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Help: the best suited AMPEG SVT for my needs?

Lorenzop

Lorenzop

Oct 23, 2012
258
5
Berlin
#1
So Id like to get into ampeg amps/cabs.

To make it easy, I cant spend more than €1000 for a head or even better head plus speaker cab. So I am looking on the used market also, but Im totally overwhealmed by choices.

The reason n.1 why I want a cab, is to record classic tones from my home studio. Do you think this is even a worthy consideration?
I have a "large-ish" apartment but loudness will be an issue. Or is it possible to record good tones at low volume (with the help of some kind of power absorber for driving the head)??

So the question is, what might best suit this situation of mine?

Ive had colleagues tell me a AMPEG SVT would better suit Active basses than a B15.


So, between the sea of Ampegs available, ranging from those modern small combos to all the past classics, would you reccomend anything at all for me miking a cab in my home? Or would you ditch the whole idea and just stick to DI recording?

Thanks for your tips!:ninja:
 
#3
Your colleagues are nuts. I use active basses in my B-15 sometimes and they perform just as well in it as an SVT. You absolutely do not need to be loud to mic a cab for a recording and make it sound massive.

Personally, I use DI for home recording these days, but mostly because when I record I'll usually wake someone up, as my wife has an overnight job, but also because my DI is the best in the business ;) But it sounds great to mic a cab if you can and I love doing it.
 
#4
If your primary use is for recording, perhaps you should check out the Ampeg SVT-DI. You can use it as a DI to run direct into your recording interface, and you can also pair it with a solid state bass amp and a good cabinet of your choice for a live rig. You could also just run it into a power amp and a cab, but then you will have no EQ to tweak for different venue acoustics.

Also, if you are into such things, you can experiment with different 12AX7 tubes to change the characteristics of the SVT-DI.

One drawback: the Ampeg SVT-DI has been discontinued. You would have to locate a used one.
 
#5
Actually, Obeid Khan, a former designer for Ampeg under SLM, has reissued the SVT-DI under the name Khan Audio VTDI:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Me, I'm a REDDI guy ;)
 
#6
JimmyM said:
Actually, Obeid Khan, a former designer for Ampeg under SLM, has reissued the SVT-DI under the name Khan Audio VTDI:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Me, I'm a REDDI guy ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah - the SVT-DI and Sansamp REDDI are both pretty pricey, aren't they? I picked up a used SVP-PRO for about $300 and used that in front of a power amp for a few years until I got tired of the hiss. Now I'm using the SVT-7PRO. Stone quiet (as far as hiss) and still as much of that SVT sound as one can get without tubes in the power amp section. :D
 
#8
JimmyM said:
Sansamp REDDI?

:D

A-Designs Audio makes the REDDI, bro.
Click to expand...

My bad - of course they do.

My rapidly-aging :help: and acronym-confusing brain somehow confused the REDDI with the Sansamp BDDI (Bass Driver DI), which is also used to get SVT-sounding injection, but with exactly zero tubes and for $500 or so less than the REDDI.

I've never used a Bass Driver DI, but I assume it's very similar to the RBI, which I used to own. I would characterize it as SVT-like, but I eventually sold it in favor of several versions of the real thing.

I've also never used a REDDI, but I have used other tube DI's and have found them to be well worth the investment.
 
#10
Ok Thanks.
Bur back to topic.
Is like suggestions for a SVT or B15 head / cab within my price range.

If I dont crank them up will they still "sound good" or does one need a certain level to get the tone?

Also, how do these newer b15 compare to the older ones?

Cheers
 
#11
Well the cheapest SVT's are the SVT-CL's. For a B-15, though, you would have to go used if you're looking to save money. The 70's B-15's are still pretty decent bargains.

Yes, they sound awesome at all volume levels.

Newer B-15's I haven't heard in person, but the recordings I've heard sound just like my 64 B-15N recordings.
 
#14
Hmmm after some research and tests I'm actually quite digging the Portaflex series. Seems to offer both vintage tones and modern ones and the cab size plus tweeter would make it perfect for home recording wouldn't you say???
 
#15
Lorenzop said:
Hmmm after some research and tests I'm actually quite digging the Portaflex series. Seems to offer both vintage tones and modern ones and the cab size plus tweeter would make it perfect for home recording wouldn't you say???
Click to expand...

Depends on your tonal goals. I personally prefer the 115LF over the 115HE, but others feel differently. I love my PF-500, but I prefer it even more with a non ampeg cab.
 
#16
Lorenzop said:
Hmmm after some research and tests I'm actually quite digging the Portaflex series. Seems to offer both vintage tones and modern ones and the cab size plus tweeter would make it perfect for home recording wouldn't you say???
Click to expand...

If you want the Ampeg clean tone; going straight out of the SVT DI is a great way to do it. If you want the tube overdrive/growl, you will need an all tube section (SVT CL, 2 PRO, VR, Vintage 70's head and so on) with the cab miked.

Portaflex cabinets are not very loud overall, might be a good idea. It will sound different than most of Ampeg's offerings.
 
#17
Before you drop big money on a bass amp, what type of recording equipment do you have?
Trying to determine if we are putting on $2,000 tires on a 200,000 mile Toyota Celica.
 
#18
Good point.
I have a RME AIO flanked by several preamps (SPL channel one, 7th Circle Audio stuff) and a lovely old Tascam M312 mixer. Mics I have vintage ribbons and for cabs Beyer M160 and M88. Yes I like ribbons :)

I am looking to capture both "vintage" (Motown) and modern hifi tones.


Quickly - so far I'm impressed By the tones of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BrLRqcXZ5g
And for SVT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD5r1DDXoms and also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMZZx1spEsg
As well as the Portaflex, even though it's solid state and SOME people say it sounds nothing like the b15 of old.

Overall I'm a bit disappointed by ampeg sound to be hones, it seems rather characterless, also what I heard in shop trial (it was a combo).
I much prefer that genz Benz rig above so far.
 
#19
Your mobile vid links won't play on a desktop apparently.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-b-15-pf350-pf115he-recordings-802868/

A thread I made comparing a 64 B-15N to a PF350/PF115he. As you can hear, not dead-on, but pretty close.

Anyway, what are you looking for out of recording bass? Clean tones? Distortion with cranked tubes? Honestly, you should be able to get a good sound out of anything you use, but tube amps do better sounding distortion. Having said that, I've used pedals into a DI many times and it sounds good as well. Have to evaluate your tonal goals and buy with them in mind rather than just getting a B-15 because a lot of folks love them. That said, the B-15 is by far my favorite rig to mic up. Simple, not too big, sounds great.
 
#20
Hi ive edited the links above.

yes clean tones. maybe a bit of tube thickening. special tube distortions I could get out of pedals.
ideally I´d be able to get either vintage "tubbiness" or modern full spectrum and articulate but round deep lows.

I just wanna get some vibe other than boring old DI !!!!!!!!! :)
 

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