New Ampeg Venture Series

[pisces_bass]

@longjourneyhome thanks for the response. I probably need to get ahold of a Venture amp and put it through some paces because it sounds like there’s options for getting the desired sounds. I’m looking for an amp that does most of what I need on its own, rather than using pedals with a neutral amp.

 

[longjourneyhome]

@longjourneyhome thanks for the response. I probably need to get ahold of a Venture amp and put it through some paces because it sounds like there’s options for getting the desired sounds. I’m looking for an amp that does most of what I need on its own, rather than using pedals with a neutral amp.

Yeah, I get that and appreciate you are a thinker. FWIW, I'm super happy with my V12. I was using with Eden heads/cabs, then moved to GK heads/cabs, now doing low volume jazzy, bluesy stuff with an Ampeg/Yamaha RB210 and big-rock-show stuff with a V12 and Eden 410 XLTs. I'm digging the new Ampeg offerings. Hope you find what works for you!

 

[pisces_bass]

Yeah, I get that and appreciate you are a thinker. FWIW, I'm super happy with my V12. I was using with Eden heads/cabs, then moved to GK heads/cabs, now doing low volume jazzy, bluesy stuff with an Ampeg/Yamaha RB210 and big-rock-show stuff with a V12 and Eden 410 XLTs. I'm digging the new Ampeg offerings. Hope you find what works for you!

I was going to ask how long you have been using the V12 and what it replaced. There are so many good options these days. But Yamaha/Ampeg made the Venture amps very competitive in the cost/features comparisons. I think you’d have to spend a lot more money to get a “better” amp. And I’m at a point where I’m not looking for the most unique sound I can come up with. Give me a great, solid tone and some grit for character and I’ll do the rest.

I’m set up with a Barefaced Super Twin cab (rated for 1200w). The V12 would be the obvious choice.

 

[longjourneyhome]

I was going to ask how long you have been using the V12 and what it replaced. There are so many good options these days. But Yamaha/Ampeg made the Venture amps very competitive in the cost/features comparisons. I think you’d have to spend a lot more money to get a “better” amp. And I’m at a point where I’m not looking for the most unique sound I can come up with. Give me a great, solid tone and some grit for character and I’ll do the rest.

I’m set up with a Barefaced Super Twin cab (rated for 1200w). The V12 would be the obvious choice.

Yeah there are a lot of options and a lot of ways to get there, where ever there for each of us. As for me I jumped on the Sansamp-to-FOH bandwagon when it came out. By the late 90s, since I always played through PAs, my amp on-stage had just become a monitor that could be dramatically EQ'd to solve stage volume problems. GK amps worked great for that. Reliable, easy for me to hear workhorses. Although I didn't/don't love the GK sound solo'd. That worked for over 3 decades. Post-covid started also doing smaller stuff where the amp in the room sound mattered and wanted something different. I bought the Ampeg/Yamaha RB210. Liked it so much I got the SGT-DI. And liked that so much I got the V12 in January. I'm a full on Ampeg fan-boy now.

 

[txhawaii]

V7 Review…finally!

View attachment 5485865

About a week ago, I got an RB110 and V7. The combo was great, but I didn’t have an NL2 speakon to 1/4” jack for the V7. Took two tries to get the right cables, and they came yesterday. Been able to give this amp a good thrashing into an SVT 210av and good headphones, but not through the DI since my new ancient home in NC is getting renovated and I have nowhere for a full setup yet.

The EQ doesn’t stray from the basic formula of the PF500 and 800, although this is the first series of Ampeg amps that uses a sweepable mid selector instead of a few fixed choices. Works for me. Sounds like Ampeg and has high levels of oomph in the down theres.

There’s an SVT/B15 switch included in the SGT circuit, and it sounds to me like the SVT setting is the clean amp sound with high frequency cuts above 5k (not sure about the lows) to sound like an SVT 810, whereas the B15 setting is a bit darker and quieter. My switch will be frozen on the SVT setting. If you want to use it just for the SVT or B15 freq cuts, turn the level up to match it with the SGT off and leave the grit knob down.

Now what’s cool about the SGT is that as long as your clean volume without the SGT is the same as your clean sound with the SGT on, you can pretty much have your way with the Grit knob and it’ll have a volume and frequency response that matches your clean sound. That was the one big drawback to the Scrambler in the SCR DI and BA amps, but they fixed it in the separate Scrambler pedal, and they do something similar with the SGT. It’s less harsh and edgy than the Scrambler (although I’m a fan still), and while it’s not capable of fuzz, it’s fairly forgiving of small knob position errors, making it easy to dial up on the fly.

They shaved a lot of weight off from the PF series, which is good, but the one slight beef I have is with the very small and short amp feet. I will be using it with a 210av, with the strap handle on top, and it doesn’t come close to clearing it. Easily fixed, but does seem like an odd choice.

Feet notwithstanding, I’m enjoying it a lot. The dirt is actually usable and I will like not having to bring a separate cab sim for the DI. Plus if any of the new bands I play with get scared of bassists with pedals, at least I’ll have some dirt for when someone requests Mustang Sally.

do you feel the amp is just an sgt Di without a power section?

 

[JimmyM]

do you feel the amp is just an sgt Di without a power section?

No, but maybe if it had the downloadable cab sims, I might.

 

[SDhackbassman]

Nice to see constructive conversations about the Venture series. i'm a retired semi-serious hacker who plays 2-3 times a week - two jams and a 2 hour old county/some classic rock show every Sat night at an RV park during the summer and an occasional dance. My two go to rigs are a Woodstockz modified BA-108 and an RB-112. Some nights, depending on the drummer, the RB-112 is barely adequate. (When I bought it, I tried out the RB-115 and the RB-210).

Recently I stumbled across a nice B-15S (and joined the "Official Portaflex Club"). I love the tubey goodness. That's the tone and volume I think would be great for most of the gigs..but 116lbs..and I recently had shoulder surgery. I considered a PF-50T and a PF-115 cab, but have no place to try one. Would it be close enough in tone and volume? And still over 60 lbs.

So Ive been dreaming about a Venture amp and a lightweight 1x15 cab. I'm trusting the Venture amp would get me a close enough B-15 tone but less confident about the VB115 cab. I don't care for the modern sound. Ive been scouring the internet and talkbass looking at DIY lightweight cabs, especially portaflex and B200 cab builds.

Do you think I can get the warm vintage tone from a Venture amp and modern lightweight cab? If so, what cab? How about with a DIY B-15N, a B-15S, or B-200 with a good Eminence speaker? V3 or V7 into a single 15? Probably V7 for future options? I play with flats and the tone mostly rolled off.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. (I've read the Tonehammer/Mesa posts s well.) JimmyM, you've got the B-15s and the V7 now....

Thanks much.

 

[BaltBass5]

So you can use distortion and not have a fizzy fuzzy poopy sound out of the DI because FoHs are too lazy to put a mic infront of your cab. I've spent ages getting my carefully sculpted room sound with miced cab over to the FoH. You could also travel with just the head and still have your big miced sound through PA / into an audiointerface wherever you go.

OR you can use the right dirt and fuzz pedals or a blender and call it a day.

 

[BaltBass5]

I've been waiting a long time for a lighter version of Ampeg cabs but was never a fan of the 'polite' and sterile looking PN series.

That Sweetwater demo sold it for me...the Ampeg grit is there and they look great.

While I love my SVT212 it's a pain to move about, so I'm keen on trying the lighter Venture 212. Maybe I'll go for the 700 as well.

They sound NOTHING like the V4B and SV212 though. The SGT-DI gets close but the V series heads don’t IMO.

 

[txhawaii]

No, but maybe if it had the downloadable cab sims, I might.

I misspoke I mean does the venture amp seem like a sgt di WITH a power amp. but you got my question

 

[longjourneyhome]

Nice to see constructive conversations about the Venture series. i'm a retired semi-serious hacker who plays 2-3 times a week - two jams and a 2 hour old county/some classic rock show every Sat night at an RV park during the summer and an occasional dance. My two go to rigs are a Woodstockz modified BA-108 and an RB-112. Some nights, depending on the drummer, the RB-112 is barely adequate. (When I bought it, I tried out the RB-115 and the RB-210).

Recently I stumbled across a nice B-15S (and joined the "Official Portaflex Club"). I love the tubey goodness. That's the tone and volume I think would be great for most of the gigs..but 116lbs..and I recently had shoulder surgery. I considered a PF-50T and a PF-115 cab, but have no place to try one. Would it be close enough in tone and volume? And still over 60 lbs.

So Ive been dreaming about a Venture amp and a lightweight 1x15 cab. I'm trusting the Venture amp would get me a close enough B-15 tone but less confident about the VB115 cab. I don't care for the modern sound. Ive been scouring the internet and talkbass looking at DIY lightweight cabs, especially portaflex and B200 cab builds.

Do you think I can get the warm vintage tone from a Venture amp and modern lightweight cab? If so, what cab? How about with a DIY B-15N, a B-15S, or B-200 with a good Eminence speaker? V3 or V7 into a single 15? Probably V7 for future options? I play with flats and the tone mostly rolled off.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. (I've read the Tonehammer/Mesa posts s well.) JimmyM, you've got the B-15s and the V7 now....

Thanks much.

This may not be answering your question directly, but I love my Micro-VR head through my SVT15E cab. IMO the RB-210 still remains a fine choice. I went with an V12 because I needed the volume, but I was otherwise happy with the RB-210 stacked with either a SVT15E or a Eden 210-XLT. FWIW, here's about 60 seconds of RB-210 + Eden 210-XLT. I think I had the volume around noon-ish. The RB-210 with the SVT15E isn't as lightweight as a Venture head with a single 15, but it's versatile. Could be another option to evaluate.

 

[SDhackbassman]

This may not be answering your question directly, but I love my Micro-VR head through my SVT15E cab. IMO the RB-210 still remains a fine choice. I went with an V12 because I needed the volume, but I was otherwise happy with the RB-210 stacked with either a SVT15E or a Eden 210-XLT. FWIW, here's about 60 seconds of RB-210 + Eden 210-XLT. I think I had the volume around noon-ish. The RB-210 with the SVT15E isn't as lightweight as a Venture head with a single 15, but it's versatile. Could be another option to evaluate.

Thanks for the response and the video. I've reconsidered the RB-210. It would solve the volume issue, but likely not the tone I'm looking for, even with an added 115. A few years ago I tried one of the Ampeg micro heads with the 210 cab. Wasn't my thing either. I can't speak to the SVT115 cab. That's a possibility. If I had to decide right now I would probably build a B-15N or B-15S cab clone or buy a PF115 cab and try a Venture head.
.

 

[Paul New]

So I’m liking the sound of the demos of the Venture series, particularly the heads. Seems like a good set of features for my needs. A few questions for folks using them out on gigs:

1. is it practical to switch between the B15 and SVT voices without a big volume change? I see myself using the SGT circuit full time with mild grit levels on either voice.

2. are all the speakon connections on the amps NL2? How does that work connecting to a cab with NL4 connection?

3. I would run a Tech21 SH-1 in the effects loop for the tunes with clank and high gain mayhem. I assume I would want the mix control for the loop fully wet for this?

To my ears, the SVT voice is significantly louder than the B15 voice. I know that other ears hear something else, and I think that might depend on the cabinet too. I’m playing a V7 into a Venture 410, so it could be that the 410 bumps the same freqs that the SVT circuit emphasizes.

As for the Speakons, I have a EA cabinet wired with NL4s, and it did NOT work. It depends on which pair of conductors the panel mount speakon uses. You could get lucky. I bought another NL2 and made up a special cable to go from the Venture head to my EA cabinet. The V7 and V12 are Speakon only, but the V3 has connectors that will accept Speakon or 1/4”.

Number 3 question, no idea.

I’ve played this rig out exactly once and am still trying to work out how to use it. I might ask a couple of questions myself, if I don’t get it worked out soon.

 

[smatanovic]

This may not be answering your question directly, but I love my Micro-VR head through my SVT15E cab. IMO the RB-210 still remains a fine choice. I went with an V12 because I needed the volume, but I was otherwise happy with the RB-210 stacked with either a SVT15E or a Eden 210-XLT. FWIW, here's about 60 seconds of RB-210 + Eden 210-XLT. I think I had the volume around noon-ish. The RB-210 with the SVT15E isn't as lightweight as a Venture head with a single 15, but it's versatile. Could be another option to evaluate.

MORPHINE!!!!!! Man, I miss them. You all sound fantastic.

 

[pisces_bass]

To my ears, the SVT voice is significantly louder than the B15 voice. I know that other ears hear something else, and I think that might depend on the cabinet too. I’m playing a V7 into a Venture 410, so it could be that the 410 bumps the same freqs that the SVT circuit emphasizes.

As for the Speakons, I have a EA cabinet wired with NL4s, and it did NOT work. It depends on which pair of conductors the panel mount speakon uses. You could get lucky. I bought another NL2 and made up a special cable to go from the Venture head to my EA cabinet. The V7 and V12 are Speakon only, but the V3 has connectors that will accept Speakon or 1/4”.

Number 3 question, no idea.

I’ve played this rig out exactly once and am still trying to work out how to use it. I might ask a couple of questions myself, if I don’t get it worked out soon.

The Speakon quirks on the V7 and V12 give me pause. I’ve already invested in good amp-to-cab cables and primo cabs. It would be a bummer to need a custom cable to use a Venture head. Maybe the SGT-DI will be my gateway drug and Ampeg will sort out connection issues for their amps in the future.

 

[JimmyM]

To my ears, the SVT voice is significantly louder than the B15 voice. I know that other ears hear something else, and I think that might depend on the cabinet too. I’m playing a V7 into a Venture 410, so it could be that the 410 bumps the same freqs that the SVT circuit emphasizes.

As for the Speakons, I have a EA cabinet wired with NL4s, and it did NOT work. It depends on which pair of conductors the panel mount speakon uses. You could get lucky. I bought another NL2 and made up a special cable to go from the Venture head to my EA cabinet. The V7 and V12 are Speakon only, but the V3 has connectors that will accept Speakon or 1/4”.

Number 3 question, no idea.

I’ve played this rig out exactly once and am still trying to work out how to use it. I might ask a couple of questions myself, if I don’t get it worked out soon.

Hey Paul, the SVT setting is for sure hotter than the B15 setting. Probably not going to be easy to switch between them onstage. No problem for me…I’ll just use the SVT setting and turn the bass’ tone knob down a little when I want the B15 vibe.

 

[patzilla83]

I just picked up a V7 and I can truthfully say that I’ve never been so impressed by an amp right out of the box. Even without the SGT and everything flat it sounds great.

 

[Paul New]

Hey Paul, the SVT setting is for sure hotter than the B15 setting. Probably not going to be easy to switch between them onstage. No problem for me…I’ll just use the SVT setting and turn the bass’ tone knob down a little when I want the B15 vibe.

Jimmy, do both the grit and level controls add gain to your signal?

I guess that if you wanted to toggle between clean and SGT the thing to do would be balance the Grit and Levels combined, and them match with the Gain control? But the Gain knob sees the output of the SGT when it’s on, so I am confused.

 

[JimmyM]

Jimmy, do both the grit and level controls add gain to your signal?

I guess that if you wanted to toggle between clean and SGT the thing to do would be balance the Grit and Levels combined, and them match with the Gain control? But the Gain knob sees the output of the SGT when it’s on, so I am confused.

Here’s how I do it…

Set my gain and master as normal.

Turn SGT on, grit off, match level to your clean sound, add grit to taste.

The grit knob pretty much takes care of any volume and tone matching issues between the clean sound and the SGT if you match the clean sound volume without SGT to clean with SGT on and no grit. Once you do that, you can pretty much add as much grit as you want and the volume and tones seem to magically sound consistent and not require additional knob twiddling. And if it uses a blend circuit to accomplish that, I can’t hear it as it sounds unblended to me.

Haven’t had any gigging yet, but if I need OD on a gig, I will likely just have the SVT sim on all the time and turn the grit knob up when I need it, and it should be fine according to previous experience.

 

[pisces_bass]

@JimmyM what was the resolution for the Speakon jacks on your V7? I’m hoping it was quick and easy