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Ampeg SVT-VR
- Thread starter gwx014
- Start date
- Status
- Mar 20, 2005
- 794
- 3
- Disclosures
- I endorse & use Tech 21 pedals, Eminence loaded cabs, EMG pickups, Jim Dunlop picks & Ernie Ball Strings, BC Rich Basses.
- Mar 20, 2005
- 794
- 3
- Disclosures
- I endorse & use Tech 21 pedals, Eminence loaded cabs, EMG pickups, Jim Dunlop picks & Ernie Ball Strings, BC Rich Basses.
- Mar 20, 2005
- 794
- 3
- Disclosures
- I endorse & use Tech 21 pedals, Eminence loaded cabs, EMG pickups, Jim Dunlop picks & Ernie Ball Strings, BC Rich Basses.
- Mar 20, 2005
- 794
- 3
- Disclosures
- I endorse & use Tech 21 pedals, Eminence loaded cabs, EMG pickups, Jim Dunlop picks & Ernie Ball Strings, BC Rich Basses.
Heres the pic of that 212. I think its 350 watts and it ids ported. I think its a new addition to the line. I have no idea how i even managed to type that stuff last night after 50 cocktails.
i saw Twisted Sister (minus their dead guitar player) at the bar in the Hilton last night with CC Deville on lead guitar, as well as about 10 other bands throughout the night.
i saw Twisted Sister (minus their dead guitar player) at the bar in the Hilton last night with CC Deville on lead guitar, as well as about 10 other bands throughout the night.
8mmOD said:
Actually it's 2500W........... at 2 ohms
Not exactly the same preamp as the VR... but close.
I hope that in addition to lowering weight of the thing below boat-anchor status that they have added a DI with ground lift and pre/post switch. Also, the fan noise on the old 70's SVTs was something like 50db. Installing a whisper quiet fan that can actually cool the thing would be a BIG improvement.
11 years after reluctantly giving back an SVT blue face to S.I.R. after a tour, and quite frankly being rather disappointed in finding a viable replacement, I had the chance to hear the SVT-VR at the NAMM show.
While the representative played through it rather sheepishly, relying mostly on speaking at length about re-creating the plastic switches
, I must say I was very impressed with the sound (the 3 or 4 lower register notes he bothered to play, anyway). I found it satisfying in the same way the old blue faces struck me; a feeling I have not felt since my extended experiences with the old SVTs, especially from any of the Ampeg gear in production over the last 20 years. Monsterous growl, grit, roar (especially when over-driven), vibe, openness, and surprisingly not too noisey; all applicable, albeit subjective, descriptions that left me more hopefull than I have ever been in 11 years for sonic satiation. I can't wait to put it through its paces in the "real" world. While there are instances where a hi-fi sound is more preferable, no sound, to my ears and chest cavity (well, OK, "heart"), is more desirable.
The improvements, including the variable level, balanced XLR DI, and 3 position mid boost, are very welcome and well recieved features.
There was an a/b'ing of the VR to the "classic", which was more like apples and oranges. I was never impressed by the classic and now I empirically know why. It was comparitively thin and uninspiring, like a substitute teacher. (btw., the cabs are supposedly identical, except cosmetically).
The representative doing the impromtu demonstration for me and my accomplices, moved rather quickly to the SVT 8 and the lower level gear, understandably sucking up to the distributors who made their way into the cramped sound booth. The SVT 8 was what one would expect; a lighter weight version of the massive VR, using the same preamp with a solid state poweramp section, and it sounded that way. It seems the power section of the VR is what distinguishes itself from the other models. The 8 should fit a niche rather nicely, I should think. I, however, own a dolly, and I'm not affraid to use it.
I only wish the rep., and in some way Ampeg the company, was more passionate about the sound (in addition to its sales), less cagey about its demo-ing, and much less concerned with the challenges of making the SVT-VR AESTHETICALLY identical to the unit which is solely responsible for some of the most profound SONIC inspiration some of us have ever experienced.
While the representative played through it rather sheepishly, relying mostly on speaking at length about re-creating the plastic switches
, I must say I was very impressed with the sound (the 3 or 4 lower register notes he bothered to play, anyway). I found it satisfying in the same way the old blue faces struck me; a feeling I have not felt since my extended experiences with the old SVTs, especially from any of the Ampeg gear in production over the last 20 years. Monsterous growl, grit, roar (especially when over-driven), vibe, openness, and surprisingly not too noisey; all applicable, albeit subjective, descriptions that left me more hopefull than I have ever been in 11 years for sonic satiation. I can't wait to put it through its paces in the "real" world. While there are instances where a hi-fi sound is more preferable, no sound, to my ears and chest cavity (well, OK, "heart"), is more desirable.The improvements, including the variable level, balanced XLR DI, and 3 position mid boost, are very welcome and well recieved features.
There was an a/b'ing of the VR to the "classic", which was more like apples and oranges. I was never impressed by the classic and now I empirically know why. It was comparitively thin and uninspiring, like a substitute teacher. (btw., the cabs are supposedly identical, except cosmetically).
The representative doing the impromtu demonstration for me and my accomplices, moved rather quickly to the SVT 8 and the lower level gear, understandably sucking up to the distributors who made their way into the cramped sound booth. The SVT 8 was what one would expect; a lighter weight version of the massive VR, using the same preamp with a solid state poweramp section, and it sounded that way. It seems the power section of the VR is what distinguishes itself from the other models. The 8 should fit a niche rather nicely, I should think. I, however, own a dolly, and I'm not affraid to use it.
I only wish the rep., and in some way Ampeg the company, was more passionate about the sound (in addition to its sales), less cagey about its demo-ing, and much less concerned with the challenges of making the SVT-VR AESTHETICALLY identical to the unit which is solely responsible for some of the most profound SONIC inspiration some of us have ever experienced.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,944
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Quintheskimo said:11 years after reluctantly giving back an SVT blue face to S.I.R. after a tour, and quite frankly being rather disappointed in finding a viable replacement, I had the chance to hear the SVT-VR at the NAMM show.
While the representative played through it rather sheepishly, relying mostly on speaking at length about re-creating the plastic switches
The improvements, including the variable level, balanced XLR DI, and 3 position mid boost, are very welcome and well recieved features.
There was an a/b'ing of the VR to the "classic", which was more like apples and oranges. I was never impressed by the classic and now I empirically know why. It was comparitively thin and uninspiring, like a substitute teacher. (btw., the cabs are supposedly identical, except cosmetically).
The representative doing the impromtu demonstration for me and my accomplices, moved rather quickly to the SVT 8 and the lower level gear, understandably sucking up to the distributors who made their way into the cramped sound booth. The SVT 8 was what one would expect; a lighter weight version of the massive VR, using the same preamp with a solid state poweramp section, and it sounded that way. It seems the power section of the VR is what distinguishes itself from the other models. The 8 should fit a niche rather nicely, I should think. I, however, own a dolly, and I'm not affraid to use it.
I only wish the rep., and in some way Ampeg the company, was more passionate about the sound (in addition to its sales), less cagey about its demo-ing, and much less concerned with the challenges of making the SVT-VR AESTHETICALLY identical to the unit which is solely responsible for some of the most profound SONIC inspiration some of us have ever experienced.
Thank you for this post! This is what I was waiting to hear. Now, I just need to talk my local Ampeg dealer into getting one in stock so I can try it out!
- Mar 20, 2005
- 794
- 3
- Disclosures
- I endorse & use Tech 21 pedals, Eminence loaded cabs, EMG pickups, Jim Dunlop picks & Ernie Ball Strings, BC Rich Basses.
Quintheskimo said:While the representative played through it rather sheepishly, relying mostly on speaking at length about re-creating the plastic switches
The improvements, including the variable level, balanced XLR DI, and 3 position mid boost, are very welcome and well recieved features.
There was an a/b'ing of the VR to the "classic", which was more like apples and oranges. I was never impressed by the classic and now I empirically know why. It was comparitively thin and uninspiring, like a substitute teacher. (btw., the cabs are supposedly identical, except cosmetically).
The representative doing the impromtu demonstration for me and my accomplices, moved rather quickly to the SVT 8 and the lower level gear, understandably sucking up to the distributors who made their way into the cramped sound booth. The SVT 8 was what one would expect; a lighter weight version of the massive VR, using the same preamp with a solid state poweramp section, and it sounded that way. It seems the power section of the VR is what distinguishes itself from the other models. The 8 should fit a niche rather nicely, I should think. I, however, own a dolly, and I'm not affraid to use it.
I only wish the rep., and in some way Ampeg the company, was more passionate about the sound (in addition to its sales), less cagey about its demo-ing, and much less concerned with the challenges of making the SVT-VR AESTHETICALLY identical to the unit which is solely responsible for some of the most profound SONIC inspiration some of us have ever experienced.
i must say that i grabbed a bass & pick, turned the thing up till it hurt my ears and dug in till the walls shook. sorry you didnt have that experience.
To answer the earlier question, i cant really compare it more to my '74 without a side by side listen. but it had a loud clean tone when the rep was playing and growled when i pushed it hard.
And in all fairness Quintheskimo, those plastic switches were no longer in production and had to be re-tooled for the VR. This one one of the many details they did not overlook to make it as close to original as possible. But I appreciate what you are saying about your demo experience. My demo was a bit more intimate.
I didnt listen much to the 8 pro. But I can say at first I heard it through a 410- i think a B series. It sounded pretty good & I'm sure would have sounded better with some eq tweeks. but then he ran it through a pair of the new 112 cabs and I thought it sounded excellent. Very vintage & very full. I didnt hear the 8 pro through an 810
Why buy a reissue when a clean original can be had for 1/2 the price? I understand the warranty concerns (trust me on this one), but at the rate the true vintage models have been appreciating, it seems like a no brainer.
Now, if I could just get mine back.....
Now, if I could just get mine back.....
Tim Cole said:
Actually to import a nice vintage one to Oz it'd cost $3200-3500 AUD or thereabouts, then there's changing the voltage and any internal issues such as tubes and 30 year plus caps etc. That's if you can find one who will ship worldwide. The SVT-VR will be around $4600AUD street with new tubes and 5 year warranty, making it a pretty good deal for the SVT-starved population here subsisting on SVT-CL's.
Plus the grey tweed and original blue graphics...it's a no-brainer for me. (assuming it DOES sound like the vintage SVT). I'll wait for a report from Tombowlus who should be soon to assimilate another head. Or perhaps PBG or Mark, who seem to know their SVT's.
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