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Ampeg V4B Reissue vs SVT-CL pros and cons...

Better tone through Ampeg 212av (read post!)

  • SVT-CL

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • V4B Reissue

    Votes: 14 66.7%
  • Total voters
    21
FIREpunkMEDIC

FIREpunkMEDIC

Jun 2, 2017
149
170
#1
Hey all! I currently running the mentioned v4B reissue through an Ampeg 212av. Using it for power-pop isnpired punk rock. It sounds amazing, and I should have ditched my 610hlf a LOOOONG time ago for the 212av. That said, I have a chance to buy an SVT-CL from a studio that has produced some of my FAVORITE records. However, it would likely mean selling my V4B. I know the weight difference is huge, and eventually tube replacement cost is higher. However, is there any pro/cons you all can think of or am I letting the story of the amp likely play heavier into the decision vs the tone. Tone being most important.
Hit me with your thoughts...
 
#3
KevInDaBassment said:
"If you can schlep it, rep it!"
- Plucky the Bassist

(I'd grab it, unless you're not after more clean headroom)
Click to expand...
I do like a bit of grit on it, not to the point of "distorting" per se, but a little bit. Think Mike Dirnt's bass tone on Dookie. Would the extra headroom in the SVT negate that grit a lot, or would the gain be able to compensate you think?
Cheers!
 
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#4
FIREpunkMEDIC said:
...Would the extra headroom in the SVT negate that grit a lot, or would the gain be able to compensate you think?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Lot of that depends on how much grind is coming from the preamp or power section of the V4B. You can always drive the front end of the SVT harder with a boost pedal (or OD for extra coloration). Will you be able to try before buying it?
 
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#5
KevInDaBassment said:
Lot of that depends on how much grind is coming from the preamp or power section of the V4B. You can always drive the front end of the SVT harder with a boost pedal (or OD for extra coloration). Will you be able to try before buying it?
Click to expand...
Sadly no. Though on my V4B Reissue the master is usually around 12 o'clock-ish or lower and the gain is always even lower than that. Really only hitting "breakup" when digging in a bit.
 
#6
The most obvious differences include:
  • Weight
  • Power
  • Cost to purchase and maintain
  • Small differences in tone and feel
Some like having both. With an all-tube amp, many users adjust the volume to push the output section to the edge. The problem with this is it limits your ability to adjust you stage volume to the situation. If you turn up or down too much it, takes the amp out of the power window where max tubilicousness occurs. If you have a V4B and an SVT CL, you have more ability match your stage volume to the situation.

Only you can decide which best suits your needs.
 
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#8
beans-on-toast said:
More power tube grind at a lower volume level with the V4B. The two pre-amps are much the same.
Click to expand...
Good reminder haha! One of my concerns with an SVT being that it'll been too loud by the time you get that lil bit of sweetness, not as familiar with the range of the preamp gain on an SVT comparatively. Not that I play with a ton of dirt, but that sweet sweet breakup you get if you dig in...
 
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#9
FIREpunkMEDIC said:
Good reminder haha! One of my concerns with an SVT being that it'll been too loud by the time you get that lil bit of sweetness, not as familiar with the range of the preamp gain on an SVT comparatively. Not that I play with a ton of dirt, but that sweet sweet breakup you get if you dig in...
Click to expand...

Weaving in and out of distortion by digging in is a good goal. Pushing the amp hard is the way to do it. A CL power amp pushed that way is going to be loud.

The size of your venues and how loud the band plays factors in.

If the studio is local, it would be nice to try the CL. An important question is, were the songs that you like recorded with the CL or was a DI used or a combination of both. Also ask what speaker cab they used. So many variables.
 
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#10
So funny you mention that. They also have a V4B Reissue that is NOT for sale. As far as live, all the venues we are playing are mic'ing and/or direct already out. So really if going out from preamp DI to FOH it will further limit how useful an SVT is because the FOH signal is going to be too much at a certain point. I think (admittedly) I'm really placing a lot of emphasis on the story behind the amp. Personally I love letting my hand technique and how hard I'm playing dictated the amount of breakup, not a pedal guy as my PERSONAL preference (personal, no one jump all over me! Y'all do you!) Is i like my signal to have as little between me and the amp as possible.
 
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#15
I’m a big fan of the SVT-CL and 212AV cabinet.
 

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#17
I used 2 pedals with mine, a Dallas rangemaster clone modded to work as a hpf/dirty boost (on sometimes in in a trio when guitar leads happened) and an EH Hog’s foot bass booster (instant dub style).


I probably used them for 2 minutes per set
 
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#19
Laughing Hyena said:
I had the exact same setup with a V4-B reissue and a 212AV cab. It never sounded as good as an SVT to me and I eventually moved on. Sounds like you're digging it, but to my ears, an SVT always sounded better. Notes carry a certain "weight" with an SVT that the V4 just couldn't replicate.
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This is EXACTLY what I'm weighing out. I love the tone of the V4B Reissue, but a bit more of that gut-punch heft behind it would be killer. Cab-wise I'm sold on the 212av. It's an amazing cab that gives ME enough of that 810 vibe. VAST improve.ent over my 610hlf. What I DO love about the V4B reissue is the weight and the ability to drive it a bit at lower volume. Not full on nastiness, but some grit. There's an SVT-2pro for sale locally for a good price that I'm debating but not familiar with them at all personally. It's just been gone through and retubed so that's a big plus right there. The 9-band eq and drive have me interested in it, the weight being a strike against it of course. If I was touring it would be an easy amswer, but we only gig locally.
 
#20
Can you have both for a period of time? I really liked my SVT and it worked well for me for many years, definitely warm and solid.

The V-4 drives a lot better IMHO. You may feel differently, who knows! If you can really A/B them at rehearsals and gigs it will make it a lot easier for you to make your own decision without smarties like us clouding up the biz.
 

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