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Duplicating Original SVT Tone w/Smaller,S.S. Amps & Cabs??

lbwdog

lbwdog

Jun 2, 2005
3,548
55
74
Mississippi Coast
#1
I Know, I Know, I Know...Can't be done can it, you SVT lovers :cool:

Okay, This isn't something I'm particularly trying to do, but I thought the varied responses would make for an interesting discussion. While I've never owned an SVT, I've played through hundreds in my 40+ year career. I remember the first time, back around 1970, and was truly gassed by the tone and the actual feel of this innovative rig.

My own main sound is a clean, full range tone (easy on the sizzle), playing mostly classic funk and blues, but occasionally I long for that classic SVT sound. So I'm wondering aloud, what combination of (lightweight preferably) solid state amps, cab and/or pedals will come closest to approximating the vibe of, say, a '69-'73 SVT with an 8x10 cab. No 8x10 or 6x10s please! Fer instance, some say a MarkBass LMII into a sealed 4x10 hints at this vibe. Others like a VT pedal into a clean, colorless rig (you get the idea).
.....................:D......................................................:D...............................:D
Remember, actual personal experience with old SVTs, and the newer s.s. rigs is the only real way to compare, so.......... Let's Hear From You!!! :hyper:
 
#7
Why me? I don't know nothing about it!

Anyway. closest thing to SVT tone in SS is definitely the Sansamp VT pedal. Won't give you the warm fuzzies of a tube amp, but the VT pedal is clearly the thing to own if you want Ampeg sound but don't want to lug an SVT.
 
#8
JimmyM said:
Why me? I don't know nothing about it!

Anyway. closest thing to SVT tone in SS is definitely the Sansamp VT pedal. Won't give you the warm fuzzies of a tube amp, but the VT pedal is clearly the thing to own if you want Ampeg sound but don't want to lug an SVT.
Click to expand...

So out of interest, if the VT pedal won't give you any warm fuzzies what DOES it do instead to emulate an SVT?
 
#10
I have come to the realization that I'll just have to lug the SVT and all the associated gear to gigs for the sound that I want. Having said that, I use the VT all the time... sometimes it works better than others.

For example, our practice space is a rental and we are fortunate enough to have quality gear waiting for us when we get there. Most of the time I run through an Agular 750. I know it is a well made amp but I can't stand it. The VT doesn't make it much better. I must be doing something wrong.

When I play through my little amp, an Ampeg B2RE, the VT makes a big difference.

The VT does work extremely well for recording I'm guessing that direct to a PA would yield equally satisfactory results.
 
#11
A good small cab to get would be the new mini svt 2x10 sealed cab. Pretty damn cool. I have a vintage svt and can tell you that the sansamp bass vt gets very close. As everyone says, it lacks alittle of the tube amp warmth but, that is expected. Get one of those cabs, a bass vt, power amp and use the vt in front of a basic preamp to drive your sound. A real svt has a bigger bottom end as well. Get more low end from your main preamp. Man, I kind of want to get one of those mini svt cabs now. Not super loud, but a good tone. Hey, just use the pedal into a little mark tube, into the ampeg cab, that would do it and be super light.
 
#12
So the Mark Tube is like the LM II or LM III?

I use the VT pedal for smaller gigs when I don't need a super loud amp and it works great! It has replaced my Boss and English muff'n pedal, which are cool but more "fizzy". The VT sounds like big fat power tubes breaking up. Also I own an SVT, although not a '69 and I can say that the VT pedal sounds just like my SVT but I can get a tone without shaking the walls too much which ultimately doesn't sound good because it can get too boomy.
 
#13
The VT pedal will get you the 'tone,' to be sure. But you need that big pillowy punch as part of the equation.

I'd look for at least 600 or 700 W in a good SS amp; as for a cab I've only had it for a couple days but the Bergantino NV610 does indeed replicate that 810 punch and low end very well.

How about Ampeg SVT preamp and VT pedal with a Crown/QSC power amp into an Ampeg 410? You said no 610's, all though I do highly recommend the NV610 and it's about as small as a 610 can get.
 
#14
markorbit said:
So out of interest, if the VT pedal won't give you any warm fuzzies what DOES it do instead to emulate an SVT?
Click to expand...

Megadan: "The VT pedal will get you the 'tone,' to be sure. But you need that big pillowy punch as part of the equation."

That's about what I would have said. Some people could easily get by with a VT into a SS amp. But for me, that tube punch is worth the heavy lifting.
 
#15
lbwdog said:
What sealed cab you got in mind? Will it have the same feel as an SVT? Or are you just guessing? ;)
Click to expand...

I base my opinion on the fact that the ampeg 8x10 is two sealed, tweeterless 4x10s stacked on top of each other and the VT pedal does sound just like it.

adding an 8x10 will get you closer. Basson cabs come to mind. turn off the tweeter and it might push you out the door. heavy though.
 
#18
As far as I know, Ampeg 810's were always chambered 210's. But there always seems to be a loop thrown in now and then so I wouldn't rule it out that they tried it at one time.
 

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