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ampeg svt head

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by funkzone, Nov 7, 2001.

  1. Nov 7, 2001 #1
    funkzone

    funkzone

    Aug 10, 2001
    Wilmington, NC
    I've tried out the svt a couple of times, & I really dig it. I haven't had a chance to crank one up with a live band, however. Does the svt distort as much as a guitar tube amp when you turn up? Also, in terms of wattage, what would 300 watts of tube power be in comparison to solid state power? I plan to push an eden 15 cab + an eden 2x10 with it. I want to make sure I have plenty of headroom available to compete with my band (and loud drummer)
     
  2. Nov 7, 2001 #2
    Mark Reccord

    Mark Reccord

    Nov 14, 2000
    Sunny St. John's, Newfoundland
    Which SVT? Classic or Real(ie old)? Anyway, The SVT will distort like a guitar amp, but in order to acheive that it would be insanely loud. If you are looking at the Classic, it has a master volume and you can overdrive the preamp and turn the master down, if you're looking for distortion, that is.
    As for volume, the SVT will be as loud or louder than practically any solid state bass amp. For example, the SWR Bass 750 is nowhere near as loud as the SVT through the same box(still a great amp though!). IMO, It'll sound amazing through that combination of cabinets, too. I use a 76 SVT through an SWR Goliath III cab, in a VERY loud band, and it easily keeps up with the drums and guitars. Why do you think all the punk bands use 'em?
     
  3. Nov 7, 2001 #3
    funkzone

    funkzone

    Aug 10, 2001
    Wilmington, NC
    Sounds like I need to go pick one up. Right now I've got an alembic preamp that I'm going to sell, possibly my power amp & compressor. I guess I won't need a compressor with a tube amp. Back to my question, so can I turn the svt (classic) up around halfway without too much distortion? I love the old school vintage tone, and I do like to get nasty every once in a while. I play a wide range of styles (funk, jazz, reggae, ambient drum n' bass, ect.) so I need to be able to get a wide range of tones. Also, how do you think the svt would sound with an old analog synth? I use it primarily for synth bass, but also for abstract textures through looping. It sounds great through my rig right now, but I kinda wonder if the tube amp would make a difference.
     
  4. Nov 7, 2001 #4
    Tapp

    Tapp

    Aug 29, 2001
    USA, Mississippi
    If you get an old SVT without a master volume you will have to turn that thing up to ear bleeding levels for it to give you a strong distortion; unless something is wrong with it.

    Keep a few things in mind, the head weighs about 100lbs (the trannies are massive in an SVT). It takes about 14 tubes (give or take a couple) in all and is very expensive to retube. If it's old you'll need to make sure it's had a cap job and routine maintenance (ie. if the 2 push-pull sections are not biased properly it will self-destruct).

    Some of the guys on this board would not have another amp and I honestly understand where their coming from; tube tone is addictive. Just wanted to give you a few "real life" facts about owning a vintage SVT.

    Tapp
     
  5. Nov 8, 2001 #5
    funkzone

    funkzone

    Aug 10, 2001
    Wilmington, NC
    I am more interested in the reissue, rather than the original svt. How many tubes does it take, and can you crank it up with out it getting distorted?
     
  6. Nov 8, 2001 #6
    Mark Reccord

    Mark Reccord

    Nov 14, 2000
    Sunny St. John's, Newfoundland
    Tapp makes good points.... ones I should have made;)

    As for the Classic, it's not the same amp. It has less than 14 tubes I think, because the preamp only has one channel. The preamp tubes are easier to find! The power section still takes 6 6550s, which are fairly expensive, but if the amp's properly taken care of they should last quite a while. It's a nice amp in its own right but it doesn't sound like the old ones. The Classic has a master so you can crank the preamp to get distortion and keep the master low so the volume won't kill everyone in the vicinity. I think an SVT would sound great with an analog synth.... The tone will be considerably different than the Alembic, that's for sure.... The Classic is really easy to bias, there's two set screws and LEDs on the back, you just turn the set screws until the green LEDs light up.
    I'm totally in love with my SVT, and while I might have other amps, I'll never be without it:D Despite the spine melting weight. :p
     
  7. Nov 8, 2001 #7
    Mark Reccord

    Mark Reccord

    Nov 14, 2000
    Sunny St. John's, Newfoundland
    Tapp makes good points.... ones I should have made;)

    As for the Classic, it's not the same amp. It has less than 14 tubes I think, because the preamp only has one channel. The preamp tubes are easier to find! The power section still takes 6 6550s, which are fairly expensive, but if the amp's properly taken care of they should last quite a while. It's a nice amp in its own right but it doesn't sound like the old ones. The Classic has a master so you can crank the preamp to get distortion and keep the master low so the volume won't kill everyone in the vicinity. I think an SVT would sound great with an analog synth.... The tone will be considerably different than the Alembic, that's for sure.... Speaking of compressors, I took a nice DBX home form work to try with the SVT. The natural compression of the amp easily sounds better, adding the comp really killed my sound! The Classic is really easy to bias, there's two set screws and LEDs on the back, you just turn the set screws until the green LEDs light up.
    I'm totally in love with my SVT, and while I might have other amps, I'll never be without it:D Despite the spine melting weight. :p