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Ampeg vs Aguilar rig comparison
- Thread starter felch182
- Start date
I've owned SVT3s, SVT4s and an SVT2-Pro and payed them a lot with SVT410HEs, SVT115s and SVT810s.
Now I own a DB750 and 2 DB410s. Wont go back.
If you can afford it I would really suggest the Aguilar rig. Maybe even combining the amp and cab, one Ampeg and one Aguilar if you can't afford the whole Aguilar rig. This could be a way to get the best you can.
Now I own a DB750 and 2 DB410s. Wont go back.
If you can afford it I would really suggest the Aguilar rig. Maybe even combining the amp and cab, one Ampeg and one Aguilar if you can't afford the whole Aguilar rig. This could be a way to get the best you can.
Hey man, if you haven't decided yet.. I'd suggest a Bergantino NV610 instead of the Ampeg Fridge (or even the Aguilar cab). I play in a Melb band as well although we're not gigging much at the moment for new material, but when we've got one coming up I can let you know if you wanna come check it out.
Cheers.
Cheers.
That's only because ampeg has been around since the beginning of time. As far as electric bass goes anyway. When they do that comparison, most folks are talking about the older "real" Ampegs. Aguilar eats the new Ampegs for lunch IMO.
I have a 1978 Ampeg SVT and 810 cabinet as one rig and a markbass LMII with SWR Goliath II as my main rig. Two very different tones but both are very loud. The Ampeg rig is not easy to move (300 lbs) which is a major consideration if you gig alot.
My advice would be to keep the Markbass, upgrade from the 610 to the 810 and buy an Ampeg Cl or VR or vintage 70s SVT. My LM II sounds great through my 1978 810 but I am gassing for a berg cabinet though. I don't care for the Aguilar tone but that's a matter of taste.
You asked about problems with these Ampeg rigs. I've had the SVT rig since 1984 - 23 years. Not a single problem with the cabinet but with a tube head you have to change the tubes. I've changed my tubes 3 times in 23 years (once every 7 years) and had a $300 repair when a roadie dropped my SVT head down a flight of stairs in 1987. SVTs are built to last!
My advice would be to keep the Markbass, upgrade from the 610 to the 810 and buy an Ampeg Cl or VR or vintage 70s SVT. My LM II sounds great through my 1978 810 but I am gassing for a berg cabinet though. I don't care for the Aguilar tone but that's a matter of taste.
You asked about problems with these Ampeg rigs. I've had the SVT rig since 1984 - 23 years. Not a single problem with the cabinet but with a tube head you have to change the tubes. I've changed my tubes 3 times in 23 years (once every 7 years) and had a $300 repair when a roadie dropped my SVT head down a flight of stairs in 1987. SVTs are built to last!
+1 on the berg...cheaper than the fridge and should do the job well.
Or...if you like the DB750...the db750 and svt-vr retail at about the same here (5000) ampeg may be able to give you a better dc though, but still similar price...so if you prefer the db750, grab that and the svt 810 or the NV610
all up to you i guess.
id look out though, have a lot of tubes is cool, but its really annoying when the sound guy is like "turn down the bass amp...more...more...a little more....ok"
and you dont get to open it up and feel the awesomeness
Or...if you like the DB750...the db750 and svt-vr retail at about the same here (5000) ampeg may be able to give you a better dc though, but still similar price...so if you prefer the db750, grab that and the svt 810 or the NV610
all up to you i guess.
id look out though, have a lot of tubes is cool, but its really annoying when the sound guy is like "turn down the bass amp...more...more...a little more....ok"
and you dont get to open it up and feel the awesomeness
Yup, in just the same way that people compare basses to Fenders but that wouldn't deter someone from buying a Sadowsky or Mike Lull now would it?
BUT...I haven't played a VR but if it's anything like Ampeg's other all-tube heads, it's excellent. Same goes for the DB750...I've got the DB659 running through a Mackie power amp and if it's anything like that setup, it's excellent as well.
The DB750 might be worth the extra change for the Jensen DI and also you won't have to deal with issues with power amp tubes. It's also a lot lighter...so...good luck!
Don't forget that Australia no longer has an Aguilar distributor. Dominant Music gave it up in Jan 06, so anything you find in stores is here is old stock, so bargain with them! I looked at bringing a GS412 over from the USA but the freight price the US store gave me was killer, however my SVT-610AV came over by BAX Global and was a great price, and it was airfreight too.
Sorry, not correct information. We chose to stop working with Dominant (for various reasons) and we now have a new distributor, Intermusic, in Australia. Currently there is new product in Australia.
Dave B.
The very thought of an SVT head tumbling down the stairs in my general direction is terrifying!!!
Well that's good to hear Dave
Australia definately needs more quality product down here. Unfortunately I live in Tasmania, and my two local stores are lucky to have a 410 of any brand in stock. At the moment I think one maybe has a GK 410, and that's it, hence why I look to other states and the USA for my purchases.
Australia definately needs more quality product down here. Unfortunately I live in Tasmania, and my two local stores are lucky to have a 410 of any brand in stock. At the moment I think one maybe has a GK 410, and that's it, hence why I look to other states and the USA for my purchases.
Australia definately needs more quality product down here...and that's it, hence why I look to other states and the USA for my purchases.[/QUOTE]
+1 there.
+1 there.
I currently run a SVT CL > Ampeg 6x10 and love it. Never tried (or heard) the aguilar stuff though. Both are wonderful companies though.
Not sure it you've made up your mind yet, but I wanted to chime in on this one too. A wise friend told me once that if you buy something that you're not really happy with you'll remember exactly what you paid for it. If you buy what you really want, no matter the price, you'll never think about what you paid.
Personally, I'd go with the Aguilar rig. The DB750 and the GS410 absolutely kill the Ampeg. The clarity, the smoothness, the DI, Ampeg can't touch it. I've played through both, and it's a no-brainer for me.
Personally, I'd go with the Aguilar rig. The DB750 and the GS410 absolutely kill the Ampeg. The clarity, the smoothness, the DI, Ampeg can't touch it. I've played through both, and it's a no-brainer for me.
You really can't go wrong with either rig. 2 different philosophies about bass tone, Ampeg and Aguilar. It's your money, buy the one you like the best.
SVT VR is the superior tube amp for rock. I say SVT with Aguilar 810, Mesa Powerhouse 810, Peavey 810...Peavey being the most affordable and built for rock!
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FWIW:
that "nuts" comment was a hoot.
One thing I'd definitely think about before making the investment is whether you're the kind of guy who's into sameness, lots of variety, or something in between and whether the situation is likely to change suddently regarding transporting the gear.
If you're into lots of variety, if you stick with fairly uncolored speakers and amp, you can alter your tone elsewhere which is a lot more practical than swapping amps/speakers when you hear a new tone you want. Or thoughts of rig that can be scaled up or down to fit different venues. Likewise, I've read comments about guys having to change their rigs just cause they changed vehicles.
that "nuts" comment was a hoot.
One thing I'd definitely think about before making the investment is whether you're the kind of guy who's into sameness, lots of variety, or something in between and whether the situation is likely to change suddently regarding transporting the gear.
If you're into lots of variety, if you stick with fairly uncolored speakers and amp, you can alter your tone elsewhere which is a lot more practical than swapping amps/speakers when you hear a new tone you want. Or thoughts of rig that can be scaled up or down to fit different venues. Likewise, I've read comments about guys having to change their rigs just cause they changed vehicles.
