Ampeg vr?

[matskull]

I haven't sleep of all night cuz that amp is in all my thoughts lol.
I might get it today!!! Can't wait.

Anyway, don't stop talking about it, what kindda settind are good, what volume is good for a nice little tube overdrive...all that stuff. (with a svt-810e)

 

[matskull]

Also, it's gonna be my first all tubes amp.
I know there's a lot of stuff talking about it here but there's almost too musch info.

Any tips about maintenance, how to check if my tubes are all good, I'd really appreciate some important tips about tube amp maintenance.
Thank guys.

 

[zipflint]

Along this same line of thought, is there any harm in having my amp right on top of my 810 cab? I see this done all the time and I don't really see what the harm would be. There's no heat issues. I can hear some minor rattling coming from the amp, but that only happens when the stuff inside the amp resonates with the cab.

 

[The 0x]

For good overdrive, have the midrange selector set at one, and CRANK the midrange, while leaving the bass and treble flat.

 

[rodl2005]

Along this same line of thought, is there any harm in having my amp right on top of my 810 cab? I see this done all the time and I don't really see what the harm would be. There's no heat issues. I can hear some minor rattling coming from the amp, but that only happens when the stuff inside the amp resonates with the cab.

Should be fine as long as there is SOME shock absorption at least. Such as the rubber feet of the amp-some ppl lay a layer of felt to help absorb shock. As Long as the rubber feet are pretty strong & fairly absorbant-i.e. softish- U should be fine. The SVT810 has indent cups in line for the SVT amp's feet to sit in me thinks-if the amp then rests ON the cab- I'd lay some felt, stiff packing foam etc.....

 

[zipflint]

Yeah the SVT-VR itself has some good rubber feet, and they fit perfectly into the indentations of the 810E. I've got some small blocks of foam in between the two, just for a little added cushioning.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Also, it's gonna be my first all tubes amp.
I know there's a lot of stuff talking about it here but there's almost too musch info.

There's WAY more info here. I strongly encourage you to post any specific questions and to search pasts posts on tube amps.

Any tips about maintenance,

It needs NONE. The idea that tube amps require some sort of special upkeep is a myth. If you need to change you power tubes in a decade or so, the amp will need to be rebiased.

how to check if my tubes are all good,

If your amp starts sounding weird, then find out what's wrong. If you lose a tube, you'll know something's up immediately.

I'd really appreciate some important tips about tube amp maintenance.

Play the amp and enjoy it. Leave tech work to the techs.

BTW, in regards to placing your amp on top of its cabinet, orignal SVT's had mechanical shock isolated chassis mounts for its feet. I don't know if the new VR's do or not. If they don't, consider an Auralex Gramma pad or something similar to keep vibration from damaging the amp.

 

[BluesyCat]

Is there any known issues with the vr?
Cause I know there was some with the svt-4 pro, I'd like to know more about the vr! I'm really thinking about selling my svt-4 pro for the vr.

I had mine for 6 weeks and then it started to crackle (electrical static noise thru the cab) then the VR would switch from standby to on and back and forth until last week where it is now stuck in standby. I am getting a new one to replace it. It's pretty much done and needs major repair at Ampeg. I don't gig. The thing just went down in flames on its own. BUT, YES....it sounds so vintagey awesome. Ooooh Baby!

The only thing I don't really care for is the LOUD fan. It only has one speed and it is certainly in high-gear. If you're just jammin alone, you will have to be in another room away from the VR (get a longer cord) to play without the distraction of the fan.

 

[GregC]

Also, it's gonna be my first all tubes amp.
I know there's a lot of stuff talking about it here but there's almost too musch info.

Any tips about maintenance, how to check if my tubes are all good, I'd really appreciate some important tips about tube amp maintenance.
Thank guys.

I have to agree with Psycho Bass Guy. I'm new to tubes myself, and I have found a TON of information here about them--just search this forum using "tube" or "SVT". Much of that knowledge, by the way, has been generously provided by PBG himself. Just take the time to read it.

 

[BassIan]

I tried almost 7 basses with it...

Almost 7 basses? Was one not quite good enough to be a full bass, or did you try 6, and one was almost as good as 2?

Sorry - this just made me chuckle!

 

[matskull]

Bluesycat.....was your amp brand new (still in its box) when you got it? Or did it stay at the store as a "demo" before?

 

[BluesyCat]

Bluesycat.....was your amp brand new (still in its box) when you got it? Or did it stay at the store as a "demo" before?

Brand spankin' new in the box! I just received the replacement today at work. Will take home tonight and see how it goes in the next 6 weeks! That is how long it took the 1st one to die. Although, I only played thru it about 5 to 6 times in that 6 weeks.

 

[zipflint]

I suppose I should mention that I have NOT gigged with mine. But I have been using it every day for at least an hour for the past two months, with no problems at all.
Sorry to hear about your troubles BluesyCat; they didn't hassle you on the repairs, did they? I sure hope not!

 

[BluesyCat]

Sorry to hear about your troubles BluesyCat; they didn't hassle you on the repairs, did they? I sure hope not!

Nope. The store took it back and will send the defective unit back to Ampeg.

 

[zipflint]

Rockin'. That's the way service should be handled!

 

[matskull]

Apparantly the unit replacement policy from ampeg isn't available anymore though......that suck. But maybe like you did, it's possible to replace a defective unit at the store. Anyway, hope your amp is gonna be allright this time.
Today I went to the store, I was about to buy it but they didn't wanna give me the price they told me on the phone yesterday for my svt-4 pro, cause I can "sell" it to them as a credit for the svt-vr. It pissed me off so I'm gonna have a look at some other stored before. I don't wanna wait too much though cause I want one made in america. Nobody know if the "asian" ones are gonna be as good and maybe the american ones are gonna gain value over the time?
How loud do you have to play in order to get a nice overdrive and how much overdrive can you get without damaging the amp or the speakers (svt 810e)?
Do you guys use the bass boost? (or low boost, can't remember how they name it)
I'll be using a p-bass with it.

 

[Psycho Bass Guy]

How loud do you have to play in order to get a nice overdrive

Depending on your playing style and bass's output level, SVT's start to do serious grind at about 12 o'clock on the volume knob with a passive bass, lower with active basses.

and how much overdrive can you get without damaging the amp or the speakers (svt 810e)?

You'll want to stop turning up well before you get to the point you're going to hurt anything. (IOW, barring a failure, cranking it won't hurt either of them.) I strongly encourage you to look at other cabs. Th 810e is pretty muddy but does not have an abundance of low end. Bergantino is re-releasing the NV 610. I'd suggest that or find an OLD SVT 8x10.

Do you guys use the bass boost? (or low boost, can't remember how they name it)
I'll be using a p-bass with it.

I don't. It's actually a mid/hi cut anyway and kills most of your tone. Set your bass between 12 and 1 o'clock, mid selector to position one and mid knob between 2 and 3 o'clock and treble at 12 o'clock, and you'll have THE classic rock tone you've heard all your life.

 

[alfredpunkjazz]

Almost 7 basses? Was one not quite good enough to be a full bass, or did you try 6, and one was almost as good as 2?

Sorry - this just made me chuckle!

LOL.

No, what happens is that, over here in México you just can't see that amount of good instruments in one store, not even in all of the stores. I wasn't gonna buy anything, was just like going to a fun place, watching gear, listening to what everyone talks about different basses, and things like that.

 

[BluesyCat]

Apparantly the unit replacement policy from ampeg isn't available anymore though......that suck. But maybe like you did, it's possible to replace a defective unit at the store. Anyway, hope your amp is gonna be allright this time.

I am not saying Ampeg wouldn't replace it directly. I think they would but they wanted me to try a few things prior to actaully having to send anything back. I actaully was in contact with a technical support person at Ampeg thru email and that person gave me some things to try prior to calling that person on the phone for additional support. It was then, after I tried those things that the store jumped in and said, we'll deal with Ampeg so you don't have to and we'll give you a replacement. I had been informing the store of all conversations with Ampeg. The store is Wild West Guitars in Riverside, California. Sometimes you see their advertisements here in the TB forums. I'd certainly buy from them again no matter the cost.

 

[matskull]

Hey I was suposed to get the amp about a week ago but for some reason I'll wait a little bit so I can take more time to think about it. The reason I wanna go all tube is to get that tube overdrive that we can hear on so many recordings, I just love that overdrive. I'll use it a lot in the studio (I'm a sound tech so...) and probably to jam too of course.
My question is will I get def if I want that tube overdrive, cause 300 watts is a lot!! Would I be better with something less powerful....could I use an load attenuator??
Thanks