Bass amps

[fauxtoe]

sVT350 is an okayish SS head in SVT markings. It wasn't particularly well received.

A B2R in SVT-CL clothing. Nothing fancy whatsoever. Can't remember how many of either of those I used to see around and they were very underwhelming and overweight. Shockingly, Ampeg still has the SVT-450 listed in their current lineup. Can't imagine it's much better even with the 100w boost in power.

 

[Haymaker]

You gotta play the svt pro3 pretty loud I feel to get the tome out of it...I’ve played a lot, I mean a lot worse sounding heads. One I found that sounds great for the price is a hartke 3500...great thumping head with a p or jazz bass. Heck I know, my rig sounds great....hella old swr 4x10 cab and a new hartke3500...gotta say, the hartke really sounds great when played with fingers, not so great with a pick.

 

[BlueTalon]

If you're providing a backline for an outdoor festival, the Ampeg fridge would be appropriate. In a rehearsal space or studio, I'd want something with a little more finesse and broader tonal capabilities. And if the Ampeg was the only thing in the place, I'd definitely bring my own rig.

If you want suggestions for what else people might want, I'd suggest getting a respectable system that's designed to work together, whether Mesa or GK or DNA or Bergantino, it almost doesn't matter. Get the amp, and a cab or two from the same company (no 410s!) so you know there's a continuity of design and compatibility.

 

[bdplaid]

I agree the major division will be tube vs solid state. They feel different and therefore affect dynamics.

Ditch the svt 350 in favor of the all tube CL.

Also get a popular solid state head. My first inkling would be one of the trademark GK heads , but it can get confusing because the SS amp guys are trying to make their amps emulate tubes. Especially GK. The legends are more old school. The MB 800, which I have, IMO is a fairly definitive GK SS sound. Scooped and bright.

Fender Rumble, which I also have, has a vintage vibe and I don't find it to sound modern at all. And, it's rather on the lower end.

Mesa Subway D800 and D800+ are great SS amps and I rock one myself, but they're not the most SS sounding of SS amps, particularly if you run it into the SVT 810. If you pair it with Mesa's Subway 410 inch cab you'll definitely have a high end modern amp.

Mesa also has tube front end in the WD and TT amps. The TT in particular, is a 2 channel amp with a tube on one pre and SS on the other. I can't imagine anyone wanting something more than a Subway TT 800 and a Subway 410.

 

[BazzaBass]

You know them picky bass players. They want to bring their own amp because they think anything less (or more) is not the TONE they want.

I would keep the stack you have and get a SVT tube head since it won't be moving around.

Yes TB & Tone

 

[Zbysek]

The suggested SVT CL head would be appreciated by many.

If you want to please as many bass players as possible, you can offer a choice of one all-tube head (Ampeg SVT CL, Ampeg VR, Fender Super Bassman, …) and one solid state head (Aguilar DB751, Mesa, Bergantino,...).

That being said, there will always be some players who bring their own equipment no matter what is the provided backline.

 

[tvbop]

Pretty straightforward fix....get an SVT classic vlave head for that cab, problem solved. And dont listen to any bass player who says he cant play thru it.

 

[el murdoque]

SVT Classic. The SVT 350 is a love/hate solid state amp.

You may look into a PF 50t or VB head too.

I dont think the cab is an issue, unless maybe it is from the dark years or overpowers the the rest of the rigs.

You could look into a cab that moves a little less air and has a more hifi sound, just for versatitity, like a two or three way.

One amp line of note here on the forum that gets a ton of love is the Mesa Subway selection of amps and cabs.

The tl;dr of it is there is only one available amp, with a huge loud cab. The amp is like 50/50 fans/haters. Try a true tube amp; try a newer design solid state amp; try a differently voiced cab.

Good luck

I had such an experience with an ampeg head that looks like a SVT at first glance but turns out to be solid state in a furbished rental room.
You come in and go 'sweet, SVT and Fridge'. Then you see the lack of the standby switch and go 'wait a moment'. In my case, I could not get a good sound out of that rig and hated it. It's quite hard for me to get a bad sound out of the real SVT.

Ampeg 8x10 is fine. I like them and would not bring another cab should I find one of those in the room.

 

[beatlebass64]

Mesa Subway series.

Based on my experiences if you run it flat it really allows the tone of the bass to come through without being shaped by the amp, but tweak the head and you can really shape the tone in a natural way.

 

[TinIndian]

Keep the cab and find a nice used GK 700 (or 1000) RBII. Will work great with that cab and is about as reliable as a head gets.

 

[Anemic_SluG]

It’s a backline. I agree the 350 is not a choice most will go with, however a 810e is a perfectly serviceable cabinet. I find it funny that everyone here is recommending out of production amp ideas and personally I have never gotten along with the GK sound. I would look at what folks are bringing in. The biggest piece of the puzzle is that there is so many choices these days in bass amplification that one size doesn’t fit all. If I was picking 1 amp it would be the Subway D800+. Tons of headroom, and easy to eq. It also has a great DI. You could pair it with any of the Subway cabs as well and get a different tonal package then with the 810. Sounds like you have a great space and good luck.

 

[Valvehead]

Funny how picky bassists can be. An SVT-4 pro is much more versatile and can be pretty neutral but never dull sounding. I'd go for those.

 

[DWBass]

I get it. I'm not a fan of the Ampeg SVT/Fridge rig. Just didn't seem to be enough bottom end for my taste. But this was a backline for a Casino gig I did. Could be an anomaly and one time thing but it left an impression.

Suggestions? A GK rig or maybe a TC Electronic rig.

 

[pie_man_25]

I have no clue how that rig wouldn't be sufficient for anybody, unless maybe they were just bringing a head that suits their tastes more.

 

[Medicine Man]

Im going to disagree about buying an expensive tube amp and leaving it there for random bassists to abuse, and would recommend a nice class D instead. Any of the Mesa subways would do. The inexpensive Quilter bass block sounds pretty good through a fridge too.

 

[swarfrat]

Yeah. I'm in agreement with tube gear to be abused by other people in 2021. They ain't cheap and quality isn't getting better.

 

[Barisaxman]

I'd say, either SVT-CL or a SVT-4 Pro, keep the cab. This is a pretty nice rehearsal space from the sounds of it, and I have no doubt that most bassists are cringing at the SVT350, as it's just not a good amp. There's a good chance they may not want to mess with just patching their own amp into the "house" cab at risk of being held liable if damage occurs, so they may bring their own cabinets as well.

While an SVT may not be every player's dream tone, it's still a rehearsal space and I think most players would rather not deal with hauling in gear if at all possible. Keep the options simple. While a Mesa TT is a fantastic amp, it's maybe not plug-and-play friendly with its bevy of options. I'd think good quality, yet simple-to-operate gear is the name of the game in a rental space.

 

[slagbass]

Im going to disagree about buying an expensive tube amp and leaving it there for random bassists to abuse, and would recommend a nice class D instead. Any of the Mesa subways would do. The inexpensive Quilter bass block sounds pretty good through a fridge too.

OTOH, unlike the Subway, an SVT can't be smuggled out in the pocket of a gig bag. For that reason alone, an expensive, portable amp would be my last choice for a rehearsal room unless you have good control of who is going in and out.

 

[Medicine Man]

OTOH, unlike the Subway, an SVT can't be smuggled out in the pocket of a gig bag. For that reason alone, an expensive, portable amp would be my last choice for a rehearsal room unless you have good control of who is going in and out.

Haha, good point. OK, Subway in a metal bracket drilled into the top of the 8X10. I would have a nannycam up in that place anyway.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I run a fully equipped hourly rehearsal room, the back line we provide is a variety of high end tube amps and v30 cabinets for guitars, the drums are All maple shells w zildjian A custom cymbals, strong Jbl and EV PA w. Beta 58 mics.... the room is treated and sounds great! Clients take notice and are happy with what’s in the room for their rehearsals... However, when some bands return to the studio all to often the bass player is bringing a rig of their own. I’m aware the house bass rig is not satisfactory for some bassists and I want to correct this! Current set up is a ampeg classic 8x10 and svt 350 head.... bassists, what rig would you like to have available for you at rehearsals? Your input is greatly appreciated and will help me determine what gear to go with.... thanks!

SVT & the Fridge not good enough? How about a 5 watt headphone amp and a $4 dollar set of ear buds?? I’d be perfectly comfortable with what you are providing. More than comfortable. In fact, I’d be overjoyed!

It’s not like these guys have to move it, but I get it when guys get their sound/rig dialed in, especially if they are used to using an amp with a baked in sound, they want to keep what they have. It’s a lot easier to use what they have as opposed to finding their sound on something else, especially if you are charging them for studio time while the are searching.