Are SVTs worth the effort? Opinions wanted

[brian579]

Played at a rehearsal studio last night and was delighted to see a beautiful SVT classic head and 8x10 cab waiting for me. My current rig is a Markbass vintage head and 4x10 neo cab. Obviously an SVT tube head is a different animal but my question is: is it worth it to spend the money and get an SVT head? I plan on keeping my Markbass head and cab, but would love to gig with the big-boy occasionally. The biggest concern is the weight. How do you SvT owners get your head to the gig? Was planning on getting a good cover and just using my rock n roller cart. Please chime in if you currently gig with an SvT or if maybe you’ve had bad experiences with gigging them. Thanks all and be safe!

 

[paskisti]

I personally think the SVT weight being bigger issue than 810 cab. Get another similar 410 cab and feel the power with your light, small and powerful amp. But only if you like their sound now.

 

[denton57]

I’ll add my .02. I own a 73 SVT, and I’ve gigged it a few times and plan on using it for 6 upcoming gigs this summer that are outdoors. I have a cut down flat back 8x10 that is now a sealed 4x10 (eminence sc10-16’s). I’ve had this head about 8 months or so, but gigged a 50th anniversary Heritage last summer for a handful of gigs. I’ve owned 4 total over the past 15 years. Zero problems and all the tone. Depending on the distance, I will carry or load onto a dolly. Played it a week and a half ago for 3 hours at a private party and it sounded fantastic. I think every bass player should own one at some point if they are able to. I don’t even mess with the EQ…straight up and down in ch 1 usually, but have slightly cut the bass at times depending on the setting.

I have a Tuki cover for it. I find it easier to carry than a 70’s V4B because of the width and side handles. We only do 5-6 gigs in the summer and 2-3 in the winter… I only bring out the SVT for the outdoor or larger rooms. I have a countryman type 10 between the cab and head, but I’ve also used a mic. The bass always sounds huge.

 

[corinpills]

Obviously, tons and tons of people have gigged with SVTs. They are heavy, everyone knows that. They are also THE gold standard of all tube rock and roll bass amps. One caveat is to make sure your cab matches ohms w/ the SVT if you aren’t planning on getting the matching cab or you’ll fry your output transformer and a bunch of expensive tubes. Personally, I have never found the weight of a tube amp to be a deterrent, but I didn’t start playing bass ever expecting to take it easy at load in.

 

[Killing Floor]

There’s more to rock’n’roll than complaining about stuff being heavy.
Yes, they sound amazing.

 

[Wasnex]

I sold my SVT and 810 before I turned pro. I consider buying it to be a mistake. It was big, heavy, and not really my sound. For the record, I like SVTs and currently own a 69 and 87, but they are basement queens. I never really cared for the way the 810 sounds, although it works fine for lots of people.

Had a successful career, but was not a big time star. So we had to be our own roadies, truck drivers, etc. When you have a couple of tons of gear to unload and setup every day, you start finding ways to be more efficient. My last touring rig used primarily a 210 pushed by about 250W. I could have used any rig I wanted, and this was my choice.

Ultimately you have to weigh the pros and cons, and make the decision for yourself. Some think gigging with an SVT and 810 is worth the hassle. If you love the sound and are young, strong, and motivated go for it! You only live once.

Way easier to deal with such a big heavy rig on a tour. We typically backed up our cargo truck and unloaded at stage level. Under this circumstance you put the SVT in a big rolling case and it's fairly easy to deal with. Push the amp on stage, take the lids off the case, run power and speaker wires, and you are pretty much ready to rock. It's a bit more of a hassle for gigs in small venues were you travel in your personal vehicle. A pickup or sufficiently large hatchback will work.

Probably best if you have a rolling case for the head. Unfortunately a rolling case will add significant weight. So getting the head out of the vehicle may be challenging. Worst case scenario is if you need to carry your rig up stairs. As long as your bandmates are willing to help you from time to time, you can get it done.

 

[Micha84]

Team not worth it here. As good as an SVT sounds, by now it is almost impossible to sound as good as the myth around it makes believe. There are much more practical amps that sound fantastic as well, and halfway through the night you will have forgotten if you're playing Ampeg or Markbass or whatever.

 

[EASonBass]

Get yourself one of these and easily role your SVT head in/out. Light weight. Great protection too! You’re welcome.
SKB 1SKB-DH3315W Rolling Drum Hardware Case - 33" x 15"

 

[5StringBlues]

We've done the passion fruits!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I owned an SVT-CL and an 810E, and I loved the tone. I also owned an SVT-2 Pro, and I totally loved it’s sound too.
I kept it in my basement for rehearsals and jam sessions, because I had smaller, more modular cabinets, and a couple of GK RB Series heads that were easier to schlep in and out.

I sold my SVT stack I’d say almost 20 years ago. And I’ve regretted it ever since. I plan on buying another SVT-CL and an 810E for my basement rehearsal room.

If you have help moving your SVT setup both to the gig and back home, I say buy it. I’ve tried a lot of different amps. I’ve owned some pretty nice amp gear, and I still do own some nice gear, but none of them sound like an SVT.

 

[JimmyM]

I only wish I could still tote one.

 

[paskisti]

Try if you can lift the head by yourself on top of 810 cab. In tours it is annoying to wait someone's help when everybody is in hurry doing their tasks. Same problem generally with cabs if you need to lift it on stage and you cannot do it alone.

SVT sound is no exeptional today if you played good pre and powerful power amp. And if you need pedals anyeay for yor sound then it matters even less what you have on top of cab as long as you have around 800-1000w clean power available.

However I understand the beauty of full tube amp - the smell, the overal feel and the look of it.

 

[Mastermold]

Try if you can lift the head by yourself on top of 810 cab. In tours it is annoying to wait someone's help when everybody is in hurry doing their tasks. Same problem generally with cabs if you need to lift it on stage and you cannot do it alone.

SVT sound is no exeptional today if you played good pre and powerful power amp. And if you need pedals anyeay for yor sound then it matters even less what you have on top of cab as long as you have around 800-1000w clean power available.

However I understand the beauty of full tube amp - the smell, the overal feel and the look of it.

I've been gigging SVT-CLs for a while now. Lifting the 80 lb SVT head onto an 810 should not be attempted alone unless you're really strong and can do it without risking injury (to yourself or the amp). An easier solution for club gigs is the 212AV. It's 4 ohms and is relatively light, and you can place the head on it without ever having to lift it higher than your waist. And it sounds pretty darn good too, similar to the 810 despite being ported.

 

[paskisti]

I've been gigging SVT-CLs for a while now. Lifting the 80 lb SVT head onto an 810 should not be attempted alone unless you're really strong and can do it without risking injury (to yourself or the amp). An easier solution for club gigs is the 212AV. It's 4 ohms and is relatively light, and you can place the head on it without ever having to lift it higher than your waist. And it sounds pretty darn good too, similar to the 810 despite being ported.

I was lifting 10 years my 30kg pre + power + heavy rack combination on top of 810, and it was no problem to a healthy man. 40kg is getting into limit but with right technique it can be done. If you own a house you may have similar tasks time to time.

I just don't see any reason for none of those amps today and that's why I bring it into discussions. My modern is same pre + D class power amp + plastic rack that offers the same sound and performance in 11kg package (with cables and covers included). OP's amp would be only 2kg.

 

[denton57]

I’m not a pro…just a weekend warrior. I just want that sound and lugging it a few times a year is worth it to me at this point. That may change in the future. I will say I am not lugging an 8x10. However, if I could ever find a Berg NV 610 or 2x15 nearby…

 

[baxter_x]

I tried many times to convince myself to get an SVT. To me those amps are more related to a myth than something else.
Yes they sounds great, but pretty much like any other nowadays amps.

 

[Hawk256]

Maybe I'm just a fan boy but I have tried practically every brand of amp made over the past 35+ years chasing tone and always came back to the SVT. The Pearce BC-1 preamp and Crown power amp running a close second. If I couldn't have either of those then I guess I would pick and old Trace Elliot. Light has never been a factor for me.

 

[Dave W]

Yes it's worth it, they're fantastic amps.

Players talk about the weight of these things like it's Thor's hammer or something. They're heavy but far from impossible to move around.

 

[rodl2005]

If the gig is right, and access is easy. 100%

 

[brianrost]

Players talk about the weight of these things like it's Thor's hammer or something. They're heavy but far from impossible to move around.

An 80 pound head and 100+ pound cabinet are beyond my ability to move by myself. That means I can't even get it in or out of the car at home. Full stop.

Sure, if I was in a band with roadies or touring with a rider that would be a different story.

I always enjoy getting to play through an SVT when backline is provided, though.

BTW, I played just two days ago with a local guy who owns Hammond organs and Rhodes pianos. For a lot of small gigs, he brings a Nord or similar for the same reason...two difficult for one person to move.

My hats off to bobyoung53, though...we both played in the same country band (at different times) and I recall him running an SVT head into a B15 cabinet at one bar, it sounded great. I also remember when he started playing upright and ran it into an 810 stack to keep up with a crazy loud rockabilly guitarist. He's kept the faith and it works for him.