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Isn't there one Ampeg...
- Thread starter isher1992
- Start date
You lost me here. After owning a wide variety of all tube and hybrid amps, I'm still unsure as to where this overwhelming need for TLC of which you speak exists?
I understand, you don't want to deal with tubes, but IME/O if you're looking for that all tube sound, NOTHING is going to get you there except a tube amp.
No, but having to make sure you have sorbothane on the bottom of the head, making sure the tubes are right all that stuff is just too much for me. I'd prefer the reliability of a solid head so I don't have to fear ever showing up to a gig, thinking my tubes are fine and then suddenly they die.
Not if you know how to run one properly and have it biased properly no, if you are talking about a hybrid like a SVT-4PRO, the tubes dont need to be changed for several years (unless things start getting microphonic then you have to change the tubes and there is only three of them.
A matched pair of 6550 power tubes for a SVT-CL is about $50 so there are 6 tubes and the $50 covers a pair of tubes.
That would be $150, and that is not counting in the servicing you have to get.
but the whole replace tubes twice a year thing is nonsense unless you never use the standby and the amp is improperly biased.
I think a hybrid head like a SVT-4PRO would be fine, as long as you keep the thing properly ventilated.
I get what you mean, but I love my Tube head and I had a SVT-4 pro and just wanted that real warm sound.
Do some real research on tube amps before you automatcally consider them too high maintenance. Seriously. There are a lot of threads here at TB that have discussed this issue to death if you only take the time to seek them out.
There are 6 power tubes in an SVT.
On that note however, as you said pre-amp tubes rarely have to be changed unless one goes bad. I have some 35 year old pre-amp tubes for my V4 and my '67 B15 still had the original pre-amp tubes in it.
Power tubes you change when they go, which really depends on how heavy you are gigging. I haven't had any go on me yet. I played my SVT-CL for about two years with the same tubes, and I've been using the same tubes in my V4 for about a year and a half.
Eight 6550's in an SVT? Mine only has six. I need to see this 400 watt SVT!
Seriously though, I have really pushed my SVT-2 Pro very hard and for a long time. All of the tubes are doing great and are nowhere near needing to be replaced. If someone is going through power tubes 1+ times per year, then they must be pushing their amp to the limit and extremely often, while not taking very good care of it.
Chances are, with a hybrid, you'll never have to even gaze at the pre-amp tube(s) let alone change it out.
Even with all-tube powered heads-
I have 2 of 'em, both have seen a lot of stage time, as well as a lot of load-in/out, including in aeroplanes, across the mighty Atlantic and Pacific Oceans- An Ampeg V4BH and a Mesa Buster- powered by a quartet & a sextet of 6l6GC's respectively-
Have not yet had to do a thing to the Ampeg, and it sounds sweeter than honey,
The BUSTER paid my rent for a couple years, and in 5 years of ownership, the tubes have been replaced as a set once- Total cost= $160 from Mesa Boogie; no bias required!
Yes, tubes are glass, so you might wanna be a little more careful- Normally I just throw my LMII or Trace or 3-PRO or Neo-Pak down the stairs and jump up and down on them and such, with all tubes, I GENTLY throw them around....
No seriously- Tubes are fine-
And currently the B1 and B2RE and SVT-450 are all solid state as is the B100 and B200 combos.
IMO, they all sound very nice; I've happily used a B2RE and dug it, very tubular, more so (IME! IME!) than the LMII...
And as far as Ampeg calling their SS heads "SVT"'s-
So what?
Any basically educated player would know the specs; know the difference, and know what they're about.
The B2 is built in a classic rack-mount; the 450 is built in the classic tolex shell.
Cosmetics- Nobody's trying to pass off the 450 as THE SVT...
'Course, I'm a real Ampeg "fanboi"
Even with all-tube powered heads-
I have 2 of 'em, both have seen a lot of stage time, as well as a lot of load-in/out, including in aeroplanes, across the mighty Atlantic and Pacific Oceans- An Ampeg V4BH and a Mesa Buster- powered by a quartet & a sextet of 6l6GC's respectively-
Have not yet had to do a thing to the Ampeg, and it sounds sweeter than honey,
The BUSTER paid my rent for a couple years, and in 5 years of ownership, the tubes have been replaced as a set once- Total cost= $160 from Mesa Boogie; no bias required!
Yes, tubes are glass, so you might wanna be a little more careful- Normally I just throw my LMII or Trace or 3-PRO or Neo-Pak down the stairs and jump up and down on them and such, with all tubes, I GENTLY throw them around....
No seriously- Tubes are fine-
And currently the B1 and B2RE and SVT-450 are all solid state as is the B100 and B200 combos.
IMO, they all sound very nice; I've happily used a B2RE and dug it, very tubular, more so (IME! IME!) than the LMII...
And as far as Ampeg calling their SS heads "SVT"'s-
So what?
Any basically educated player would know the specs; know the difference, and know what they're about.
The B2 is built in a classic rack-mount; the 450 is built in the classic tolex shell.
Cosmetics- Nobody's trying to pass off the 450 as THE SVT...
'Course, I'm a real Ampeg "fanboi"
No, tubes don't die twice a year. I had a 1970 Thunderbass with original tubes, still sounded great. Plently of people have owned SVTs with original tubes and had no problems.
With a few very simple steps (using the standby switch), tubes can last for decades.
Sure, tubes aren't always cheap, but think about this: drop your SS head and break a transistor == expensive repairs in a shop. Drop your tube head and break a tube == buy a new tube, put it in. Heck, carry spare tubes and fix it 5 minutes before the show instead of panicking when your guitarist drops it down the club stairs.
Eight 6550's in an SVT? Mine only has six. I need to see this 400 watt SVT!
Seriously though, I have really pushed my SVT-2 Pro very hard and for a long time. All of the tubes are doing great and are nowhere near needing to be replaced. If someone is going through power tubes 1+ times per year, then they must be pushing their amp to the limit and extremely often, while not taking very good care of it.
My bad, I was thinking of something else.
Sure........... I use an Ampeg B2-RE (350W) in 4 OHMS. love it too.run it thru an Ampeg 610HTL cab.
Spector club member # 109
Ampeg club member # 436
Spector club member # 109
Ampeg club member # 436
And total rubbish
What's wrong with the "B" series? (Other than of course, your entitled-to opinion...)
I really THOUGHT that the B2RE I played through was workin' it! Plenty of volume, good headroom, PUNCH! Tone!
I musta been hallucinating!
Thanks for the wake-up call- After all, what would I know??!!
"Total rubbish"
Well, if you say so...
What's wrong with the "B" series? (Other than of course, your entitled-to opinion...)
I really THOUGHT that the B2RE I played through was workin' it! Plenty of volume, good headroom, PUNCH! Tone!
I musta been hallucinating!
Thanks for the wake-up call- After all, what would I know??!!
"Total rubbish"
Well, if you say so...
Let me rephrase that better for you since you are so offended.
I think they arent very good amps, here is why.
They have weak tone, and are weak in terms of power.
If it works for you then more power to you but I just think they are a weak point in Ampeg's amp line.
