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To me, the Ampeg SVT 4 Pro is still a fantastic amp. Despite being bashed a lot, I do think it's one of the best gigging amp. I also own a Mesa Titan V12 and a Mesa M9.
Both Mesa are great, but there is something in the low end they can't produce, the SVT 4 can produce. Some kind of a super massive clean dynamic low end.
The Ampeg seems to produce this naturally, without break a sweat, where the Mesas need to be pushed. I own all three and at least one needs to go. I'm thinking about the M9.
And the clean tone of the Ampeg is smooth and buttery where the Mesa more nervous. Usually people describe Sadowsky basses as Fenders on steroids. I would say Mesa amps are Ampeg on steroids.
By the way, I need to try a Sadows SA 200
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Both Mesa are great, but there is something in the low end they can't produce, the SVT 4 can produce. Some kind of a super massive clean dynamic low end.
The Ampeg seems to produce this naturally, without break a sweat, where the Mesas need to be pushed. I own all three and at least one needs to go. I'm thinking about the M9.
And the clean tone of the Ampeg is smooth and buttery where the Mesa more nervous. Usually people describe Sadowsky basses as Fenders on steroids. I would say Mesa amps are Ampeg on steroids.
By the way, I need to try a Sadows SA 200
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That's a sweet rig Jimmy. What's the red Devo box? Lol.All my amps are quite good. Some are amazing. This one, however, rules supreme:
SVT-CL and Ampeg B25B cab with upgraded eminence speakers. Bar far the best rig I have ever had.
My exposure has been somewhat limited, but of all that I have owned, my Genz Benz Streamliner 600 through two Bergantino AE112s is my favourite.
Would love to play through and own a vintage Traynor rig.
Would love to play through and own a vintage Traynor rig.
Played through but never owned; A all tube Hiwatt and a Reeves pushing a Kustom 3-15 cab loaded with EVs.(Some guys rig for reggae). Talk about pants flapping/chest pounding loud and clean- OMG.
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For me it is my Eden WT-550 combined with my Bergantino CN212, pure awesomeness...
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I already mentioned it in "The Worst Bass Amp, ever!" thread.
Anyway:
The B15S (60W) I once owned (regret so much selling it, even if I equally love my Trace Elliot. Just a completely different creature), for an overdriven aggressive sound, played extremely hard pushed with emphasis on the treble and higher mids, aggressively played with my Aria Pro II Laser Electric Classic (active, with nickle wound strings, gauge 50-110, I believe) or for a nice mellow sound still with a lot of definition with my Jerry Jones Longhorn (passive semi hollow, with nickle wound strings, gauge 45 - 95, I believe).
And then my current amp Trace Elliot GP75SM (130W 15") (although I would prefer 4 10", as I recently, before I got this amp, borrowed a similar 220W Trace Elliot with that cabinet combination), for a nice punchy and clear, mildly aggressive sound played with my Ibanez Mikro (passive, with stock pickups, with nickle wound strings, gauge 45-95 (though soon to be upgraded with the EMG Geezer Butler signature pickups (still passive), for an even more punchy and clear sound, hopefully.))
Here's a picture of my Trace Elliot (together with my Mikro):
Anyway:
The B15S (60W) I once owned (regret so much selling it, even if I equally love my Trace Elliot. Just a completely different creature), for an overdriven aggressive sound, played extremely hard pushed with emphasis on the treble and higher mids, aggressively played with my Aria Pro II Laser Electric Classic (active, with nickle wound strings, gauge 50-110, I believe) or for a nice mellow sound still with a lot of definition with my Jerry Jones Longhorn (passive semi hollow, with nickle wound strings, gauge 45 - 95, I believe).
And then my current amp Trace Elliot GP75SM (130W 15") (although I would prefer 4 10", as I recently, before I got this amp, borrowed a similar 220W Trace Elliot with that cabinet combination), for a nice punchy and clear, mildly aggressive sound played with my Ibanez Mikro (passive, with stock pickups, with nickle wound strings, gauge 45-95 (though soon to be upgraded with the EMG Geezer Butler signature pickups (still passive), for an even more punchy and clear sound, hopefully.))
Here's a picture of my Trace Elliot (together with my Mikro):
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I never owned an SVT, but I loved plugging into them and playing whenever I made it to The Vox Box (music store) in Marshall, MO, back in the 70's. My present amps are my favorites, a Reeves Custom 225 and a Shaw B-150. I've never sounded better:
Nice rigs man. Have been wanting to try one of those Reeves heads but no shops anywhere around my area carry them.I never owned an SVT, but I loved plugging into them and playing whenever I made it to The Vox Box (music store) in Marshall, MO, back in the 70's. My present amps are my favorites, a Reeves Custom 225 and a Shaw B-150. I've never sounded better:
In order of favorite :
Hmm…I seem to be pretty evenly divided on whether I like tube or solid state amps more.
- 1st place: tossup between a late '60s Ampeg B-15N and a mid '70s Acoustic 150 (150 - not 150b)
- 2nd place: mid '70s Acoustic 360
- 3rd place: mid '70s Ampeg SVT
Hmm…I seem to be pretty evenly divided on whether I like tube or solid state amps more.
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I have to say my Hartke 5500 with a Telle 12ax7
Fender Studio Bass Combo with EV 15 (which I still had it).
GK 1001RBii with 2 GK Neo 212s (I think this pic may be my 700RBii):
GK 1001RBii with 2 GK Neo 212s (I think this pic may be my 700RBii):
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