/ Register

My new Ampeg Ba-110 and I seek 411 on the SVT 450H head

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by descendent22, Jul 10, 2017.

Tags:
  1. Jul 10, 2017 #1
    descendent22

    descendent22

    Jul 29, 2015
    Connecticut
    So I'm currently making the change from Fender amplification to Ampeg. That's from my main Rig to my practice combo amps. A few ears back I didn't care for Ampeg and couldn't understand why people liked them or the tone. That was before I really got into being knowledgeable about tone or cared to much.With that said other then being a Fender Bass and Guitar guy, I also used their amps. I bought a V3 Rumble 100 combo for my practice/home amp and when I got into my band I scored a Fender bassman unit for cheap. A bassman 400 head stacked on top of a bassman 410 & 115 cabs for $630.00 is a good deal. Pryor to buying that bassman unit I hesitated on buying an Ampeg SVT rig unit and missed out. That was also a good deal for right around $700.00. That was the 1st time I ever played an SVT classic rig. After 45 mins of playing it at GC in he used section I fell in love and understood why Ampeg is so desirable.

    Once I got into caring about my tone and being maticulate about it that when I noticed that I don't care for the tone I'm getting from my fender amps. I'm not saying that fender sucks or anything cause they are very good amps but they don't give me the tone that I seek. Maybe if I could afford a bassman pro unit but I don't have $3k. Recently I started making the transition from Fender to Ampeg. I trade in my V3 Rumble 100 combo amp For the new Ampeg BA-110 combo amp. Since I got it I have t stopped playing it. It's like a new favorite toy when you're a kid. It's got the Ampeg tone and I LOVE it. I went from 100 watts to 40 but I swear this Ampeg is louder and better sounding then the fender.

    SVT 450h:
    When it comes to my main rig, the Fender bassman 400 unit, I have nothing negative to say as it's a bad ass rig but again i can't get the tone I seek out of it. I want an Ampeg tone, it's as simple as that. That brings me to my next subject. I can't afford An Ampeg SVT classic tube amp unit but I do want to take steps into that direction with some other options. What I would like to do is get a 610 cab and maybe a 115 cab, and I am interested in the SVT 450h head. Gotta start somewhere. How is the head unit and is it worth getting. If not what would be the closest thing I can get to a classic SVT unit?
     
  2. Jul 10, 2017 #2
    BasturdBlaster

    BasturdBlaster

    Feb 19, 2012
    Crandon WI
    I can only comment on the SVT450 head and in my opinion, it is not anything like a "real" SVT tone or very "ampegy" sounding at all. It is an OK amp in it's own right but I don't think it's what you're after as far as getting a nice Ampeg tone. Also, if you're not aware, the SVT450 (and SVT350) are the exact same amp as the Ampeg B2RE (and B2R), the only difference is that they're in a regular rackmount chassis and they can be had most of the time used for $200 bucks.
     
    Gearhead17 likes this.
  3. Jul 10, 2017 #3
    descendent22

    descendent22

    Jul 29, 2015
    Connecticut
    Thank you for the info..that's all I need to hear. What Ampeg head do you recommend ?
     
  4. Jul 10, 2017 #4
    BasturdBlaster

    BasturdBlaster

    Feb 19, 2012
    Crandon WI
    Many have said that the PF series heads capture the ampeg vibe though I have never played one. I own an SVT4 that is sweet but, in a rack case, it is heavier than my cabs, hehe :woot:
     
  5. Jul 10, 2017 #5
    descendent22

    descendent22

    Jul 29, 2015
    Connecticut
    I totally forgot t mention that I owned a pf500 for about a year but the cabs I had for it were old, ancient and worn. They didn't give a good tone at all so I couldn't tell nor was interested at the time
     
  6. Jul 10, 2017 #6
    BasturdBlaster

    BasturdBlaster

    Feb 19, 2012
    Crandon WI
    If I had to choose between my favorite amp vs my favorite cab, I'd choose my favorite cab:)
     
  7. Jul 11, 2017 #7
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Definitely helps to have decent cabs. I think you'd have a different opinion of the PF500 if you heard it through better cabs.

    I agree with the comment about the 450h (which is just a B2RE in an SVT headcase...neither are being made anymore, BTW). But I think all of Ampeg's current heads deliver what most of us think of as Ampeg tone. Obviously the tube heads are the supreme offerings, and if you can deal with 100w instead of 300, the V4B is excellent and weighs half as much as an SVT. They also have the PF50T and PF20T, which are lower wattage but still sound like proper Ampeg tube amps. I have a good cross section of the lightweight heads they make, my favorite being the SVT 7 Pro, but they all sound quite good, although not to the level of the tube amps. Not far off, though. And the aforementioned SVT 4 Pro is a crazy good traditional hybrid amp. But I was never a fan of any of those amps like the B2RE, 450h, and the earlier models they're based on. Those were made to lure Ampeg non-fans into the fold, and IMHO aren't really representative of Ampeg. I can get a good sound out of them, but it takes work, and I'm never truly happy with the sound.
     
    Gearhead17 likes this.
  8. Jul 11, 2017 #8
    descendent22

    descendent22

    Jul 29, 2015
    Connecticut
    Tube is obviously the way to go. Every tube amp I've ever plugged into wether it be bass or guitar, the sound is so much better for lack of stronger word. Anyway reason why I'm asking about a solid state is because 1. I can't afford tube and 2. I played a solid state SVT classic of some type at GC last November. It sounded Awesome! So that's what I'm in search of
     
    JimmyM likes this.