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Ampeg SVT 4 Pro or Mesa Big Block 750

Stingray_EB

Stingray_EB

May 1, 2006
797
19
Edinburgh, Scotland
#1
Hey guys,

Having past by the opertunity of buying an Mpulse 600 due to my needs in my band i am now looking more towards the BB750 or the 4 Pro, Does anyone have any suggestions as to which amp i should go for. We do alot of rock and softer stuff but we sound alot like Alter Bridge. My ideal bass sound is a beefy deep fat sound that doesnt loose too much clarity when turned up. I will be using powerhouse cabs with the head.
Any opinions ?
Thanks
 
#3
mesa mesa mesa! the BB750 will be about as loud as the 4-Pro, and it doesn't run as hot. My old 4-Pro ran so hot I could barely touch my hand to the outside chassis. Also, Mesa's are pretty well-known for staying beefy and clean at higher output levels, whereas ampegs start to break up and get a bit flatulent. or at least mine did.....
 
#5
well Im tied between 10s or 12s to go with the 15 Im thinking 10s for more punch. The thing is Id love to have the powerhouse but if I ever need to go louder than 550 watts then Im shafted, 2 4ohm cabs or a 4ohm powerhouse , I'll be using practically the same setup as you minus the maple fretboard !
 
#9
well i think Im going to order the BB750 but apart from that I have nothing but the bass this will be my first real rig as the bands starting to take off across here, touch wood ! Also to add i doubt i would need the 2ohm 750watts, plus if i ever change heads to something that cant do 2ohms i'd have to buy new cabs.
 
#11
Yeah, go with the 8 ohms.

I bought my PH 4X10 at ebay and I didn't know it was 8 ohms. I was actually looking for a 4 ohm 4x10 because I only planned on using a 4x10.

I got stuck with the 8 ohm cab and I really wanted more than 280 watts and thats why I ended up getting the 8 ohm 1x15.
 
#15
yeah, the only Pro series heads that have a really lively, colorful sound live are the 2, 6, and 8 pro. The 3, 4, and 5 all sound quite dull and sterile. The Mesa hybrids, however, get a nice, juicy, beefy tone. It's odd so many vegetarians play them. Ben Kenney, Paul McCartney, Mike DAntonio, John Campbell... the list goes on.
 
#16
IMHO, the 4-Pro is a great head, capable of some awesome tonal variety, and plenty of headroom, YMMV. For almost 3 years, my main rig was a 4-Pro and SVT-610HLF, and I loved that combination. I would respectfully disagree with K-Funk's assertion that "the only Pro series heads that have a really lively, colorful sound live are the 2, 6, and 8 pro. The 3, 4, and 5 all sound quite dull and sterile." My 4-Pro was anything but dull and sterile.

Having said that, I also love the Mesa BB750. And, if you're into the Alter Bridge sound, live anyway, Brian Marshall uses the Big Block 750 and PowerHouse 4x12, so you can't go wrong there. I got to see them live a couple months ago, and his tone was spectacular, especially up close to the stage, where you could hear more of his rig and less p.a.

IMHO, both heads are great, so it comes down to preference and taste. If you can, check them both out. My 2 cents anyway. :D
 
#17
kdogg said:
IMHO, the 4-Pro is a great head, capable of some awesome tonal variety, and plenty of headroom, YMMV. For almost 3 years, my main rig was a 4-Pro and SVT-610HLF, and I loved that combination. I would respectfully disagree with K-Funk's assertion that "the only Pro series heads that have a really lively, colorful sound live are the 2, 6, and 8 pro. The 3, 4, and 5 all sound quite dull and sterile." My 4-Pro was anything but dull and sterile.

Having said that, I also love the Mesa BB750. And, if you're into the Alter Bridge sound, live anyway, Brian Marshall uses the Big Block 750 and PowerHouse 4x12, so you can't go wrong there. I got to see them live a couple months ago, and his tone was spectacular, especially up close to the stage, where you could hear more of his rig and less p.a.

IMHO, both heads are great, so it comes down to preference and taste. If you can, check them both out. My 2 cents anyway. :D
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. The Big Block is a great rig, however the SVT-4Pro is no slouch ether. I am of the assumption that it is "cool" to dog Ampeg :scowl:. If you pair a 4Pro up with the Pro cabs, the result is a great "Colorful" live sound. I have a Pr-410H, and a Pr-15H, and they will shake the neighborhood. I can dial in a variety great tones with my 4Pro, and there is nothing "dull and sterile" about it. I'm also trying to figure out what "Mud" sounds like, cause there is no mud in my 4Pro. Also, I have had my Ampeg in a rack case since 2000, and it has never even come close to running hot(I check it after ever use, cause I read so much about them overheating). IMOI, you can't go wrong with either head. Though your best bet, would be to try them both out, and hear for yourself.
Proud Ampeg SVT-4Pro User :D
Ampeg Club Member #235 :bassist:
 

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