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I've never played the classic 400 but if you have a shot at one (esp in tweed) for around the same price as the svt 2, I'd go at that if only for its relative rarity. Svt 2's are pretty plentiful as used tube amps go. They do sound great though.
SVT: If for no other reason the re-sale. Past that, when new, we couldn't GIVE away big Peavey amps, and aside from a few collectors (very few), no real change, and the SVT is just a far better buy if in good shape.
I owned both at the same time, for serveral years. I'm not very good at describing/comparing bass tones, but here's my observations:
I thought my Classic 400 was more versatile with a wider range of sounds. I always seemed to prefer it when practicing at home alone, but I constantly felt the need to fiddle with the knob settings (to fit in the mix) at gigs and band rehearsals. My main Issue was finding that elusive balance of promonet low-mids, without becoming overbearing in a band mix.
I've never had that Issue with my SVT-II (non-pro), It's always been much more of a 'plug in and play' amp on different stages and rooms. That lets me concentrate on the bands groove, instead of thinking about what different knob setting i might try between songs...
PS: my comparisons were with my flatwound/4 string, P-basses and a Bergantino NV610 cab, playing in serveral different Americana type rock bands. You might very well prefer the Peavey for your situation, but I believe you'll never truly know until you spend some time gigging each amp with your bands.
I thought my Classic 400 was more versatile with a wider range of sounds. I always seemed to prefer it when practicing at home alone, but I constantly felt the need to fiddle with the knob settings (to fit in the mix) at gigs and band rehearsals. My main Issue was finding that elusive balance of promonet low-mids, without becoming overbearing in a band mix.
I've never had that Issue with my SVT-II (non-pro), It's always been much more of a 'plug in and play' amp on different stages and rooms. That lets me concentrate on the bands groove, instead of thinking about what different knob setting i might try between songs...
PS: my comparisons were with my flatwound/4 string, P-basses and a Bergantino NV610 cab, playing in serveral different Americana type rock bands. You might very well prefer the Peavey for your situation, but I believe you'll never truly know until you spend some time gigging each amp with your bands.
Well, the draw to the Peavey is because it has 2 channels, which can be combined. So I wouldn't have to rely solely on pedals for fuzz/OD, and just use the crunch channel via footswitch. The SVT only has one volume control (I guess 2 if you count the graphic EQ level slider), so I don't know how far you have to push it to get it to overdrive, even just a little.
Also, the Peavey is 100 watts more, only slightly heavier. And about $50 cheaper than the SVT, which is going for about $800.
Also, the Peavey is 100 watts more, only slightly heavier. And about $50 cheaper than the SVT, which is going for about $800.
If you get anywhere above 3 on the master of a 400 Classic, please tell me which stadium you're playing in. Those extra 100W will only come in handy if you are playing through the thirstiest of cabs.
400 = scoopy. SVT will cut through any guitar-heavy mix unless you make the mistake of engaging the "Ultra-Lo" switch.
400 = scoopy. SVT will cut through any guitar-heavy mix unless you make the mistake of engaging the "Ultra-Lo" switch.
Eh, unless you want to ship to the west coast ($$$$), these 2 are local to me.
Well, I have an Acoustic 301 (which is for sale, but at this rate looks like it's going to hang around for a while) and a Peavey 2x15 I modified and has Faital 15PR400's in it. Also two Schroeder 1x15's for when I'm lazy.
The 400 has a couple of mid EQ knobs, so what's the big deal.
It's a 300w RMS amp, so you have to push it at least that far. With a typical passive Fender, it starts to OD at about 11:00. Not quiet by any means.
Well, I brought home a Classic 400 today. It will need a new fan and a footswitch, but I got a good deal on it. It ended up being a lot cheaper than an SVT.
It has happened but it's hard on cabs was an 8-10 thousand capacity venue outdoors so I have opened her up past 3 without input muted just the once.....gives an excuse to post this again taken on that very day 
needless to say I'm in the peavey court on this but she doest come without a long list of disadvantages.......
needless to say I'm in the peavey court on this but she doest come without a long list of disadvantages.......
Oh yes.
Hope you have more luck than me when you open her up.mine was NOS practically unused but oxidised to hell inside.. you may need to play with the preamp tubes to get enough grit but the guys on TB came up trumps for me..,. super happy with sound.
Didn't run into any problems (other than the ugly rat fur - fixed that), this one was fairly clean. Easy to dial in the hairy.
I need a footswitch.
(more like I need one made for me)
I need a footswitch.
(more like I need one made for me)
I picked the Peavey Classic 400 only because I've never heard one. The thing about Ampeg is that it will be forever cemented in legacy. It's a good amp but, that's not to say the others aren't either. I'm anxious to try other offerings out there.
Hope it brings you many happy years. I had both at about the same time, preferred the Ampeg but ultimately chose a 400+ over either. Then sold that. You know how it goes.
Good to hear there were no troubles. I ran into almost a full restoration while the top looked like it had just come out the factory. The technician that did the work is an ampeg owner and he had never worked on one. The main concern he had was the single pot used to bias up / set all the power valves. Apparently if the ampegs have one go down they keep running on the remaining good pairs? Whereas the Peavey will shut down and by that I mean blow the main fuse. My amp came with new valves from the previous owner who had not used it intensively and had hurt his back. One valve went out of spec after 4 songs in first gig i used it in. Other 7 were fine. Replacing a single valve or pair is apparently tricky? The octets I ordered was returned twice due to the matching not being great and the technician not trusting the match. It's now modified so I can replace the valves per quartet if one goes down. But it's been stable now for 2.5 years so I hope the trouble is behind me ....... Enjoy your amp...
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