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Ampeg SVT vs V4BH

#41
Klonk said:
Thanks Miholc, and I will check them out. Not sure how easy they are to get ahold of here in Norway, but I'll check, they get good reviews I see.

On a slightly related note: I do own an Ampeg BA600/210 combo. Is it possible to use the Send/Return effects loop to run my SVT in here, bypassing the original amp?
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Your SVT still needs a load. If there is an external speaker connection on that combo to use just the cab, then it's possible, but running into the effects loop would still send your through the power amp of the combo, so the only way to properly do this is to run from the pre-amp out of the SVT to the effects return of the combo, with the SVT still connected to a load.
 
#43
OldHack said:
I have a V4BH and a '78 SVT. I've used the V4BH with a 4x10 cab and the 810E. I like the V4BH for the dirt available and the much lighter weight, but it can run out of steam a lot earlier than the SVT (obviously). If you are only going to get one setup, I'd get the VR. Always better to have more than enough than too little where bass is concerned. The SVT with an 8x10 is one of those life experience things every bass player should experience IMHO. :) can I have an Amen? :)
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Amen! I still do like vintage V4B's, but I like the SVT even more. Didn't think the V4BH could hold a candle to either.

Glad to see you went with the VR, +1 on the suggestion for the NV cab. The HLF seems to be your only option, or a pair of 210s. How will ACMEs handle an SVT?
 
#47
Klonk said:
Jimmy, I rarely have my VR on more than 12 o'clock. How well do you think two SVT 210AVs would handle that, using a bass with average output volume (passive)?
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I don't think they'll handle it at all. 12:00 is screaming loud even with a passive bass with average output. I have a bass like that as well, and it starts to break up with a VR or vintage head in the 11:00-12:00 range, and when it's breaking up, you can easily get peaks that will take those speakers out. The 210av's sound great but they can't perform miracles ;) Definitely not recommended in your situation.
 
#53
IMHO I go for wattage, I doubt with the 300w from the VR that I would ever need to spend money on anything else due to needing more power. Some people call it overkill, but I call it having adequate volume when you need it for any situation.

Although it still wouldn't be enough for Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor :D
 
#54
It is unlikely that any 15 would ever take as much as 2 2x10AV's would. I truly think overlooking those 2 cabs is silly, I think it is actually your best choice. Although, the 2x12 option is cool, most likely less expensive and if you get 2 2x12's can have an 810 at one jam spot and a 2x12 at each of the others ... Then you can choose what to bring to your shows depending on the size of the venue and your volume needs for that show. If you go the 2 2x10 route you can only ever play the 2 of them together.

While JimmyM is right that the VR will be putting out more than 1/2 of it's total output at noon IME you will know when the 2x10's are getting close to all they can handle ... Let's say you can turn the VR up to 10 o'clock into the 4x10 you will probably be pushing 200 Watts at either 4 or 2 Ohms, they will take that as each is rated at 200 Watts at 8 Ohms. If you want to know how loud they will be, plug the VR into the top half of your 810, you can run it with a 8 Ohm draw for a few mins to see what it sounds like without any damage at all, start with the master volume at 9 o'clock and slowly turn it up to 10 and then 11, see if you can get a bit OD out of your head before you hear the speakers start to complain.

EDIT: I just hooked up my SVT II (non-pro) to the top half of my 810 and could turn it all the way to 3 o'clock ... I am honestly convinced that 2 2x10AV cabs could take whatever you feel comfortable with sending to them. There are 2 factors that could make your experience with your SVT VR and the top half of your 810AV ... 1) Your head should stay cleaner than mine would because the II (non-pro) is known to breakup a bit earlier than the VR, However, 2) I have KT88's instead of 6550's in my head which should give me more clean headroom ... Try it out see what you think. You can use the 2 2x10's at jams and the 810 at shows, if ever the 810 isn't enough, you can stack them all up and make a 12x10 that runs at 2 Ohms and will easily take all 300 Watts of the VR, LOL. Cheers.
 
#55
That would be all well and good if the 810e and 210av used the same speakers, but they don't. The speakers in the 210av have smaller magnets and don't take the power of the speaker in the 810e. I love those 210av's and use them all the time, and I'm always happy to recommend them if I think they meet the player's needs. But they're not going to take an SVT turned up to 12:00 for very long, and I don't want to ruin my credibility as an Ampeg endorser by recommending people something that I think they'll blow.

However, keep that volume knob below the dirt point and then I'd recommend them.
 
#57
I'd be pretty worried about turning a 300w tube amp up far, digging in, etc with 2 of those 210AV cabs. 4 of em, I'd feel a li'l safer.
A 300w tube amp can pump out MANY more watts in spikes that could easily blow lower powered drivers me thinks.
I know I'm VERY careful when running my YBA300 into 2 112"s that are 'rated' at 300w each.
Fwiw, I feel could've blown my EV 115 TL cab very swiftly with my old tube (AUS made) Eminar 150w amp if I wanted. & that driver was listed as being 400w RMS.....
More & beefy drivers make me feel much safer with big tube power
 
#58
BTW, I did exactly that on my gig tonight. Used my 69 SVT with my 210av's vertically stacked on top. To use the words "awesome sounding" would be quite an understatement. My volume didn't get over 9:00 though ;) But it was so clear and full and every note popped out like it was shot out of a cannon. If you can live without the concussion of the 810e and being able to crank it super hard, the dispersion is excellent and it's still got a good kick to it. Not a quiet rig by any means. Just not one you'd want to crank to 10 with an SVT.
 

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