Not to hijack the thread...but speaking of tubes and 8x10's;....Has anyone tried the Barefaced Six10 or Eight10 cabs and can speak on them? I've heard a lot of mostly good talk but have yet to hear one in person.
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Solid State vs Ampeg SVT
- Thread starter Two-Spirit
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- ampeg ampeg svt solid state svt vs
And if I may ask an opinion question. ..I'm still "fairly" new bass player, actually a drummer by trade. I've tried all the bass gear you can imagine. I've flirted with the idea of saying shag it while I'm still big enough and strong enough, and getting an SVT and an 8x10, or even a 410. QUESTION IS; Do I find a vintage rig and hope for the best or just go brand new, or new/used?
I have both a Tech 21 Sansamp RBI and two tube preamps an SVPCL and SVP-PRO. (all of these are preamps not the actual SVT with the power tubes but the preamp tube sections so I can't say when it comes to a tube power section) the Ampegs have a sound that you can't get from solid state creamy, smooth and crisp highs. That being said..... the Sansamp does a damn good job in replicating that sound...
Bottom line, try an SVT and see what you think.
Bottom line, try an SVT and see what you think.
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Go find someplace that has an SVT you can try. That will tell you everything you need to know or may be wondering about that amp.
And it's not just an SVT. Any of the truly iconic amps a such as: a Vox AC30, the Acoustic 360, Fender Twin or Bassman, Roland Jazz Chorus, Magnatone Stereo Twilighter, Ampeg B-15N, Marshall Super Lead, and so on all have their unique visceral impact when you play one live.
Ten minutes of real world exposure is worth a thousand forum posts that try to convey the experience of playing through any one of the legendary amps you've heard the names of.
And it's not just an SVT. Any of the truly iconic amps a such as: a Vox AC30, the Acoustic 360, Fender Twin or Bassman, Roland Jazz Chorus, Magnatone Stereo Twilighter, Ampeg B-15N, Marshall Super Lead, and so on all have their unique visceral impact when you play one live.
Ten minutes of real world exposure is worth a thousand forum posts that try to convey the experience of playing through any one of the legendary amps you've heard the names of.
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Solid state SVT? Pedals that sound like an SVT?
Probably a far more practical choice for most of us who don't need the wattage and/or weight of an SVT. A V4B will give you all that Ampeg tube mojo for about half the number of dollars and pounds.
If I were choosing between the two today, I'd most likely be hauling out the plastic for a V4B.
Same.
And while they do sound similar, I think I actually like the sound of the V-4B a little more than the SVT.
The older GK 400/800RBs are my second favorite heads to use with my vintage Ampeg 810 (you can see mine in background). My favorite is, well, my '76SVT. Standing in front of this rig, turned up to a nice healthy volume, is something really special.
I used to prefer the V4B too, but nowadays I'm happy with either. As long as I can get my sound, I'm happy.
This is such a great point. All things being equal, any of these are worth owning on some level.
For a number of years I played with a guy who used a VOX AC30 and a Roland JC120, had a switching pedal to go between them, or use both. His setup sounded fantastic. As our sound evolved he picked up a vintage Orange 212 combo (before they resurrected the brand), and he used the Orange and the AC30. A bit later the AC30 went when he picked up a Marshall 212 combo of some sort.
He always had the greatest of tones.
The best sounding guitar amps I've ever heard were the non master volume Marshalls, AC-30's also had a pretty tone and actually the Rolands did too esopecially for a SS amp.
The V4B is #1 on my gas list. Would you recommend a restored 70s or new? I think they both sound great. It will be going through my 1969 Sunn with 2X15" JBLs
Get a Heritage SVT-CL and you'll be happy with your sound for the rest of your life. And so will your drummer! 
I like them both but the new ones are 20 lbs lighter so they win.
Love my V4B. Awesome tone and pretty damn loud for 100 Watts.Funny. But I do too!
"Great minds" and all that?
If a v4b is loud enough, I'd go for a mesa walkabout. Only 15lbs, at least as much volume and can get very similar overdrive, but with more eq.
