Fender bassman or Ampeg SVT/ SVT-VR?

[Skullheadrac]

I've been really considering getting a tube amp lately. For the longest time I thought the Ampeg SVT CL or SVT VR were the amps for me.
Then Fender Bassman amps have caught my attention lately. Does anyone have any suggestions for which model Bassman is the "standard"?
Maybe i'll eventually get an Ampeg tube as well as a Fender one day. I'm just trying to decide which to get first and really narrow down a model of the Fender Bassman to keep an eye open for.
Also, I'd prefer 300 watts vs any 100 watt models.

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[coreyfyfe]

The hybrid channel on the current super bassman can do a solid SVT impression, plus you've got overdrive and the vintage bassman channel for a different voicing.

I'd probably take an SVT-VR > CL > bassman, but they're both solid choices.

 

[Goatrope]

SuperBassman 300.

Very flexible with two channels. I went this direction a few months ago and no regrets at all. Played SVTs in the past, and they sound great, but I was over the moon with the SB300.

 

[jdubbass38]

I would suggest trying both the Ampeg and Fender if your able to demo. I currently have an svt2pro (300 watt) all tube rack mount version of the svt along with the v4b-ri 100 watt all tube. I had the fender super bassman for a wile, great amp, great tone but it’s not Ampeg and my Ampeg is not fender. Some say you can Comp each other’s amps tone but I felt when I was a/b the super bassman vs Ampeg v4b-ri there were more different tone/ coloring then alike.... but that’s my opinion. Again both great amps, both do their own thing well. Demo them both if you can.

 

[Bassndrums73]

You should definitely listen and play through both before you buy and not just take someone else’s word for it. I did that and bought a Super Bassman 300 and didn’t like it after buying and playing through it for a couple of weeks. I know, a lot of folks will say what? You didn’t like a Super Bassman 300? It just wasn’t the sound I was after and I had to pay for shipping to return it which isn’t cheap for something that heavy these days. And that’s fine, I’m glad I purchased from a great store that had no problem with me returning it. I’m just trying to save you the experience of going through all that. If you can go somewhere and try out the amps you’re interested in that is what you should do.

 

[Skullheadrac]

love the input thus far.
Current amps i have are SVT 7PRO and SVT 350.

Super Bassman question, is there a big gap in the age of the amp and quality/tone? I don't mind the Vietnamese Ampegs but i'm unaware about the Super Bassman. Thanks again!

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I was at this crossroad a few years ago. I would love to have both but I chose the SB300 for features and weight.

I love the tones both produce but Fender just has what I want more.

As far as I know the SB300 has been produced in Mexico for the whole life of its existence, since 2012 I believe. Mine came with Russian Groove Tubes, 6550’s in the power section, with a 5 rating. I have read that others came with Chinese 6550’s. Mine is from 2014.

 

[jastacey]

I have both amps, and I like both, but the Fender can do a really good simulation of the SVT-CL, and is slightly lighter, and it has a blendable overdrive feature, if you want a little grit in your tone, also, with the Super Bassman, you have a feature of running your tubes a little hotter or a little cooler, for more tone variations, as to which one is right for you, you really need to try each amp, with your cabinet
Why I have one of each? .... never really wanted to get rid of one, over another, I had the SVT-CL first and had it for several years, yes the SVT-CL is a great amp ..... so, with that said ..... I'm a confirmed gear hound

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I would also like to add that if you haven’t played both or cannot play both to compare, the SB300 can stay really clean while being cranked hard on the Vintage channel.

I found the Ampeg SVT harder to tame at gig levels, but I love the way the Ampeg sounds breaking up and overdriving. It is a classic rock amp that we all know and love.

Try both and decide for your self. As I’ve said, I own the SB300, but I would buy and gig an SVT anytime as well.

Both great amps.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I have both amps, and I like both, but the Fender can do a really good simulation of the SVT-CL, and is slightly lighter, and it has a blendable overdrive feature, if you want a little grit in your tone, as to which one is right for you, you really need to try each amp, with your cabinet
Why I have one of each? .... never really wanted to get rid of one, over another, I'm a confirmed gear hound
View attachment 3198394 View attachment 3198396

Hell yeah!

This is what I am saying. I have way too many amps and cabs right now, but damn, I’m gassing for an SVT again now.

 

[kranahan]

I have both amps, and I like both, but the Fender can do a really good simulation of the SVT-CL, and is slightly lighter, and it has a blendable overdrive feature, if you want a little grit in your tone, also, with the Super Bassman, you have a feature of running your tubes a little hotter or a little cooler, for more tone variations, as to which one is right for you, you really need to try each amp, with your cabinet
Why I have one of each? .... never really wanted to get rid of one, over another, I had the SVT-CL first and had it for several years, yes the SVT-CL is a great amp ..... so, with that said ..... I'm a confirmed gear hound
View attachment 3198394 View attachment 3198396

Where'd you get the side bass hanger?

 

[Tim1]

Tough choice. I owned both for a while and found that by using the overdrive channel as an eq channel (commonly done by many) I was able to get the Super Bassman to sound identical to the SVT in a blind AB test with my mates. Also the Fender is 20 pounds lighter which was a big factor for me as I age. I ended up selling the SVT but buying an Ampeg V4B - which I much preferred over the Fender 100T which I also owned (and sold).

 

[rodl2005]

Had both, love both, kept the Fender Super Bassman. Had it since 2012, all good!

 

[jastacey]

Where'd you get the side bass hanger?

I purchased it from Musicians Friend, it's made by " String/Swing", it come in several different styles, to fit different sized handles

 

[smeet]

I was able to get the Super Bassman to sound identical to the SVT in a blind AB test with my mates.

What settings on the SB300 did you use to match the SVT?

 

[diegom]

I purchased it from Musicians Friend, it's made by " String/Swing", it come in several different styles, to fit different sized handles

Here's the link to the manufacturer. You can see all the models available...
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[kranahan]

I purchased it from Musicians Friend, it's made by " String/Swing", it come in several different styles, to fit different sized handles

Thank you!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

A couple years ago I saw a Fender endorser with his Fender 810 cab and a Bassma head on top. I was behind the stage and I could see the SVT that he was actually plugged into tucked behind his Fender cab. If you can manage the weight, SVT all the weigh (sic).

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

What settings on the SB300 did you use to match the SVT?

This is the setting and it sounds pretty close.

 

[Ryan L.]

I went with the SB300 and haven’t looked back. Nothing against the SVT-I’d be happy to gig one of them any day (and have on several occasions). But the Fender gives me more of what I want.