Ampeg SVT-CL vs. SVT-VR

[Jim C]

I haven't found them to be THAT much different.
For that matter, the same models have tonal differences due to component value drift and tubes.

 

[JimmyM]

I was going to buy a second hand SVT-CL, even though I liked the VR (and the Hiwatt DR-201).
It's impossible to try both SVTs in one store, even find one.
The DR201 it's too expensive, so...which kind of sound should I expect from a SVT-CL? It looks like to be a 2006, made in Vietnam under LOUD tech inc (serial EFTUUxxxxx).
It would be plugged in to a 1996 USA 810 classic (single jack input, silver grill).

Turn the master up to 10 and use gain to control volume, and I'm very hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

[Richard I]

Turn the master up to 10 and use gain to control volume, and I'm very hard pressed to tell the difference.

That sound to be PRETTY loud. With master knob dimed, how far would the gain knob go until ears start bleeding? Setting up the head like you recommend, in a medium context does it sound pretty decent or it still sound like a small radio?

Sorry for my dumb questions, but these heads are hard to find and even harder to get sold.

 

[JimmyM]

That sound to be PRETTY loud. With master knob dimed, how far would the gain knob go until ears start bleeding? Setting up the head like you recommend, in a medium context does it sound pretty decent or it still sound like a small radio?

Sorry for my dumb questions, but these heads are hard to find and even harder to get sold.

It doesn't have to be loud. I've run mine no louder than a B-15 can go clean sometimes. How far you can crank the gain depends on the output of your bass(es), though. With my Fenders with typical vintage style output (I'm using EMG Geezers), I can get the gain up to 11:00 before power tube distortion kicks in. And it's extremely loud at that point for sure. But it still sounds great to me no matter what the volume is set at.

 

[beans-on-toast]

That sound to be PRETTY loud. With master knob dimed, how far would the gain knob go until ears start bleeding? Setting up the head like you recommend, in a medium context does it sound pretty decent or it still sound like a small radio?

Sorry for my dumb questions, but these heads are hard to find and even harder to get sold.

The master control on the CL is located at the output of the preamp. It acts as a preamp attenuator. With the master on full, the full preamp signal is being passed to the power amp. With it turned down, it is attenuating the preamp signal.

This allows you to crank the preamp gain into distortion, then knock the preamp signal down so you can have distortion at lower volume levels.

An SVT-VR does not have a master control. With the SVT-CL master on full, the amp is acting like an SVT-VR, the gain is setting the overall volume. One volume control to set the level that you want, from low to very loud.