important.

V4B resides sonically as a flat response amp with knobs at noon while the SVT has a voicing that favors the low mids and midbass with knobs at noon. But the good news is you can twist the knobs and get basically the same sounds out of either. I can use them interchangeably.

 

[Wallace320]

Can someone educate me on the differences between the different SVTs? There’s the CL, VR, Heritage, hell I’ve even run across a couple of the Limited Edition SVTs from ‘87.

They’re all 300 watts of tube goodness, and all seem to have the same tubes in them, so what’s the differences other than price and the obvious “look” each has?

I’ve seen a lot of comments on here about people’s love for the VR and Heritage, just curious why those so much more than the CL? What makes them so much better that would justify the additional $400-600 more on the secondary market?

Much has to do with where they're actually made... the pro can come from the us, korea, or even Vietnam I think

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[JimmyM]

Much has to do with where they're actually made... the pro can come from the us, korea, or even Vietnam I think

Cheers,
Wallace

Yes, a lot more is made about where they're made than what matters to the sound of them.

 

[Raw N Low]

Wasnex got most of it, but I will add that they all sound like SVT's, and I'm deliriously happy to plug into any of them.

I'd like to add that they are all SVT's in varying degrees of attitude. They can sound very saturated (in a good way) depending how clean or overdriven you like them to go.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Yep, the 4 Pro is a hybrid, but damn is it a great sounding hybrid!

yes....and another side note here Jimmy...I am plugging my instrument into a tech 21 RPM preamp..and from there right into the pro 4 front input jack...the sound possibilities are huge..its sort of a preamp before the preamp...at first I wasnt sure if this would function properly..or if the capacity of the pro 4 preamp would be deminished..but not so..I didnt want to bring the RPM into the back panel of the pro 4 because I understand it would cut out..or bypass the internal tube preamp..some others have said that running the two preamps together causes a hum in the circuit..I havent had that problem..

 

[3basS]

Thanks Jimmy M.
Yeah I’m considering a V4-B or a pre loved SVT II Pro. The V4 appeals to me for better portability and the fact the its only 100watts allowing to get more juice out of it in small - Medium venues.
On the other hand the SVT II Pro has lots of control and capabilities for larger venues.
Thinking I may be better snapping up the SVT II Pro as they are getting rarer and eventually going for the V4 afterwards.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks Jimmy M.
Yeah I’m considering a V4-B or a pre loved SVT II Pro. The V4 appeals to me for better portability and the fact the its only 100watts allowing to get more juice out of it in small - Medium venues.
On the other hand the SVT II Pro has lots of control and capabilities for larger venues.
Thinking I may be better snapping up the SVT II Pro as they are getting rarer and eventually going for the V4 afterwards.

Used to be the exact opposite, then they canned the 2 Pro and brought back the V4B after my two years of begging