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Do I need an Ampeg SVT all tube head???
- Thread starter Turlu
- Start date
They are super expensive, crazy heavy, maintenance is a constant issue, reliability is a factor for gigging bassists, and they need to be cranked to get "that tone." But, there is nothing else like it! Personally I like a B15 more because I don't play stadiums.
i have a SVT VR i used to use in bigger rooms (thru Aguilar 4x12), and it's a phenomenal experience. If you need a bigger rig for a bigger room, and you dig the tube tone, why not? I find that if I'm at 9:00-10:00 on the volume knob, i'm getting my money's worth out of the SVT. below that, it's a very expensive and cumbersome DI.
Tube head Pros: Warm tone, distorts beautifully
Tube head Cons: Expensive, heavy, moody, will require maintenance.
Solid State Pros: Tight focused sound, light weight, reliable, no maintenance required.
Solid State Cons: It doesn't sound like a tube amp
It's a subjective decision. I'm a tube tone Junkie so i'm ok with the cons and I'm hooked on that old school sound. Lots of great players love solid state tone.
Tube head Cons: Expensive, heavy, moody, will require maintenance.
Solid State Pros: Tight focused sound, light weight, reliable, no maintenance required.
Solid State Cons: It doesn't sound like a tube amp
It's a subjective decision. I'm a tube tone Junkie so i'm ok with the cons and I'm hooked on that old school sound. Lots of great players love solid state tone.
I know there's not that many of them out there yet, but is there any consensus in the Ampeg / SVT community about any changes for good or ill under Yamaha ownership ? As it's NAMM season, any word of Yamaha delving into the rest of the lineup ?
This makes the weight factor easier in my opinion.....
75% of my gigs have good access, no stairs etc so, I take either a Super Bassman or AD200B to them... with a Neo loaded sealed cab, works real well.
Even late at night, I can trolley the whole shebang.... easy.
For the few gigs with stairs or other poor access, I've gotta class D amp.
That's easy too
Plus... I don't get the 'constant maintenance' thang..
I've had my Super Bassman since 2012, it's still on its original tubes.
I've been using all tube amps since the 70s, and I think I've had to retube maybe twice.
Unless you're thrashing em... they last.
75% of my gigs have good access, no stairs etc so, I take either a Super Bassman or AD200B to them... with a Neo loaded sealed cab, works real well.
Even late at night, I can trolley the whole shebang.... easy.
For the few gigs with stairs or other poor access, I've gotta class D amp.
That's easy too
Plus... I don't get the 'constant maintenance' thang..
I've had my Super Bassman since 2012, it's still on its original tubes.
I've been using all tube amps since the 70s, and I think I've had to retube maybe twice.
Unless you're thrashing em... they last.
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I have an SVT and pretty much all of the cab combinations.
Moving them can be a pain. For the past 20 years my band has had a trailer and a van. It wasnt that bad but it was annoying to load. Awful to move around in clubs.
If I had to do it over again I would probably go smaller. If you have to go tube get a V4 instead of an SVT. These days I use an ampeg 610 and Markbass head. The SVT stays home because it weighs and ton and is a pain to move.
Moving them can be a pain. For the past 20 years my band has had a trailer and a van. It wasnt that bad but it was annoying to load. Awful to move around in clubs.
If I had to do it over again I would probably go smaller. If you have to go tube get a V4 instead of an SVT. These days I use an ampeg 610 and Markbass head. The SVT stays home because it weighs and ton and is a pain to move.
If you're not playing arenas you don't need it, and if you're playing arenas, you don't need it. I really have no idea but that was very fun to write.
Being that we're in the same barn so to speak, I'd say no. Been there done that and it gets tiring fast believe me. Yes nothing can compare to that tone, but lots of the newer gear can get very close in my opinion. Like one post said, the cab is as important to that SVT tone as the head. So unless you willing to lift the 85 pound head and 165 pound cab every time you use them, I'd look elsewhere. Their are fewer and fewer bars to actually play in these days around here and very few of them have room for that kind of setup anymore. On top of that, we have the Covid problem which may leave fewer places to play when all is said and done. From my experience it's not needed. I've played clubs, outdoor festivals and a few big shows like Kemptville live and my class D amps have been able to handle it without any hiccups. For me personally, I'll never go back. however again, it's just my opinion.
Whenever I switch mine on I just feel like God. I mean, not A god but God himself.
Heavy? Yes.
Loud? Yes.
Unreliable? Nope.
High maintenance? Nope.
I'm 51 and I lug my 810 + SVT at every gig - there was a time when we could do that, remember?
- small places or huge stages, I don't care. It sounds good ALL THE EFFIN TIME.
To me it's worth every penny invested. Expensive? Yes, like any other good gear. But I always buy used so I made good deals. My rig ain't going anywhere until I'm too old to carry it all. And this is not happening in a near future.
Heavy? Yes.
Loud? Yes.
Unreliable? Nope.
High maintenance? Nope.
I'm 51 and I lug my 810 + SVT at every gig - there was a time when we could do that, remember?
- small places or huge stages, I don't care. It sounds good ALL THE EFFIN TIME.To me it's worth every penny invested. Expensive? Yes, like any other good gear. But I always buy used so I made good deals. My rig ain't going anywhere until I'm too old to carry it all. And this is not happening in a near future.
Only you can decide. You will only be able to decide after you've tried it. "Need" is highly subjective. What I need is a super reliable, readily portable rig that can sound fantastic and get set up in a hurry every time. I have a 300W tube amp and 810 among other dedicated bass rigs, but I take a Kemper to my gigs while the big rig(s) stay home.
I've arrived at the point in my life where I am no longer up on stage having panties thrown at me. If it were to happen, I have a feeling they would be larger than in the old days. Anyway, my SVT rig is parked at a rehearsal space ready to go for our weekly sessions. I absolutely love the thing and it does sound incredible, but if we get playing out again the SVT is probably staying behind.
Do you need an Ampeg SVT all tube head???
No. But it is fun. For awhile.
Then your band mates start getting tired of helping you haul it around.
Then you worry about your lower back, especially if you have not had, or do have very young children.
Then you need to re-tube it for a cost approaching what you paid for it.
And then.... (fill in the blanks)
That's my experience. YMMV.
No. But it is fun. For awhile.
Then your band mates start getting tired of helping you haul it around.
Then you worry about your lower back, especially if you have not had, or do have very young children.
Then you need to re-tube it for a cost approaching what you paid for it.
And then.... (fill in the blanks)
That's my experience. YMMV.
Either, I've never been to that stage, or that stage is still to come............
Wasnex, that's without doubt one of the most informative, well articulated posts I've ever read on Talkbass.
Thankyou
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