Kemper Profiler or Ampeg SVT Heritage.

[jazzbass_5]

So, If you had $2000 (+ or - $500) would you by a Kemper Profiler or an Ampeg SVT Heritage (Head only) ?
I know this is a matter of taste and I do love my Ampeg equipment. For me that's a lot of money and I could either complete my Ampeg 8x10 classic cab (one of 6 different cabs I own) with the Heritage head or buy the Kemper.
I play in 2 bands and have all the equipment I really need for any style of music I do.
The upside to the Heritage, I would now own a true Ampeg rig with power tubes but only get to use it a few times a year. (all my gear is rack mount, tube Preamps)
The upside to the Kemper, it's versatile and could be used pretty much all the time. (again, I have anything I really need already for all the shows or music styles I play).

 

[oldfclefer]

tubes

 

[two fingers]

So, If you had $2000 (+ or - $500) would you by a Kemper Profiler or an Ampeg SVT Heritage (Head only) ?
I know this is a matter of taste and I do love my Ampeg equipment. For me that's a lot of money and I could either complete my Ampeg 8x10 classic cab (one of 6 different cabs I own) with the Heritage head or buy the Kemper.
I play in 2 bands and have all the equipment I really need for any style of music I do.
The upside to the Heritage, I would now own a true Ampeg rig with power tubes but only get to use it a few times a year. (all my gear is rack mount, tube Preamps)
The upside to the Kemper, it's versatile and could be used pretty much all the time. (again, I have anything I really need already for all the shows or music styles I play).

Since you asked


I would sell everything you own except the 810 cab and then buy both. Honestly, an Ampeg Heritage rig and a Kemper would have you covered for every single gig with PA support. (Unless you use pedals, in which case you should keep your pedal board.)

What's the rest of the stuff you own? Why do you have it? Do you really play in so many different situations that you need a lot of different rigs?

Kemper. Ampeg. Done.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Buying an amp to use only a few times a year sounds odd but that’s the case for many SVT owners these days.

I think that you might get more out of the Kemper, especially if you are recording. On the negative side, being a computer, it will eventually become outdated. The SVT won’t but is limited relative to the Kemper.

I’d really want to check out the Kemper in person first to see what it could really do. If it needs to be serviced, you will have to ship it to a service center. What is the typical turn around time, what costs are involved for warranty service. What about post warranty.

A lot of homework to do.

 

[Dp1363]

Kemper.

 

[jazzbass_5]

Since you asked


I would sell everything you own except the 810 cab and then buy both. Honestly, an Ampeg Heritage rig and a Kemper would have you covered for every single gig with PA support. (Unless you use pedals, in which case you should keep your pedal board.)

What's the rest of the stuff you own? Why do you have it? Do you really play in so many different situations that you need a lot of different rigs?

Kemper. Ampeg. Done.

A lot, more then enough if that's a thing.
4 preamps and amp combos
Ampeg SVP-PRO
Ampeg SVTCL
Sansamp RBI
Bassfex + Midi controller (old school Peavey)
The 8x10
A 6x10
3 - 4x10s
And a 1820 Peavey to complement the Bassfex rig
An Ampeg SCR-DI
A Quilter BB800 (used mainly with the SVP-PRO)
Various power amps
And my PA (pictured)

 

[seamonkey]

YGG will probably come out with their bass head modeling solution soon.
They already have Line 6 Helix hardware and software.
Yamaha modeling amps are very popular. Guitar market leads the world here but bass eventually follows.

One thing a Kemper can do is to "Profile" heads you yourself or a friend owns. Where the YGG and Helix are created from golden reference versions of amp heads that Line 6 own. Some people have to be convinced on why a simulation or profile that came loaded on a modeler or Kemper sounds different than they one they own. There's more variation on physical head to head but easy to tweak with the knobs in real life and so a simulation or profile can sound the same, but may need to be tweaked.

You can model and profile all kinds of heads. Even solid state ones.

 

[Clap Trap]

If you already have the SVT CL, go for Kemper, I would never buy or play a Kemper ever... but if thats your thing, go for it.

 

[jazzbass_5]

If you already have the SVT CL, go for Kemper, I would never buy or play a Kemper ever... but if thats your thing, go for it.

SVP-CL, the rack mount preamp.

 

[Flatwound]

Personally, I'd buy an AD200, but I know that's not what you asked. But since you already have everything you need, the Kemper might be fun. I've never even seen one in person.

 

[Jim C]

Twice a year? buy the Kemper (and I own an SVT-CL as well as 2 Ampeg tube pre's)
or
Grab a nice used, but maintained SVT-CL, for under a grand and save lunch money until you have the balance for the Kemper
win-win

 

[Super Bass]

I would go with the SVT...

 

[Double E]

Not really much interested in a Kemper but I dig this video...

 

[Daniel Piper]

Kempeg.

 

[roller]

Seen this one a few times before... but I just had to watch it again. Really fun and well-done.

Not really much interested in a Kemper but I dig this video...

 

[juggahnaught]

Buy the Kemper. Profile all of your amps and cabs. Sell the ones you don't need, then buy the Heritage.

Once you hit the end of the fourth stage of acquisition with the Heritage (infatuation, justification, appropriation, obsession, and resale) - and you will - profile it and sell it.

 

[Selta]

Fractal, either FM3 or Axe-Fx III. They both blow the Kemper away (for guitar and bass), and do an extremely convincing (directly A/B'd against a 1969 SVT and a early 2000's SVT-CL) SVT emulation.

 

[JimmyM]

Digital has upped its game serious these days. All that Kemper/Fractal/Helix stuff kicks ass and you can do anything with it. And plugged into a tube amp, it REALLY sounds great

But I've done a couple gigs with guitarists who have done it DI into FOH with a powered monitor, and certainly nobody could accuse either one of being tonally deficient. I still miss tubes, though. Something so sweet about them. The guys in the blues band I just joined switched to these little tiny Markbass jazz amps, and they sound great but I sure do wish they'd bust out their Fender Princetons.

So it's a choice between one that does way more than you'll ever need and does it very well vs vs one that is more limited in tricks up its sleeve but does them in the finest style.

Don't ask me...I'm using a Micro VR because the band likes how it looks like a tiny giant Ampeg

 

[Roxbororob]

IMO the Kemper is a lot like "Precious" in the Lord of the Rings. It will always be calling to you..."fiddle with me, touch me, twiddle this, profile that"....(you and it will never again be quite satisfied).

If you can handle the power and control it, what an amazing tool. But I've seen otherwise first hand.


Edit: Seems to be serving the bass jedi Tony Levin well enough...

 

[NeonVomit]

Kemper. Profiling is about 95% of the way there in terms of replicating a real amp (only the most picky of audience members will be able to tell the 5% difference and I play metal so who cares), and the weight and convenience factors come into it. You want to MOVE AIR during a live set? Hook it up to a decent power amp, plug it into an 8x10 and you're set. Plus the myriad options in recording and effects make it a no-brainer. Sure the SVT has TONE and TUBES and MOJO or whatever, but just not worth the hassle when it comes to getting the job done unless you have a road crew to drag your rig around for you.