Head advice

[Coryvc]

Hey everyone, I've been playing for about 6 years and have tried out a good deal of ampeg's merchandise. To be honest, I'm sick of it. My SVT classic blows tubes every couple months and I'm in no position to be replacing them so often. Getting to the point, I'm looking to get rid of it and get a nice solid state that pushes hard and bites harder. I play in an aggressive band and this is probably why my tubes fail so often (yes the bias is properly set and yes I play it harder than I think it should be played, with the gain at 8 master at 4)

All in all I'm looking to be pointed in a good direction. Here is the link to my band's myspace so you can see exactly what I'll be using it for.

Link Removed

Thanks to all who help.

-Cory

 

[LaklandBass]

two suggestions.... get a good head like a GK800RB or Trace Elliot.
or..... get a nice tube pre and then whatever SS poweramp suits your needs.

 

[JimmyM]

Gain at 8 and master at 4 isn't necessarily unreasonable. It's loud but you shouldn't be frying tubes every couple months. I think there's something wrong, either with the tubes you're buying or something inside the amp. Have you had it checked out by a tech lately? The bias controls on the back of the amp aren't nearly as accurate as the ones your tech would use, and if you're just using them to bias the amp when you change power tubes, you might be way off.

But if you want to go SS, buy any SS amp and a VT pedal and it's about 95% as good as an SVT.

 

[RAM]

Are you still looking for the Ampeg "sound"? What cabs are you running? Do you have a power expectation? Are you running a signal to the board, and if so, do you need the head to do this or do you have a DI? What about price range?

 

[Stumbo]

I think there's something wrong, either with the tubes you're buying or something inside the amp.

+1

You can also check out: >30 light-weight cabs,amps, combos

Here's another website with links to many manufacturers: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[rodl2005]

I run my SVT like that 2x a week & has had the same pwr tubes AND pre tubes in it forat least 3 yrs- since I got it anyway!! Sumthin' up w/ the amp KEEP IT-after getting a reliable tech who specialises in SVT's to fix!! IMO

 

[selfblessed]

+2 on take the amp to a good tech. You will not be sorry. I think you will be sorry if you trade it in.