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I Can Finally Say I Played Through An Ampeg

capnsandwich

capnsandwich

Jul 18, 2006
9,120
5,190
Columbus, Ohio
#1
This past Friday I was invited to a studio to kind of jam and brainstorm for song ideas with a guitarist and a drummer. The studio had a lot of cool stuff and we were allowed to use any of it. I used my bass since I love it so much and I plugged into an SVT 6 Pro. It was connected to an Ampeg 115 and an Ampeg 410. I jammed a little bit, warmed up with some slap stuff and played with the EQ. I was really impressed with the tone that I got from it. It had a really warm tone but had some grit to it when I dug in. The power was there, unlike the little B2R I used one time in a church. I've always been skeptical ever since I saw the Ampeg name on something but after my latest experience I think my attitude had changed a bit. I've always been a solid-state GK guy since I love the modern tone I get from them but this Ampeg has me thinking in a new direction. Hey, if all Ampeg heads sound like the one I played then they may be worth investing in after all. My only experience was with the B2R, which really sounded nice but had no volume at all. Now I can say that I have played an actual tube Ampeg head. Just thought I would share my experience with you.
 
#5
Technically, it's a hybrid. Tube preamp and solid state power amp. The all-tube Ampeg is the SVT-CL, aka the SVT Classic. The difference between an SVT-CL and a hybrid Ampeg (like the SVT-3, SVT-4, SVT-6) is as much or more than the difference between an all solid-state (like your GK) and one of the hybrids.

Do yourself a favor: go to a music store and play through an all-tube SVT-CL and matching cab (8x10, 6x10, 1x15 or even a 4x10) and then try to walk out the door without a big grin on your face. Betcha can't do it!
 
#7
scottbass said:
Technically, it's a hybrid. Tube preamp and solid state power amp. The all-tube Ampeg is the SVT-CL, aka the SVT Classic. The difference between an SVT-CL and a hybrid Ampeg (like the SVT-3, SVT-4, SVT-6) is as much or more than the difference between an all solid-state (like your GK) and one of the hybrids.

Do yourself a favor: go to a music store and play through an all-tube SVT-CL and matching cab (8x10, 6x10, 1x15 or even a 4x10) and then try to walk out the door without a big grin on your face. Betcha can't do it!
Click to expand...

But will those SVT CL's have the same volume and headroom as the one I played through? That's what I loved about that certain head.
 
#9
capnsandwich said:
But will those SVT CL's have the same volume and headroom as the one I played through? That's what I loved about that certain head.
Click to expand...

Not really.

As much as people want to argue tube watts are better than solid state watts, the 300 watt tube head isn't going to give you the headroom of that 1100 watt amp.

The Ampeg SVT will give you great tone however. Industry standard rock tone. Panty melting tone.
 
#10
lambro said:
GK? nasty.....brittle sterile, the antithesis of good tone
Click to expand...

It all depends on what kind of music you play. If you play a P with flats and try to get the Jamerson tone, then yes, I'd agree with you. I love the modern tone I get from the GK myself and can EQ the warmth and EQ out the sterility. It's a great head for modern gospel stuff, but I'm thinking I can get that tone from one of these Ampeg heads now too.
 
#11
I played a gig a few months ago at which I used the rig of the bassist for the headliner band - an original, well-maintained 1971 SVT - 300 watts of all-tube power atop a big 8X10" cab. Big, glowing tubes visible through the back, and that old-school smell....

I had my Modulus Q5, and I asked the guy where I should limit the vloume - he said "turn it up as much as you want - it can take it". I turned it up until it hit a sweet spot, just amazing, thunderous lows with a clear round midrange, and an overall tone that I just can't quite describe. It's one of those things you just have to experience. I play old-school rock music, mostly with a 2mm pick, and the grind and growl from that rig was bitchin'. I played a whole set through it, and it sounded better than any other stand-alone rig I have ever used. My own full rig can get a bit more ultra-low end depth, but the overall effect of the SVT was of a powerful rounded richness that was immensely satisfying. There is a difference between SS LOUD and all-tube LOUD.

I immediately wanted one.
 
#16
I think the whole sterile thing is probably just coming from someone that is used to hearing tube amps or warm amps for that matter.

I have said the same thing about Markbass in the past because I like the fat tone of the SVT-CL, its just a preference and how your ears have adjusted to that sound.
 
#19
I used to have the SVT 6 PRO. I ended up selling it because of the weight of the thing. I think it was 62 lbs with the rack.

It sounded really nice and was very dynamic. I now play through the Genz Shuttle 6. IMO the two amps feel about the same for the music I play.
 

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