Ampeg SGT-DI

[klattman]

Has anyone have this and the Master effects 300?

The ME300 is good. It gets the eq right and sounds good but isn’t as dynamically responsive.
I have many SVT type pedals and the origin effects SV is my favorite. The SGT is my backup right now.
I should also say if you want old school sounds as well, the SGT has both SVT and B15 so if I was to only get one that would be a consideration.

 

[bassnyc1]

The ME300 is good. It gets the eq right and sounds good but isn’t as dynamically responsive.
I have many SVT type pedals and the origin effects SV is my favorite. The SGT is my backup right now.
I should also say if you want old school sounds as well, the SGT has both SVT and B15 so if I was to only get one that would be a consideration.

Interesting. I have the SCR-DI and I want to upgrade to either the Origin Effects pedal or the SGT. I can't afford both. Keep the SCR and add the Origin Effects or sell the SCR to finance either. What to do......

 

[Warpt]

Has anyone have this and the Master effects 300?

I did. After about a day with the SGT I put my Super 300 up for sale.

 

[emal]

I did. After about a day with the SGT I put my Super 300 up for sale.

Wow, thanks for sharing

 

[marchone]

TalkBassGear strikes again!

 

[klattman]

Interesting. I have the SCR-DI and I want to upgrade to either the Origin Effects pedal or the SGT. I can't afford both. Keep the SCR and add the Origin Effects or sell the SCR to finance either. What to do......

The SGT is very different than the SCR to my ears. I did not like the SCR overdrive. I would absolutely replace it.

if you want versatility get the SGT.
If the only sound you need is an amazing SVT tone, the origin is the one.

 

[WestOfBen]

Just spent an hour or so trying the SGT on my small church board.

The good… if this is your only piece of gear, or if you have minimal other FX, I can see how this could be your answer. Some really great tones in this unit. The included cab sims have good variety, I settled on the 810 with lows and highs ON. The dirt channel has some nice sounds. Octaver, chorus and delay/reverb are ok before the SGT (only choice anyway) but not perfect. In all, I think it is a good unit. Having gone from MXR M-80 to Darkglass Microtubes Infinity to Two Notes ReVolt, I would probably put it on par with the ReVolt.

The not so good, for me at least…

DI output very low, input trim/gain at 24 dB minimum. Requires some EQ tweaking to bring back some clarity and midrange with some cab sims. For example I like the 810 because it has some clear highs but it is a bit scooped. The 410 has a thicker mid that is slightly low-mid boxy and slightly less highs, which could be an illusion. Some tweaking here might get me closer. But I would possibly need to tweak a user cab sim to get just a little more spank back. Not a huge problem compared to the Two Notes ReVolt. I don’t want to push treble beyond about 2 o’clock.

I find the drive channel is nice and thick but it doesn’t have much bite unless I mess with the mids overall, which changes my clean tone. The drive channel does go into a pretty nice fuzz territory. I am 50/50 here.

The big problem for me is no FX loop. The SGT does not seem to play well with others for two reasons. Firstly I am battling the clean channel overdriving the cab sim, then I am seriously battling this problem with other pedals like drives or octaves before the SGT. So I lower the overall volume and then I need to be > 24 dB gain on the mixing desk.

Secondly, other FX into the SSGT with the drive ON are not so great. The drive gets gluggy and chorus/delay/reverb are less clear. Also an octave before the drive was very muddy and low end really blows out. Plus the cab sim is then distorting crazily.

I will need to lower the levels on my other pedals to soften the blow before the SGT. It seems odd to need to do this.

I have ordered a DSM Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station so I can get some reference. At the end of this week I hope to be somewhere, with one unit

 

[bassnyc1]

The SGT is very different than the SCR to my ears. I did not like the SCR overdrive. I would absolutely replace it.

if you want versatility get the SGT.
If the only sound you need is an amazing SVT tone, the origin is the one.

Thanks for the reply!
In your opinion, the Origin doesn't get a good B-15 tone?

 

[klattman]

Thanks for the reply!
In your opinion, the Origin doesn't get a good B-15 tone?

You can eq the origin to get a good tone for Motown etc. but the SGT beats it for that sound because the b15 SGT grit sounds really nice.
The origin black panel also does well but that’s one more additional device.

 

[klattman]

Just spent an hour or so trying the SGT on my small church board.

The good… if this is your only piece of gear, or if you have minimal other FX, I can see how this could be your answer. Some really great tones in this unit. The included cab sims have good variety, I settled on the 810 with lows and highs ON. The dirt channel has some nice sounds. Octaver, chorus and delay/reverb are ok before the SGT (only choice anyway) but not perfect. In all, I think it is a good unit. Having gone from MXR M-80 to Darkglass Microtubes Infinity to Two Notes ReVolt, I would probably put it on par with the ReVolt.

The not so good, for me at least…

DI output very low, input trim/gain at 24 dB minimum. Requires some EQ tweaking to bring back some clarity and midrange with some cab sims. For example I like the 810 because it has some clear highs but it is a bit scooped. The 410 has a thicker mid that is slightly low-mid boxy and slightly less highs, which could be an illusion. Some tweaking here might get me closer. But I would possibly need to tweak a user cab sim to get just a little more spank back. Not a huge problem compared to the Two Notes ReVolt. I don’t want to push treble beyond about 2 o’clock.

I find the drive channel is nice and thick but it doesn’t have much bite unless I mess with the mids overall, which changes my clean tone. The drive channel does go into a pretty nice fuzz territory. I am 50/50 here.

The big problem for me is no FX loop. The SGT does not seem to play well with others for two reasons. Firstly I am battling the clean channel overdriving the cab sim, then I am seriously battling this problem with other pedals like drives or octaves before the SGT. So I lower the overall volume and then I need to be > 24 dB gain on the mixing desk.

Secondly, other FX into the SSGT with the drive ON are not so great. The drive gets gluggy and chorus/delay/reverb are less clear. Also an octave before the drive was very muddy and low end really blows out. Plus the cab sim is then distorting crazily.

I will need to lower the levels on my other pedals to soften the blow before the SGT. It seems odd to need to do this.

I have ordered a DSM Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station so I can get some reference. At the end of this week I hope to be somewhere, with one unit

I’ve managed to work through the clipping etc and it changes for each bass to get the sweet spot, but it takes some time to dial in.

agreed on effects if I need a lot of effects I’m going with the loops on the DSM.

 

[SoulReflection]

Anyone know of any tutorials or details for using the IR Loader? The Quick Start Guide does not go into any detail and Ampeg's web site is lacking specifics.

I am looking for info on finding IR's as well as saving and loading them on a PC. I understand Line 6's Helix are compatible but don't want to screw anything up .

 

[klattman]

Anyone know of any tutorials or details for using the IR Loader? The Quick Start Guide does not go into any detail and Ampeg's web site is lacking specifics.

I am looking for info on finding IR's as well as saving and loading them on a PC. I understand Line 6's Helix are compatible but don't want to screw anything up .

One of the videos in this thread shows a bit of the screen. I haven’t tried it because the 3 already loaded in the user slot are pretty good. Also you can’t overwrite the three main IRs.
Also I read somewhere in this thread that if you screw it up you can do a factory reset.

 

[marchone]

One of the videos in this thread shows a bit of the screen. I haven’t tried it because the 3 already loaded in the user slot are pretty good. Also you can’t overwrite the three main IRs.
Also I read somewhere in this thread that if you screw it up you can do a factory reset.

Hofner 500/1 and Fender Super Bassman?

 

[SoulReflection]

Hofner 500/1 and Fender Super Bassman?

What about the "ease of installing" new IR's. I must have missed that memo because I downloaded Wilkinson's "God's Cab" and can't make any sense out of what has to be done to make it work. All I see is a bunch of files indicating how far mics are placed.

If you, or anyone else figures this out, please let me know. I realize it's the weekend and many are busy but, there must be some "secrets" out there. I can't believe that Ampeg/Yamaha would release something with this lack of support.

 

[SoulReflection]

What about the "ease of installing" new IR's. I must have missed that memo because I downloaded Wilkinson's "God's Cab" and can't make any sense out of what has to be done to make it work. All I see is a bunch of files indicating how far mics are placed.

If you, or anyone else figures this out, please let me know. I realize it's the weekend and many are busy but, there must be some "secrets" out there. I can't believe that Ampeg/Yamaha would release something with this lack of support.

I emailed Wilkinson and they indicated their package was designed for DAW's, not SGT-DI's.

 

[SoulReflection]

Last week I received the new Ampeg SGT-DI and am super-impressed with this setup:

1. Bass to SGT.
2. SGT preamp out to Ampeg PF-20T input.
3. 20T power transformer out to effects return on a Rumble 100 Combo.
4. R100 XLR lineout to Scarlett DI into Reaper DAW.

There is no doubt that the SGT-DI benefits from the addition of the 20T and visa-versa. I do believe that tubes rule but the SGT-DI is quite capable of standing on it's own.

If you are into studio/home recording or gigging/jamming, this setup is tough to beat.

I currently have my SCR-DI for sale but, may keep it as a valuable backup.

 

[oberkampf]

Last week I received the new Ampeg SGT-DI and am super-impressed with this setup:

1. Bass to SGT.
2. SGT preamp out to Ampeg PF-20T input.
3. 20T power transformer out to effects return on a Rumble 100 Combo.
4. R100 XLR lineout to Scarlett DI into Reaper DAW.

There is no doubt that the SGT-DI benefits from the addition of the 20T and visa-versa. I do believe that tubes rule but the SGT-DI is quite capable of standing on it's own.

If you are into studio/home recording or gigging/jamming, this setup is tough to beat.

I currently have my SCR-DI for sale but, may keep it as a valuable backup.

SGT-DI + PF20t + Rumble100... For that money you could get a Noble, which I would consider the gold standard for studio/home recording

 

[SoulReflection]

SGT-DI + PF20t + Rumble100... For that money you could get a Noble, which I would consider the gold standard for studio/home recording

If all you are looking for is studio/home recording, you are correct. Other than that, try your Noble at a gig without an amp and FOH...

 

[fivestringgecko]

For that money you could get a Noble, which I would consider the gold standard for studio/home recording

Or another way to think about it is:
For the price of a Noble, one could get an SGT-DI and a PF-20T and have a little cashola left over for other things (like a Rumble 100) and not have to wait for over three years.

I've tried a Noble and it certainly is nice, but I've never felt any real desire to own one. There are a lot of things much higher on the list. Everyone has different gear needs/wants, budget, etc.

5sg.

 

[2saddleslab]

Took the SGT-DI to the studio for the 1st time last night. It did not disappoint. We were recording a R&B style tune and was looking for an overdriven B15 tone and the SGT-DI delivered. Just enough that you could play clean w/ a light touch but it really blossomed w/ digging in. Never heard this from any previous pedals and it's what I've been looking for.