Ampeg Venture/SGT-DI vs. Mesa Boogie D-800+

[Shoreline Gold]

I presently have a Mesa Boogie D-800+, which I play through a Mesa Subway 1x15 with a Mesa 1x12 extension cab when I want to bump up the amp head to the full 800w, depending on volume need. Please understand, I am very happy with it, so this is not a dissatisfied user thread looking for greener pastures, necessarily.

I had considered getting an Ampeg SGT-DI pedal since I play mostly classic rock, a little fingerstyle funk, and "softer rock," depending on the gig. I play mostly P-Bass style basses with flatwound strings (Chromes or LaBellas). But I don't play with a DI too often and when I need one the Mesa has a great DI out which, with great success, I've recorded with.

Also, having a pre-amp pedal into the front of the Mesa might be overkill and complicate the sound. I don't know if it would help to add the pedal into the effects return of the amp and just use the Mesa's power amp.

I have not tried out that pedal nor have I tried out the new Ampeg Venture series amp heads, so I'm only going off of YouTube videos and reviews to gauge their sounds. I love the B-15 and SVT sounds on classic records, but I'm not really looking to get a B-15 or Ampeg SVT-equivalent amp equivalents (see satisfaction above). I'm trying to decide if the alternatives would add to the palette or enhance the Mesa's sounds. I realize that cabs really are part of the Ampeg sounds, but let's keep it simple to the pedal/amp issues first.

So, having set the table, can anyone provide me with their experience if they've compared the two? Any suggestions whether it's worth trying the Venture or SGT-DI?

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Peace.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I presently have a Mesa Boogie D-800+, which I play through a Mesa Subway 1x15 with a Mesa 1x12 extension cab when I want to bump up the amp head to the full 800w, depending on volume need. Please understand, I am very happy with it, so this is not a dissatisfied user thread looking for greener pastures, necessarily.

I had considered getting an Ampeg SGT-DI pedal since I play mostly classic rock, a little fingerstyle funk, and "softer rock," depending on the gig. I play mostly P-Bass style basses with flatwound strings (Chromes or LaBellas). But I don't play with a DI too often and when I need one the Mesa has a great DI out which, with great success, I've recorded with.

Also, having a pre-amp pedal into the front of the Mesa might be overkill and complicate the sound. I don't know if it would help to add the pedal into the effects return of the amp and just use the Mesa's power amp.

I have not tried out that pedal nor have I tried out the new Ampeg Venture series amp heads, so I'm only going off of YouTube videos and reviews to gauge their sounds. I love the B-15 and SVT sounds on classic records, but I'm not really looking to get a B-15 or Ampeg amp equivalents (see satisfaction above). I'm trying to decide if the alternatives would add to the palette or enhance the Mesa's sounds. I realize that cabs really are part of the Ampeg sounds, but let's keep it simple to the pedal/amp issues first.

So, having set the table, can anyone provide me with their experience if they've compared the two? Any suggestions whether it's worth trying the Venture or SGT-DI?

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Peace.

A lot f it depends on if you feel you need or just want to add a gritty aggressive sound to your set up without having to reset knobs on your head to get it. Then as you noticed, how it sounds going through the front end vs the effects return. It would be something to try and experience to see if it works for you. I bet a lot of folks do it and have better answers than me. I don't even know why I came along and cluttered this up. Old people up drinking coffee too early in the am.

 

[Shoreline Gold]

A lot f it depends on if you feel you need or just want to add a gritty aggressive sound to your set up without having to reset knobs on your head to get it. Then as you noticed, how it sounds going through the front end vs the effects return. It would be something to try and experience to see if it works for you. I bet a lot of folks do it and have better answers than me. I don't even know why I came along and cluttered this up. Old people up drinking coffee too early in the am.

Old people, early in the morning, and coffee are what gets things done, my friend.

Seriously, all good points, thank you.

 

[3toes]

If you're not specifically looking for a B15 or SVT sound, then I think you could safely pass on the SGT-DI. I absolutely love mine and bought it BECAUSE it sounds like those two amps.

If you're looking for "close enough," I feel like the Mesa can get there with it's own tone-shaping; they're not so different to the point where you'd need the SGT to cover those bases.

 

[marchone]

A lot of players like the SGT-DI. You can ask posters their experiences in that thread.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-sgt-di.1601823/

You also might rephrase your question to post to the Mesa mega thread too. The Venture part is adding confusion to the request for information. I read it as two questions. Does the SGT-DI in any way affect the Mesa D-800? How does the SGT-DI compare to the Venture series amps? I think that question was answered by Ampeg with the introduction of the SGT-DI. It nails the two sounds with my Mesa D-350 or Ampeg PF-50T. If it helps at all I dial the compressor down as it isn’t very good.

 

[Shoreline Gold]

If you're not specifically looking for a B15 or SVT sound, then I think you could safely pass on the SGT-DI. I absolutely love mine and bought it BECAUSE it sounds like those two amps.

If you're looking for "close enough," I feel like the Mesa can get there with it's own tone-shaping; they're not so different to the point where you'd need the SGT to cover those bases.

Hmmm, thank you. This is very interesting. I think I'm just limited in trying to fiddle and find the right settings. I find I like to add a little bump in the 750k range, and you're right, I get close, but yeah, I think I'm talking about the B15 or SVT sound.

 

[agedhorse]

Probably not 750k…

 

[Engle]

Probably not 750k…

AM radio?

 

[coy garcia]

I also play classic rock, old blues, mostly on a fretless P with flats. I also have that pedal. I only use the pedal at casino ampless/in ear gigs. In my opinion it does not enhance the sound of my amp. Something about adding pedals in my signal chain makes things feel/sound sterile. I think you have a great rig as it is. I would advise only buying the pedal if you need something specific like lead boast, ampless gigs, home practice etc... There is always a tradeoff when you add something in the chain. IMHO of course.
I do prefer the B15 sound and get it with a ampegpf50t, but adding pedal color takes away from it.

 

[Shoreline Gold]

Probably not 750k…

Oh my, yeah. Nice catch.

I was going to be a smart*** and ask "can't you hear that high?"

 

[Ben Clarke]

This is a great question (so will probably not get a ton of responses).

I'm similarly impressed with the demos of the SGT, and have owned excellent examples of the B15 and SVT in the past. I'm extremely happy with my Eden VT40/2x D112XLT rig (and the house rigs where I often play), but also wonder if adding it to what I'm doing would bring that sauce of those 2 amps back into it.

 

[Barisaxman]

I'm a big fan of the tones available from the Subway amps because they do so many styles of music well. Rather than finding a replacement preamp...you might find that just adding a mild overdrive pedal to the equation, like a Genzler 4 on the Floor, might get you the additional sounds you're seeking.

 

[_jojo_bass]

I have a D-800. if you like it and want to have foh to have that sound… i’d get a Bassrig from Origin Effects. Save space, have a more authentic tone, and have a nicer sound going into the Mesa. The ampeg does the best they can with what they have for mass production, but the Bassrig has a real flavor. Your mesa is super versatile and it seems like you like it. I throw a noble in front of mine and the mesa likes stuff in front of it. i’m sure the bassrig will be complimentary

 

[txhawaii]

If you're not specifically looking for a B15 or SVT sound, then I think you could safely pass on the SGT-DI. I absolutely love mine and bought it BECAUSE it sounds like those two amps.

If you're looking for "close enough," I feel like the Mesa can get there with it's own tone-shaping; they're not so different to the point where you'd need the SGT to cover those bases.

are you playing through an amp or straight out the sgt? seems an amp

might be overkill and complicate the sound

as @Shoreline Gold states.

Do you find that to be the case?

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

If you're satisfied with the Mesa, why go the Ventura route? Just get a SGT-Di as an external pedal to add to your sonic arsenal and try it for yourself both in the direct input and the FX loop. If you don't dig what it gets you, I'm sure you can sell it quite fast (or return it to the store).

 

[BaltBass5]

If you like the D800+ sound you prob are not going to like the SGT-DI. I play a D800+ and tried out the SGT-DI. It gets an "OK" SVT sound IMO (Not as good as the Origin Effects SV) but it is kind of a 1 trick pony. FWIW, you can dial in the D800+ to get pretty close to an SVT sound if you spend some time with it. You cannot dial in the SGT-DI to get the other 1000 tones you can on the D800+.

 

[Ulf Buck]

Assuming you are trying to get a little dirt in your sound I suggest you play with the gain knob on the D800+. There is a subtle breakup when the yellow light flickers that sounds great to me. Very responsive to playing dynamics. If that doesn't do it for you get the pedal. Like others have said try it both ways. Regular input and effects loop.

 

[3toes]

are you playing through an amp or straight out the sgt? seems an amp as @Shoreline Gold states.

Do you find that to be the case?

Not playing through an amp in a traditional sense... My gigging/touring rig is the SGT-DI driving a QSC GX5 power amp into an SVT-410hlf. Prior to that setup I was using it with an Ampeg B2R, but I would send the SGT thru the Power In, bypassing the B2R's preamp, essentially doing the same thing.

You can definitely experiment having the SGT go through your amps preamp. But if your amp has a Power In or an Effects Return, rest comfortably knowing that you can just bypass it altogether.

 

[txhawaii]

Not playing through an amp in a traditional sense... My gigging/touring rig is the SGT-DI driving a QSC GX5 power amp into an SVT-410hlf. Prior to that setup I was using it with an Ampeg B2R, but I would send the SGT thru the Power In, bypassing the B2R's preamp, essentially doing the same thing.

You can definitely experiment having the SGT go through your amps preamp. But if your amp has a Power In or an Effects Return, rest comfortably knowing that you can just bypass it altogether.

so its sounds like you were using the SGT as a poor man's SVT/B15 with great success. maybe not poor man but smart man using today's modern tech. I would like to play with the SGT and a variety of these types of modelers but I have amps. There is no right answer but amps seem like they are no longer the keystone to great sound or live music.

 

[3toes]

so its sounds like you were using the SGT as a poor man's SVT/B15 with great success. maybe not poor man but smart man using today's modern tech. I would like to play with the SGT and a variety of these types of modelers but I have amps. There is no right answer but amps seem like they are no longer the keystone to great sound or live music.

That's essentially why I chose to go with the QSC power amp when my B2R died. I was originally going to get an Aguilar AG700, but I loved the SGT so much I'd just be bypassing the preamp on the Aguilar as well... So why would I buy a specifically-voiced bass amp when I'm going to bypass that voicing altogether?

And yeah, the versatility of being able to fundamentally change your sound like that with something that'll fit on your pedalboard is wonderful from a working musician/hired-gun stance.

Really the size/weight is the only downside to the route I went. I'd love to ditch my big ol' rackcase... So if they start making small footprint power amps, I'll be first in line!

Anyway, sorry for the derail!