Ampeg sound in one rackspace preamp!

[tallboybass]

What would you recommend? Sansamp? Ampeg SVP-CL? SVP-PRO? Help!!!

What do you think of the PF-800?

Thanks,
Alan

 

[bgavin]

Sansamp VTRM

 

[Jim C]

SVP-CL
Has the front end of an SVT-CL and sounds very close to the real deal as well (with the exception of any power tube grind / compression)
I have one of each as well as a 7 Pro

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, SVP-CL.

 

[rickwebb]

SVP-CL although my "Main" Pre is an SVP-Pro...

 

[bolg55]

I use an SVP-Pro and I love it. I don't have experience with the CL though, so I might be biased.

 

[tallboybass]

Thanks! They don't make the SVP-CL any more do they?

Also, in your opinions, does the PF-800 sound authentically tubey?

 

[Steve]

The SVP CL really is (imho) the pinnacle of "Preamps that sound like an SVT.

There is enough distance between one of them and anything else in that category that if I was looking for that sound, I would wait and hunt one up.

If mine ever goes south, you can believe it's going to get replaced ASAP despite the fact that I have...5 other pre's.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks! They don't make the SVP-CL any more do they?

Also, in your opinions, does the PF-800 sound authentically tubey?

Ampeg makes no preamps anymore. And while the PF800 does have some of that SVT vibe to it and sounds a little like a tube amp, you can tell the difference when you sit it next to an SVT.

 

[tallboybass]

What's your opinion on the SansAmp stuff? I actually own a ParaDriver...it seems pretty scooped and bloated on the low end.

 

[seamonkey]

Ampeg SVX

 

[AdamR]

The trick to getting mids out of the sansamp stuff is to roll lows and treble back. Also try keeping the blend down below noon.

 

[rickwebb]

The Tech 21 VT units are nice too.

 

[AlexanderB]

EBS stopped making their rack mount preamps for strategic reasons, as their own power amps could note compete with the big brands. Offering a pre only was not a viable option, they have said. I guess Ampeg took the same route?

 

[AlexanderB]

I do not think the VT Bass captures the "girth" and sense of aggression in the lows of a real SVT. It is also too "tight" in the lows through a SS amp, as those do not "bloom" in the lows like a tube amp, IME. I still keep a VT Bass, even if it rarely gets used.

 

[JimmyM]

Any sort of SVT substitute will get the job done, including the VT, but again, put them side by side and you see why you still see lots of SVT's on stages.

 

[tallboybass]

The trick to getting mids out of the sansamp stuff is to roll lows and treble back. Also try keeping the blend down below noon.

Thanks Adam...and everyone, I think the ParaDriver will get me close enough. I took your advice...rolled back the lows and highs, boosted the mids, sounds pretty big but trying to maintain some definition, I'll blend in more dry signal if it needs it.

 

[SactoBass]

Tallboy:

There's also the rather hard-to-find Ampeg SVT-IIP single rackspace preamp. It has three tubes in it. It is exactly the same preamp that's in the SVT-II non-pro amp. I own an SVT-IIP preamp, and I also own an SVT-II non-pro amp. To my ears, this preamp sounds closer to the vintage (early 70's) Ampeg tone than the SVP-Pro or SVT-CL preamps.

 

[tallboybass]

Tallboy:

There's also the rather hard-to-find Ampeg SVT-IIP single rackspace preamp. It has three tubes in it. It is exactly the same preamp that's in the SVT-II non-pro amp. I own an SVT-IIP preamp, and I also own an SVT-II non-pro amp. To my ears, this preamp sounds closer to the vintage (early 70's) Ampeg tone than the SVP-Pro or SVT-CL preamps.

Cool, thanks!

 

[svtb15]

My FAVE Ampeg pre has always been the SVT-IIP preamp... Same front end as teh SVT2 Non Pro.. Sounds like my old '73...