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Is Ampeg SVT-450H so bad amplifier?

supremo

supremo

Oct 20, 2008
151
53
#1
I read many threads about Ampeg 450H here in TB and the reviews - opinions were not the best.
What's going on with that amp?
Is it the black sheep of Ampeg's family?
What about its tone? Is it so different from the known Ampeg's tone or not?

And finally between Ampeg 450H and EBS 450 Classic which one is better?
 
#2
I've read that it was the same amp as the B2RE - except it was dressed as an SVT.

I have a B2RE - it's a little tight sounding, and definitely not tubey (well, it's full solid state), but it's a decent amp. I don't use it much anymore but I used it for a few years with no complaints.

It doesn't seem to get many good reviews, but I'm not sure why. I've gigged with mine countless times and always thought it was a pretty solid amp, for what it is. Just don't expect to get good tube grind and growl out of it.
 
#3
They're bulky and a little heavy but are solidly built and sound like an Ampeg SS amp. Which is still a good thing in my book.

I haven't read about anyone mentioning it but I think Ampeg did a pretty decent job of capturing the character at least of their tube ancestors with the SS designs.
 
#5
Could be that the "B" family line, including the B2RE, were made by Ampeg to appeal to non-Ampeg customers, which is off-putting to Ampeg fans. I always thought mine sounded quite a lot like an Ampeg, at least compared to the Bassman I had been playing, but mileage obviously varies. So that's strike one for Ampeg fans. Strike two as mentioned above is that this is a B amp housed to look like an SVT; so not only is it not a "real" Ampeg, it's fronting as the most Ampeg of Ampegs. And no one likes a poseur.
 
#6
The 350/450 are solid amps for what they are (no pun intended). If you're expecting it to sound like a "real" SVT, you're going to be disappointed. I used a 350 for years, a decision largely driven by the cost, weight, and maintenance as compared to its tube brethren. I was always happy with it, framed in that context.

If you want a relatively low cost, worry-free workhorse, it'll get the job done.
 
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#8
I had this amp for a year and a half, and it is without any doubt the worst amp I've every played. Except for that one time I tried a Behringer ;)

It's sterile, sharp and with the wrong cab it sounds like you're playing through a cheap PA system. I had this paired with a 410HLF, which sounded real nice with any other head (SVT-VR, SVT-CL etc).

And to the OP's question, buy the EBS. They make top notch products.
 
#9
Turock said:
If you look at Musician's Friend reviews for the SVT 450h and the B2re, you'll find mostly good reviews.
I own several Ampegs, tube and SS, including the B2re. Other than the loud fan, I've got no complaints. Sounds pretty good to me.
Click to expand...

Well yeah it makes reliable noise, but it doesn't sound any different than an 80's/90's Peavey or a Behringer at half (sometimes 1/4) the cost.
 
#10
Just looked at the SVT 450h, Id does indeed look like a B2RE in a SVT box. I have the B2RE and I like it a lot, It's a solid workhorse and has a good clean powerful signal. BUT an SVT it is not. SVT's and my B2 are night an day next to each other. Its a good amp but if your expecting SVT sound you'll be disappointed.
 
#11
Turock said:
If you look at Musician's Friend reviews for the SVT 450h and the B2re, you'll find mostly good reviews.
I own several Ampegs, tube and SS, including the B2re. Other than the loud fan, I've got no complaints. Sounds pretty good to me.
Click to expand...


I'll agree that the fan is a little loud.. but having said that, I find all fans are loud until you start playing, and/or the band kicks in. I guess, ideally, I'd like an amp to be silent until you start playing lol. Realistically though, my B2RE's fan is no louder than the fan in my SVT3-Pro.
 
#12
Technotitclan said:
Just looked at the SVT 450h, Id does indeed look like a B2RE in a SVT box. I have the B2RE and I like it a lot, It's a solid workhorse and has a good clean powerful signal. BUT an SVT it is not. SVT's and my B2 are night an day next to each other. Its a good amp but if your expecting SVT sound you'll be disappointed.
Click to expand...


Yeah, same thing I was saying. I think we see it the same way. Good amp for what it is.. but pretty sure the SVT-450H EXACTLY the same as the B2RE. Same amp, wearing SVT clothing. Cruel trick.. lol :hiding:

Clean signal for sure. Not much grind out of it. Kinda modern sounding, if that makes sense. Just crank the gain, and control your overall volume with the master. Decent power in a reliable solid state amp.
 
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#13
jason the fox said:
Yeah, same thing I was saying. I think we see it the same way. Good amp for what it is.. but pretty sure the SVT-450H EXACTLY the same as the B2RE. Same amp, wearing SVT clothing. Cruel trick.. lol :hiding:

Clean signal for sure. Not much grind out of it. Kinda modern sounding, if that makes sense. Just crank the gain, and control your overall volume with the master. Decent power in a reliable solid state amp.
Click to expand...

We definitely see eye to eye on this and I also agree, it is a cruel trick. Especially since it weighs 21 lbs more for no reason.
 
#15
You really need to sit down and try them both before making a decision. You could get 1000 replies to a question like this and it will all be personal opinions from others. Could be that no one likes it, but you love it. If an amp works for you and you like the tone, that is all that matters. You need to trust your ears when making an amp selection and not opinions of others..
 
#16
jumblemind said:
Could be that the "B" family line, including the B2RE, were made by Ampeg to appeal to non-Ampeg customers, which is off-putting to Ampeg fans.
Click to expand...
That's it in a nutshell. And yes, the 450H and B2RE are the same amp.

I also agree with the person who said to make up your own mind. What we think is 100% immaterial to your life, quite honestly.
 
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#17
I have an SVT 450, no H. It's not a bad amp and sounds good but it doesn't feel like 450 watts, I don't know what the difference is with the H designation. I usually ran it with an 8ohm SWR Workingmans 4-10 and an 8ohm Carvin 18 cab, making a 4 ohm draw. Only amp i ever remember having to run almost wide open to keep up with a Marshall 1/2 stack and a loud drummer. I got it used for around $200, so not a deal i can complain about, A reliable unit and still use as my backup.
 
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#18
gozbass said:
I have an SVT 450, no H. It's not a bad amp and sounds good but it doesn't feel like 450 watts, I don't know what the difference is with the H designation. I usually ran it with an 8ohm SWR Workingmans 4-10 and an 8ohm Carvin 18 cab, making a 4 ohm draw. Only amp i ever remember having to run almost wide open to keep up with a Marshall 1/2 stack and a loud drummer. I got it used for around $200, so not a deal i can complain about, A reliable unit and still use as my backup.
Click to expand...

I don't think there was just a 450. I have the 450H but the front logo is just 450.
 
#19
I recently bought two SVT450(450H). Mainly for stage props, one is an older made in USA and the other a newer made in Vietnam. I noticed the Vietnam one felt lighter so I weighed them. The USA model came in at 45.6 pounds the Vietnam was 43.5 pounds, 2 pounds lighter, wonder what the difference is? I actually started using them on stage. I have a Sansamp VT Bass DI going into the USA head with preamp out to the amp in of the Vietnam head. This goes into a Marshall 1960B that I modified to a bass cab with two Eminence BP122 12" speakers. Not a bad sound for some decent stage volume.
 
#20
I had an SVT450H and matching 4x10 cab for about 4 years. It was my least favorite setup. It could get loud, but no combination of EQ could make it sound good. The limiter was super obnoxious. I swear it was kicking in way before full output.
I was really broke back then or else I would have sold it sooner.
As luck would have it I eventually scored a Mesa Bass 400 for only $500 because it had a broken treble knob. You could still turn it with a screwdriver but couldn't pull out for the treble shift. I happened to work across from Boogie at that time so I schmoozed my way into getting the pot and a few other things fixed by trading beers from our brewery.
That Mesa lasted me about 15 years until my back started giving me heck for all the big cabs and tube amps.
 

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