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Suggestions- Fender Rumble vs Ampeg SVT CL/V4B

Buck_BassMan94

Buck_BassMan94

Oct 18, 2021
134
294
Southern Illinois
#1
Hello all,
I currently am running a Fender Rumble 500 combo. This amp has served me well and I have no problems with it. However, later this year I might have an opportunity to improve my rig a little. My two options are 1.) Add the 2x10 Rumble extension cab for a sort of mini 4x10 stack. If I choose this option I could probably add another bass to the arsenal as well. Or, 2.) Dive into the world of tube amps with the either the Ampeg SVT CL or V4B. (Cab to be determined but leaning towards the 6x10).

For context, I mainly play at a church with about a 500-700 person auditorium, as well as in a cover/wedding band. I use a Line6 Helix Floor and emulate the SVT in pretty much all my patches. I like the light weight carrying of the Rumble, and it is loud enough for my uses and accepts effects well enough. But, tubes are where my heart is, especially the Ampeg tone. The SVT would certainly be over kill. But, I fear the V4B may get dirty too quickly for my tastes.

I guess my question is, is the Ampeg SVT so loud that it can’t be controlled for indoor gigs?
 
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#3
BaltBass5 said:
The V4B is amazing and does not have to get dirty. I play one using super hot active Spector basses and it does clean just fine. I am using the Ampeg SV212 cab and the pair is a match made in heaven!
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I’ve heard great things about that set up. I’m just concerned about how much volume you can push with it. I definitely don’t need all the headroom the SVT has, but I don’t really have a reference for how much useful volume the V4B can get in a typical 5 piece cover band setting. We have a good PA, but I don’t want to run into situations where the amp isn’t enough either.
 
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#4
Buck_BassMan94 said:
Ampeg SVT so loud that it can't be controlled for indoor gigs?
Click to expand...
Depends on your tone goals. The volume control works fine on SVTs. The CL allows you to gain up the preamp to get some drive at whatever volume you want. However, preamp drive is not quite the same as pushing the output section, which requires running the amp at the limit.

The fans in my vintage SVTs are pretty obnoxious. I believe the CL fan is not as loud, but some people still notice.

V4B does not have a fan and it is lighter and less expensive. I like a bit more power, but if a V4B is loud enough for your needs, it's a good choice.

The V4B sounds pretty similar to an SVT, but not exactly the same. Which is better comes down to taste and how much headroom you need.

Ideally you should try before you buy. Otherwise you may find you don't like the Ampeg sound...or maybe you will love it.
 
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#5
Buck_BassMan94 said:
...I don't want to run into situations where the amp isn't enough either.
Click to expand...
You'll get a lot more "mileage" out of your wattage by adding more speaker/cabs. The V4B into an 8x10s will absolutely destroy in most band settings. A couple of Ampeg SV212s should be plenty paired up with the V4B. You might not get AS much clean headroom as the SVT, but I think it will be easier to get grind with the V4B as opposed to the SVT. For smaller gigs just bring one SV212, both for bigger gigs.
 
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#6
KevInDaBassment said:
You'll get a lot more "mileage" out of your wattage by adding more speaker/cabs. The V4B into an 8x10s will absolutely destroy in most band settings. A couple of Ampeg SV212s should be plenty paired up with the V4B. You might not get AS much clean headroom as the SVT, but I think it will be easier to get grind with the V4B as opposed to the SVT. For smaller gigs just bring one SV212, both for bigger gigs.
Click to expand...
I like the idea of the Ampeg 6x10 since it has the casters and would be a bit of a compromise between sizes.

I need to get down to Nashville at some point and try them out in a store. My rural mom and pop stores don’t carry higher end gear so travel is a must for test driving.
 
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#8
Buying and transporting an Ampeg SVT sounds a little crazy BUT I remember back in the seventies hearing a country/country rock group who played at a modest volume. Their bass player was able to by a SVT which sounds like overkill but it sounded like a giant stereo. It is not that the bassist was at all loud but that his playing could be heard literally everywhere. He played a Fender Precision Bass which was a match made in heaven. The point is, a SVT sounds great a low to moderate volumes They are incredibly heavy though.
 
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#10
I have an SVT-CL (mine is old enough to say SVT Classic in front) and it’s matching 8x10. It sounds glorious, it really does. And has others mentioned, it’s great at lower volume to… but it’s extremely present. Mine lives in my basement, in a townhouse. My neighbour never complained. The master volume knob works… no worries here.

But… the head weights 80-90 pounds… it’s something to carry around. But… I guess it keeps you in shape.
 
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#11
Norman Hunter said:
Buying and transporting an Ampeg SVT sounds a little crazy BUT I remember back in the seventies hearing a country/country rock group who played at a modest volume. Their bass player was able to by a SVT which sounds like overkill but it sounded like a giant stereo. It is not that the bassist was at all loud but that his playing could be heard literally everywhere. He played a Fender Precision Bass which was a match made in heaven. The point is, a SVT sounds great a low to moderate volumes They are incredibly heavy though.
Click to expand...
My main bass is a P Bass with flats and I can only imagine how great it would sound!
 
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#12
Norman Hunter said:
Buying and transporting an Ampeg SVT sounds a little crazy BUT I remember back in the seventies hearing a country/country rock group who played at a modest volume. Their bass player was able to by a SVT which sounds like overkill but it sounded like a giant stereo. It is not that the bassist was at all loud but that his playing could be heard literally everywhere. He played a Fender Precision Bass which was a match made in heaven. The point is, a SVT sounds great a low to moderate volumes They are incredibly heavy though.
Click to expand...
My main bass is a P Bass with flats and I can only imagine how great it would sound
 
#15
Buck_BassMan94 said:
Hello all,
I currently am running a Fender Rumble 500 combo. This amp has served me well and I have no problems with it. However, later this year I might have an opportunity to improve my rig a little. My two options are 1.) Add the 2x10 Rumble extension cab for a sort of mini 4x10 stack. If I choose this option I could probably add another bass to the arsenal as well. Or, 2.) Dive into the world of tube amps with the either the Ampeg SVT CL or V4B. (Cab to be determined but leaning towards the 6x10).

For context, I mainly play at a church with about a 500-700 person auditorium, as well as in a cover/wedding band. I use a Line6 Helix Floor and emulate the SVT in pretty much all my patches. I like the light weight carrying of the Rumble, and it is loud enough for my uses and accepts effects well enough. But, tubes are where my heart is, especially the Ampeg tone. The SVT would certainly be over kill. But, I fear the V4B may get dirty too quickly for my tastes.

I guess my question is, is the Ampeg SVT so loud that it can't be controlled for indoor gigs?
Click to expand...
You can play an SVT as loud or as soft as any other amp. FYI I used a SVT-CL with 810 for several years in a church half the size you describe. Sounded "heavenly." ;)
 
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#16
Buck_BassMan94 said:
I've heard great things about that set up. I'm just concerned about how much volume you can push with it. I definitely don't need all the headroom the SVT has, but I don't really have a reference for how much useful volume the V4B can get in a typical 5 piece cover band setting. We have a good PA, but I don't want to run into situations where the amp isn't enough either.
Click to expand...
I play in a LOUD rock band and I’ve toured nationally with that setup and you will never lack power.
 
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#18
Wasnex's point about fan noise is well-taken. I had to quit using my MB800 in a 300-seater back in 2014 (IIRC) because the fans would kick on and startle the people in the first couple of rows. But then again, the amp was only 20 or so feet from the first row, so there's that...

Get the ok from the lead pastor or the WL before you haul in a tall cab, because some churches label such things "visual distractions", and disallow them. However, if there's an objection, you can offer to lay the cab on its side and see if that gets you a green light.

Finally, before I bought an SVT, I'd make sure there was a solid, qualified tech within driving distance -- someone who really knows the ins and outs of those heads.
 
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#19
eniac said:
Wasnex's point about fan noise is well-taken. I had to quit using my MB800 in a 300-seater back in 2014 (IIRC) because the fans would kick on and startle the people in the first couple of rows. But then again, the amp was only 20 or so feet from the first row, so there's that...

Get the ok from the lead pastor or the WL before you haul in a tall cab, because some churches label such things "visual distractions", and disallow them. However, if there's an objection, you can offer to lay the cab on its side and see if that gets you a green light.

Finally, before I bought an SVT, I'd make sure there was a solid, qualified tech within driving distance -- someone who really knows the ins and outs of those heads.
Click to expand...
I definitely will be consulting with our WL and main sound tech first. I run sound part time as well. Though, they’re both fine with doing the Rumble Stack version so I’m sure the SVT would be a welcomed upgrade. Just don’t want it to be too overpowering.
 
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