Ampeg sound in one rackspace preamp!

[svtb15]

+111111
I Agree, The CL and Pro do not have the same Ultra Low and Ultra Hi sound when engaged,

You are right the SVT-IIP sounds Just like the original large box 70s heads..

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]

Sounds like the SVT-IIP would be a great one to stumble into at a pawn shop! No signs of any on ebay or anywhere else I've looked.

 

[ThisBass]

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

That don't makes me wonder because the schematic is nearly just the same.

 

[Jim C]

One last thought: if you are using this in the studio, it does sound very good, however my SVP-CL with a 1500 Watt Ampeg SS power amp does not sound as good as my SVT-CL at either a clean setting or with grit
Something about those 6 large tubes in the back…

 

[tallboybass]

I'm sure there's no way a pre will be able to sound like a big box of steamin' tubes!

For right now, I'm running the ParaDriver in front of my MB212 and it sounds pretty good. Sometimes "Ampegish" is good enough! My settings are nothing like the SVT® setting in the manual. Those things never seem to work for me anyway.

Thanks to everyone! I'll be keeping an eye out for an SVT-IIP pre...not bloody likely, right?

 

[tallboybass]

Sansamp VTRM

That's the same as the VT Bass Rack, right?

After having moderate success with the ParaDriver I'm wondering if the VTRM or RPM or RBI might be a good option.

 

[Nephilymbass]

IMO an all tube svt sounds a lot different from a hybrid svt. I got to mess with the svp pro and classic when they were out. To me they are more of a hybrid head sound because they lack the character the power tubes add. I honestly think the better sans amps with mid and blend control work great. The vt rack has more usable dirt available but if you want a mainly clean tone with a touch of grit the RBI and the rpm work great.

 

[Sound Chaser]

My SVP-BSP preamp was really noisy. A tech who looked at it for me said they tried to cram too much stuff into one rack space.

 

[Jazz Ad]

The SVP-CL is awesome, however I will recommend the B1-R instead, which is a 1U rack amp with the best preamp Ampeg ever made and they are dirt cheap nowadays.

 

[Art Araya]

I had the svp cl preamplifier and was not satisfied. Never got it to sound anything like my Svt vr. The power section makes a big difference.

 

[tallboybass]

Sorry to reopen this one but I'm the OP...

I recently located an SVT IIP preamp and wanted to check back in here before buying it. Been using an SVT sim from a Zoom MS-60B with quite a bit of success lately.

My rig is the complete opposite of an Ampeg, a GK MB800 into a 212 or 410. I'm sure it sounds nothing like an SVT but the Zoom really helps warm things up considerably.

If I get the IIP, it'll basically sound about like the SVT7Pro, right? A tube preamp into a digital power amp.

Would I be better off just getting the 7Pro? The main advantage I see going with the pre is that I would have the option of using the MB800 in rooms where a lean bass sound works best.

 

[kringle77]

Svpcl into a big amp. Though im still not selling my vtrm. The vt sounds awsome into the svt's power section. I actually only use the non-sansamp side though. Way better low end.

 

[disssa]

Use the SVT-IIP and connect this with the fx-return of your SVT-7 and you got a really good and typical Ampeg-Sound!

 

[chaosMK]

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.

+1 SVT-IIp. Great preamp, sometimes can be found for less than the others.

 

[Jim Carr]

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

Scooped? Dude—you're not doin' it right. Turn the drive down, blend up, roll off bass a bit, and pay a lot of attention to where the parametric mid-range is set.

But it is not an SVT emulator. Great for piezo-equipped upright, violin, guitar, or a passive bass that you want to make "active," etc.

EDIT: Just realized the above is moot. Enjoy new pre-amp, whatever it may be.
I like a passive Jazz -> VT Bass -> EBS Multi-comp -> GK MB800 -> 15/6/1

 

[tallboybass]

That post is from a year ago, Dr. Jim. Best thing I ever did is get rid of the ParaDriver. My Zoom MS-60B is lightyears ahead of the SA 'for me'. Most of the time I run the MB800 by itself since GK is my native sound.

I'm mainly asking for more input on the SVT IIP...got a line on one and wondering if it's worth having.

 

[tallboybass]

Gonna open this one up again...I finally scored an SVT IIP and after one gig I am STOKED!! It has that bouncy, hefty, wonderfully creamy feel to it that I remember from owning an early 70's SVT, without the weight.

The rig is...IIP into the power section of the MB800 into a GK MBE410 cab, which is a sealed cab. The cab weighs about 44 pounds and the rack weighs 16 pounds.

 

[svtb15]

I think that is the best sounding Preamp that ampeg ever made. I have a SVT 3 non-pro and 2 non-pro. The Non pro version is the same pre as the SVP2..... I have used the preamp of the 3 non pro into poweramps on some larger gigs.. Love the EQ..

Gonna open this one up again...I finally scored an SVT IIP and after one gig I am STOKED!! It has that bouncy, hefty, wonderfully creamy feel to it that I remember from owning an early 70's SVT, without the weight.

The rig is...IIP into the power section of the MB800 into a GK MBE410 cab, which is a sealed cab. The cab weighs about 44 pounds and the rack weighs 16 pounds. View attachment 586432

 

[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.

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

Thanks to you two for guiding me toward the SVT IIP! Another TalkBass Success Story!!!

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I'd check out Kevin Shaw's preamp. Kindof pricey, but it's like a B15 without the sag, and the highest fidelity around. A bit like B15 meets Millenia. I own the full-on amp based on this---it's the best tube gear I've ever heard. (four KT88's---I'm going to try KT120's)

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