What do you guys think about pairing an SVP-CL with a QSC PLX1202, rmx850 qsc or xls 1000? I can get the PLX1202 for pretty cheap and I would rather have the extra power just in case. From what I've gathered, I would be running 4 ohm mono bridged. I can get an SVP-PRO for pretty cheap but my gut is telling me to go with the SVP-CL because I've read that even the SVP-PRO breaks up pretty soon. Would any or all of these work?
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Every Amp Has Too Much Overdrive At Loud Volume
- Thread starter Scrappersa
- Start date
From what I recall, early production SVP-CLs had somewhat low output levels, so they could have trouble driving some relatively insensitive power amps to full output. My SVP-PRO has more than enough output to drive a power amp into clipping. No idea why someone would say that the PRO breaks up "pretty soon". If you keep the drive level down the preamp will add a little harmonic distortion, but stays audibly clean at the output.
BTW, I'm wondering if you and your band wear hearing protection? Sounds like you're playing too loud.
BTW, I'm wondering if you and your band wear hearing protection? Sounds like you're playing too loud.
I've just read that the SVP-PRO has more overdrive than the SVP-CL. I have absolutely no experience with either of them. If the SVP-PRO can give me the clean tone that I get with my SVT-2 at low levels, then it's exactly what I'm looking for.
My band is a three piece. Each of us have custom made earplugs. We're loud, but I completely overstated how loud we really are. The SVT-2 is by far loud enough. It's just breaking up way too soon.
My band is a three piece. Each of us have custom made earplugs. We're loud, but I completely overstated how loud we really are. The SVT-2 is by far loud enough. It's just breaking up way too soon.
I'm an Ampeg player and cant understand why your considering an Ampeg preamp now. If you want super clean and loud I think you should be considering some other preamp brands that are known for staying crystal clear and clean at higher volume settings.
You might dig the way Ampegs thicken up your higher register notes, but that comes with the side effect of not having the super clean low-lows that other brands might offer.
You'd probably love my old Ashly GP-40 preamp into a big SS poweramp cause it would stay sparkly clean on the loud low notes. I dig what most Ampegs do when pushed hard and hate that preamp because it stays so darn clean. (that's probably why its sitting in the corner under an inch of dust
)
You might dig the way Ampegs thicken up your higher register notes, but that comes with the side effect of not having the super clean low-lows that other brands might offer.
You'd probably love my old Ashly GP-40 preamp into a big SS poweramp cause it would stay sparkly clean on the loud low notes. I dig what most Ampegs do when pushed hard and hate that preamp because it stays so darn clean. (that's probably why its sitting in the corner under an inch of dust
)I'm not familiar with any preamps and I don't have a place where I can really test them out. I absolutely love my Ampeg tone at a low volume. I want to try to find a way to amplify my low volume tone without micing and/or running it through a PA. I would love any opinions on other preamps. Especially if they're cheaper than the Ampeg (like the Ashly). But most of all, I want something that is going to give me those thick higher register notes but that's also going to stay clean at a higher volume.
So much for you tube guys and loud clean punchy volume...only high wattage solid state amps can provide that without breaking the bank!
AFAIK, the SVP-PRO is basically the preamp section of the SVT-2PRO. It can be set clean or dirty, depending on the setting of the gain and drive controls. It's relatively clean with the drive all the way off, but does add a little bit of tube warmth and compression. The preamp section of my Eden is somewhat tighter sounding on the low notes of a 5-string, though it doesn't have the same tube character.
From what I've read, the CL is closely modeled after the earlier (60s) SVT preamp design and may be a bit cleaner than the PRO (though I don't find the PRO too dirty at all when set for a clean tone). Some people have expressed a preference for the CL over the more modern PRO, though I've never compared them.
From what I've read, the CL is closely modeled after the earlier (60s) SVT preamp design and may be a bit cleaner than the PRO (though I don't find the PRO too dirty at all when set for a clean tone). Some people have expressed a preference for the CL over the more modern PRO, though I've never compared them.
I love the tube warmth but I know that the tubes are also part of the overdrive problem. Do you guys have any recommendations on preamps that sound like the Ampeg at low volume but will keep a clean tone?
I'm going to try out an SVP-PRO but I want to keep my options open.
I'm going to try out an SVP-PRO but I want to keep my options open.
From what I gather, the "overdrive problem" is coming from the SVT's power tubes saturating, not the preamp tubes. So, a cleanish tube preamp with a clean power amp shouldn't exhibit this problem at higher volumes.
That's exactly what I've been thinking. As long as I can set the SVP-PRO to clean, then a clean power amp should power it to the level that I want it. Will the QSC PLX1202 work for what I want to do?
Solution...3000 watts, 16-10's, 2 SVP preamps. 1 set for clean,the other set for distortion when desired.
Where did you get the Ampeg 1 space grill thingy
I watched your youtube videos and see what your up against. Your drummer beats the crap out of a big kit and I'm guessing your guitarists is stepping all over your frequency with his amp/pedal bass knobs cranked up a good bit and you'll never get him to change.
I can see why you dig Ampegs and you probably would get tighter lows with most any Ampeg pre through a big solid state power amp.
But on the other hand I really dont think your 2 cabs are giving you the most you could get out of your SVT-II. I didn't read your whole thread but if your absolutely sure there's not any problems going on with your SVT-II... you've got one of the best sounding SVT models ever made there and you might not wanna bail on it without gigging some other cabs. (you wont know for sure about any cab until you get it up on a loud crappy sounding stage with your band)
I've owned and gigged that same SVT-II non-pro model for several years with a Berg NV610. I dont get subwoofer lows but I get STRONG low-mids that cut through with bands like yours. (this keeps me from stepping all over and competing with the kick drums frequency)
You'll find quite a few all-tube SVT guys here playing this cab and I doubt you'll find any complaining about their low end being wimpy at high volumes. (even with a 5-string) If you haven't already, try to borrow a 810 Ampeg fridge from another bassists at one of your gigs. If you kinda like it, I think you'd love the NV610.
I can see why you dig Ampegs and you probably would get tighter lows with most any Ampeg pre through a big solid state power amp.
But on the other hand I really dont think your 2 cabs are giving you the most you could get out of your SVT-II. I didn't read your whole thread but if your absolutely sure there's not any problems going on with your SVT-II... you've got one of the best sounding SVT models ever made there and you might not wanna bail on it without gigging some other cabs. (you wont know for sure about any cab until you get it up on a loud crappy sounding stage with your band)
I've owned and gigged that same SVT-II non-pro model for several years with a Berg NV610. I dont get subwoofer lows but I get STRONG low-mids that cut through with bands like yours. (this keeps me from stepping all over and competing with the kick drums frequency)
You'll find quite a few all-tube SVT guys here playing this cab and I doubt you'll find any complaining about their low end being wimpy at high volumes. (even with a 5-string) If you haven't already, try to borrow a 810 Ampeg fridge from another bassists at one of your gigs. If you kinda like it, I think you'd love the NV610.
This might help shed some light on the difference between the SVPCL and PRO:
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Preamps.html
FWIW, although several people have had noise issues with their SVP-PROs, mine seems pretty quiet.
And, yes, keeping the guitars out of the low/low midrange zone will help immensely in letting the bass cut through the mix.
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Preamps.html
FWIW, although several people have had noise issues with their SVP-PROs, mine seems pretty quiet.
And, yes, keeping the guitars out of the low/low midrange zone will help immensely in letting the bass cut through the mix.
Pics bring back memories
Used to run the same head with two 301 cabs. Also ran a line out from the Acoustic to a SUNN Concert Slave pushing a SUNN 610 guitar cab to get some bite on the high end. Blew the 10's on a regular basis but SUNN always replaced them under warranty.No guitar amp or bashing drummer could defeat that rig. One guitarist had a full 100 watt Marshall plexi stack cranked, the other a full SUNN Model T stack cranked. Outdoor gigs I rarely if ever used or needed PA support.
It was a bitch to haul and to be honest, my hearing did suffer from standing in front of that thing. I have some hearing loss in one ear now. From 40 feet away that rig would move your family jewels
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OK back on topic.
OP have you considered having a look at the Genz Benz GBE1200? I own one and can tell you that amp through a couple of nice 410's or a nice 810 cabinet is "seriously" clean and LOUD 1000 watts @ 8 OHMS and 1200 watts @ 2 OHMS. Plus the added ability to safely deliver that 1200 watts into a 2 OHM load with out crapping out is an added plus.
It sounds like you're running into the age old combo of a bashing drummer and guitar players who use a lot of low mids in their sound. In the 40 some odd years I've played I've run into that many times and IMO it's a no win situation.
You're looking at a situation where you will eventually get the amp you need that will be enough to overpower everyone's current stage volume and have clean reserve headroom, which is good. However don't be surprised if that opens up a Pandora's box and the drummer and guitar players start playing even louder because now they think you're drowning them out. I've been in that scenario before and bailed because of volume wars.
Again, this is just my opinion but being able to play with guitarist's who use smaller wattage amps cranked up so they still get the tone and punch they need, coupled with a drummer who understands dynamics is a good thing. You get to have a manageable stage volume, everybody can hear themselves, your band has dynamics, overall tonality, and starts sounding better overall. Which again IMO is what separates a true pro from just another hack. You use the PA to achieve the overall loud volume for gigs.
I jam with a long time guitarist friend who uses a strat and a 40 watt tube amp with a single 12 that he cranks up pretty good (he's the same guy who back in the day used to use the 100 watt Marshall Plexi fully cranked that I mentioned above). I use my GBE1200 and a single Uber 212 cab. The drummer has great dynamics. The sound is huge but not loud and it's a actually fun to play because we all know how to "push it" without knocking the walls down.
Good luck on your quest for the right amp combo.
Keep Low
you can run ampeg pres dead clean and just crank the master if you need more volume.
Thanks for the two long and thought out responses. My friend actually has an Ampeg 810 that I tested my SVT-2 through. I'm going to try it again at a lower volume with the whole band this week and see how it works. I ordered a QSC PLX1202 that should get here sometime this week. I want to try running my SVT-2's preamp into the amp to see how it sounds. Could I plug the 810 into the SVT-2 like normal and then run the PLX into the 410 and 115 in mono bridged mode? That way I can see exactly how it would sound if I were to buy an SVP-PRO and run it through my rig?
I like how the SVT-2 sounds through the 810 better than the 115 and 410 combo but there was still a bit too much overdrive. There is a Carvin shop not too far away and I'm going to bring my SVT-2 in there in a few days to try it through a more powerful cab that can handle more watts. I've only ran it through cabs that can handle a maximum of 400 watts RMS. (Including the 810)
must have been an older 810. since the mid 90's, the 810e has been able to handle 800w. and unlike the vast majority of cab makers out there, ampeg doesn't lie about power handling. any other company would have rated it 1200w because the woofers handle 1200w total before the voice coils will melt and break. put them in a box and it greatly reduces power handling, which most companies don't tell you about. the voice coils burn out at 1200 but the cab farts out and becomes unusable at way lower wattage levels. ampeg's power handling ratings reflect what they'll do in the real world, not this fantasy crap other companies pull. and they are one of the very few companies out there that do tell the truth.
I could be wrong, but I thought that the ampeg 810e was rated at 400 watts per half for a tot of 800 watts in mono. I know that it should be able to handle my head though.
i thought you were talking about the older 810e's that were rated for 400w. why only run the svt 2 into the 810 with half the speakers?
