Opinion - Which Class D comes closest to an SVT

[Thundar]

It ain't an amp, but it will amaze you through whatever class D amp you want!

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[lukaas]

Lol...

Pretty much sums up the internet for me.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Running a Tech 21 VT Bass DI into the effects return of my Carvin B1000 Class D amp, into my sealed 210 cab with 2 FaitalPRO 10FE200 drivers really gets me close. And it's 1 trip.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I'll say that the darkglass can get very very close to that sound, not exact but at least for me, it's different in a good way, it can also do a bunch of other shaping marvels, it can get close to a whole lot of other amps with it's vast EQ and 2 different overdrive circuits.
I just got a GK fusion 550 which I believe is the closest gk has ever come to a vintage tube amp and while it sounds awesome, I definitely would not liken that to an svt. At it's core it sounds a lot like my 400rb I used to have, but instead of boost, it has gain that causes breakup like a tube amp.

 

[Raw N Low]

I've played SVT-3s which sound nice but do have documented issues with the PCB. Didn't feel like gambling when you can get a hand wired tube pre-amp section. Way I see it is the 500D is the best hybrid amp Ampeg never made.

The SVT-3pro is a workhorse amp that has been around for a long time, spanning about three decades in use on stages, recording studios, and amateurs alike. There's a reason why that amp is still in service. Lots of time to iron out the kinks here and there. Any mass produced good has inherent weaknesses but, time will tell if it's worth it's salt in weight.

Comparing a one off boutique amp to Ampeg catalogue is a bit disingenuous. They have been part of the pioneer movement in bass gear for quite some time. Tube monsters, to lead sleds, to preamps, you name it. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I have some bias in the matter.

 

[bobyoung53]

I loved my WA, but on a whim decided to dive into all tube amps, starting with the Fender Super Bassman (before eventually switching over to the SVT). I remember the first time I A/Bed those heads with the WA and was blown away by how dramatic the difference was.

What did you feel the difference was? I've been using SVT's for years and will keep on using them but I also like Fender tube amps and was considering picking one up although I need another head like I need another hole in my head.

 

[bobyoung53]

Instead of flipping a bunch of heads and cabs, you might be better off buying a semi-parametric EQ like the Tech 21 Q strip or Empress ParaEQ.

I do agree that a lot of the sound that people associate with the SVT is actually the 810. When you combine a bunch of drivers you get mutual coupling in the low end and destructive interference at higher frequencies. So the sound of one 10" speaker versus eight will be a bit different. You can use a bit of EQ to emulate the build up in the low end and high frequency roll off of an 810. As you probably know, the SVT does not go super deep either, so an adjustable HPF may help.

The other aspect is the SVT has a slight, broad-band boost centered around 400hz and gets a bit grindy when pushed. I think the grind is a bit of distortion that occurs in the mids and upper mids. Several Ampeg amps are good at reproducing the grind and some of them are even Class D. The only one I have experience with is the SVT8-Pro which is pretty rare. I am sure @JimmyM can steer you in the direction on which current models are the best and most portable.

Although I have not played one. The Mesa WD800 has a tube preamp and a flexible enough semi-parametric EQ with an adjustable HPF that you should be able to coax some SVT like tones out of it.

Yes, a lot of the tone of an SVT is in the cab but not all, although I think the cabs shape the sound a lot but the nice warm lush sound is still there no matter what you play an SVT head through if the cab is 4 ohms and is capable of handling an SVT head. I've run my B-15S head through one a few times and while it did sound good it didn't sound like an SVT, a Dual Showman sounded more like an SVT though an SVT cab than the 60 watt B-15S did which kind of surprised me, the 85 watt Dual Showman sounded great and tight as a matter of fact.

 

[rodl2005]

Imho. ..

Thre Aguilar TH500.
With its DRIVE control, that's really a combined HPF/LPF control, I find it's gotta lotta SVT-810 vibe involved.
It works well for me, ymmv of course

 

[Alexander]

What did you feel the difference was? I've been using SVT's for years and will keep on using them but I also like Fender tube amps and was considering picking one up although I need another head like I need another hole in my head.

I just felt the all tube heads sounded fatter, more round and more open than the WA. I also liked the way they respond to dynamics and how they sound when pushed. I really liked the Fender, but it was a lot of knob twisting whereas the SVT was more "set and forget", which is why it went. It is lighter and more flexible though - and when I got it dialed in, the tone was glorious!

 

[bobyoung53]

I just felt the all tube heads sounded fatter, more round and more open than the WA. I also liked the way they respond to dynamics and how they sound when pushed. I really liked the Fender, but it was a lot of knob twisting whereas the SVT was more "set and forget", which is why it went. It is lighter and more flexible though.

I'm not sure what a WA is, I meant the Super Bassman and you just answered me, thanks. I've heard they were a little more complicated than SVT's.

 

[Joebone]

Lol...

But just because I've played through SVTs does not mean that I have to love them...

 

[The_Owl]

As lots of people already have said, a lot of the character of an all tube/valve amp comes from the power section. A tube preamp section with a class D power only mimics one part of the tube amp magic.

 

[Mastermold]

Another kudos to the Genz Benz Streamliner. Closest I've found to SVT tone in a class D.

 

[rodl2005]

I'm not sure what a WA is, I meant the Super Bassman and you just answered me, thanks. I've heard they were a little more complicated than SVT's.

Sure! Ya just can't beat 6x6550 power tubes in a great designed amp, imo.
As good as many of the class D amps are. Still, for me, it's no cigar.
The Fender Super Bassman is a great amp, and that it's nearly 20lbs lighter than the SVT-VR , plus the great recommendations that I got from trusted sources, was enough to sway me in its favour. I WAS all set to buy a VR.... an amp I still love. But I don't feel I'm losing anything with the Fender. .. apart from that 20lbs

 

[Jolagh]

As everyones saying theres really nothing that gets there. I had a super nice boutique all tube preamp modelled after the blueline svt running into a 3000 watt power amp and at low volume the sound was like 90% of the way there. But as the volume came up it didnt open up the same way as a real svt. It didnt feel like an svt at gig volume and it didnt fill out a room the way an svt did. I probably could have paired it with some sort of tube power amp and got closer but at that point you might as well stick with a tube amp anyway.

 

[logdrum]

I use my THD single ended Univalve into any an EA or Carvin Class D. Sometimes, I am using a Lindel Pre or a Frenzel tube pre to shape the tone before the THD, but my active basses don't need it. The THD has no master volume so all the overdrive is from the power tube. If you don't plug a spealer to it it becomes a preamp, but the output is taken post output transformer from the power tube. I use the line instead of instrument leve and plug that to the effects return or if using the font I set Eq flat.

I use the low input it is cleanish and for some high gain I use the high input. I then use a low voltage setting so the power tube distorts smoother, depending on what power tube, I alter the tone. 6550 and KT88 are definitely SVTish. It has treble and bass controls but I use very little treble. Then I use the character or negative feedback knob for grind and midrange. I tried this with an Eden 610 and it is very different from any class D amp using the built in EQ or driven by any bass pre-amp or pedal, The NFB/attitude knob is the ticket and your choice of power tubes, I like them with 6v6, The plate voltage selector also affects the tone.

I had an SVT but I never had the Fridge but have plugge it on occasions. Even with my power amp grind from the THD, it is still not an SVT - I think I am closer to Bassman. It's not just the grind, but there is something with an SVT clean, which sets it apart from a Fender Bassman, Sunn or Mesa.

 

[okcrum]

The SVT 7 sounds close IMHO.

Agreed, I got some pretty good clean slam when the backline one night (hard rock gig) was an SVT7pro into a G-K 810.

I'd love to get an hour or two with a fridge and my Streamliner to see how close I could get.

 

[chris_b]

My question would be which amp do I prefer to play through. I've used SVT + 810 rigs (I liked them) but my current Aguilar ticks more boxes than an SVT.

I don't think there's any benefit in buying one amp and hoping it sounds like another.

 

[andykeating]

Admittedly I've never played an SVT but here's my take. To me bigger speakers with tweeters aren't the same as a fridge sound. I use a Barefaced 2x10". It has the same frequency range if not broader than an Fridge. I use a New Vintage Undertow 500D which has an all tube pre-amp and a Broughton Power Stage to mimic a tube power section. The new Mesa Hybrid Amp with that power section response control probably gets close to an SVT too I'd imagine.

What a bizarre comment. Basically translates to:

"I've never played Amp A; I play Amp B. I think Amp C could sound like Amp A, but I've never played Amp C either."

 

[rodl2005]

My question would be which amp do I prefer to play through. I've used SVT + 810 rigs (I liked them) but my current Aguilar ticks more boxes than an SVT.

I don't think there's any benefit in buying one amp and hoping it sounds like another.

Agreed. I use my Aggy TH500 and with a li'l knob twiddling , it'll get me where I like. It ISN'T an SVT - 810, but, thru a Bassman Pro Neo 115, it does the trick . For when I need that trick.
And, it isn't the Ampeg trick, it's just a different cool trick!