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School Me On SVT’s
- Thread starter MazakCNC
- Start date
Most all-tube aficionados like pushing the output sections of their amps fairly close to their clean limit. In this power range, the sound takes on different characteristics that can be very desirable.
So, I think the claim is more that you can't push an SVT into the sweet spot without being to loud in your house.
For the record my SVTs sound really nice at lower volume.
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Agree.
Also agree. It's not the same as pushing them, but it's still pretty good (IMO).
That was part of my love/hate relationship with tube amps. I loved them at clean volumes but hated having to push them to keep up with everybody else. But I was using tube amps too small for what I needed. By the time I got one big enough, Sunn Model T, I was running soild state amps with the same amount of power but with less weight. I gave up on the all tube amp pursuit.
I know what you mean. I don't generally like gigging with a tube amp that is pushed into squish territory. So I guess I am more of a solid state guy. For the record I own about 50 amps and more the 2/3rds are consider "all-tube"...so I am not slagging tubes in any way.
With a tube amp you may set the volume to get the output section into a range of power that produces the desired tone and feel. There can be a certain magic that occurs in this power window. But, if you turn up or down very much, the amp is no longer working within the desired power window. So you are not necessarily free to adjust the amp to suit your volume needs.
With a big solid state amp, I generally find that I have a lot more headroom and I can adjust up or down without drastically changing the way the amp responds to my touch.
Solid state amps also have a window where you can push them into squish and possibly grind territory. The window is often narrower with solid state, so it may not be very useable. Some solid state amps seem to sort of hit a wall. When they hit the wall they transition almost immediately from clean and punchy to nasty distortion...or perhaps they go into protect mode and simply go silent for a short time.
I have GKs rated for 360-380W at 4 ohms. These amps have a fairly wide transition window and get squishy and grindy similar to a tube amp. Plenty loud for my needs with the right cab, but sometimes a bit too compressed for my taste. I have compared the GKs to my SVTs and they seem fairly equal in regards to volume capabilities. The GKs may be slightly louder clean.
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This is why I run an SVT.
Being a tube guy I've spent countless hours gassing for a V4B or B15... but my SVT has a volume knob. It's never too loud, and it's never not loud enough.
As long as you leave that head on the floor it's good. Raise it up on the cabinet, no thank you! I'll run my fanboi Mesa WD-800.
That is exactly why I sold my SVT-CL and bought a vintage V4B. I gigged 2 single 15s with JBL D140s. The SVT at stage volume was not driving the power section to get where I wanted it and the speakers couldn’t take more than I gave them without blowing. I liked the SVT rig but the V4B got the tone I wanted at a drum kit matching level (Bonham kit, hard hitter).
I did not miss the master vol control at all.
An SVT for your house is like having a powerful industrial CNC machine in your garage. It can be done but should you?
Can you really tell, or do you just know?
Aside from the sheer seismic forces in action, the sound itself can be made by smaller things.
I've done both, and the convenience far outweighs the haulage, with minimal change to the sound.
Quite possible I would prefer the SVT in the exact same setting. Not necessarily to play louder, but to have a more dynamic sound.
I have a friend who owns a big Haas CNC for milling metal parts for various clients for various purposes. If he had room in his home garage I wouldn't be surprised if he'd have it there rather than a rented shop space a few blocks away.
That Hass he owns used to be at Neal Feay, a place pretty much only very serious design nerds might know of. They hog out complex forms out of aluminum by the tons per year.
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Which ones? ...If you don't mind me asking. I have a soft spot for grey-cord 400RBs, but I also don't recall being immediately pleased with a lot of others. ...Granted my sampling has been far from comprehensive or methodized. A lot I probably just don't recall too.
700RB/112 combo rated at 380W at 4 ohms
2000RB 350W at 4 ohms x 2.
I had the 700RB first and later bought the 2000RB as a proxy of the 800RB.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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I've been working as a bass player using various types of bass amps for decades. There absolutely is a difference when using an SVT. Besides- these days, I end up using SVTs provided by the sound companies or by the venue. So I very rarely have to haul mine around
One very important point not being mentioned ...here. SVT's are more than just the tone...that look is iconic and very exciting.....Nothing screams R&R showbiz more than a 70's fat logo, glitter rig....One amp two cabs.....eye candy to die for.
Yep, I have two SVT-CLs and use them for both live and recording. They have some heft to them so loading in/out is a little bit of exercise but because of the heft tonally and harmonic richness they provide, I keep using them. My sound is bigger, fuller, warmer and richer when I use them, so because my tone matters to me, I keep using them. I don't know the science behind why they do that, I just know they do.
