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Ampeg SVT vs Ampeg..SVP-CL?

G

Gord

Jan 10, 2004
458
102
40
Calgary, Alberta
cera.bandcamp.com
#1
Hi guys!
This has been bugging me for a while. I've been eyeing the ampeg SVT in all its tubey glory - but can a sound close to that be remade with the ampeg svp-cl? I mean, not immediatly on its own of course, maybe an overdrive pedal for some grit or something..

Either way, my question is, if I'm looking for that kind of sound and power, would I be better off ditching my svp-cl, or am I going down the right path? If so, what's a good type of power amp that could reproduce the equivelant of the svt? or, better yet, more than that?

With the svp, I like the tuner out, and the ability to upgrade, and the DI, but let me know your opinions!
 
#3
i'd have to say no. i had that preamp and was very disappointed. the bass control is centered at 20Hz which makes a mess of the low end. even with the bass set flat or cut slightly, i couldnt find a sound i liked. i paired it with my DB728 400 watt tube power amps for what should have been the "Super SVT" and it was crummy sounding due to the low end. it was better with my SS power amps, but it was very clean and lacked the character you're probably looking for from an SVT. i'd go with a VR or CL, both of which i've owned, rather than that preamp + poweramp. if you want pre + poweramp, i'd go with an RPM or RBI. i've recently picked up a DB659 as well which has a very cool vibe to it.

JR
 
#7
I dissagree.
It's commonly agreed that the SVT-VR sounds very close to a vintage SVT.
I believe that it is useing the same power amp as the SVT-CL but with the pre-amp of the SVP-CL.
Jerold has stated before that this was the combination he was pushing for when the SVT-CL first came out.
This the set-up I use.
I run a SVPCL into the power section of my SVT-CL.I'm useing a 810e and I love the results.
It's VERY simular to my old SVT.
 
#8
2 things:
The SVP has a very low output voltage. This makes a difference when pairing it with a power amp. For example: when i tried it with my QSC-PLX amp (3000 watts into 4 ohms). it was VERY quiet. I mean...immediately, I knew, something was wrong. I took the SVP pre-amp back and got a Sansamp RBI..problem solved. I am sure that some power amps would work fine with it, but do your homework first!

Secondly (and most importantly),
A lot of the killer sound of a tube amp comes from the Tube power section of the amp. Especially the Ampeg's "grind tone". This comes from overdriving the power tubes.

Just my 2 bucks worth....:smug:
 
#10
sedan_dad said:
I dissagree.
It's commonly agreed that the SVT-VR sounds very close to a vintage SVT.
I believe that it is useing the same power amp as the SVT-CL but with the pre-amp of the SVP-CL.
Jerold has stated before that this was the combination he was pushing for when the SVT-CL first came out.
This the set-up I use.
I run a SVPCL into the power section of my SVT-CL.I'm useing a 810e and I love the results.
It's VERY simular to my old SVT.
Click to expand...

I actually had my CL's at the same time as that preamp and tried it into the power section of the CL - I agree, it did sound very good! Just strange that it didn't sound good with the other power amps. The SVPCL is pretty much the same front end as the VR other than the goofy bass control.

JR
 
#12
Gord said:
hmm, well this is disappointing! haha.

Is there any way to reproduce the massive svt sound through the use of rack equipment? Like I said, tuner out / DI / all that stuff is pretty important to me, and I love the look of a good rack - if what I'm looking for is impossible, I'll just go make the plunge :)
Click to expand...

I'll put my RPM/RBI + DB728 rig up against any SVT, any time, any place! :smug: If you're going the SS power amp route, take these two preamps and hook em up to a CA9. I don't miss my CL's or VR a bit. All the original SVT's I've come across have been pretty beat, but I'm sure the mighty DB728 could hold up to a good one.

JR
 
#14
sedan_dad said:
I dissagree.
It's commonly agreed that the SVT-VR sounds very close to a vintage SVT.
I believe that it is useing the same power amp as the SVT-CL but with the pre-amp of the SVP-CL.
Jerold has stated before that this was the combination he was pushing for when the SVT-CL first came out.
This the set-up I use.
I run a SVPCL into the power section of my SVT-CL.I'm useing a 810e and I love the results.
It's VERY simular to my old SVT.
Click to expand...

:confused:I find this remark interesting because the SVP CL IS the pre-amp from the SVT CL. So, essentially your running a pre-amp through the power section of the exact same pre?:confused::confused::confused: Doesn't make any sense, just swap the tubes!
 
#15
I'm using th SVP Pro with a Crest CA6 and I freaking L-O-V-E it!:hyper: I've got that Ampeg tone with the gnarly SVT growl if I want it. Nice and perfectly quiet with a Rocktron Hush. I'd recommend the PRO over the CL personally, more eq and "gain" control. It actually produces gain, how 'bout that..:)
 
#16
bongomania said:
It's like masher said, the output of the SVPCL (mostly the early production models) needs a very sensitive power amp- the input sensitivity of a LOT of modern power amps is way off from what the early runs of SVPCL can put out.
Click to expand...

i had a later model and it had plenty of output so that wasn't the issue. the EQ just didn't work for me. my db728's and Power 750's are designed for bass, and they don't have any issues with input sensitivity like some PA power amps do.


JR
 
#17
The SVP-CL can make a clean, vintage, warm tone. It doesn't do grit. Especially if you are going to use a precision, or maybe flats, and especially with the low cut filter you will be able to cop a convincing old-school tone.

My experience is based on use with the PLX2 1804.
 
#19
FunkyFrosty said:
I'm not sure about that - I don't think that it is.....
Click to expand...

Think again............

That is EXACTLY what it is. The SVT preamp.

Many folks are confused by the STUPID name of it.... "SVP-CL". Right away it makes you think... "great, they put the modified and not quite "on" preamp of the CL by itself". But in fact, it isn't the CL pre, but the regular SVT pre. (one channel)
 
#20
Jerrold Tiers said:
Think again............

That is EXACTLY what it is. The SVT preamp.

Many folks are confused by the STUPID name of it.... "SVP-CL". Right away it makes you think... "great, they put the modified and not quite "on" preamp of the CL by itself". But in fact, it isn't the CL pre, but the regular SVT pre. (one channel)
Click to expand...

Don't think that I do Jerrold....

You just confirmed exactly what I was trying to say SVP-CL is not the preamp of the SVT-CL......
 

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