Are SVTs worth the effort? Opinions wanted

[Krakmann]

Salud!

Each time I play an VST fridge, I'm delighted. But would never get one. I had a 410 and never again will have such a big cab, much less a full fridge. And talk about head weight... But they sound really awesome.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

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.

Honestly, they were heavy enough that I had zero concerns leaving my SVT unattended in the back of my truck on numerous occasions during my heyday of gigging. I figured if someone stole it, they earned it.

Great amp, but I think the Aguilar DB750 took what the SVT did and modernized it into a much more convenient package. Now, there are tons of class D offerings and emulators that get close enough for government work that I wouldn't sweat it. The only thing modern amps can't replace is the smell and glow of the tubes.

 

[dune]

No way. Although back in the day, I did lust after the SVT I saw in a catalog that came with TWO cabs. I didn't even like having to move my SWR Redhead and my 39-pound Stage 800 has an SVT model. I never actually played through one, but it's gotta be spot-on, right?

 

[gstaats]

Love my tube amps, have owned most of ampeg's lineup at some point. I'd never consider owning an SVT and a Fridge again. Nearly every venue that I've played recently that could use an SVT-sized rig, FOH is going to carry me just fine. In my youth, I hauled around a fridge at one point and an Isovent (STV-50 pro cab). I'll never ever own a cab that heavy again. Unnecessary wear and tear on me, my back, my bandmates and the vehicle(s) we're driving. Same thing with the head. Just unnecessary weight. Look at many stages with SVTs and fridges - the cab isn't mic'd. The tone the audience is hearing is DI from somewhere in the signal chain. (That also means monitors are too!!)

As much as I loved the rigs of yesterday, I'll never own one as a gigging rig again. Lots of nostalgia for them, but I turn off the GAS by remembering the PITA those rigs are to transport. I'll still pull out my B-15R for recording and both the B-15R & B-15E occasionally when aesthetics matter or just for fun on a small gig. After getting a set of Barefaced BB3 cabs, I'll never go back heavy cabs for a big rig. Just not needed. Add a modern lunch box bass head like the Mesa TT-800, and I can carry my entire rig and basses in one trip. Basses in a Mono dual-bass case on my back, mesa head on my shoulder in a carrying case and one BB3 in each hand. Fits in my Civic trunk. Super loud. If I need louder, I'll run a bridged crown XLS-1502 into the pair and feed them 1,500 watts. OR - on a smaller gig, only use one cab.

Honestly though - for the most part, I never really need a big rig... When the venue needs that much oomph, short of a "wall of sound", FOH usually buries what my rig can do anyway. I've played larger gigs with the master on my amp at zero as I couldn't hear the amp anyway. I favor running DI from either a board or post DI on the Mesa TT-800 to capture some grit.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I owned one briefly as my first "real" bass amp, and even as a spry young guy in my teens, quickly got sick of the weight. To my ears it only really sounded good cranked, at which point it was way too loud for college bar gigs. I honestly cant hear enough difference between an SVT and some of the better solid state amps, maybe defective ears? Meh. Get a Mesa WD 800 and a couple lightweight cabs, your back and ears will thank you.

 

[baxter_x]

I honestly cant hear enough difference between an SVT and some of the better solid state amps, maybe defective ears?

Then we're two
Or maybe we use our ears and stay away from the myths provided by corck sniffers on the internet....

 

[Tanner5382]

Not worth it. A relic of the past. No need to deal with that weight. Honestly, the SVT (Ampeg in general) sound has never really appealed to me. Traynor (vintage) Orange and Reeves were my tube amps of choice and all I played for quite a while, they sounded much better to me. And were much lighter. No fridge, just 1x15 or 4x10 cabs. But even with them, they felt like they became overkill. IMO, there's just no reason to deal with tube amps or huge rigs anymore.

 

[Formula73]

the 810e cabs are mostly chipboard and are barely strong enough to hold their own weight. They move a lot of air and sound great but be prepared to either make emergency structural repairs with hopes, dreams, and gorilla glue or to buy another one at a moment's notice. Over recent years, they've gotten smarter with skid plates and rails but older ones like mine are known to have a caster (or both) just smash up inside through the bottom of the cab.

 

[Fynn]

Is it worth the hassle? No, I don't think so. Maybe if your regular gigs include 1000+ people shows, where you're playing for at least like 3 hours. I feel like anything else would just be too annoying. Lugging that huge thing around can very quickly become very annoying.
If you love the SVT tone, there's other cheaper, lighter ways

 

[KaseOfBass]

While the SVT/810 combo tone is classic, I actually prefer the tone of my V-4B reissue through an 810 or, even better, my Berg 610. Checks all the boxes tone-wise and you don't have to crank it to ear-blistering levels to get some grit. While 100w will easily work for me, and the V-4B gets extremely loud through an 810 or 610, I get that some folks might need or want the 300w SVT.

Unfortunately, 98% of my gigs are ampless currently, so I don't get to experience the magic. At least I have an Ampeg SVP-CL preamp taking care of the tone when ampless.

 

[tvbop]

I love the SVT rig..its pure show biz and R&R BUT the weight? Nope. Best thing is to get two empty carcases and a BA110 combo..Plug the combo into the pa and you've got Ampeg tone for days but with grt stage presence and no weight.

 

[denton57]

While I love my SVT, I don't the 8x10. Way overkill for me. I certainly wouldn't turn down a Berg NV610 though! I played an SVT through a NV215 about 15 years ago for about a year. Listening to recordings of back then…wow.

I think we can separate the SVT from the 8x10 in the conversation. I just like the head, which is physically not huge dimensionally. I use a 4x10 but had a AV212 and would use that again for sure. Makes a nice small package.

 

[Stewie]

If I could find one for a stupid low price, It would make the trip to my basement band area once. I'm perfectly happy gigging with my Rocket Bass 210. A one hand carry from the truck, two hands to go downstairs

 

[denton57]

So I guess the answer is…you need to try it for yourself. Everyone has different opinions and desires, just like in food, beers, vehicles, etc. Internet is full of opinions.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I know weight is pretty much the primary point on this topic, however there's a few other things I'd bring up that are more subtle, but related points.

- Tubes are increasing in price and have become harder to source (or, quality ones at least). With an all-tube amp, this is obviously a factor. Plenty of folks grab older SVTs and never have tube issues from what I hear. If the amp itself needs service of some kind, there are numerous qualified techs who can work on an amp this ubiquitous.
- In a gigging situation, you'll have older connectors on an older SVT and 810 cab, so speakon and its more secure connection may not be available. 1/4" speaker cable can get pulled out much easier on a stage than speakon. Plenty of bassists seem to manage this scenario just fine, but I felt it worth mentioning.
- Not sure what flavor the gigs you're going to be playing are, but the dreaded moment when the Sound Tech brings a DI box instead of mic to you can be pretty compelling. Sure, stage volume and monitoring is great with a rig that large, but if it's bleeding over into drum or other mics on stage you may be asked to turn down...thus negating the vibe.

The gigs I was playing weren't justifying an all-tube head that large. I grabbed a Traynor YBA200 (had the DI out on it) and a Kasino 2x15s cab, it was less of a heft than the SVT and 810. Tone was very good, not the same though. The majority of the time, Sound Tech wants the DI to be pre-EQ anyways. So the big rig haul felt increasingly futile for me.

I experimented with some rack rigs (Tech 21 RPM + power amp), preamp into bass amp (Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe + Carvin BX500), and then landed on my current "big rig" which is a GK 700RB-II with either Avatar neo 2x10 or 2x12. Some pedals on the front-end can give me great sizzle if I so desire. Plenty of times I just brought the GK head and my pedalboard, utilizing the PA for gigs.


If you like the sound, there's no real substitute for it. But that might not be the tone that's coming out of the PA and into your monitors at many gigs. If it gets you inspired and pumped to just hear it on stage, go for it. The important thing is you have the Markbass rig in case it's not an SVT-worthy gig. Never hurts to have the SVT on hand though, does it?

 

[JimmyM]

the 810e cabs are mostly chipboard and are barely strong enough to hold their own weight. They move a lot of air and sound great but be prepared to either make emergency structural repairs with hopes, dreams, and gorilla glue or to buy another one at a moment's notice. Over recent years, they've gotten smarter with skid plates and rails but older ones like mine are known to have a caster (or both) just smash up inside through the bottom of the cab.

Since 2006, they've been all plywood.

 

[coreyfyfe]

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

This is usually my math when picking an amp for the gig. That and what will fit in the car.

Do I have to haul the PA mains, subwoofer, and my upright? I'll save the room and bring a smaller amp. Going electric with less PA stuff to carry? I'll grab one of the tube amps.

I'm long past using the 810 though. I have all 210 and 212 cabs now. This is a pretty easy load in since the SVT case is on wheels (can he seen behind the mustang)

 

[denton57]

I'll also add it's pretty cool to flip that switch on a 50 year old amp that just keeps going strong. Engineering masterpiece and still the benchmark for bass tone IMO. My 73 had two years under its belt before I was even born. I also think about who owned this amp, how many shows did it do in the 70's, where has it been, who played it or was it at a gig the day I was born…I'm a nostalgic guy I guess. I'm a huge fan of the late 60's and 70's era of music, so I am playing an amp that was on some good size stages back in the day.

But I'll go ahead and say this…how many new amps be running 50 years from now? It's a valid question. I love all amps and own a TH350 but just like almost everything made today, they will not last. My vintage SVT is a beast, still doing shows, and is still being debated if the tone is worth the 90 lbs of weight. It turned 50 this year.

 

[msb]

There have been incredible improvements in cab and amp design. I like small , lightweight , modular and powerful.
I pack it , drive it downtown and take it all home at the end of the night. I do not miss the fridge.

 

[denton57]

There have been incredible improvements in cab and amp design. I like small , lightweight , modular and powerful.
I pack it , drive it downtown and take it all home at the end of the night. I do not miss the fridge.

Agreed. But the OP is asking about the SVT, not the 8x10. Two different things and I agree with you, gimme a light 4 ohm cab with my SVT please. I put neo's in my cut down 8x10 (to a 4x10). Fliptops used to sell a 1x15 cab option for the SVT. Last time I checked, they stopped. I'd be all over that.