Ampeg SVT-II appreciation thread

[anderbass]

I know using an Ampeg "ultra low" switch (mid-cut) is kinda taboo around here, but I'm currently liking what it does
to the tone on my rig.

Have any of you SVT-II guys gave this switch a serious try lately?

I'd briefly tried this switch when I first got my SVT-II and don't remember being to impressed...
But I've recently replaced a ancient (5 year old) set of flatwounds on my P-bass, and
(in trying to tame the overly-brightness of my new strings) stumbled across the fact that I now
really like this switch engaged. After my new strings mellow a bit, my opinion of this switch may change.

On my amp, using this switch also somewhat lowers the overall volume level, so it allows me to
push the volume knob up to (or sometimes) past the halfway point, which seems to be a very good place to be.

If you don't like your ultra low tone now, I'd suggest giving yours a try next time you re-string.
(if that brand new-string sound bothers you too)

 

[mattmanbass]

i always use the ultra low button, i think it makes it sound pretty badass

 

[jellymax]

i always use the ultra low (unless the room is too small or boomy). it gives a modern r & b tone that kills.

 

[anderbass]

Thanks guys, it seems I'm not the only one thats discoverd this cool switch.

I've read so many posts about S/S Ampegs not cutting through very well with
the ultra bass switch on, but this doesn't seem to be a trait of the SVT-II at all.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I like it, but im not fond of the sound in a band situation, but im looking for more of a mid punch as opposed to rocking chicks pants off

 

[man_at_arms84]

Hey so, I'd LOVE an Ampeg SVT II. Infact I missed out on one on Ebay here in the uk a while ago. It used to belong to the pop band Beatiful south, I was at work when the auction ended and missed it......BUMMER!
Buuuutttt, I was wondering, can some please clarify the differences between the origional SVT II (non-pro) and the pro?
Why is one better than the other and also, what is teh deal with two different types of SVT II Pro I've seen. An earlier one with like blue SVT II Pro written on it and the ones you see now with the grey E.Q section. Any differences between these?

PLease tell!

 

[JonathanD]

I will be getting mine back from the Tech in a couple days. if came from Ebay with an unoperational Preamp section. I cant wait. I played through just the poweramp section and loved it. I don't use much EQ with the Ray so...who knows if I will even use the preamp(j/k). BTW, anyone know if everything at 12 o'clock in the EQ is flat or not?

Going to have an 810 acme rig! well, 4 acme low B 2's
Jonathan

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Hey so, I'd LOVE an Ampeg SVT II. Infact I missed out on one on Ebay here in the uk a while ago. It used to belong to the pop band Beatiful south, I was at work when the auction ended and missed it......BUMMER!
Buuuutttt, I was wondering, can some please clarify the differences between the origional SVT II (non-pro) and the pro?
Why is one better than the other and also, what is teh deal with two different types of SVT II Pro I've seen. An earlier one with like blue SVT II Pro written on it and the ones you see now with the grey E.Q section. Any differences between these?

PLease tell!

Not many differences between the older pro and newer pro, just a few slight differences, the same sound tho

The SVT-II and SVT-2 Pro are very different animals. I've listed all the differences before, the II basically sounds more substancial in comparison. But it doesnt have as many extras, fewer sliders on the graphic EQ, no gain and master volume setup, just a volume, only jack outputs etc etc.

I was watching that ex-beautiful south one too, there was another one that went more recently than that too.

Just keep an eye out, they do pop up

 

[anderbass]

anyone know if everything at 12 o'clock in the EQ is flat or not?

I'd say its pretty darn close.
That's were my SVT-II tone knobs seem to stay most of the time.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

As far as im aware, 12 is the middle.

Well thats the case with the mid anyways, easy way to test that was to have the mid at 12 and then change the mid frequency dial whilst playing, and there was no difference, which would only occur when the mid was flat

 

[JonathanD]

Fellow SVT II Lovers. I am suffering. The SVT II I just bought keeps having one problem after another. Now the tech says one of the 6550s is blown so I have to wait to get some shipped to me. I went ahead and got 6EH 6550 platinums and will keep the ones in it as backups. So after 3 bad tubes right out of the box(I had them laying around from another tube head as backups), a cracked resistor and a preamp failed connection I hope to get it by next week. If the people in Kentucky ship them tomorrow hopefully they will get here by saturday and to the tech by monday adn the whole thing back to e by thursday.

I just want to crank it and feel some power damn it.

Damn buying off ebay and getting a bad bird.
Also, I really need to learn abotu this amp, and get the tools to go biasing. This way I can do it myself!
Jonathan
Jonathan

 

[John D Harris]

Do these sound great at any usable volume or are they like the early '70's that need to be near concert-level (least that's what I've heard about the older SVT's) to sound really good?

 

[mattmanbass]

well for me, i like it to be at least past 2 or 3 before it opens up, but on this head that is still pretty loud, its definatly not a bedroom amp imo

 

[rodl2005]

I know using an Ampeg "ultra low" switch (mid-cut) is kinda taboo around here, but I'm currently liking what it does
to the tone on my rig.

I know- I aint got mine yet... but from the manual isn't the ULTRA LOW a 20db decrease at 600Hz-so it's more like a "low mid cut" button aint it?
Still, if it sounds good????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jon D- that sux.... at least U should be right after the re-tube & bias..... Sh*! happens & happens..i s'pose!!! Feel for U man. Am hoping mine works out cool & will keep U posted.
Good luck with it!

 

[JonathanD]

Do these sound great at any usable volume or are they like the early '70's that need to be near concert-level (least that's what I've heard about the older SVT's) to sound really good?

I can't imagine being able to use this quietly. I actually worry that I will not have a place to play it loud enough. I am happy thought that I have an acme cab with very low sensitivity. The SVT II into an Acme should be able to be somewhat quiet....right
Jonathan

 

[anderbass]

I like it, but im not fond of the sound in a band situation, but im looking for more of a mid punch as opposed to rocking chicks pants off

isn't the ULTRA LOW a 20db decrease at 600Hz-so it's more like a "low mid cut" button aint it?
Still, if it sounds good????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What ever it does, mohawk was right and I ended up turning my ultralow
button off at my last gig because I couldn't hear myself near as well.

(Dammit... I was hoping to get through the gig with the ultralow on, just to
give a good honest clinical test to mokawks theory about chicks pants... )

 

[mattmanbass]

Hmmm ive never had any trouble hearing myself during a show, and it always sounds huge, oh well, different strokes

 

[anderbass]

Hmmm ive never had any trouble hearing myself during a show, and it always sounds huge, oh well, different strokes

My rig still sounded huge, it just lacked mid-range definition that the ultrabass switch removes.

I looked up your settings post... Sounds kinda like our overall setting preferences are closer than you think:

i use the ultra low button, with the eq in a frown

Seems to me like your simply re-boosting the same mids that engaging the ultrabass cuts, and ending up right back where you originally started with the eq and ultrabass off. Although I'll give your settings a try... You might just be on to something there.

 

[mattmanbass]

hmmm, i guess i never really thought of it that way anderbass, let me know what you find.

 

[Willem]

it depends greatly on the (EQ of the) rest of the band whether u're heard or not