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forgot how great it is (SVT Classic)

MJ_Sotti

MJ_Sotti

formerly "Mike in Chicago"
Apr 3, 2011
2,257
1,372
Chicago
#1
bought a new classic about 3months ago with the 810E. over the years Ive had lots of stuff, mostly Ampeg...410s, 210s,
V4b bottom and head, tube preamps and emulators with poweramps, you name it. when I was a kid I had the SVT & 810...but thats gone with many other cool things. Of course right before the new rig comes I quit 2 bands and stayed with one, but we haven't done much. until last night, out came the big iron for its virgin voyage. As great as ever, growl and power...and a Precision with P46s on it.

dont get any better
 
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#3
I've really gone through a ton of gear in the past 5 years or so and had a bad experience with a 2001 810e which made me want to stay away from Ampeg.

I finally picked up a Vintage 75' SVT and this amp is the best amp I've ever played! I'm really disappointed I let my experience a few years back stop me from pursuing one of these beasts but it's every bit worth the weight.

It just sounds so big and massive compared to any other amp I've played and that's with my volume up only around 9 o'clock. I've been really tempted to pick up a recent year 810e to pair with my new amp as I've never owned the svt/810 rig and would love to have the complete setup. The SVT sounds great with my Mesa cabs but I'd imagine you'd get a nice grindy tone with ease with an 810e.
 
#5
It's really pretty hard to beat. I've never owned my own SVT - lived in apartments for years with no room for one and now that I have the room, I don't have the young back to lug it around! - but I've played many, many shows with old SVTs and flat-back 810 "fridge" cabs and there really is nothing like it.

There's loads of great gear out there - wonderful gear and wonderful tones to be had - so I can't say that a fridge is the end-all, be-all of bass rigs, but if someone told me that from now on I was only allowed to use a '70s SVT and a flat-back, I wouldn't shed too many tears! (As long as somebody else carries it!)
 
#6
dukeisdog said:
I've really gone through a ton of gear in the past 5 years or so and had a bad experience with a 2001 810e which made me want to stay away from Ampeg.

I finally picked up a Vintage 75' SVT and this amp is the best amp I've ever played! I'm really disappointed I let my experience a few years back stop me from pursuing one of these beasts but it's every bit worth the weight.

It just sounds so big and massive compared to any other amp I've played and that's with my volume up only around 9 o'clock. I've been really tempted to pick up a recent year 810e to pair with my new amp as I've never owned the svt/810 rig and would love to have the complete setup. The SVT sounds great with my Mesa cabs but I'd imagine you'd get a nice grindy tone with ease with an 810e.
Click to expand...
Don't let your experience with the 2001 cab bum you out on the new cabs. The regular Classic 810e's are much improved, with real plywood and brighter speakers. But the Heritage 810e is THE cab. I have a 73 flatback with the CTS alnicos, and the Heritage sounds every bit as good, plus it has the bonus of being able to take 800w before farting out, which you can't do with the flatback.
 
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#7
Some-odd years ago I had a rig that was IT - a late 70s white rocker SVT and a V9 cabinet. It was a big-assed 9x10 cabinet when cranked was loud and proud. Tone for ages. The main problem I had with the 9x10 was that at some places I had to turn the cabinet sideways to make it thru the door. Then either I got older or the cabinet got heavier so I traded it.

Lately when I'd been running it it was with 2 Hartke 410XL cabinets (the older ones that handled 240 watts). Very nice highs and tasty lows.

2 weeks ago I dragged it out to use at a local show with a Hartke 410XL and a Hartke cabinet loaded with Eminence Kappa Pro 10s. OMG what a sound.

My only problem now is I'm getting older and the SVT is getting very heavy and Im afraid I might have to unload it....
 
#8
The drummer in my first band now plays in a band in South Florida with a bassist who will bring two of those 910 cabs out on some of their gigs. The drummer loves it, too. I taught him well ;)
 
#9
Congrats, Mike!

I haven't owned an SVT setup in over 10 years, and I really miss having one. I plan on buying a Heritage SVT-CL and Heritage 810E in the upcoming months. I can't wait until I finally can make the purchase.

I probably won't use it for gigging (famous last words, right?) As I use a Demeter Pre/Crest CA9 racking setup, -which weighs pretty close to my old SVT2-Pro head did, and various smaller cabs that I can move by myself for gigging. It's a fantastic setup and can knock down walls cranked up, but it still ain't no SVT!

As you said, there's nothing else that sounds like a cranked up SVT on a gig! Who knows, maybe I'll have a Jam through it with my buddies once I get mine. Then they'll have no other choice to help me load it in and out!

The ultimate juicy, killer Rock bass tone, I'm envious!

Enjoy your Ampeg stack for many, many years to come!
 
#10
Friends are out on the road right now and the Bass player uses a SVT2-Pro with an 810. Always ripper tone and keeps up with the two guitars and heavy drums. But noone wants to pick up that rack before or after the gig. I have helped carry his gear out and woof. But da tone....
 
#11
as far as the lifting goes...I had a 410he and a 118he for years, then two 410he classics...I think one 810 is easier One lift. Then when you look at all the crap the drummer has to bring, set up, break down, bring home...I dont think its too bad. My brother, my old drummer/singer always would roll his eyes "brohamm, you dont need all that, youre gonna blow everyone out". He and our old guitar player do a 2 man acoustic thing (and theyre fn great) and they did a set before us and stayed...he said, "Mikey, I understand"
 

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