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Going down from an SVT to...

M

Mandril

May 10, 2006
106
0
Madrid
www.myspace.com
#1
Hi guys!

I'm selling my SVT 2 and my Berggie NV610 to a friend. I REALLY love the tone with my P-bass, but I'm tired of the weight, and also maintenance is really expensive...

So, I'm not sure what to do next! I'm looking for a smaller amp that sounds warm and fat and punchy! I play a P-bass, fingerstyle, and mainly rock.

First I thought of an Ashdown ABM 500 115 combo or a Trace Elliot 715X. Both have enough power, and are warm combos.

Then I thought of a Markbass 121 P, but I haven't tried one yet.

And today I've just seen an AI Focus 1 in a local classifieds forum. I think it's the Series I, because it's suposed to have 1000 W (at 2 ohm, I guess) and weight 3 kg.

What do you think? Any suggestion to get a tone similiar to my old rig? I know all the options are not tube amps, but I guess you'll get the point...
 
#2
Are you attempting to match the tone and volume, or find something quite a bit smaller that gives you a fat warm tube tone and feel at moderate volume?

If you are attempting the former, that's pretty tough. One thing that you might try if you can get to a Guitar Center is the Markbass line of 'Classic Cabs', which are lightweight, sealed multi 10" driver cabs (4,6 and 8) designed to do that sort of 'fridge/NV610 vibe. They have a tweeter but you can turn it off. A nice lightweight head (like the AI you are talking about or one of the MB heads) with one of those SansAmp VT pedals in front of it gets pretty good reviews if the tone of the SVT is more important than the 'feel' of that amp.

If you are OK with the latter (i.e., looking for a fat, punchy, warm, 'all tube tone emulation' in a small combo), the Mesa Walkabout Scout is an amazing piece of gear. It's probably the loudest, fullest 112 combo out there, and both sounds and 'feel's' somewhat like an amp with a tube pre and power section.

IMO.
 
#3
Thanks for the answer! I guess I mean something between both things, hehehe! I'm not really trying to get the exactly same tone than the SVT, but I need something with a nice volume. Tone concerning, I meant that I don't want a modern/hi-fi sound, but more of an old-school rock tone: warm, fat and punchy! Something to pair a P-bass like the SVT uses to. The Mesa Walkabout is out of my pocket, and I think it's all tube or maybe hibrid, what doesn't solve the problem of tube maintenance.
 
#4
Honestly, I have loved my Eden WT400 for years. It can easily be fat, warm and punchy ... the only thing it is missing is some of the tube fartiness that shows up when you push the tube amp. But warm and round it can do with no problem. I have always run mine through Ampeg classic cabs with the tweeter turned off with flats on the bass.

And the 400 is only around 15 pounds. I have only had mine serviced once in around 6 years or so. I have also heard good things about Ashdown.

BUT - if you're a tone snob, there is no replacing an old Ampeg. Years ago I got rid of my SVT, and I just bought a V-4 last week. I missed it.
 
#6
Mandril said:
Thanks for the answer! I guess I mean something between both things, hehehe! I'm not really trying to get the exactly same tone than the SVT, but I need something with a nice volume. Tone concerning, I meant that I don't want a modern/hi-fi sound, but more of an old-school rock tone: warm, fat and punchy! Something to pair a P-bass like the SVT uses to. The Mesa Walkabout is out of my pocket, and I think it's all tube or maybe hibrid, what doesn't solve the problem of tube maintenance.
Click to expand...

The Walkabout is a hybrid, meaning it only has a couple of preamp tubes. There is no maintenance issue at all. Preamp tubes last years and years and years. The Eden mentioned above (the current model is the WT550, has a single preamp tube).

If you really want to get away from any tubes, the Aguilar AG500 is VERY nice... fat, clean and very warm. That with a couple of DB112's would be a killer rig for what you are looking for IMO.
 
#8
I thought of the Aguilar too, but also, too much money. Maybe if I could find one used... But I have about 750 $ to spend on the head, or 1000 $ for a combo.
I'll talk to the AI owner, and see if I can get a lower price on the Focus I. Also this weekend I'll try the Markbass amps. The Little Mark II is also on my range of prices.
What about the Trace Elliot 715X? No local shop have it on stock, but old Traces were really nice...
 
#9
+1 on Markbass.

I have an LMII and a CL108 (8x10 in a 90'ish pound package). It really works great and is LOUD. I picked up the CL108 at GC for $750. The store in Sacramento has a used CL106 for about the same price if you are interested. The 108 is way louder though.
 
#10
While I do very much love the Markbass and think the LMII sounds very much in the Ampeg family, I went back to an SVT/810 from an LMII and I'm not looking back. Suck it up and hoist that sucker! Chicks dig it, men respect you ;)
 
#11
Mandril said:
What do you think? but I guess you'll get the point...
Click to expand...

I think you should start dating more wisely. Get a girlfriend from the BUGARIAN WOMAN's SHOT PUTT TEAM and make her carry your rig.

I think "your friend" is catching you at a weak moment and is taking advantage of you. A real friend would tell you to gut it out and stop whining. See I'm a real friend, so's Jimmy...

You will regret your decision very soon and will be posting, I foolishly sold my good stuff and have been playing this garbage, now what do I do?

We play BASS, when I played Upright I had to lug a HUGE HEAVY thing around. Now I'm glad to just have 6 160# cabs and a 350# rack... My wife does have a sister, ARE YOU VERY RICH?

BOB
 
#13
whitespike said:
"Suck it up and hoist that sucker!" +1 I wish I still had my old SVT. I should have just saved up and bought a lightweight one for when I was feeling like a weak little child. Dang!
Click to expand...

+100! The tube growl you get from that setup is the tone pushing the power tubes - you will not get that in any other amp out there unless it has a tube power section. I have learned the hard way on that one..... Keep that Berg 610NV, nothing out there really can replicate it....it's a damn good cab.

Hybrid amps with tubes and MOSFET power sections can sound really warm and punchy - but we all hear things differently and you need to try them yourself. You won't get that tube growl out of the head, but if you don't mind that, you might be really happy. Pre-amp tubes are anywhere from $7-35 a tube with the majority of them below $20. Very easy maintenance with pre-amp tubes. You can at least get 5 years of heavy use with them and they are easy to pull out and replace if needed.
 
#14
Even if you don't push it until it growls, a tube amp sounds absolutely wonderful. I won't try to talk you out of the Markbass...hell, I got one my own self and it's a great amp, but ain't no sub for tubes.
 
#16
I had an SVT for years and sold it because of the weight. The MarkBass stuff is nice, but nowhere near in the same league as an SVT for tone. I went with an SVP-CL preamp and a Crown XTi 2000; in a rack bag with a strip and tuner it weighs half of what the SVT did and while not as gritty sounds pretty damned good.
 
#17
Webtroll said:
I had an SVT for years and sold it because of the weight. The MarkBass stuff is nice, but nowhere near in the same league as an SVT for tone.
Click to expand...
That's weird how people can hear the same thing so differently. I think the LMII is definitely in the SVT's league, probably as good as I've ever heard out of a SS amp. Oh well, what can I tell ya?
 
#19
And while my SVT-CL through a Berg 322 is my current favorite (although I think I'd love the 610 given the chance), I'm OK with the 3Pro; guess everybody hears it differently
 
#20
Guys, you're killing me! I know I shouldn't let my SVT go, but I have to. :crying: Really, I'm moving next month and I need the cash. But I guess some day I'll get another one. For the moment, I don't know, I guess I'll have to give MB a try... This weekend I'll go and try to find all the stuff you're talking about and try them.

rbonner said:
My wife does have a sister, ARE YOU VERY RICH?
Click to expand...

If you ship her by FedEx, do I have to pay customs? I'll ask my wife... :D
 

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