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Ampeg SVT in a (lighter) form factor?

seventhson

seventhson

Supporting Member
Aug 12, 2005
991
174
Seattle, WA
#1
I'm sure this question has been asked before, so apologies in advance. Also, I am a guitarist turned bassist, so I'm not "in the know" about all the options out there. So here goes...

I absolutely love my vintage Ampeg SVT and plan on keeping it. However, I don't enjoy hauling it around to gigs.

What's your favorite rackmount (to be used with by berg NV610) or shuttle format (to replace head + cab) to replicate a convincing SVT sound?

Thanks!
 
#2
Mark Bass LM2



























Just Kidding:D

I don't think it exists. I use a line 6 floor pod for "in the ballpark, convincing enough to the lay person in a live mix/recording situation". It doesn't feel like an SVT or sound like one solo. In a live band mix the non-musicians in the audience probably won't know. I won't haul a couple hundred pounds of gear to most gigs so it's close enough for me. It won't satify you though if you are used to the feel and sound of the real thing. You really need those power tubes!
 
#8
There's a good story in the Tech 21 thread linked in my sig: an Ampeg endorser had major problems with his rig on tour - so his tech strapped a Sans Amp in there. Fooled the guy relating the tale at least :)

Seriously, the best way to get _close_ to the sound without any of the hassle is Tech 21 gear. I use the RBI, but I like the mid-voicing of the RPM samples I've heard.

c-
 
#11
Try an Ampeg B200R (69 lbs) with a Fender Precision.

While not "exactly like" an SVT (what is?) you can get this hybrid amp to produce a really present, nasty, tubey Ampeg tone, especially with the gain up around 8-9.

Has a different speaker array and won't be as loud, naturally, but you will sound gritty, full, and aggressive with the band playing. You're looking to lose weight, and it doesn't hurt to look. Adding something like a Hartke VXL DI or Sansamp driver DI can help as well.

See if you can find one and try it out; I'll pm you my settings if you're really interested. :bassist:

Lowbrow
 
#12
Can anyone tell me anything about Ampeg's B52-RE head and what it sounds like through any of their standard cabs? The recommendation seems to be the B-115E. I'm currently using a Hartke kickback 15, but having recently bought a Fender Jazz bass (with S-1 switching), I'm still not getting the sound I'm looking for...even by going through a Line 6 bass floor pod, although it's close.
 
#13
You can do it, but its not too easy. I did get super close with silverface fenders, but I had to mod the preamps to ampeg style. The next step revolves around the output trannies, get the hammond ones, wich are whats used in old traynors, because those can use 6550's.

Work yes, but it works great and its lighter, not by much, but its lighter. The big part is the transformers as you can get the right tubes and bias a 240 watt amp into 400 watts clean.
 
#17
darkrider1 said:
Seems that it's easier to get closer to the fliptop sound with more usable power, then it is to get closer to the SVT sound with less weight.
Click to expand...

That's where the B200R starts off, but the sound can become is QUITE jacked up from the fliptop tone; a different take on classic and way less polite than the B15 sound once you start pushing the EQ and gain.

It really is impossible to replace and 810 sealed cab and a deadly 85-lb tube head; but you get a snarly old-school tone going -- one that is "rocking" rather than RnB.

For vintage Ampeg tube rock bass tone in a portable package, it's very satisfying.
 
#18
Lowbrow said:
That's where the B200R starts off, but the sound can become is QUITE jacked up from the fliptop tone; a different take on classic and way less polite than the B15 sound once you start pushing the EQ and gain.

It really is impossible to replace and 810 sealed cab and a deadly 85-lb tube head; but you get a snarly old-school tone going -- one that is "rocking" rather than RnB.

For vintage Ampeg tube rock bass tone in a portable package, it's very satisfying.
Click to expand...

Mind if I come by and try out your B200R? ;)
 

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