Ampeg SGT-DI

[pfschim]

Interesting. I use the tech21 boxes (VT and VT Deluxe) and have found them to be pretty good at the Ampeg tone thing. I know I'm not completely crazy on this as even a dedicated Ampeg guy like @JimmyM uses the VT box and seems to agree it gets the Ampeg flavor down pretty well.

I was particularly happy with the VT Deluxe with its multiple presets. The presets are very useful on the VT Deluxe so you can set both SVT and B15 tones and go from clean to dirty. OTOH, I also moved away from the VT Deluxe to the std VT because of the size of the pedal .. it just took up too much real-estate on my smaller Metro 20 board which is my gigging go-to board.

This Ampeg pedal is interesting too, but it's a pretty big format pedal, and it while it provides both SVT and B15 character tones, those are not footswitch-able like the VT Deluxe presets.

Have to consider this a bit, but for me it may just be too many compromises to be a good fit.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I'll hold off till NAMM! I'll make Deano demo it for me!

 

[gt96g]

Definitely a shut up and take my money situation.

 

[panzerfaust]

scr di is pure analog and this one is hybrid right ?

idk, i still prefer the old of mine scr di ? sgt vs scrambler,...somehow i like scrambler but this is personal taste indeed

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Nothing tech 21 makes sounds anything like an ampeg. Despite their entire marketing budget being dumped into various bass players telling you they do.

I’ve been using both SVTs and TECH 21 preamps since the 90s and I got ZERO complaints about the TECH21’s ability to create very convincing SVT-like tones.

 

[Indiana Mike]

Wow looks terrific! This is exactly the box that GK should have made when they put out the plex.

I had a plex. It was nice , but just way to many options all at once for for me.

 

[Michael Vee]

Wonder what SGT stands for? SVT is Super Valve Technology. This pedal has a Grit control, so it could be Super Grit Technology.. but that sounds pretty dumb, so probably not. Edit: I just checked the Ampeg website SGT-DI page, and it actually is Super Grit Technology. HA! I love grits, so I'm good with that..

I have each of the Tech21 VT Bass and the VTDI, so will be comparing the experiences when I get my SGT-DI. I agree with Smooth_bass88's assessment- the Tech21 emulations are very nice indeed.

Someone had said earlier in the thread that the 1/4" outs are not effected. I checked the SGT-DI manual, and here is what is says about the 1/4" outputs, which are exactly as they should be:

"Preamp Out: Connect this line level, 1/4" (TS) output to an amplifier. This output’s signal includes the Compressor, Preamp, and SGT circuits. The Cab/User IR and Aux In signals are not included in this output signal.

Line Out/Phones: Use this 1/4" jack as either as a mono, line level, Line Out (with a mono, TS connection), or a stereo headphones output (with a stereo, TRS phones connection). This output includes the Compressor, Preamp, SGT, Cab/User IR (when active), as well as the Aux Input signal."

 

[markorbit]

Wonder what SGT stands for?

SVT is Super Valve Technology. This pedal has a Grit control, so it could be Super Grit Technology.. but that sounds pretty dumb, so probably not.

I think it is.

 

[OkayistBassist]

Ooooh! It’s sitting in the Sweetwater cart.

 

[lowplaces]

1.9 lbs

Manual here

Ampeg – Bass guitar amplification

 

[JimmyM]

Interesting. I use the tech21 boxes (VT and VT Deluxe) and have found them to be pretty good at the Ampeg tone thing. I know I'm not completely crazy on this as even a dedicated Ampeg guy like @JimmyM uses the VT box and seems to agree it gets the Ampeg flavor down pretty well.

I was particularly happy with the VT Deluxe with its multiple presets. The presets are very useful on the VT Deluxe so you can set both SVT and B15 tones and go from clean to dirty. OTOH, I also moved away from the VT Deluxe to the std VT because of the size of the pedal .. it just took up too much real-estate on my smaller Metro 20 board which is my gigging go-to board.

This Ampeg pedal is interesting too, but it's a pretty big format pedal, and it while it provides both SVT and B15 character tones, those are not footswitch-able like the VT Deluxe presets.

Have to consider this a bit, but for me it may just be too many compromises to be a good fit.

I thought some of those demo tones were quite choice, though. This is the first I’m hearing of it, and so far I dig it.

 

[Hamrlik]

Great feature set. I love the 3rd party IR addition. This really checks all the boxes for what I'd want out of a preamp/di, and the demos sound really good. I really like the Tech 21 VT series but this is on another level. Good on Ampeg...seems pretty ambitious for them.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I’ve been using both SVTs and TECH 21 preamps since the 90s and I got ZERO complaints about the TECH21’s ability to create very convincing SVT-like tones.

I didn't say they didn't sound good. Everything they make, that I've had at least, have been great products. But, none of them sounded anything like an ampeg. Be that "good" or "bad", it just is.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Wonder what SGT stands for? SVT is Super Valve Technology. This pedal has a Grit control, so it could be Super Grit Technology.. but that sounds pretty dumb, so probably not. Edit: I just checked the Ampeg website SGT-DI page, and it actually is Super Grit Technology. HA! I love grits, so I'm good with that..

I have each of the Tech21 VT Bass and the VTDI, so will be comparing the experiences when I get my SGT-DI. I agree with Smooth_bass88's assessment- the Tech21 emulations are very nice indeed.

Someone had said earlier in the thread that the 1/4" outs are not effected. I checked the SGT-DI manual, and here is what is says about the 1/4" outputs, which are exactly as they should be:

"Preamp Out: Connect this line level, 1/4" (TS) output to an amplifier. This output’s signal includes the Compressor, Preamp, and SGT circuits. The Cab/User IR [16] and Aux In [18] signals are not included in this output signal.

Line Out/Phones: Use this 1/4" jack as either as a mono, line level, Line Out (with a mono, TS connection), or a stereo headphones output (with a stereo, TRS phones connection). This output includes the Compressor, Preamp, SGT, Cab/User IR (when active), as well as the Aux Input signal."

Yes. Super Grit Technology.

It's the circuit they have on their new rocket bass combos.

Just like the scrambler is circuit they had on their BA combos.

I don't care for either on the combos.

But, the actual scrambler pedal was pretty nice. Like a bass tube screamer, but it sounds better.

I think if they made a dedicated SGT pedal, with more control features, I'd like that as well.

 

[Michael Vee]

This is going to be a fun thread to follow not only tonight but the rest of this week! Whee..

If you search Ampeg SGT-DI on YouTube, Ampeg sent a lot of pedals to bass gear reviewers. Quite a launch campaign!

 

[klattman]

Have to wonder how it stacks up to the origin Super vintage in real life. Looks really good.

 

[OkayistBassist]

Have to wonder how it stacks up to the origin Super vintage in real life. Looks really good.

My thoughts exactly. I sold the Super Vintage a while back. This new pedal is arriving Thursday. I’ll post up my thoughts here.

 

[brianrost]

This could be the one.

Only until the next one

 

[brianrost]

I like this pic from the manual. Plug your SGT-DI into your SVT and bypass it's own preamp. What a great idea!!!!

Note Yamaha bass and mixer required

 

[Digital Igloo]

scr di is pure analog and this one is hybrid right?

Everything is analog except the IR loader. There's a circuit diagram on page 20 here.