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Ampeg SGT-DI

#581
Btbp said:
When I tried one out it colored my sound when it was disengaged, a deal-breaker for me - if I turn something off, I want it completely off. I would have had to use a looper to route around it, like with some old pedals.

I can think of no good reason for this.

But the SCR is a relatively older pedal, I would think this would be rectified with a newer one like the SGT.
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The SCR-DI isn't a straight in/out pedal and it makes sense because you have an aux in, input, thru, line out, headphone out, and di out. The unit was designed to drive an amp, feed a signal to a mixing board, or be a portal unit for pratice. These type of full featured DI's (Ampeg or otherwise) aren't pedal board mainstays if you want an unaffected tone. However, the stand alone Ampeg classic pre and scramblers are true bypass because they're not taking or feeding more than one input/output. The stand alone until would be your best option if you need the pre or scrambler but don't need the other options. I wouldn't hold my breath for such an option for the SGT-DI since it's relatively expensive and feature rich in the pre section alone.
 
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#582
Quick update on my SGT thoughts/experience:
I've had a chance to spend more time with the SGT with an active bass, and also brought it to rehearsal last night as well. We've been off for a couple weekends, will have it at the next gig in a week.

The active bass I tried it with (2017 Kiesel Icon P/J with John East preamp) sounded great through the SGT, as expected. It did seem to hit the SGT circuit just a little harder than my passive P Bass as it seemed maybe a tad dirtier with the SGT circuit, but still a killer sound.

Maybe it's a placebo effect of me trying to justify my purchase in my head, but at rehearsal through my live amp (Ampeg PF500/single PF115HE) there did seem to be a little more weight to my sound than normal, even without the SGT circuit and only minor EQing (a slight cut at 500Hz, bass/treble at noon and Ultra Lo/Hi off). Didn't really notice that through my IEMs. It's not boomy or muddy though, just a little extra "weight" is the only term I can think of to describe it. It just felt good.

I didn't figure otherwise, but nice confirmation... Definitely a keeper. Looking forward to trying it out at a full gig through my band's PA system!

5sg.
 
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#585
I'm on the fence, comparing between my SCR-DI (w/Darkglass VMT) over the SGT-DI that arrived this week.

SCR Pros - straightforward controls, quieter, headphone amp/aux in sound better, heavy box inspires confidence.
SCR Cons - scrambler circuit, needs something like the VMT for a more "tube amp" sound

SGT Pros - sweepable mids, SGT circuit better than scrambler, more amp-like sound overall
SGT Cons - dark sounding, noisy/hiss, too many places for gain staging, cab sims seem boomy.

Just my opinion, great tones can be had with either box!
The SGT is the kind of pedal where if I sell it, I might buy it again next year.

Curious about how the SGT tone compares to the Darkglass Vintage Ultra as a pre/DI/practice tool.
 
#586
wblaze said:
I'm on the fence, comparing between my SCR-DI (w/Darkglass VMT) over the SGT-DI that arrived this week.

SCR Pros - straightforward controls, quieter, headphone amp/aux in sound better, heavy box inspires confidence.
SCR Cons - scrambler circuit, needs something like the VMT for a more "tube amp" sound

SGT Pros - sweepable mids, SGT circuit better than scrambler, more amp-like sound overall
SGT Cons - dark sounding, noisy/hiss, too many places for gain staging, cab sims seem boomy.

Just my opinion, great tones can be had with either box!
The SGT is the kind of pedal where if I sell it, I might buy it again next year.

Curious about how the SGT tone compares to the Darkglass Vintage Ultra as a pre/DI/practice tool.
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any noise from the SGT, what's causing noise in your one? As for the cab sims, the good thing is that user ones can be uploaded too which is great if you don't like the ones that came stock with it.
 
#587
fivestringgecko said:
Maybe it's a placebo effect of me trying to justify my purchase in my head, but at rehearsal through my live amp (Ampeg PF500/single PF115HE) there did seem to be a little more weight to my sound than normal, even without the SGT circuit and only minor EQing (a slight cut at 500Hz, bass/treble at noon and Ultra Lo/Hi off). Didn't really notice that through my IEMs. It's not boomy or muddy though, just a little extra "weight" is the only term I can think of to describe it. It just felt good.
Click to expand...

Did you use the SGT to bypass the PF's preamp or did you stack them? Stacking the EQ's could make for a heavier sound.

I wouldn't worry too much about the placebo effect. I'm a huge Ampeg fan and I much prefer the EQ structure of this unit over the SCR. The SCR isn't a bad unit but this is well thought out and has sensible features.
 
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#588
Murph_Orpheus said:
I haven't noticed any noise from the SGT, what's causing noise in your one? As for the cab sims, the good thing is that user ones can be uploaded too which is great if you don't like the ones that came stock with it.
Click to expand...

Same. Only way I get typical amp/distortion box hiss is by having the ultra high engaged, treble past 1 o'clock, and the SGT drive past noon. My actual SVT will have a little hiss if I turned it loud enough.
 
#589
wblaze said:
I'm on the fence, comparing between my SCR-DI (w/Darkglass VMT) over the SGT-DI that arrived this week.

SCR Pros - straightforward controls, quieter, headphone amp/aux in sound better, heavy box inspires confidence.
SCR Cons - scrambler circuit, needs something like the VMT for a more "tube amp" sound

SGT Pros - sweepable mids, SGT circuit better than scrambler, more amp-like sound overall
SGT Cons - dark sounding, noisy/hiss, too many places for gain staging, cab sims seem boomy.

Just my opinion, great tones can be had with either box!
The SGT is the kind of pedal where if I sell it, I might buy it again next year.

Curious about how the SGT tone compares to the Darkglass Vintage Ultra as a pre/DI/practice tool.
Click to expand...

I am not a fan of the hard-wired cab sims. The other three IRs are wonderful, IMO. Plus, you can load your own to taste.
 
#590
Raw N Low said:
Did you use the SGT to bypass the PF's preamp or did you stack them? Stacking the EQ's could make for a heavier sound.

I wouldn't worry too much about the placebo effect. I'm a huge Ampeg fan and I much prefer the EQ structure of this unit over the SCR. The SCR isn't a bad unit but this is well thought out and has sensible features.
Click to expand...

Oooooo, a good reminder. I did go into the front of amp, out of habit without even thinking about it. I leave the EQ on my amps flat when I have a board, but that's a good point about stacking. Double the Ampeg sound. "Double your pleasure, double your fun!" Even so, there was still a noticeable enough difference in sound compared to having my Tone Hammer on the board at the previous rehearsal to make me turn around and double check my amp. lol

We have rehearsal again on Tuesday, now I'll remember to bypass the PF500 preamp and report back!

5sg.

doublemint Ampeg.jpg
 
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#594
majbass said:
Well, mine came today and I am already really liking it. Only played at home tonight through headphones, but - Very functional, great sounds. You can really feel the differences in the cab sims and the way they react to your playing.

I love that I can put this on my board and practice through it with headphones and the track, then take the board and the bass to the gig and be playing the same setup. Not only a time saver but a nice way to have classic sounds in a box you just plug in. Very useful.
Click to expand...

Hello,
I listened with great pleasure your video. The sound is great, the playing perfect and you clearly have a hell of a great f..cking sound guy.
Congrats
 
#596
wblaze said:
The Shift-line IR's have really opened my ears with the SGT box. In particular I like their take on the Heritage B15 and Sunn 200s.
Click to expand...

I totally forgot to mention in my last post that I did also have a chance to test the cab sims further, even though I didn't use them at rehearsal.

I liked the pre-loaded User cab sims more than the hardwired ones, but I still wasn't thrilled. The Shiftline Heritage B-15 is one of my own that I loaded, along with a Bergantino 2x12, and 3Sigma Mesa Powerhouse 8x10. I've been on the fence with cab sims in general for a long time and still may not use that feature on the SGT, but much happier with these three. As @Alvin2022 mentioned above, I do also wish the cab sims had a blend, even if it was just in the Loader software. On the rare occasion I use them with my Stomp, I usually have the IR dialed back to around 50%.

5sg.
 
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