Solid State vs Ampeg SVT

[lowplaces]

I only play one because JimmyM said so

That's right.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm one of the few that by my definition, doesn't classify hybrids as solid state.

I own a 2 pro, 4 pro, 6 pro and a host of tube preamps and a host of solid state Ampeg amps. They all sound very distinct in different ways. None of them completely good or bad. I would categorize them as axe's, knives, and scalpels.

Most of the pro series amps are reliable, less expensive to maintain and will nail most of today's modern music with flexibility and "features". They all get it done in their own way. I can tell you that all of the amps can cop each other but, none of them can replace each other. The 2, 4, and 6 have a sound all their own.

True but the 2 Pro is all tube.

 

[Raw N Low]

True but the 2 Pro is all tube.

I would say one thing the hybrids can't cop is the 2 pro's grit to output ratio. I can have my volume and gain turned up less than a quarter and make the walls vibrate going through a single 410he. There is a physical sound presence that hybrids and solid states can't do.

Perhaps it's something you can't let your ears distinguish. It's something that you have to be present for to "feel". I know that's what made me a believer when I first played and heard IN PERSON through a 100-400 tube amp. I couldn't fathom how tube output was much more raw than 1K+ anything solid state.

There is plenty emulation out there on SVT's and over saturation of the tone has isolated many from a truly wonderful experience. To put it in a nutshell.......radio vs. a live concert.

 

[matthewbrown]

Play one and get back to us.

Carry it, then drop it, too, and get back to us. The big advantages of solid state...

 

[gorneyg]

I don't know...I get a killer sound from my SS gear. Carried SVTs for years.

 

[Korladis]

Carry it, then drop it, too, and get back to us. The big advantages of solid state...

Not all tube heads weigh 80lbs.

Anyway, for me, the others who mentioned feel are spot on. Somehow a tube amp feels more responsive and more connected to my instrument. I know that sounds weird, but that's my experience.

 

[SactoBass]

In general some of them can get you close in tone but not necessarily in feel.

Big +1

Most comments in comparing tube amps to SS amps focus on sound or "tone." But "feel" is, IMO/IME, a huge part of the equation to consider as well.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

If I had roadies to haul around my gear, I'd play all tube heads with giant road ready cabs. I don't, so solid state works best for me. Tubes are where it's at thought imo.

 

[SactoBass]

Anyway, for me, the others who mentioned feel are spot on. Somehow a tube amp feels more responsive and more connected to my instrument. I know that sounds weird, but that's my experience.

That matches my experience as well!

 

[okcrum]

What's this 'search' you speak of????

It's a tool used by critical thinkers. It's probably obsoleted by whatever you believe by now.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

Does the afore mentioned filet mignon have a dash of Worcestershire Sauce in because I find it makes a big difference.X

It's the umami factor.

 

[Kmonk]

The closet I've been able to get to my SVT CL is with my SVT 6 PRO. I suspect it's because unlike the other hybrid Ampeg amps, it actually has a tube pre-amp and tube drivers. I can get pretty close with Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe as well but in my opinion, nothing beats an SVT tube amp. There's a reason why they are the most widely used bass amp in the world.

Here are the specs on the SVT 6 PRO
RMS Power Output (8 Ohms): 750-Watts
RMS Power Output (4 Ohms): 1100-Watts
Preamp: Tubes (2 x 12AX7)
Driver Tubes: 2 x 12AU7, 2 x 12AX7
Power Amp: Solid State
Tone Controls: Bass and Treble
Mid Tone Control: 4-Band Semi-Parametric
Ultra Low/High Boosts: Yes
Balanced Line Out: Yes, Pre/Post with Level and Ground Lift
Effects Loop: Yes
Preamp Out/Power Amp In: Yes
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 19 x 3.5 x 15
Weight: 41 Pounds

 

[bobyoung53]

To me it's like an actual painting or a picture of a painting. The tube amp is the actual painting, the SS amp is the picture of the painting. There's no perfect substitute for looking at the actual painting, but we've got some pretty amazing, small, lightweight, inexpensive cameras with high resolution screens that can take a high quality image of that painting and give you about 97% of all your eye can see.
The painting--not so portable. The camera--pretty darn portable.
And trying to appreciate the nuances of either the painting or the tube amp in a crowd of screaming, drunk, rowdy fans is equally impossible. But I wouldn't hesitate to drag a Fender Rumble 500 and an iPhone right into the throng! Snap some selfies of me jamming Mustang Sally all night long!! Rock on!!!

My advice--don't fall into the tube bass amp gig rig trap.

I think the "nuances" of an SVT compared to just any other amp I've used, especially SS amps, are glaring from a stage, on a stage and out in the audience and I've had the comments from people who are not bass players that just appreciate good sound, you get good and used to an SVT and you will be able to coax a sound out of it that is just not available in most other amps and it is noticable to the average person.

 

[bobyoung53]

I have always wanted an SVT, and have tried to duplicate that sound and feel with and SVP preamp and power amp. As the years go by, and the back goes bye bye, I have downsized and found the amp that I think suits me, a Boogie D800. All that being said, last week I was on the bill with Alice Cooper's band in a small club in Birmingham, Alabama. The backline provided was a 1974 SVT and 810. I plugged in and experienced tone nirvana. The only knob I touched was the turn that mother shager up knob. My mutt Geddy Jazz has never thundered and growled as much as it did then. I am rethinking my smaller is better philosophy after playing this greatness. It only took me 30 years to discover this.

Welcome to nirvana, I was lucky and discovered it 40 years ago.

 

[bobyoung53]

I would say one thing the hybrids can't cop is the 2 pro's grit to output ratio. I can have my volume and gain turned up less than a quarter and make the walls vibrate going through a single 410he. There is a physical sound presence that hybrids and solid states can't do.

Perhaps it's something you can't let your ears distinguish. It's something that you have to be present for to "feel". I know that's what made me a believer when I first played and heard IN PERSON through a 100-400 tube amp. I couldn't fathom how tube output was much more raw than 1K+ anything solid state.

There is plenty emulation out there on SVT's and over saturation of the tone has isolated many from a truly wonderful experience. To put it in a nutshell.......radio vs. a live concert.

That physical sound presence is very clear bottom, I always say that a (tube) SVT sounds so thick you can walk on the sound, I think we're talking about the same thing.

 

[Raw N Low]

The closet I've been able to get to my SVT CL is with my SVT 6 PRO. I suspect it's because unlike the other hybrid Ampeg amps, it actually has a tube pre-amp and tube drivers. I can get pretty close with Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe as well but in my opinion, nothing beats an SVT tube amp. There's a reason why they are the most widely used bass amp in the world.

Here are the specs on the SVT 6 PRO
RMS Power Output (8 Ohms): 750-Watts
RMS Power Output (4 Ohms): 1100-Watts
Preamp: Tubes (2 x 12AX7)
Driver Tubes: 2 x 12AU7, 2 x 12AX7
Power Amp: Solid State
Tone Controls: Bass and Treble
Mid Tone Control: 4-Band Semi-Parametric
Ultra Low/High Boosts: Yes
Balanced Line Out: Yes, Pre/Post with Level and Ground Lift
Effects Loop: Yes
Preamp Out/Power Amp In: Yes
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 19 x 3.5 x 15
Weight: 41 Pounds

Actually the 3pro shares a similar architecture to the 6 pro. Essentially the 6pro is two 3pros power sections sandwiched together with an articulate parametric eq. People love the 3pro but often wish they had more power. Sad that six died off so early. It was ahead of its time.

The SVT pro that nobody talks about is the 8pro. Three tube pre on a 2500 watt class D power supply.

 

[DiMarco]

I like both ss and tube amps, and the occasional hybrid. Depending on the venue I bring either, but I do prefer the tube amp because it translates better what I do on the bass guitar. It seems to be more responsive then the ss and sansamp amps.

That said, with a modern active (Zon) bass the difference is only minimal - those sound about the same on any amp. The P bass does prefer the tube amp and really comes to live through that.

 

[Kmonk]

Actually the 3pro shares a similar architecture to the 6 pro. Essentially the 6pro is two 3pros power sections sandwiched together with an articulate parametric eq. People love the 3pro but often wish they had more power. Sad that six died off so early. It was ahead of its time.

The SVT pro that nobody talks about is the 8pro. Three tube pre on a 2500 watt class D power supply.

The 3 PRO is similar but has the following
Preamp: Tubes (3 x 12AX7)
Driver Tubes: 1 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AU7

The 3, 6 and 8 PRO are great amps.

 

[Ric5]

What does a SVT Classic give you that a SVT pro can't? Why bother with tubes when so many players use solid state. How do Sansamps compare? I don't mean to be a jerk, just curious.

I have 3 ampeg solid state heads ... they have plenty of warm ampeg tone and no tubes to change

 

[pglaser01]

Does the afore mentioned filet mignon have a dash of Worcestershire Sauce in because I find it makes a big difference.X

I tried my amp with a dash Worcestershire as you suggested....it wasn't what I expected