• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg SVT 2 pro - opinion needed

FCbass

FCbass

Feb 2, 2020
7
11
Venice - Italy
#1
Hi there.
First Post in this section, I've used the search function a lot. I've readed all about this head, at the point that I am more confused than before, maybe was better to stop but.
A friend of mine is selling this head, one of the last before being discontinued, it is very well kept, he did not play heavy stuff on that, his only complaint is the weight. With his cover band they use to gig a lot in small clubs, and he is going on a D class, and trying to make some money in this though year for musician. The price is good, 700 with a nice immaculate flight case. Head has been recently serviced in January with new tubes, and it looks in mint condition, the guy is honest.
Now it's me. A tube amp has always been my youth prohibited dream, I play some heavy stuff and I am currently and happily using a PF500 with a svt410hlf.
Is there a single reason other than the weight, that should stop me from pulling the trigger?
Are the last svt 2 pro reliable?

Thanks in advance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kosscher, DISCOSTUVW and Arthur U. Poon
#4
You only live once and there's plenty of time for back surgery. Tube amps have their place and every bass player owes it to themselves to play or own one. Recorded my first album this past weekend with an Ampeg B15s and a Mesa 400+. The tone is otherworldly.

There was a time you couldn't touch a clean SVT for under $1K.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Microbass, FCbass, Funk With Me and 2 others
#5
I bought a new one when they came out, never had any issues with it. At the time, I liked the fact that it had master volume, drive and eq though over time I felt like the extra features didn't make it an improvement over the standard SVT. The price sounds reasonable to me. They're very heavy but if you're young/strong or just stubborn enough, you can't really beat an SVT.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Raw N Low and Arthur U. Poon
#6
Fantastic price. If I could find a deal as sweet as this locally, I’d be all over it. IME the SVT-2Pro I once owned was every bit as reliable as the SVT-CL that I once owned. Yeah, it’s heavy, but it’s not impossible to move by yourself. Should you want to gig with it, ask your bandmates to help you on the load-in/load-out. Trust me, the tone is worth it.

P.S. I regret selling my CL and my 2Pro. I haven’t found anything else that has “That” tone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Stock
#7
Iconic amp on my short list of "end game" amps. Would love to own but one but I dont need two big tube heads (my current past 15 yrs is a Mesa 400 with 6550s). I'd go for it. My favorite live bass tone I experienced was coming through one, plectrum, chick bassist from a band called Chief Beef from AZ. The top end overdrive that cut through the mix was perfect.

I'd need to A/B the amps but the SVT2 might have a type of OD (coarser) that I like more than my 400's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon, FCbass and BasturdBlaster
#9
Personally, I loved them. And that sounds like a bargain to me.

The only person I know, who has straight out called them "not very reliable", is someone who was touring his SVT 2 Pro rig all over the world for years on end (easily 1500 gigs).

The fact that he's still using it as his main rig, speaks volumes about how good it sounds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon
#11
FCbass said:
Hi there.
Is there a single reason other than the weight, that should stop me from pulling the trigger?
Are the last svt 2 pro reliable?
Click to expand...
The weight is only an issue if you have to deal with lots of stairs IMO. Yes they're heavy, but they're worth it. If you think the weight is too much, you can always get yourself a sack trolley etc. The tone you can get out of these things is delightful. Reliability is a hard one to guess.
If it's not too old and neglected, instead minty with new glass like you say, for that price I don't think you can lose.
And If it isn't for you, you can always move it on....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon and FCbass
#14
upload_2020-11-9_21-46-10.jpeg
Do it!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Salo70, MHensleyJr, rodl2005 and 6 others
#17
I did have one issue with mine. I had a bad speaker cable that shorted out and blew some tubes. Took me a bit to figure out the problem, but once I did I had no issues. Sounded soooooo good, the only reason I got rid of it was the weight. I've actually been looking at picking up the preamp version ..
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back