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Lower wattage alternative to SVT?

sean b 1970

sean b 1970

Dec 25, 2013
34
1
Boston,MA
#1
On the hunt for a (preferably) vintage alternative to my early 70's SVT. Need something for smaller gigs/rehearsal but don't want to give up any tone mojo. I am considering several different alternatives and would appreciate some of you're trusted advice as I have not played through any of them. Ampeg v4b...fender bassman 135...traynor custom special are a few that I have started to research but am open to any suggestions. I must also add that I play my SVT through a heritage 8x10 and have not preferred my tone when playing through alternative cabs( ampeg 4x10, ampeg 1x15) so cab suggestions would also be appreciated as I am trying to find a smaller and quieter rig...as always, thanks in advance for your input!
 
#2
V4 would definitely be my first choice, either vintage or the new reissue. New reissue will be higher upfront cost but lower hassle/maintenance cost. I use my V4 through a B40 4x10 as my step down from my SVT/8x10. Plus the added advantage of 2/4/8 ohm taps on the OT. If you want to keep that ampeg tone something with a similar EQ will suit you best. I had a bassman 70 (among a few other amps) and my drummer had a bassman 100 that I would use for rehearsals, never quite suited me as well as the ampegs.
 
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#5
How low wattage do you want to get? I saw a demo of the Hotone Thunder bass on uTube and was impressed with the tone. Supposed to have a sound inspired by the SVT and puts out a whopping 5 watts.
Could probably be used as a preamo for a micro head.
 
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#6
What kind of music/venues? What amps are your guitarists using? I've done gigs where a 25 watt B15 covered me and I've done gigs where ,y SVT/8x10 was blazing. Really depends. If you're talking cover band gigs in the burbs you should be fine, might want more volume for monitoring but the stage balance will probably be pretty good. If you're talking downstairs at the middle east with a metal band and can't get them to give you a decent monitor mix you might have to run the V4 pretty dirty.
 
#7
coreyfyfe said:
What kind of music/venues? What amps are your guitarists using? I've done gigs where a 25 watt B15 covered me and I've done gigs where ,y SVT/8x10 was blazing. Really depends. If you're talking cover band gigs in the burbs you should be fine, might want more volume for monitoring but the stage balance will probably be pretty good. If you're talking downstairs at the middle east with a metal band and can't get them to give you a decent monitor mix you might have to run the V4 pretty dirty.
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The guitarists alternate amps according to the venue , blues juniors on smaller gigs and fender super reverb and voxac30 on larger gigs . I guess I'm looking for the same options( without reverting back to my ss GK) I've been getting told to turn down a lot since I got the SVT but don't want an amp that I have to push too hard as I like a bit of clean headroom
 
#10
nysbob said:
The V4B is a going to deliver the same great sound you're used to, and is pretty damn loud. Don't let the numbers fool you.
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You took the words right out of my mouth to my ears the V4B is a baby SVT it sounds like someone put a microphone right inside your bass because it's the most pure unprocessed bass sound I've ever heard in an amp it made me cut the pedals on my pedalboard down from eighteen to six.
 
#12
If you're going to be using an 8x10. A V-4(B) would be the way to go. I could kill two 100 watt half stacks with my old V-4B through my 8x10 if I wanted to. I had a Bassman 135 for a minute, that amp is insanely clean and insanely loud. Even though it was master volume it was more unusably loud than V-4 is.
 
#13
May also check out the Music Man HD130 or HD 150 if you find one available. Bassman-type tone with more power and about 45 lbs. I have been using my HD150 as my main head for a while and it's never lacking volume (with a 2x15 rig).
 
#18
My Mesa 400 sounds great - and it loves lots of speakers. The more the merrier - and louder. Maybe you can find a 210, or a 110, or a 112 that better suits your volume needs and use the same head with it? If my 400 wasn't so bulky in it's wooden case I'd pick up a 110 and play it in my living room but I'm not sure where to put it.

Better still, check out one of Mike Arnopol's creations (like a 2x6) as I hear they are astounding.

Raz
 
#20
Bassmec said:
Reeves seem to have captured what was so good about the early seventies Hiwatt Dr201 with 4xKT88 power stage, if you can't find an original you need to get or make a clone, something like a Mywatt might suit.:)
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Reeves 225 is not an exact DR-201 clone, but based on that design, hand built in Ohio.
It has more power than the DR- 201 and is EQ'd specifically as a bass amp.
25 pounds lighter than an SVT and you won't miss the SVT.

Same price as a Heritage SVT, but more rugged and more natural in tone.

The Mywatt is a good alternative to vintage in EU, also not an exact clone with a unique external bias circuit.
 

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