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Ampeg SVT4Pro (Falling Out of Love)

Bassman7PM

Bassman7PM

Mar 13, 2006
1,017
26
68
Chicago, IL
www.activebass.com
#1
I've been using my SVT4Pro/410HLF as my main rig at church for the past 2 years and the more I play thru it the more I don't like it. I thought that maybe it was the cabinet which is very loud, boomy, deep but not as modern sounding as say an Aguilar GS410 in comparison. Got the bright idea to start bringing my Carvin B1500 to drive the 410HLF and OMG what a difference, every note pronounced, defined, clean, deep, low and all that with the controls around 12 O'clock. Even the other band members noticed the difference. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges but can two heads be that different? Has anyone else fallen out of love with their 4Pro? Could it be a matter of re-tubing the preamp section?
 
#2
it's funny this thread came up. at practice i play out of a 70's ampeg svt with an 8/10 ampeg cab. supposed to be the "perfect" sound for my p bass. it does sound good BUT here's the kicker....so the ampeg isn't mine. it's belongs to the guy that owns the studio so the amp i had i didn't think was loud enough for this particular band (super loud drummer) so i bought a carvin bx500 with the matching 2/10 cab (the whole thing is prolly 1/8th the size of the mighty ampeg rig) and let me tell you ...that little thing is a monster! sounds soo punchy and strong. a ton of head room. anyhow the point being. i actually prefer the carvins sound over the ampeg.
 
#3
I run a Carvin BX1200 through my two Mark Bass cabs(410 and 115). I can get any sound and tone I want and I'm really happy with it. That being said, I would tend to think you're probably just over analyzing the sound from your Ampeg rig. I would bet that if you'd been playing through the Carvin setup for the last two years and then heard the Ampeg, you'd begin to find fault with the Carvin. It's could be that hearing something new is what's appealing to your ear.

I'm sure you've messed around with your settings but maybe jack your mids and highs, bring down the lows a little bit and you should be able to get some more clarity?

Or maybe you just like the Carvin sound better. Go with what you're diggin'.
 
#4
Haysoochreesto said:
I run a Carvin BX1200 through my two Mark Bass cabs(410 and 115). I can get any sound and tone I want and I'm really happy with it. That being said, I would tend to think you're probably just over analyzing the sound from your Ampeg rig. I would bet that if you'd been playing through the Carvin setup for the last two years and then heard the Ampeg, you'd begin to find fault with the Carvin. It's could be that hearing something new is what's appealing to your ear.

I'm sure you've messed around with your settings but maybe jack your mids and highs, bring down the lows a little bit and you should be able to get some more clarity?

Or maybe you just like the Carvin sound better. Go with what you're diggin'.
Click to expand...

I've been running the Carvin thru an Eden 410XLT and sometimes an Aguilar GS212 and loved the tone of each. I've also "over analyzed" the Ampeg controls trying to fine tune it to my ears and about 70% of the time I just can't get the level of detail I get using my B1500.
 
#5
Haysoochreesto said:
I run a Carvin BX1200 through my two Mark Bass cabs(410 and 115). I can get any sound and tone I want and I'm really happy with it. That being said, I would tend to think you're probably just over analyzing the sound from your Ampeg rig. I would bet that if you'd been playing through the Carvin setup for the last two years and then heard the Ampeg, you'd begin to find fault with the Carvin. It's could be that hearing something new is what's appealing to your ear.

I'm sure you've messed around with your settings but maybe jack your mids and highs, bring down the lows a little bit and you should be able to get some more clarity?

Or maybe you just like the Carvin sound better. Go with what you're diggin'.
Click to expand...

I agree we all tire of cabs/heads, etc.. but we have opinions too.. I have yet to tire of my LMII head.. but then again, I've added a VT pedal, Aphex XCiter.. and some compression..
 
#7
I was just like you - had the 4 Pro and changed to Carvin BX1200 heads. The Carvin heads are just clearer sounding overall - you hear the string detail without a ton of low end push, and plenty of midrange punch. All with the knobs at the flat setting! Pretty darn sweet if you ask me! You can get the low end out of the Carvin heads if you adjust it - the SVT 4 PRO heads seem to have way too much low end at the flat setting and I always felt that lead to a muddy and undefined tone. Coupled with the SVT 410hlf - I can see why you did not like the rig much. I always had to decrease the bass knob and the 33hz slider on the 4 PRO to get clarity - it was still never enough.
 
#8
Good bass tone starts with your hands (like GH17 says)

But it ends up in your amps hands... I can get my SVT-410HLF to sound as good or the same as my new style 810 cabs; all with the 4PRO. You just need to do some of that Pilot S*** Mav...

The 4PRO is a great amp, but it isn't everything or everybody's answer. It might be time for some tube rolling in the V1 position in the preamp.

I have recently added an SVPCL preamp to my rack and it was definately worth every penny. With the clarity of the 4PRO final SS amplifier and the CL's tooby goodness, I'm a very happy camper.

BOB
 
#9
i've been using the SVT-3Pro for a long time now. not the exact same amp but very similar in most ways. i too have become more and more dissatisfied with it over time, and just like you i thought it was the cab. i briefly replaced my avatar 410 with a "high end" ampeg 410, which i loved in the store but absolutely hated in a band context. so back it went. my issue with the SVT-3 is that it needs to be loud in order to sound good, but if you make it too loud it sounds bad. so there's a very limited volume range to work with. and regardless of the volume, there just isn't much warmth to the sound. i replaced all the tubes and it made no real difference. it has a cool, grinding sort of tone that fits some types of music really well, but i'm just not into it that much anymore.
 

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