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Ampeg SVT model differences

#6
iplaybasstexas said:
What is the difference between an Ampeg SVT-CL, Ampeg SVT-VR and Ampeg SVT-VR ?

Thanks!
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I dunno of ANY difference between the Ampeg SVT-VR & Ampeg SVT-VR??:ninja:

The SVT-CL is the modern version of a classic amp- with not much attention to detail-as far as it being anything LIKE the old SVT-apart from having 6x6550 tubes-300w & no doubt A few other things...(other's 'll know FAR more than I)
The SVT-VR is a ('sort of' RE-ISSUE) MUCH closer to '70's "Blue Line" SVT amp- with NO master vol/Gain set up(as the SVT-CL has) &- IIRC - 2 channels & diff. pre amp tube set up -again AFAIK- MANY others on here WILL know FAR more
 
#8
it looks like i'm getting an SVT-AV. its going to be my first tube amp..

and when i get it, i'm going to have to bias it and maybe retube it. any suggestions on tubes?

anything i need to know about this head specifically?

I really love the blue cloth on the VR, but i like the AV alot.
are the specs of it and the CL the same?
 
#10
AV and CL are same. Both a bit more "modern" and flexible than the vintage, but don't quite "do" vintage......

VR is rather different, intended to "do" vintage, and is pretty good at it. Not perfect, and has stuff about it that I told them not to do...... and a couple things NOT done, although at least one can be done any time (driver tubes).
 
#11
Jerrold Tiers said:
AV and CL are same. Both a bit more "modern" and flexible than the vintage, but don't quite "do" vintage......

VR is rather different, intended to "do" vintage, and is pretty good at it. Not perfect, and has stuff about it that I told them not to do...... and a couple things NOT done, although at least one can be done any time (driver tubes).
Click to expand...

oh, you are the person i've been wanting to talk to! :hyper:

what tube recommendations would you use in an SVT-AV?

I need a tone that can be clean, but gritty sometimes also. a deep rock tone would be nice also.
i'll be running it through many cabs, but most mainly an 810E or 410HLF.
 
#13
Jerrold Tiers said:
As far as the various tube brands, I have not ever checked out all the different ones by amplifier etc.

There is more knowledge here on the board than I have, about all sorts of combinations..... If you ask me, I'll probably say Syklvania and GE best!
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can you educate me on the amp ? i've never really used a tube amp (ie. never turned one on without help)

also, i know nothing of tubes.
 
#14
Just do a search - TUBE amps & chack out thread re "svt thread to end all svt threads"
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409780

BAsically- don't drop/shock amp -no sharp bumps- remember tubes are GLASS & should be treated as such. Turn on Main pwr sitch- let warm up for at least 30 secs- better 2 mins AFAIC- Turn off the same way-some say off don't matter. I do anyway.
Let tubes COOL down B4 moving amp-espesh if moving outside into cold air-GLASS again!! I ALWAYS have a cover made for my tuber amps- protects from rain/ stray mic stands in transit etc... Mines just a simple thick canvas slip on cover. Ummmm.....
MAKE SURE there's a correct impedance load(i.e. a cab) attached to the spkr out B4 switching amp on. Don't spill beer/vodka/tequila etc.. into it! Love it! Don't store it-as another TB'er stated- anywhere where you wouldn't sleep!!! :-) I keep mine in my cellar-which has car access & is on ground floor...- so the temp there is pretty constant. So I s'pose they're meaning -don't store where it get's real cold/hot/get's wet etc...
BAsically except for the MUST HAVE A LOAD on amp B4 turning on- all other things are pretty much same as Solid state amps. AFAIK anyway. I've had 'em all my playing life-since 1973 abouts & I never had a prob- re storage, user neglect etc. get 'em checked out by an experienced tech every year-if working a LOT... I get 'em checked out every 2/3 years, I work 'em approx 3x/week.
 
#15
Jerrold Tiers said:
AV and CL are same. Both a bit more "modern" and flexible than the vintage, but don't quite "do" vintage.......
Click to expand...
Jerrold, I know you built them and participated in the design, but I have to disagree with you. It's a little bit different but no less vintage-sounding IMHO. And whether you prefer the gain/master or a single volume knob SVT, the CL is still better than almost all other heads on the market (also IMHO for those people who can't tell fact from opinion).
 
#16
love my SVT-AV :)

Since I am a junky however I want a SVT-VR beside it.... well and a CL... you know how it is.

Also before re-tubing it right away, plug it in, crank it up and see fi you like the sound and if it needs to be re-tubed right away, since sound is completely person dependant , if you liek it no point in fixing what is not broke
 
#18
JimmyM said:
Jerrold, I know you built them and participated in the design, but I have to disagree with you. It's a little bit different but no less vintage-sounding IMHO. And whether you prefer the gain/master or a single volume knob SVT, the CL is still better than almost all other heads on the market (also IMHO for those people who can't tell fact from opinion).
Click to expand...

I think that strongly depends on the playing style.
Assuming that the VR sounds as close to an original as possible, I am comparing the CL/AV with a 70s SVT.

I had both and still own the 70s SVT.

There are two siginificant differences:

1.)
The CL is voiced weaker in the mids. Strangly that cannot be compensatet 100% with the mid EQ. I dunno why.
The Ultra Low on the 70s SVT engaged makes it sound quite similar to a CL in that point.

2.)
If you play hard and dig into the strings then the CL starts to fart out really quickly. That overdrive sounds harsh and buzzy.
The 70s SVT can stand a lot more "string digging" than the CL without oversteering. When starting to oversteer it sounds a lot smoother and more musical.

Some SVT users constant the 70s SVT a tighter Bass response compared to the CL. Thats something I havent noticed but maybe the stronger (low)mid structure in the 70s SVT makes it appear tighter in that area.

@Iplaybasstexas:
Before helplessly falling in love with the AV/CL I would suggest you also try out a VR or even better a 70s SVT before you commit on that AV. Then you can truely decide which one you like best. I like SED Svetlana tubes best in an SVT.

good luck
 
#20
Hoss said:
I think that strongly depends on the playing style.
Assuming that the VR sounds as close to an original as possible, I am comparing the CL/AV with a 70s SVT.

I had both and still own the 70s SVT.

There are two siginificant differences:

1.)
The CL is voiced weaker in the mids. Strangly that cannot be compensatet 100% with the mid EQ. I dunno why.
The Ultra Low on the 70s SVT engaged makes it sound quite similar to a CL in that point.

2.)
If you play hard and dig into the strings then the CL starts to fart out really quickly. That overdrive sounds harsh and buzzy.
The 70s SVT can stand a lot more "string digging" than the CL without oversteering. When starting to oversteer it sounds a lot smoother and more musical.

Some SVT users constant the 70s SVT a tighter Bass response compared to the CL. Thats something I havent noticed but maybe the stronger (low)mid structure in the 70s SVT makes it appear tighter in that area.
Click to expand...
Well, I'm not saying you're not accurate about that. What I -am- saying is that given a choice of a CL/2 Pro vs. every other amp on the market that isn't a VR or vintage SVT, I'll take a CL, with the possible exception of the Markbass LMII (caveat: haven't tried the Markbass Classic 300 yet).
 

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