I know both amps put out 300 watts of pure tube power, but which one do you think has more 'meat' behind it's sound?
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Sunn 300T vs Ampeg SVT-CL?
- Thread starter reecebors89
- Start date
This does'nt matter, they are identical, only the badge is different. I own both.
I love both the 300T and the CL. The 300 is a bit more complicated to navigate through its available tones but I can always find something to put a huge grin on my face. The compressor on the 300 is not to everyones taste but I find it useful.
I prefer the classic ampeg grindy overdrive tone you'll get out of the CL to the overdrive/distortion of the Sunn.
I don't think it's possible to be dissapointed with either really, try before you buy!!!
Not that i don't believe you, but i've heard both and i heard a difference.
Granted, i'm not a tube amp fan and i'm pretty ignorant to tube sounds, so it COULD be they both had different tubes affecting their tones. But i found the older to be a bit more aggressive than the reissue.
Also, FWIW, though i'm no tube amp fan, the ONLY tube amp on the market that i have GAS for is, infact a Sunn300t.
If anything else, it'll make you stand out a bit more against the plethora of SVT CLs.
The Sunn 300T is the only tube amp I'd buy as well. I've been looking for one for years. Perfect balance of controls, aesthetic and tone. I had an SVT-CL for a year and finally had enough with tube issues after having to retube it twice, and found the tone to be pretty marginal. I can't imagine going on tour with one. Currently the Sunn 1200s appears to be everything I need, but man...if I could only come across the 300T.
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Also, what is it with people claiming this amp to be louder than an SVT? it's the same wattage as an SVT.
I've had two SVT's a 74 and an 80-81? as well as the 300t. I've never had the opportunity test the volume limits of these amps as I didn't feel like replacing my cabs to find out. I would think there roughly in the same ballpark. For what I liked the 300t did edge out the SVT. A little more hifi and flexible than the SVT just as loud and warm. I did have a tech mod the bias controls as they would slowly get hotter until the tubes would prematurely die. This was a factory issue, and not a major fix. My 300t was from the first year they made them so my guess would be that they resolved this issue later in the run. All that said, I'm rockin' an old GK800RB and loving it more than any of my tube beasts soooo...
You heard a difference because you wanted to hear one. Either that or the cab/bass setup were significantly different.
They are literally the same amp.
Maybe the Sunn has more headroom. It does seem louder to me.
The Sunn 300t and Bassman are the same except for the badges. No doubt some running changes during production to increase reliability.
The Sunn 300t and Bassman are the same except for the badges. No doubt some running changes during production to increase reliability.
I've found it ammusing to see peoples different reactions to the 300T/Bassman 300 based solely on the badge.
When I used a 300T live it regularly got positive attention yet now its retired my replacement Bassman usually gets 'why you using a Fender? Wheres your cool amp?'
I know it can be hard, I've certainly done it, but don't listen with your eyes!!!!!
When I used a 300T live it regularly got positive attention yet now its retired my replacement Bassman usually gets 'why you using a Fender? Wheres your cool amp?'
I know it can be hard, I've certainly done it, but don't listen with your eyes!!!!!
Yeah, and Sunn never actually built the 300T, the 300T was introduced after Fender bought Sunn. The 300T is a Fender product.
Regarding the old vs new 300T's (Sunn 300T vs Fender 300Pro) has anyone seen the PCB for the Sunn version? The Fender version looked very HP printer like more than tube amp like and was wondering if the older ones are the same.
Yes and yes, the only thing "Sunn" about the "Sunn" 300T is the badge. Sames goes for the transistor "Sunn" 1200S, it's 100% a Fender Bassman 1200 Pro wearing a Sunn badge.
I don't know which is louder, I've never A/B'ed them side by side. But I do know that both are pretty strong amps, and that watt ratings aren't always the end all regarding loudness.
So from a design/sound perspective, the 300T has little in common with old (pre-Fender) Sunn amps?
Also, from an aesthetics point of view, for some reason, Sunns have always looked really menacing and cool to me.
Also, from an aesthetics point of view, for some reason, Sunns have always looked really menacing and cool to me.
I owned the Fender RI for about 6 months when I was in a progressive hardcore band. I was competing with Mesa triple rectifier full stacks and a loud drummer, the 300 didn't break a sweat. Loudest I ever went was 4 on the master. The distortion on it is killer, devastating even.
I do like SVT's, but never enough to own one. Even if I did it would be a vintage one, probably a blue line 70's. BUT the 300 is louder IMO and much more versatile.
If you want SVT tone, get a SVT. If you want an amp that can give you great tube tone plus a few more usable features, get the 300.
Both great amps, but unless the SVT in question is vintage or at least US made...I would take the 300.
~B
I do like SVT's, but never enough to own one. Even if I did it would be a vintage one, probably a blue line 70's. BUT the 300 is louder IMO and much more versatile.
If you want SVT tone, get a SVT. If you want an amp that can give you great tube tone plus a few more usable features, get the 300.
Both great amps, but unless the SVT in question is vintage or at least US made...I would take the 300.
~B
I have not side by side tested the Ampeg Vs Sunn/Fender for which is louder, but what I think people are refering too when they say the Sunn is louder is that it has has more clean headroom. The Ampeg starts to overdrive as it gets louder, which is why plenty of people love them. The Sunn, on the clean channel, can just get disturbingly loud without any distortion besides the sound of your speakers disintegrating. So, people perceive them as louder, since they don't distort as early.
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the 300T doesn't even have a 'little' in common with any pre-fender Sunn, other than the logo plate. (because it really is a 100% Fender design, and not a Sunn at all).
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