I only changed my preamp tubes maybe 20 years ago when I thought it was a good idea to change ALL the tubes. We were heading up the East coast and I didn’t want any failures. I think they were all EH branded and sounded fine. It would be fun to chase tone with a tube rolling project but life doesn’t make more time for me as I get older.
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Ampeg SVT-II appreciation thread
- Thread starter i_got_a_mohawk
- Start date
Tube tolling didn’t make much difference in my amp. If i remember correctly from about 12yrs ago, it was mostly effecting where the volume knob sat to get into some breakup in the power section.
Def not enough tone difference to be heard at a loud live show.
I've always had it out of the rack. I had a custom vinyl soft case made for it.
Yeah I wondered how my fly rig would sound with tube power. The preamp's gain/master layout and EQ really opened up the capabilities. The HPF did a nice job tightening it up the 15" 4 ohm, but I have to be careful w volume.
I might gig it this way next weekend.
Exactly. Preamp Out 1/4" from the Subway+ into Preamp In on the back of the SVT. I've never known of anyone to use a Mesa preamp into an SVT but it sounded very good.
I have no doubt it sounds very good since you are using the power section of that we'll know great amp. You are just using another preamp section.
And the magic of the SVT comes mainly from its power section.
How much heat comes out the top panel on the case?
AFAIK, the amp does not have venting on the top, bottom, or front. There are vents on the back and sides. Not 100% sure but I believe the fan pulls the air in from the side:
I believe there is variation in the fan's orientation, depending on when the amp was made. Make sure the air inlet is not obscured and there is a clear path to fresh air.
Heat rises, so the extra space on top of the amp and vented panel will help the case clear hot air. If the primary air flow is out the side, the air will circulate more in the case. If the primary air flow as out the back grills, then the amp will tend to shoot hot air out of the case, which creates a vacuum to pull ambient temp air into the case. My guess is the air velocity is pretty slow, so some of the hot air will get pulled back in as well.
My guess is it would be fine, but it might get a bit warmer in a smaller case.
Hell yeah. Got clean signal from my amp to board last night for the whole show last night.
Seems v3 was the problem. Glad it was easy.
Also funny story, at weds rehearsal i told my bandmates about how everybody loves the svtII and the svtII PRO isn’t known to sound as good.
Last night loading in, one of the guys helping that carried my amp told my bandmate how the svtII heads are so amazing. Bandmate thought it was so funny.
Seems v3 was the problem. Glad it was easy.
Also funny story, at weds rehearsal i told my bandmates about how everybody loves the svtII and the svtII PRO isn’t known to sound as good.
Last night loading in, one of the guys helping that carried my amp told my bandmate how the svtII heads are so amazing. Bandmate thought it was so funny.
My amp had a 4u case when i got it.
Took it out and put feet back on the bottom. Easier to carry and takes up less space.
The top metal piece has gotten a bit scratched and dented but it’s been fine.
The fan flow isn’t high velocity on mine, drafts in the side and blows out the back across the power tubes. Top of the amp does get quite hot while playing, not so much when idling.
Took it out and put feet back on the bottom. Easier to carry and takes up less space.
The top metal piece has gotten a bit scratched and dented but it’s been fine.
The fan flow isn’t high velocity on mine, drafts in the side and blows out the back across the power tubes. Top of the amp does get quite hot while playing, not so much when idling.
Exactly. Since the back of the amp is pretty much outside of the rack, I should be pretty fine. But I agree, 5u should always better than 4. But I'm not sure how much better.
Anyway, my SVT7 will always be there for backup, so I might give a try with a 4U rack tough.
Just regular nickel plated Fender roundwounds for me.
I think I'm going to try it at the show on Saturday but I need to make sure I didn't crease the cone at practice. Hoping the HPF did its job. This amp has mutilated a few speakers over the years.
I've got a few other cabs that would work but love the simplistic delivery of the 15. Punk rock right?
I had a ported cab when i got the SVTII (mesa 215) and I didn’t like how the amps damping let the woofers excursion go crazy.
Got a sealed cab…beat up MTI era 810…used for $350. Works better for me.
Got a sealed cab…beat up MTI era 810…used for $350. Works better for me.
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This varies a lot with cab design. My primary cabs are GB1288T UBs. They are very even and controlled with all of my tube amps.
I also have a pair of huge EV TL405s that I built. These are ported and have usable response down into the high 20hz range. I think they sound better than the 1288T with a few of my tube amps. They sound great with my 69 and 87 SVTs, but IMHO the lows are uneven and a bit weird with my Aguilar DB359. My point here is the amp cab interaction is relevant. A particular ported cab may sound great with one tube amp, but bad with another.
I have only used SVT-II's with provided SVT810 cabs at various festivals and outdoor concerts.
Blissfull Bell like 3D power that was the best sound and Feel at my back.....EVER
