Ampeg SVT Classic or Ampeg PF500, Have you compared/decided?

[huben94]

Hello,

Had a Pf500 for about 4 months , just recently got a a SVT Classic haven't had much time with the classic but I must say The PF is doing a great job so far and kinda thinking about returning the SVT classic to Guitar Center < 30 days.

Please tell me your experience with having or testing both?


Thanks
R

 

[jmattbassplaya]

SVT > PF500

I thought about picking up the PF as a rehearsal head to my SVT but it couldn't hang with it. Others may, and will, disagree, but to me it wasn't even a close comparison.

 

[JimmyM]

The PF heads are quite good, but seriously...

 

[bassguppy]

Not fair to the PF to compare it to an SVT. My PF500 works dandily as my rehearsal/small gig head.

 

[Travis_Bass]

At rehearsal volumes, I think the PF may sound better, but in a medium + sized gig, SVT will be consistent and, well its an SVT. You know it will perform. just my 2 cents, I'm stuck with a 3pro for now, still love it (when I have fresh strings)

 

[Bassoballs]

I love SVT's but I am not a fan of the CL. They sound muddy to me. I do like the new class D amps. I have a micro VR and use it a lot.

 

[Dave W]

SVT all the way

 

[JMac- Wiskerface Designs]

Owned both... The PF-500 is a very nice sounding amp for the price, but I wouldn't even put it in the same league as a SVT Classic.

 

[Buster Brown]

I'm sorry, but (at least to me) that's like comparing apples to a M1 Tank........


Seriously, keep the CL!!!

 

[Tim1]

The only remotely possible reason I would consider for returning a CL over the PF would be weight. I mean, honestly......

 

[huben94]

Thanks for all the input, I guess the biggest reason is the weight; I have been spoiled with the weight of the PF 500, and currently not playing large venues. Last day of the Guitar Center 30 days return.

 

[Mastermold]

Thanks for all the input, I guess the biggest reason is the weight; I have been spoiled with the weight of the PF 500, and currently not playing large venues. Last day of the Guitar Center 30 days return.

The SVT is an amp you'll keep for life. Keep it. 10, 20, 30 years from now you'll still be glad you did.

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

Return the SVT, sell the PF, and buy a 7-Pro

 

[carl h.]

If your current rig does it for you, return it while you can get a full refund.

 

[bassguy72]

Ya know Lazarus...that's what I would've said.....but to be honest) I've got the pf500,7pro,and a heritage svt and while all three are great in there respective ways......and with being very weight conscious ......the svt would be the very last thing to go...just my. 02

 

[ransombass]

I had both at one time. I now have neither. They're very different in my experience. I used the P500 when my SVT was in the shop, which was a lot. It was a great head and drove my 8-10 cab quite well. With my sansamp bddi in front of it I got a very convincing SVT tone. I only sold both after I got turned on to Aguilar gear. I wouldn't mind having another P500 as a practice amp.

 

[jeff7bass]

One thing to consider;

You will scream WAY louder if the SVT falls off your 810 and lands on your foot.

 

[christw]

I was quite happy owning both. The PF had a tiny bit more percieved headroom but I liked the tone of the CL better. Ultimately I sold both, the SVT for it's weight on an injured arm and the PF because I liked the ShuttleMax more. I'd love to snag another SVT-II non pro ora VR but the CL and PF aren't on my buy it again list.

 

[pedro]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but FWIW I owned the CL for a while back and try as I might I never warmed up to it. At that time I owned a B15S, Orange AD200 and the Ampeg V4b and the CL just never got out of the gates. All of them sounded better to my ears than the CL.

I am currently testing out a PF 500. So far I like the tone but it worries me a bit that I have to crank things up a fair bit to get to what I would consider gig level volumes.

 

[christw]

pedro, it's within the amp's design that you turn the knobs a little farther than some to get the tones. Most amps I've ever owned were tapping out by 1/2 on the volume and 1/2 on the master and frankly, it was kind of refreshing using the PF's gain/master setup. It's not as if you're missing out on headroom. Trust me, it will hurt your ears.

I can't comment on the V4B, but the V4BH might have been my least favorite tube Ampeg I've ever played. The CL is probably my least favorite of the big tube SVT's but I have no complaints playing on one. (Worth noting: I have not used a -II PRO)