Ampeg SVT-CL or VR?

[FIREpunkMEDIC]

Hey fellow low-enders! Looking to pick up either one, a CL or VR and wondering what your collective experiences are with them. For a bit of knowledge to give you guys and idea I am currently running a V4B Reissue through a 212av. I play exclusively P basses (one is a PJ but I solo the P 90% of the time with loaded with Fralin overwound). I play power-pop/pop-punk covers. The V4B is USUALLY plenty, but wouldn't mind something with a bit more giddy-up (not volume necessarily but thuml) for some gigs. Also, the 212av cab is killer. If you haven't tried one do it. Lotta 8x10ish vibe in it. So...what say yous?

 

[Wasnex]

Which is best depends on your tone goals and how you intend to use the amp.

The main difference is the CL has a master that allows you to gain up the preamp without blowing down walls. Max out the master and use gain to set your level and the CL should sound and perform pretty similar to channel 1 on the VR.

The VR does not have a master and the output section will be pushed into massive distortion before the preamp get's close to it's limit.

The VR also has a second channel that is voiced different. Some like to jump the two channels together.

SVTs have more of a low-mid push than the V4B. The frequency traces I have seen show a very gentle, wide-band boost centered at around 400hz.

 

[FIREpunkMEDIC]

Which is best depends on your tone goals and how you intend to use the amp.

The main difference is the CL has a master that allows you to gain up the preamp without blowing down walls. Max out the master and use gain to set your level and the CL should sound and perform pretty similar to channel 1 on the VR.

The VR does not have a master and the output section will be pushed into massive distortion before the preamp get's close to it's limit.

The VR also has a second channel that is voiced different. Some like to jump the two channels together.

SVTs have more of a low-mid push than the V4B. The frequency traces I have seen show a very gentle, wide-band boost centered at around 400hz.

Yeah, the lack of a master is my biggest hesitation with a VR. I don't necessarily play "dirty" but a bit of it on there is where I usually shoot for. Think Mike Dirnts bass tone on Dookie for a good sonic example...

MAYBE a 2nd 212av?

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I had the VR I got ~ '08. (along with the 810 VR)
Once my tech went through it, it was a fantastic amp.

I gigged it with the 212AV, but it was WAY more that I needed.
Last time, I had the Volume at about 2, and drove it with a VT. (small room, but w/PA support)
The sound was fantastic, but, ultimately, I ended up replacing it with the V4B-R.

If I were to re-visit the SVT, I'd definitely want a Master Volume. (although I prefer silver over black)

 

[Stylee Mousse]

It’s too bad you can’t rent an SVT for a month and see if it does what you want.

For me it was very musical, warm and solid BUT generally operating with the output stage not really lit up enough to do that thing I wanted.

I can’t really remember if I ran the MV on my SVT-CL WFO or not. I probably did. Master vol basically cools down the preamp output, keeping the output stage less driven.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

I agree with most of the comments posted above. If you can somehow try them out first. I have both and they are different animals. VR doesn't have a master volume but has the option of combining 2 channels for a never ending tonal spectrum. I find my CL is pretty much plug and play. You can get close to the clean sound and power before saturation of the VR, with the CL, by turning the master volume to "10" and using the gain as your main volume adjustment. The VR is 85lbs, the CL is 80lbs. And because I have both, I vote for "Both".

 

[Iristone]

Would you like overdrive without attenuator (CL), or the bright channel (VR)? If you want both, then the SVT-2/3/4 would be the only options.

 

[Iristone]

Just occured to me that you could insert a passive volume control in the effect loop (preamp out and power amp in) of the VR. This way you could still achieve overdrive at low volume.

 

[Wasnex]

This way you could still achieve overdrive at low volume.

Not necessarily. AFAIK the CL preamp is massaged a bit so it drives easier. The original preamp design has a lot of headroom.
FYI I inserted a my MXR KFK EQ between Pre Out/PA In of my 87 and I did not get any distortion until the Volume was almost wide open. The drive was not great and my guess is it was probably coming from the KFK.

IMHO if you OD at a low volume with the VR, use an OD pedal.

 

[Up the dose]

Heritage

 

[Mastermold]

 

[Mastermold]

Found another photo with that same rig:

 

[Mastermold]

I had the VR I got ~ '08. (along with the 810 VR)
Once my tech went through it, it was a fantastic amp.

I gigged it with the 212AV, but it was WAY more that I needed.
Last time, I had the Volume at about 2, and drove it with a VT. (small room, but w/PA support)
The sound was fantastic, but, ultimately, I ended up replacing it with the V4B-R.

If I were to re-visit the SVT, I'd definitely want a Master Volume. (although I prefer silver over black)

The 212 is what I use now with my SVTs. I had a Heritage 810 that I used for years, best sounding cabinet, but when gigs slowed during and after Covid, had fewer uses for it so I sold it. I'll gladly buy another if the circumstances change but for now the 212 sounds pretty close and is easy to haul around to club gigs.

 

[RamptonRebel]

I have the vr much cheaper than the cl and sounds great, a bit more user friendly too as it’s lightweight, here’s a vr through an 810svt I just restrung the mustang with la Bella’s and blasted it through a big muff deluxe bass.

 

[RamptonRebel]

I have the vr much cheaper than the cl and sounds great, a bit more user friendly too as it’s lightweight, here’s a vr through an 810svt I just restrung the mustang with la Bella’s and blasted it through a big muff deluxe bass.

Should mention it’s a micro vr going through a classic svt 810 speaker, sounds good though in my opinion!!!

 

[FIREpunkMEDIC]

The 212 is what I use now with my SVTs. I had a Heritage 810 that I used for years, best sounding cabinet, but when gigs slowed during and after Covid, had fewer uses for it so I sold it. I'll gladly buy another if the circumstances change but for now the 212 sounds pretty close and is easy to haul around to club gigs.

Love the 212av cab. Big time 810 vibes to it. Is it the same? Of course not but it hits just right....

 

[Scotty4string]

Just occured to me that you could insert a passive volume control in the effect loop (preamp out and power amp in) of the VR. This way you could still achieve overdrive at low volume.

I tried this. Doesn’t work as well as one would think. VR stays pretty clean and doesn’t distort well to my ears. I’d rather just put a way huge pork and pickle in front of it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I have owned a 1977 SVT and newer SVT 2-PRO. I have played through (via backline) the SVT Classic and the
SVT VR. In fact they had a VR with 810 at my gig last night. I prefer the VR over the Classic because it sounds more like the '77. But... either is going to get you the unmistakable SVT punch, especially when paired with an 810. Should also note I'm quite happy with my 2-PRO.

 

[sunbeast]

SVT-CLs have sometimes tended to get a bit of a bad reputation on TB for not being "authentic" to the vintage SVT, but when I had one I thought it was great and tonally not terribly different than the 70s SVT I had alongside it for a bit (at least with Gain low and Master high). The preamp drive on the CL sounded great to me too- I only rarely used a drive pedal with mine, and that was a sound I couldn't get from the vintage SVT no matter the volume or amp settings. SVT-CLs used to be super common in backlines, so it was nice to be able to dial in "my sound" with ease on a stage amp when I needed to. I can't speak to the VR as certainly (though I have played backlined VRs a few times), but my 70s SVT without Master only really sounded dirty when it was reaching the point of too loud (even in a band with two 100 tube watt + 4x12" guitar stacks)- and that was back when I was playing places that allowed much louder stage volumes (usually without much PA reinforcement) than what I tend to find possible/preferable these days. I guess it depends on the kinds of places you are playing, though I suspect you'll find the same unless you are playing larger or outdoor venues. I ended up selling the 70s SVT and sticking with the CL for a few years (until I moved on to Mesa amps as my tonal goals shifted).

 

[EliasA]

Yeah, the lack of a master is my biggest hesitation with a VR. I don't necessarily play "dirty" but a bit of it on there is where I usually shoot for. Think Mike Dirnts bass tone on Dookie for a good sonic example...

MAYBE a 2nd 212av?

MAYBE a Barefaced, as GTirard says.