• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Considering a switch from SVT3PRO to something solid state. Will I miss my tubes?

#21
jmattbassplaya said:
You really do need to try out other amps and see if they do what you want. I had an Ampeg SVT, moved to an Aguilar DB750, and now play a Mesa D800. They all sound great in their own way, and I’ve been satisfied with each of them. But what I miss most about the SVT is the glow and smell of the tubes. Weird, right? The sound is also great, but other amps sound just as good (albeit different) for literally 1/10th of the weight. The SVT is just impractical for most folks. I know the 3PRO is a different consideration, but the point still stands that you can likely find something you enjoy just as much but in a much more portable package.
Click to expand...
EXACTLY!
I'm using a Mesa D800+ now, as my "usual" amp, but I sometime switch to the Quilter to change it up. They both sound great--- but differently so.
ALL amps can be EQ'd to put out a nice bass tone, but if the OP wants an amp that sounds exactly like an Ampeg SVT, there will be disappointments.
I think the sudden change from a 40 lb head to a 3 or 5 lb head will make up for a difference in tone anyway. It's nice to just throw a small, light head onto the front seat of the car when loading, and carry it with one hand across a lawn or car park when loading-in to a gig. I'll never go back to tubes, even if I got an SVT for free. That one, single sound is not worth the weight, and, as I have said in other posts, that Mesa is a tone MONSTER. I hate that it has spoiled me
on amps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pontiac Thrasher, DJ Bebop, jmattbassplaya and 1 other person
#22
Tassieviking said:
If you run a solid state amp and want to add some tube goodness then add a tube pedal to the mix.
I am 99% sure Sushi Box is working on developing a SVT (SBVT) tube pedal right now and it should be very close on being finished, the last prototype he made went back for another slight tweak to make it just a little bit better.

Sushi makes several great high voltage tube pedals that still run on a normal 9V - 12V pedal supply.
There are other tube pedals out there as well.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-sushi-box-fx-secret-society.1484792/page-1104
Click to expand...
I agree, and have built 4 SushiBox preamps. They are a great front-end to any solid-state rig. And Nathan's support is incredible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tassieviking
#23
I’ve got tube, hybrid, and solid state amps. And for solid state I’ve got class AB and D. And I like the sound I’m getting from all of them. With today’s name brand solid state amps I’d say you probably won’t miss tubes. The big names are all good IMO.

What you might miss is the sound of what you’re currently using. So I think your only challenge will be finding the new amp whose signature sound you like best. And speaking as a longtime Ampeg user, my experience has been an Ampeg still sounds like an Ampeg no matter which model you choose. So I’d suggest checking out their solid state amps first if your main goal is weight reduction and you aren’t interested in considering a different sound.

But I think you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not also seeing what else is out there. There are some really nice bass amps and cabs being built these days.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, mattie13 and Passinwind
#24
groovepump said:
I agree, and have built 4 SushiBox preamps. They are a great front-end to any solid-state rig. And Nathan's support is incredible.
Click to expand...
I have all of Sushis C2CE DIY pedals but I haven't built them yet, I still need the Supersonic PCB but its of the market as he is upgrading the design at the moment.
I have all the parts now but I have some other pedals to build first when I get back into it that are sitting on the bench right now.

If anyone else is interested in building some real tube pedals :
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/conspiracy-to-commit-electronics-megathread.1640493/page-22
PCB's : Conspiracy to Commit Electronics
Kits: Sushi Box FX
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spyrosaab
#25
MLC_BassPlayer said:
You might, but chances are high that the audience won’t hear the difference or care one way or the other…
Click to expand...
Chances are also high that most audience members couldn't pick out the bass line if their lives depended no it. Should bassists avoid buying gear they like because the audience won't "hear the difference"?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Single Notes, Pontiac Thrasher and DJ Bebop
#26
bass12 said:
Should bassists avoid buying gear they like because the audience won't "hear the difference"?
Click to expand...
You should buy whatever inspires you to play. That will be different for everyone, as are the "compromises" people are willing to make. I could do a gig with a $400 bass into a $40 DI and a $500 combo on the stage. It would sound fine. No one would know or care - even other musicians. Sometimes I wish I did "roll" that way. But sadly for my bank account, I got spoiled by "boutique" basses and some fairly upscale DI's and amps. They inspire me to play. I could afford them at the time (probably couldn't these days) and they are awesome instruments.

I have debated 'downgrading" my gear, but in the end I wouldn't save/make a lot by selling them and getting something else. If I was starting over knowing what I know now, I might do it differently, but no regrets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spyrosaab, Pontiac Thrasher, Single Notes and 4 others
#30
bass12 said:
Should bassists avoid buying gear they like because the audience won't "hear the difference"?
Click to expand...

No.

I think what he’s saying is don’t expect anyone other than youself to hear your baby crying.

If you’re buying for yourself it’s one thing and all fine and dandy. But to try and justify it by claiming a specific amp is going to matter to most members of an audience isn’t going to hold up. Any bassist with gigging experience will tell you that at stage volume levels in most venues, any sonic subtleties an amp has will go right out the window and you’re left playing only one of two amps: the one that sounds good in the mix - or the one that doesn’t. And if you’re playing through a FOH system then your amp becomes your stage monitor and the audience isn’t going to be hearing what you hear at all since your sound guy is going to be doing his own thing with it for the house mix. And odds are he or she is DI-ing your signal to the board before it even hits your amp.

Bottom line: just get the amp you want with the wattage you need and try not to overthink it too much.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: groovepump, Pontiac Thrasher, tiktok@sprintma and 3 others
#31
Just try a bunch of amps, and make up your own mind.
I had an all-tube amp and i loved it, but i get within ~95% of that tone and feel with amp capture technology via the ToneX One.
My amp is a 4lbs Quilter BassBlock800 and it sounds great, clean, and warm by itself, and works wonderfully as a platform for digital modelling and amp captures.

If i had to pick an amp to use without modelling or captures, i’d still consider a Quilter BB, or the Quilter ToneBlock 202 for a more “tubey” sound.
Ashdown Rootmaster would work, as could the Mesa Subway, or Aguilar Tone Hammer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: groovepump, Pontiac Thrasher, DJ Bebop and 2 others
#33
mattie13 said:
I love my SVT3PRO but at 40-something pounds (plus whatever my rack case and rack drawer weigh) it's a bit too heavy for me to comfortably schlepp with my history of back problems. I'm considering a switch to a lighter, solid state amp head (Tone Hammer 500 mayhaps?).

My question is: am I likely to notice the lack of tubes in the SS amp, given that I exclusively use my SVT3PRO with the tube gain knob turned all the way to the right (meaning, the voltage going to the driver tubes is minimal, which should result in a more modern, tubeless sound as I understand it)?

I'm sure the best answer is "just try it and see how it sounds" but I'm hoping to get some additional opinions in case a trade opportunity arises and I need to act fast.
Click to expand...
You may miss your tube sound, but even less likely will be that you go back to that amp. That SVT will likely sit and every time you have the opportunity, you may say, "Yes, but not today"... as the days, months and perhaps years click by. Just a hunch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: groovepump, Pontiac Thrasher and DJ Bebop
#34
dustinymichaels said:
I kind of made the exact same switch, but I didn't get rid of the SVT. Love the Tone Hammer. It's perfect with the 'ray. My Fenders sound better coming out of the SVT, though.
Click to expand...
This. If you can afford it - keep the SVT and get a lighter amp in addition.

I had a SVT Classic which I sold when I was between bands. Later got a Darkglass (very different, yes) and have been compensating with pedals. I really miss that Ampeg head and will need to get one again. They are heavy, but they are worth it to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pontiac Thrasher and dustinymichaels
#37
mattie13 said:
Will I miss tubes?
Click to expand...
Maybe. What we perceive as tubey is actually a range of qualities that can be combined in different ratios. So, it depends on what qualities you find important. I doubt you will find another amp that sounds exactly like the 3-Pro. I am sure there are qualities you will miss, but they may or may not be tube-related.

Ampegs tend to have a warmish tone and for the most part there is quite a bit of consistency in how the tone controls behave. Perhaps one of the new Venture series amps would be close enough. Ampeg – Bass guitar amplification
  • V3: 300W at 4 ohms and weighs 3.97lbs.
  • V7: 700W at 4 ohms and weighs 6.8lbs
  • V12: 1200W at 4 ohms and weighs 8.4lbs.
mattie13 said:
I love my SVT3PRO but at 40-something pounds (plus whatever my rack case and rack drawer weigh) it's a bit too heavy for me to comfortably schlepp with my history of back problems.
Click to expand...
The 3-Pro is supposed to weigh 26lbs. For non-touring applications one of the lighter roto-molded cases could provide sufficient protection...or possibly even a rack bag. The amp should have feet, which suggests a case is not necessarily required.
 
#38
mattie13 said:
My question is: am I likely to notice the lack of tubes in the SS amp, given that I exclusively use my SVT3PRO with the tube gain knob turned all the way to the right (meaning, the voltage going to the driver tubes is minimal, which should result in a more modern, tubeless sound as I understand it)?
Click to expand...
As @ihixulu correctly pointed out, Tube Gain all the way to the right maximizes the B+ supply voltage to the driver tubes; you're correct in understanding that it results in "a more modern, tubeless sound", as the driver tubes don't break up as easily. But this really only affects the sound if you're turned up loud on the Master volume.

I have an SVT-3Pro, and I find the magic is in the preamp tubes; it's very rare for me to get the Master volume up to where Tube Gain has an effect. Turning up the Gain (on the input side; not the Tube Gain) until the Peak light comes on a lot gives a lot of tube thickness and warmth, plus some good crunch on the attack. This is true at any Master volume level. Plus you can send that preamp signal out the DI to the PA and keep the Master low; your speaker on stage is your personal monitor and doesn't need to project off the stage, FOH sound engineers usually appreciate this.

Will you miss the tube preamp? You might... but as others have pointed out, there are many options for hybrid amps with tube preamps and class D output stages; or you can try some sort of tube preamp or pedal with general-purpose class D power amp.
 
#39
I've never really thought of the SVT3 Pro as a tube amp. It's solid state with a tube preamp section correct? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

In that case you could buy any tube centric preamp pedal and pair it with any number of lightweight heads that are pleasing to your ear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tshapiro

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back