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Difference between Ampeg SVT VR and SVT CL?

AuBassMan

AuBassMan

Oct 17, 2011
287
499
Central Virginia
#1
Can anyone tell me what the difference in the sound between these heads would be? I'm trying to decide which amp to buy between the VR, the CL Heritage, or the SVT Classic. The classic is cheaper...but if I'm going to drop that much on an amp I might as well spend some extra $ and make sure I will be happy with what I get.

Back in the early 80's when I first started playing bass I lucked out and got an Ampeg rig for a great deal...think I paid $600.00 for the amp and 2 810's. But I really didn't realize what I had...I just knew that it rocked and I loved that tone! Looking at some old pics it seems that the head was a VR...had white rocker switches. I wish I would have kept that rig. Heres a pic, sorry it's a little blurry...kinda like some memories from around that time lol!
 

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#2
The VR is a modern reissue of the original SVT circuit that you are familiar with. The circuit utilizes different tubes but the amp has all the same features plus some new ones. The CL and Heritage CL are a completely different pre-amp than the original SVT and VR. However it's been reported that cranking the master and using the gain as your volume control you can get vintage SVT tones with the CL. According to JimmyM he can't tell his original blue line SVT and Heritage CL apart under the right circumstances.
 
#3
^ What he said...plus...the CL has both a master and a gain control. The VR only has a gain (or volume)control so basically the VR is running with the master all the way open. Some folks prefer the extra knob and some don't. I personally prefer to have a master. That way , if I want (and I usually don't) I can crank a bit extra grit into the gain and tone it down at the master so my kidneys don't wobble. That said , I could get by just fine without a master control.
I personally have never heard them side by side but if JimmyM says they sound the same , I'd be willing to take that to the bank.
 
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#5
AuBassMan said:
Can anyone tell me what the difference in the sound between these heads would be? I'm trying to decide which amp to buy between the VR, the CL Heritage, or the SVT Classic. The classic is cheaper...but if I'm going to drop that much on an amp I might as well spend some extra $ and make sure I will be happy with what I get.

Back in the early 80's when I first started playing bass I lucked out and got an Ampeg rig for a great deal...think I paid $600.00 for the amp and 2 810's. But I really didn't realize what I had...I just knew that it rocked and I loved that tone! Looking at some old pics it seems that the head was a VR...had white rocker switches. I wish I would have kept that rig. Heres a pic, sorry it's a little blurry...kinda like some memories from around that time lol!
Click to expand...

I would go for the Heritage CL head. If you can get the VL tones from the Heritage CL it's a no trainer. I'm sure you can't get CL tones from a VR.
 
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#6
The really only difference between the Heritage and the CL, is the heritage is hand built in the good old USA and is basically the same circuit as the regular production CL and The Heritage is loaded with with JJ 6550 power tubes, the regular CL is loaded with Sovtec 6550's power tubes , i am sure there are some more differences, it all boils down to what you want to spend your money on and how much, the only thing I will add, is get a road case, it will protect your amp from all kind of stuff that happens to amps when they are transported ... IMHO..... but in a bit, I'm sure Jimmy will chime in
 
#8
vmabus said:
cue Jimmy...
Click to expand...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

waltdogg said:
The VR is a modern reissue of the original SVT circuit that you are familiar with. The circuit utilizes different tubes but the amp has all the same features plus some new ones. The CL and Heritage CL are a completely different pre-amp than the original SVT and VR. However it's been reported that cranking the master and using the gain as your volume control you can get vintage SVT tones with the CL. According to JimmyM he can't tell his original blue line SVT and Heritage CL apart under the right circumstances.
Click to expand...
I can't tell them apart at all!

Honestly, all SVT's sound basically the same to me. There might be slight differences here and there, but if you turn the master up all the way on the CL and use gain to control volume, I'm very hard pressed to tell the difference between it and a VR. The VR's big advantage IMHO is having two channels, which is nice when you want to blend sounds, like a clean/dirty blend. The CL's big selling point is being able to add compression and overdrive at a lower volume by overdriving the gain control. Sounds a little buzzy compared to power tube distortion, but you can get preamp OD at a much lower volume.
 
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#11
Thanks for the responses. I already have the cab, its a classic. So I believe I've narrowed it down to the Heritage or the Classic. If they're that close in tone it seems that I can save the extra money for the Heritage and go for the Classic and be able to get what Im looking for.
 
#13
AuBassMan said:
Can anyone tell me what the difference in the sound between these heads would be? I'm trying to decide which amp to buy between the VR, the CL Heritage, or the SVT Classic. The classic is cheaper...but if I'm going to drop that much on an amp I might as well spend some extra $ and make sure I will be happy with what I get.

Back in the early 80's when I first started playing bass I lucked out and got an Ampeg rig for a great deal...think I paid $600.00 for the amp and 2 810's. But I really didn't realize what I had...I just knew that it rocked and I loved that tone! Looking at some old pics it seems that the head was a VR...had white rocker switches. I wish I would have kept that rig. Heres a pic, sorry it's a little blurry...kinda like some memories from around that time lol!
Click to expand...

I love that old bich bass/dean neck in the picture!!:bassist:

guess that'd be a "franken-bich" LOL
 
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#15
AuBassMan said:
Thanks for the responses. I already have the cab, its a classic. So I believe I've narrowed it down to the Heritage or the Classic. If they're that close in tone it seems that I can save the extra money for the Heritage and go for the Classic and be able to get what Im looking for.
Click to expand...
I think you're likely correct, but man, that Heritage sure looks sharp!

waltdogg said:
If you do go with a regular CL. Go used and look for a USA model. Seems to be the general consensus around here.
Click to expand...
Not with me so much. Some argue that the transformers are better in the older USA models, but I don't know...they all sound pretty much the same to me.
 
#16
I think the Heritage is around $600 more than the Classic. I have a Classic, love it. But here you go, I'm going to roll 6 JJ 6550s into it as a upgrade (the sovteks break up a little early for me) and the front of the amp is loaded with JJ preamp tubes, too as is the Heritage. I'll be $200 for the power tubes.

I think the Heritage bottom is $600 more as well.

I think the VR also has a XLR out that has a level control...which would be nice on the Heritage Classic line.

I'd like to get a pre master xlr out on my Classic, been told here that it's not a big deal. But what would that do to my warranty?
 
#19
In my experience the difference is not a lot. I own a classic and a vintage SVT. I do feel there is more tone shaping in VR style head than the classic. If you like that Ampeg tone I think you will be happy with either one.
 
#20
Thanks for the replies.

hintz said:
I love that old bich bass/dean neck in the picture!!:bassist:

guess that'd be a "franken-bich" LOL
Click to expand...

Yeah, that thing weighed a ton! It was made by a local guy, Bishop Stern, one of his first builds.

lexington125 said:
but what's that strap hanging down from above.......is that a keyboard on a guitar strap!?
I know it was the 80s, but there were rules even then.........
Click to expand...

Like I said, blurry memories...I have no knowledge of that lol!

beans-on-toast said:
I'm wondering what made you rule out the VR.
Click to expand...

I haven't entirely ruled it out, but it seems having the separate gain and volume would be good...seems like some places I may not be able to crank up the gain to get some drive and not be too loud without that...dunno?
 

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