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Help! Ampeg Head Replacement

GnarwhalNick

GnarwhalNick

Jan 18, 2011
503
322
DC
#1
Hey guys, I got a question for you all. I don't know all that much about amps and stuff like that, so bear with me. Last year I bought a used Ampeg SVT 350H head. I currently have it hooked up to my Ampeg SVT 410HLF cab (which I am in love with). At first, I was more than pleased with the head, as it was my first stacked amp combination I had ever owned. However, as the months went on, I realized that it wasn't as great as I thought it was when I first bought it. Now, it's starting to crap out on me, clipping all the time and fuzzing out after playing it for a while. I'm interesting in buying a new head, one that will make my cab reach it's full potential and avoid clipping as much as I can. I play punk and metal, so I really like the punchy, crunchy sound. I've looked at other heads at Guitar Center and there were a few that I liked, but I didn't want to go in and blindly buy one just because it sounded good in the jam room. Any suggestions on heads? I'd like to stay in the Ampeg family but I'm open to any other brands, if it makes my bass sound great and it's reliable then that's all I care about. Price isn't necessarily an issue until it starts to climb into the thousands range (but still let me know, I have things I could sell that could take a chunk out of that cost). Once again, I don't know that much about amps and all this kind of stuff, so I came here because you guys have helped me a lot in the past in reagards to other things about my bass.

Thanks!
 
#4
@gjbassist - I've also been looking into GK haha, I'm just not as familiar with their products since I haven't dealt with them much other than the occasional bass room jam every no and again. And the 410HLF can handle up to 500 watts, according to the ampeg website (I'm guessing, ocne again I don't know much about amps but that's what they say). But thanks anyways, I'll be looking into those. Anything else?
 
#5
@Lazarus.Bird - The SVT-7 Pro is one of the heads I actually tried out at guitar center on a 410HLF haha, and it was one of my favorites out of the 3 or 4 I tried out. The price was a little high for me, but like I said before I'm planning on selling some of my equipment to raise money for a new head anyways. Thanks!
 
#6
How much do You want to spend?
IMO- At the moment, the best bang for the buck Ampeg heads to check out would be the PF-500 or SVT 7-pro. However, if Your budget allows You to venture into all tube territory, the SVT Classic, 2 Pro, or VR's always sound great.

On the other hand, If You are wanting to try something a bit different than the Ampeg thing and still be budget minded. You could take a look at some of the GK offerings. If I was gonna look at Going GK, it would be the 800RB. Classic design, that sounds good for a SS rig and has a track record that spans quite a few years.

Genz Stuff gets a lot of love, but I have yet to try one...
 
#7
JMac4strngr said:
How much do You want to spend?
IMO- At the moment, the best bang for the buck Ampeg heads to check out would be the PF-500 or SVT 7-pro. However, if Your budget allows You to venture into all tube territory, the SVT Classic, 2 Pro, or VR's always sound great.
On the other hand, If You are wanting to try something a bit different than the Ampeg thing and still be budget minded. You could take a look at some of the GK offerings. If I was gonna look at Going GK, it would be the 800RB. Classic design, that sounds good for a SS rig and has a track record that spans quite a few years.
Click to expand...

+1

Or if you really want to venture out, ART Pro channel II and a power amp.
 
#8
@JMac4strngr - $1000 is probably the highest I'd go (being a broke college student), give or take, but that's because I know I can make about $500 from selling some other equpiment, so about another $5-600 out of pocket total.

Another thing I forgot to mention before, I really liked the fact taht I could control the EQ as much as I could with the 350H, since it has an equalizer so I can really get down to the set tone that I wanted, some of the ones I've been lookingat sounded great but didnt have as much freedom with that, other than a couple extra knobs. I don't know if that makes that much of a difference or not, but I just liked the fact that I could set my own "custom" tone whenever I wanted
 
#13
For $1000.00, You could buy most any of the amps mentioned (not a SVT-VR, but You could score a SVT classic or pro 2 of the used variety for that much) . FWIW- I once owned a SVT350H and it was a dependable amp, but tonally any of the rigs mentioned would blow it away. I will say as a 7 Pro owner, that it would without a doubt outperform what You have now and then some. I have also owned a PF-500, and would have to say it would outperform the 350H as well. However, it is not the equal of the 7 pro, but it certainly a very nice awesome sounding amp at the sub $500.00 price point.

TwoColorsKiller said:
@JMac4strngr - $1000 is probably the highest I'd go (being a broke college student), give or take, but that's because I know I can make about $500 from selling some other equpiment, so about another $5-600 out of pocket total.

Another thing I forgot to mention before, I really liked the fact taht I could control the EQ as much as I could with the 350H, since it has an equalizer so I can really get down to the set tone that I wanted, some of the ones I've been lookingat sounded great but didnt have as much freedom with that, other than a couple extra knobs. I don't know if that makes that much of a difference or not, but I just liked the fact that I could set my own "custom" tone whenever I wanted
Click to expand...
 
#14
I had a 350H about 12 years ago. I am a die hard ampeg guy but the 350 was a turd. Couldnt hear it even when dimed in a loud band situation. Tonally was pretty sterile for an ampeg.
I am a SVT guy but just got a 7 pro and am sold on it. But for $1000.....look for a used SVT II (same as an old SVT basically but rack mount) Or a SVT II pro (same as the II but with a master volume) , or as suggested, a SVT CL. OR....grab a SVP-Pro preamp and a QSC or Crown light weight power amp(1000 watts or above) and you'll be G2G.
Theres a SVT II pro on here somewhere now that needs power tubes for like $700. Which if you know any good tech guys that can hook you up you can re tube it for about $250.
Go with a real ampeg if you can(tubes). But if you cant, get a used or new/price match 7 pro.
 
#15
TwoColorsKiller said:
Hey guys, I got a question for you all. I don't know all that much about amps and stuff like that, so bear with me. Last year I bought a used Ampeg SVT 350H head. I currently have it hooked up to my Ampeg SVT 410HLF cab (which I am in love with). At first, I was more than pleased with the head, as it was my first stacked amp combination I had ever owned. However, as the months went on, I realized that it wasn't as great as I thought it was when I first bought it. Now, it's starting to crap out on me, clipping all the time and fuzzing out after playing it for a while. I'm interesting in buying a new head, one that will make my cab reach it's full potential and avoid clipping as much as I can. I play punk and metal, so I really like the punchy, crunchy sound. I've looked at other heads at Guitar Center and there were a few that I liked, but I didn't want to go in and blindly buy one just because it sounded good in the jam room. Any suggestions on heads? I'd like to stay in the Ampeg family but I'm open to any other brands, if it makes my bass sound great and it's reliable then that's all I care about. Price isn't necessarily an issue until it starts to climb into the thousands range (but still let me know, I have things I could sell that could take a chunk out of that cost). Once again, I don't know that much about amps and all this kind of stuff, so I came here because you guys have helped me a lot in the past in reagards to other things about my bass.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If price is no object, and you don't mind the weight, get a Heritage SVT-CL. To my ear, it's the best sounding bass amp I've ever heard.
 
#17
I have the SVT7 and am really enjoying it. I think going this route would never be a bad choice.

But...I also have an SVTIIPRO and it's just tonal bliss for me. Between the 7PRO and IIPRO I'd go with the II but it's also 55 lbs heavier also.
 
#18
Mastermold said:
If price is no object, and you don't mind the weight, get a Heritage SVT-CL. To my ear, it's the best sounding bass amp I've ever heard.
Click to expand...

Granted!! I own the Heritage gear and (for MY money) there is nothing better! But when you add up the costs, it might be a tad more than the OP is willing to invest. That's why I suggested the 7Pro. For the money $800 - it's going to be hard to beat it!


Cheers!!
 

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