for the first time in a decade Im Ampeg-less. I was tryin out gear, and when it came to choosin between a rare deal and an Ampeg (that I could always find again) I took the rare deal.... now I miss em. Not that I dont LOVE what Ive got, but i feel like theres a void in my life. someone call JimmyM. agost: check my profile. sam: i dont have the extra bucks right now, I tried to pick up that SVP-CL in the classified, but the buyer had pre-sale regret phobia.. which I can understand now. dustin: that and other things... I love that 100T, but its no substitute for an Ampeg, and an Ampeg is no substitute for it.
Sorry, can't relate. Always had an Ampeg around. Didn't always use them live from 2002 to 2008, and there was a 3 year period where I had a 3 Pro and no working tube Ampeg, but always had them and always wished whatever else I was using measured up to the SVT and B-15. Tried to fight the tube schlep hard recently, but I just can't do it anymore and I've given in. I am doomed to a life of lugging 250 lb amps and a 10 lb DI. OTOH, it only adds about 5 minutes to setups and teardowns, and when you're playing well and the band's tight, there's no better feeling than an SVT/810 behind you. Except two, but that's ridiculous on my gigs.
Makes me glad that I have hung onto my VR. Years ago I sold my SVT2nonpro - took me six months of misery to realise that I had to have an SVT in the stable, even if I don't use it all the time.
I missed my SVT-II non-pro for a while after selling it for too cheap. Later on I picked up and sold an SVT-CL too. Since then, I've been using a Bassman 300 Pro without complaint. The EQ on that makes it really easy to dial in an imitation Ampeg vibe. The clean is to die for too. It's the reason that I haven't got the SVT GAS right now. Would I pick up another SVT? Sure, if I didn't have to pay for it but it had better be a -II nonpro, vintage, or VR.
Ever since I got my first all-tube Ampeg, I don't think there's ever been a point where I'm Ampeg-less. I thought you were a huge fan of the 300T though?
Totally love the 300 pro, but sometimes ya just need that ampeg moan to get ya all tingly....ive got some great gear that I actually chose to have at one point over the ampegs, but I just shoulda saved more to have both. Man....some of you guys really pay attention round here. Christ: im with ya on that 300...my God, what a clean tone. Unfortunately I hurt myself a while back so the 300 rarely leaves the house.
Funny thing, now that you mention it, but I had talked about the possibility of picking up one of the new Fender Bassman amps and cabs (the 300 and the 810). Logically, I told myself that in order to "do the deal" I would sell my Ampeg 4Pro and the 6X10 (so my Wife wouldn't kill me)........ After I considered doing it, I thought DAMN!!! I don't want to get rid of my Ampegs. That was the end of that..... Even though I would have been left with a Heritage CL and HSVT 810 - I just couldn't pull the trigger. That's when I realized that I have found my "gear" and it's made by Ampeg.
Back away from the Sunn and the bassman! The rare deals were things like the JGR preamp, a great deal on a smoking Stingray classic, and an orange I used to have that was rebuilt by Electric. Buster,.you should seriously look into the bassman. Especially the 100t, damn does it sound awesome, and im sure the 300 sounds even better, I was just lookin for a lighter tube option than my 300pro thanks to the tire patch at my belly button. If you have a heritage you wont be missin a thing givin up a 4pro. But hey, I still have my SFT pedal!!
Heard a guy say the other day,,, "I'd rather be miserable for 10 minuets before and after the gig than be miserable during the whole gig." I recently acquired an Ampeg V4BH. 100 tube watts, with an SVT front end. I sure like having a lot of gear, but there is just something about an Ampeg... they are so intuitive, and when you plug in, it just feels like home (home bass)
Haha, as big of an Ampeg fanboy as I am, I'd probably sell off a 4 Pro for that Bassman in a heartbeat.
I have thought about selling my SVT a couple times, but nothing on the market comes close to my wants or needs. I was glad I stumbled on the channel jumping thread on here a while back. It helped me fall totally back in love with my SVT. And when recently I thought about dumping my V4B, the last gig solidified it as a keeper. I do think the V4B needs a cap job, its kinda noisy. I imagine their will be a time/place/chance to own one again in your future.