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have the D's toppled the SVT's?
- Thread starter MJ_Sotti
- Start date
I can't tell if this is sarcasm, proving me wrong, or just information. I feel good that I called it right regarding 8 kt88 for a bit over 400 watts. $2,500 dollar head, and a middle price for a kt88 is $50, so a $400 dollar re-tube. Like I said, if this is the sound and cost one is after, go for it.
I didn't know it was a competition. I just play what I like and what works for me. End of story.
Thank you sooo much. I'll be ordering one ASAP. And...... if you ever decide to part with that rig let me know. So nice.
All of the above.
Basic point is that tube technology doesn't have to be incredibly heavy. The smaller version of this, the Prodigy, is 250 watts at 30lbs.
But yeah, they are expensive, which is one reason I'll stick to my Buster.
Owning several rigs....which include a full SVTCL/810E set-up, a Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ head, an Aguilar DB751 head, a Gallien-Krueger MB800 micro-head, and a number of Bergantino and SWR cabs from a 4x10, (2) 6x10's, and a 2x15, I find that my SVT/810 rig only leaves the house these days when I feel up to maybe hauling it for large stage and outdoor shows. However, I will never get rid of it. There's just something about playing a gig on a big stage, looking behind you and seeing the industry standard there and having that rig throwing that large sound around. Yeah, it sucks having to haul the damn thing (especially at 2am), but it's a small price to pay for the smile it brings to my face on those shows that I decided to bring it out. 
Man, how many times are we going to hash this one out?
Since solid state amps became more capable in the early 80s, people have been scratching their chins over the demise of tube bass heads. There is a shift in the market right now, but what else is new.
Here are some things that are getting ignored in the broader conversation.
1.) When the first dedicated bass heads were built, they were slightly tweaked guitar heads. Many early players just used guitar gear. We've evolved a lot since then and come to understand the dynamics of audio more. Guitarists seem to be stuck in the 70s and still love their heavy @$$ cabs and tube heads. Good for them. I don't. I'm not fixated on the 70s and prefer convenience over mystique.
2.) A tube head is great in the studio, and great if someone else is moving it, but sucks something awful when you're gigging around on your own time and on your own dime. Older solid state heads are pretty heavy too, but for the player on the go, can you really beat 500 watts slung over your shoulder?
3.) The internet has changed how people buy and sell gear. People can buy anything they want without waiting for a store to have it. That means our consumerist impulses have run amuck and there is a glut of used gear for sale, making selling a slower process. Everything now takes longer to sell, because everyone is constantly buying stuff and then trying to flip it.
4.) Times are a changin' for musicians. The part time gig player that has a regular 9-5 to pay for his music career is the name of the game now. His or her gear needs to be small, efficient, and reliable. They are rushing home from work, need to be able to throw everything in their commuter vehicle, get to a gig where they might have to park a block away and schlep their gear, then have 5 minutes to set up for a 30 minute set before throwing it back in the car and dashing home to get up for work the next morning. Tube heads and fridges just don't cut it.
5.) The big boys and girls out there still use big ol' tube heads. When I go see real bands play, they are still using Ampeg, Orange, Mesa, and Fender heads. The difference is they have roadies and do this for a living. So the use of this equipment isn't dying out altogether, but is not as popular with local musicians.
Since solid state amps became more capable in the early 80s, people have been scratching their chins over the demise of tube bass heads. There is a shift in the market right now, but what else is new.
Here are some things that are getting ignored in the broader conversation.
1.) When the first dedicated bass heads were built, they were slightly tweaked guitar heads. Many early players just used guitar gear. We've evolved a lot since then and come to understand the dynamics of audio more. Guitarists seem to be stuck in the 70s and still love their heavy @$$ cabs and tube heads. Good for them. I don't. I'm not fixated on the 70s and prefer convenience over mystique.
2.) A tube head is great in the studio, and great if someone else is moving it, but sucks something awful when you're gigging around on your own time and on your own dime. Older solid state heads are pretty heavy too, but for the player on the go, can you really beat 500 watts slung over your shoulder?
3.) The internet has changed how people buy and sell gear. People can buy anything they want without waiting for a store to have it. That means our consumerist impulses have run amuck and there is a glut of used gear for sale, making selling a slower process. Everything now takes longer to sell, because everyone is constantly buying stuff and then trying to flip it.
4.) Times are a changin' for musicians. The part time gig player that has a regular 9-5 to pay for his music career is the name of the game now. His or her gear needs to be small, efficient, and reliable. They are rushing home from work, need to be able to throw everything in their commuter vehicle, get to a gig where they might have to park a block away and schlep their gear, then have 5 minutes to set up for a 30 minute set before throwing it back in the car and dashing home to get up for work the next morning. Tube heads and fridges just don't cut it.
5.) The big boys and girls out there still use big ol' tube heads. When I go see real bands play, they are still using Ampeg, Orange, Mesa, and Fender heads. The difference is they have roadies and do this for a living. So the use of this equipment isn't dying out altogether, but is not as popular with local musicians.
Just wondering about all the SVT talk ... about 12 years ago, right before Ampeg was bought by Loud technologies, I bought 2 anniversary SVT's and 2 anniversary 8x10 cabs. They have never been used nor out of my home (family room storage). When I bought them I thought I was going to do some road work so I also bought 2 custom made anvil road cases for the amps and 2 tuki covers for the cabs. NEVER used outside my home; ridiculous, right? Anyway, it's come time to perhaps sell to the right buyer... any ideas what they would sell for? All tubes are original, no more than 6 hours total for both amps / cabs. About twice a year I go in and pull em out and fire them up and relive the glory days of all tube USA built amps / cabs (I think they are Ruby tubes - Russian). They should go to the right player... Now, I pretty much use Eden WT800 / 4x10 XLT cabs or lightweight D amp / neo cabs... anyone have any thoughts about IF they'll sell for a decent price or any interests in the world out there?
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Lol. I don't disagree with your statements but You just made the average bass player sound like a metrosexual wussy afraid of doing a little work.
Driving around in a smart car with a pocket amp. I'm not intending to dis anyone here but you just painted a bleak future in my mind.
And for the record my home rig is a D class head with a 210 +212. It sounds decent. I'm open to them as If a rig sounds good I won't discriminate. But at the end of the day my svt 4 pro blows it away.........I know it's not a true tube amp but it's a night and day difference from the D class. I'll take doing a little more work and hauling some heavy gear over settling on a sub standard tone. But that is just my opinion.
On that note I do understand that not every gig requires an 810 either....
BASS = POWER!!!
Don't just hear it! Feel it!
I've used all sorts of tube/ss/class D heads and honestly, I think the convenience gets really overemphasized a lot of the time. If you have a whole band, drum kit, guitar rig(s), and bass cab(s) going to a show already...there's a pretty good chance the weight and bulk of an SVT won't make a lick of difference. If we're already taking a van to shows, I'd feel silly compromising sound and feel just to save 80 pounds and a few cubic feet of space.
That said, I totally get the appeal of D heads for bassists who aren't traveling with a full band for whatever reason.
That said, I totally get the appeal of D heads for bassists who aren't traveling with a full band for whatever reason.
If I get to specify backline then it's a Heritage SVT-CL. If someone else is humping the gear, I'll sometimes break out the rackmounted SM-400. But usually I'm bringing my Markbass LMIII.
You know, like it or not I really think people at a gig whether it's a concert or a dive bar could really care less about you, your bass rig or how fat and juicy it sounds when you drag out the big tube amp. We as musicians are too hard on ourselves when it comes to our tone and playing. People want to be entertained and have a good time and forget about life's problems for a few hours. What it comes down to is personal preference. Personally I am at a point in my life where I want to play one or two times a month and when I do I wanna get to the gig, set up and have a few beers with my friends who came out to see us play. I'm not a professional nor will I ever be, I just like to have fun. The pro's can worry about all the problems associated with having to make a living as a musician. It's not a life I was ever interested in. So with that being said the arguements between the pro's and non pro's are mostly moot points.
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Actually the first point isn't true (if you're old enough). Great music used to be played on the radio, and there even was a fair amount of diversity in the tracks - but this was in the 60's and 70's. It started declining after that due to a number of factors, mostly driven by $$$ and corporate mergers.
Cheap recording and now distribution (internet) has enabled interesting artists. But unfortunately it is largely swamped out by banal crap. When you make recording easily available to the masses, you get what you get. For as bad as the old system was, good A&R people were filters that helped the cream rise. Bad A&R people were just jackasses.
Actually the first point isn't true (if you're old enough). Great music used to be played on the radio, and there even was a fair amount of diversity in the tracks - but this was in the 60's and 70's. It started declining after that due to a number of factors, mostly driven by $$$ and corporate mergers.
Cheap recording and now distribution (internet) has enabled interesting artists. But unfortunately it is largely swamped out by banal crap. When you make recording easily available to the masses, you get what you get. For as bad as the old system was, good A&R people were filters that helped the cream rise. Bad A&R people were just jackasses.
Should probably start another thread somewhere but, I beg to differ. It may not be topping the pop charts but, like any truth we need to look past the mainstream. Kids love Classic Rock and they certainly are creating their own versions of it.
Actually this often isn't true any more. The low power tube combo seems to be the norm unless it is a rock band that wants "the look." The 2x4-12 stack is dead in most cases other than for show.
I've brought a Monique into the studio, but never a whole head. I don't think I've ever mic'd an amp in the studio. The rest of the point is true.
I think it is more that humans tend to be humans, and assume that they should be able to buy used gear for a "deal", yet when they go to sell their amp is worth top-dollar. If you price your stuff well, it will sell quickly.
Over the past 5 years I've averaged about 100 gigs a year. I have a day job. Much of my rig lives in my car, so the other thing I'm throwing in the car is my gig bag and maybe a pedal board. I have a VW hatchback. No fridge here, never will be unless it is on a supplied backline.
One has to wonder how much of that is by choice and how much is a result of "that's what SIR sent us." Bass players often don't get a ton of say on the rider, so I"m not sure how much you can read into what they're playing. Even Anthony Jackson ends up doing gigs with stuff he would rather not be playing.
Yes, I always say that I play my amp (SVT and SVT cab or B-15T('S)) as much as I play my bass.
People don't know and don't care what rig you are using but they like what they hear when they hear an SVT, they know that it sounds fat and huge. I get compliments on my bass sound all the time whether it's in a little dive or a big club. Why? Because an SVT has a huge sound that people just like, it sounds like a bass ought to sound to many people. They have a presence that many amps don't have. (Then again maybe because it's because I play loud?
).
My GK 700RB is basically the power amp for my pre now.... I run it into my effects return at line level.
