SVP-PRO, SVP-BSP, or SWR I.O.??

i perfer the SWR, but i was very very impressed with the SVP-PRO. i just like the SWR sound more than the Ampeg. if i had the choice of all three, i would go with the I.O. ive never tried the BSP.

 

I would go with the BSP........ very flexible and great sound, It has separate XLR out for clean and overdrive channels, what else do you want???

If you DON´T use overdrive or distortion don´t consider it, check out other preamps like SVT-PRO or Tube Woks Blue Tube

 

I like my svp-bsp but I just use it for slight boost to get that greasy sound, I will drive it really hard into distortion with compression sometimes with scooped mids to get a really crushing sound when I slap or use heavy finger stye, good clean too. I wouldn't get rid of it ever.

 

I say the SVP-Pro because it has a 5 tube preamp and its very no-nonsense. Just simple ampeg tone, no distortion. I think its better than the BSP for tone because the BSP has only one tube, but if you want more versatility, get the BSP. It has 2 channels and a great overdrive tone. Its up to you. I never use OD so I say the SVP-PRO.

Im not familiar with the SWR preamp, but Ive heard good things. Its in the same league as the SVP-BSP but probably has a more hi-fi tone.

 

Gotta love the BSP for adding the right amount of grind. Never tried an IOD, but read too many reports about the sound "drifting" during a gig to want to push my luck.

For my requirements, the Ampeg SVP-BSP has yet to disappoint.

 

SWR! i just got one, and even though it shipped with noisy powertubes, after i got that fixed (went out and bought ****ty groove tubes. they're all that's in town, i'll get some REALLY good ones later) i would have to say it's the best sounding amp i've ever played thru or heard.

i don't use it for any distortion at all, and it has a ton of different clean tones inside it, along with varied levels of distortion.


the learning curve is kinda steep though, it took me a couple days to figure out exactly how to work it.


jason

 

Jason, what amp are you using with the ISO? I'm really considering this preamp myself and wish I had one I could rent or hear to see if it's for me. From your accounts, it sounds like I would like it. Some say it can do SVT and SWR clean.

tapp

 

i'm running it into a Carvin DCM1000, and they seem to match each other pretty well.


i should be heading into the studio to lay some more tracks for my bands cd pretty soon, and i'll use the IOD. So hopefully i can render some of my tracks and put them up here so you can hear what it sounds like, cos i know you're not the only one wondering.


jason

 

I say svp-pro. This pre really does kix max butt. If you do a search for svp-pro I did a review but this really hinges on what sound your goin for. If its a hi-fi sound then go with the IOD but for brute force rock and grind and bluesy tone the svp kix the iod's butt imo. Both are great pre's and thay both get sounds the other cant get so you should look at what type of music you are playing and want to play and the decision will be pretty easy. If you notice you have more votes for ampeg than you do for the iod

 

If you want to make your SWR sound like an SVT, then why not just get an Ampeg preamp? This seems silly to me...

 

The point is: that you can have both SWR hifi clean and SVT grind in one box; this IMO would make a really versatile setup. Sometimes I wouldn't want the SVT grind; say when I'm playing my Pedulla fretless.

tapp

 

first my vote, i have the SVP-Pro, i love it.. but it really doesn't matter.... its just a preference, i dont' think that there's really anything inherently bad about either...

ok now my question.. both the IOD and BSP have blend controls in which you blend the overdriven and clean signals... why don't you just turn the drive knob up and down respectively.... you want more clean... don't blend in clean, just turn the drive knob down? i'm sure there's a reason for it, anyone care to enlighten me? thanks.

 

Yes, Flea uses a “hi-fi” amp (Gallien-Kreuger 2000RB to be exact) and yes, SWR will give you that sound. However, you should play some Ampeg amps and some SWR amps before you just spend your money. You have to play amps from each brand (with YOUR bass) and base your decision on that. I like Flea’s tone myself, but I still prefer Ampegs to any other amp, just because they sound the best to me.

Also, your preamp doesn’t necessarily need OD built in. You can get a Big Muff or something like that and itll sound just as good, and you wont be limited to just OD preamps. You can look at clean ones too.

Just make sure you try SWRs and Ampegs to really figure out which brand is the brand for you. You will regret it if you don’t.

 

like i said - the IOD has the classic SWR sound plus tube plus overdrive. but it sounds like you figured that out.


and there's a reason they invented the IOD in the first place - distortion pedals suck all the lowend out of your sound. this doesn't.



jason

 

like i said - the IOD has the classic SWR sound plus tube plus overdrive. but it sounds like you figured that out.


and there's a reason they invented the IOD in the first place - distortion pedals suck all the lowend out of your sound. this doesn't.



jason

 

Hey...i'm looking for a pramp, and i'm in between these...i'm striving towards a warm tone...some drive would be great...does the SVP-PRO have Drive???

For an idea of the tones i want to get, listen to "Tones of Home" (Blind Melon), Led Zeppelin II and "Given To fly" and "Blood" by Pearl Jam...