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Mesa or Ampeg?

L

LlymboKO

Aug 22, 2006
96
0
www.myspace.com
#1
I currently play through a SVT 410HLF and a SVT 15E I bought a SVT 350 years ago just needing a head not really thinking about tone too much at the time.....I was a new bassist at the time.....I don't want to go out and buy completely new cabs because they're great quality and am satisfied with them....but I'm on the search for the best possible head for them....Originally I was thinking about getting the Mesa bigblock 750 but now I'm wondering if I should go with something along the lines of SVT4, SVT6, or SVT8.....I really like the distorted grindy tone....like fieldy of Korn......I just want to make the right purchase this time so I won't be unhappy in the future....I played on a SVT4 when my band played in the Emergenza competition....I liked it pretty well but really didn't have enough time to work on it and get it exactly what I want....but that doesn't mean it's not capable....I need some major advice.....so what are your recommendations?

K.O.
 
#2
With the current situation of Ampeg, I would go for Mesa. I have heard nothing but great things about them. I have more experience with Ampegs, but I have been reading more and more horror stories about them, and the turmoil they are going through. Their customer service is non existent.
 
#3
you might wanna be careful with that cab set up, correct me if i am wrong but the SVT-15E is 8 ohms and the 410hlf is 4, giving you an overall load of 2.6 ohms or so. Make sure you pick up a head capable of safely delivering power at 2 ohms. As far as i know, the SVT-350 can only handle 4 ohms. But ya, other than that, the only thing i can say is, i know fieldy used to use ampeg, so if you are trying to attain his tone, that would be ideal for it IMO.
 
#4
I have a Mesa and I say go for it if you can afford it. I havent tried an Ampeg recently but the last one i tried was a SVT-CL. Get the mesa thats all i can say, you will like it oh and make sure you dont loose the footswitch because thats the only way to switch between channels and activate the tuner mute
 
#7
Plain Old Me said:
I would associate Fieldy's tone (if you can call it tone :p ) more with Mesa. It would be tough to get that kind of a sound with an Ampeg, but most Mesas I have used could probabally get the sound fairly easily, especially in terms of cabinets.
Click to expand...

I think you can get that clicking sound with just about anything.:p Drumsticks maybe?
 
#9
I've been using the Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ for around 15 years now, and in all kinds of different situations, from funk and pop to rock & roll, big band jazz, country, calypso, theatre shows, you name it, and it's never let me down. I think most would agree that over the years, your musical tastes may change, or at least evolve, and the "sound of the day" today may be something completely different for you down the road. Point is, go for very high quality and versatility....Mesa Boogie for me!
 
#10
If you can get a distorted sound out of an SVT-4 PRO, go for it...I had one and never tried, but it didn't seem like it would distort much, or easily. Neither would the Classic unless you want to be ungodly loud. I don't know about the newer SVT-6, etc. I would think you would have some luck getting a V4B-H to distort if you want to stay with Ampeg. The Mesa 400 Plus will distort for sure... Why not try a distortion box with your 350-H? That's a decent head.
 
#12
Plain Old Me said:
I would associate Fieldy's tone (if you can call it tone :p ) more with Mesa. It would be tough to get that kind of a sound with an Ampeg, but most Mesas I have used could probabally get the sound fairly easily, especially in terms of cabinets.
Click to expand...

Fieldy uses Ampeg.


...they both are great choices...

I associate Mesa with Paul D'Amour's wonderfully distorted Ric tone - very un-Fieldy-like indeed.:)
 
#13
Why not try a distortion box with your 350-H? That's a decent head.
Click to expand...

Well I play with a GMP Elite and the SVT 350H doesn't seem to be able to handle it very well......when I crank it for shows with my band it tends to distort or peak if I hit my low C#. I have been running a SansAmp DI 3 channel pedal and a Sonic Maximizer stomp box through the effects loop to get as close as I can to the tone I want....the head just doesn't seem to be putting out the power I need to cut the mix.....or may this have something to do with my cab arrangement?
 
#16
guitargeek.com says it's a mesa m2000 and H&K 410 cabs. The Ampeg site used to say it was SVT-III's and 410HLF-Pro cabs.

I'm pretty sure with a little eq to scoop the mids you can get where you wanna be with either brand. I think it probably has more to do with the instrument, set-up, and playing style. Low action... tune down... play hard... let the strings hit.... cut your mids... viola: Fieldy.
 
#17
Well....I recently heard some of fieldy's other stuff with Korn and wasn't impressed as much....I originally just heard one song where the bass had alot of punch in the intro.....I don't listen to Korn so I have no idea what song it was....I see why so many people criticize it....yeah I got the 2000 and the HK cabs off Guitar Geek.....basically I just need a amp with alot of punch that can cut the mix...I have a San Amp pedal to provide the distorted grind....
 

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