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SVT-CL or stick with current rig?

Which rig would you gig?

  • Total voters
    58
LowEndWooly

LowEndWooly

Sep 3, 2013
1,892
948
37
Indiana
#1
Alright, so I know it all has to do with preference, but I don't have a lot of experience with the Ampeg SVT-CL. I did play a V-4B at guitar center recently, ant it struck me with tube envy.

Currently, I run a Crest power amp with a BMAX-T pre (I really like the DI on the pre, and the sonic maximizer is a plus). I'm waiting to buy a JHS Pandamonium for the SVT like OD and the additional gated fuzz channel.

I have the opportunity to buy a SVT-CL for the same price I would save from not buying the JHS and selling the power and pre. I would have to drive about 4 hours away to pick it up, though.. and go through the hassle of selling the gear, neither of which is a huge issue.

I do love the Ampeg sound, and there is nothing like thumping to those power tubes.. but I've had reliability issues with the previous Ampeg I gigged with (SVT PRO-4). Are these SVTs very reliable? Is it worth lugging around 80lbs vs. the roughly 15lbs I have? Am I going to be throwing money at repairs and maintenance on the tube head? Also, how does this compare to other tube heads like the V-4b and the Fender Super Bassman? I've not been able to play through the Fender or the SVT-CL.

I'm hoping JimmyM will have some input, too!
 
#3
You didn't mention the cabs you're using. That could impact your decision as well . . . in terms of ohms and type of cab.

The BMAX is a very Fender-ish tone stack putting it more in the Super Bassman camp and doesn't really have the SVT sound. So it kinda depends on what you're looking for tonally - I wouldn't concern yourself with factoring repairs and maint on a tube head. I've experienced more failures with SS gear than any Ampeg SVT CLs or VRs that I own.

WRT to the sonic maximizer, you prob won't really need/want to run that with an SVT as they really just don't need any additional EQ. You could grab a pedal or rack maximizer if you just can't do without it though.

Suppose you could hold onto your BMAX and run that into the power amp of the SVT if you wanted - keeping the maximizer and DI. Nothin wrong with the DI in the CL though.
 
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#4
Right now, I have an Aguilar GS 412. I have a Stingray Warmoth build using Aguilar electronics as my main bass, strung BEAD using FlexSteels, and a P/J with Nordstrand electronics strung standard with Chromes. I also have a Fearless F115 in the making, though it is an 8ohm, so that gets sticky with the SVT. I've read conflicting thoughts on that damaging the head or cab.. can someone give me some truth on running a CL 8 ohm?

With the BBE Bmax-T, I would be using the JHS to try to emulate that SVT sound, so it would pretty much be an always on type of thing. That makes me really consider the SVT-CL.

I'm thinking I might like the V-4b more than the CL, but the CL is at such an amazing price where I'm getting it.. it's lower than any v-4b I have seen.
 
#7
EASonBass said:
Yeah, don't know the Aggie cab so can't comment but you wouldn't want to run an 8 ohm cab with the CL. Bad for the output tranny.
Click to expand...
In theory, yes, but the inventor of the SVT says it's fine to do 8 ohms in an SVT so I'll take his word for it. Me, I don't like that it tightens up and compresses when you mis-match impedances, but you can do it. Fortunately, though, the Aggie 412 is 4 ohms.
 
#13
I have a Peavey mark 6 , a Peavey mark 6 XP , both about half the weight of an SVT. Through my 8 10 they sound pretty good but definitely not as good as the SVT. The XP is my back up head. I also have an old Yamaha that is in the rehearsal room. Works fine for practice and surprisingly , it sounds pretty good.
My son currently has the mark 6 and a Peavey 2 10 cab with him at college and uses it for practice and the jazz band he is in up there. For the school stuff that he does , the school supplies him with a PF500 which he prefers.
 
#14
The Fender Super Bassman is just as awesome an amp as the SVT I think. I love em both. I bought the Super Bassman one for its amazing tone. The Great options with the 2nd channel. The lighter weight than the SVT, that it's switchable 8/4/2 ohms and that here in Aus, the Fender was cheaper.
I'd've be happy with either amp, but I do enjoy the 15 or 20lbs less the Fender weighs at the end of a gig
 
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#15
I bought an SVT-CL a couple of years ago and I love it, however, I run through a PA for every gig and I usually dont get the volume past 3 (if that). I personally have been thinking about selling it and getting a V4B since I dont need tons of volume.
 
#16
If the v4b is the one that gave you a tube b*ner I'd say go with that one. Having owned a CL head and a V4b which I still have and play on. The CL personally for me was way overkill 300 watts of all tube isn't practical for my practice space or any venues I play. That isnt to say it sounded great its just way more clean head room, but I find that the v4b has plenty of head room until break up and I am playing with guitarist and drummer.

I havent tried the reissues, (Im guessing thats the one you played at the store) but I hear they are not the same sound. At that price tag i'd just go with a new svt cl then.

If your not in a super rush and can hang on a bit id say lurk around craiglist or ebay and try to snag a 70s v4b or v4.

Thanks to the advice of people on here when I had tube lust, I was patient and waited for one to come up that was a good asking price.

I was able to get a 74' locally new tubes just put in and everything. I'm a v4b fanboy now.

I'd also recommend a pignose b100v head.

I've had one for a while now and love it too. It dosent really sound like a v4b ( i really should do a video comparison one of these days since i have both now) even though alotta people think it would. they can be pretty cheap if you find them and are a great sounding all tube head.
 

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#17
Ramleg85 said:
If the v4b is the one that gave you a tube b*ner I'd say go with that one. Having owned a CL head and a V4b which I still have and play on. The CL personally for me was way overkill 300 watts of all tube isn't practical for my practice space or any venues I play. That isnt to say it sounded great its just way more clean head room, but I find that the v4b has plenty of head room until break up and I am playing with guitarist and drummer.

I havent tried the reissues, (Im guessing thats the one you played at the store) but I hear they are not the same sound. At that price tag i'd just go with a new svt cl then.

If your not in a super rush and can hang on a bit id say lurk around craiglist or ebay and try to snag a 70s v4b or v4.

Thanks to the advice of people on here when I had tube lust, I was patient and waited for one to come up that was a good asking price.

I was able to get a 74' locally new tubes just put in and everything. I'm a v4b fanboy now.

I'd also recommend a pignose b100v head.

I've had one for a while now and love it too. It dosent really sound like a v4b ( i really should do a video comparison one of these days since i have both now) even though alotta people think it would. they can be pretty cheap if you find them and are a great sounding all tube head.
Click to expand...

I don't know where you have heard that the V4B reissues don't sound like the original, Ramleg, the consensus on this forum seems to be that the sound is the same or better plus the reissue has the bonus of being lighter. I own the Super Bassman and a V4B reissue, and have owned 300 watt SVTs in the past. I could confidently live with any of the three. If you like the V4B and it has enough power for you (it does go loud) then I would probably go with it. Between the SVT CL and the Super Bassman I ended up with the Super Bassman - the 20 pounds lighter weight was a major consideration here.
I would take any poll with a pinch of salt, people tend to vote for what they have or are familiar with and since the Super Bassman is very new compared to the SVT CL there are far fewer owners out there to vote.
 
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#18
You make a very good point about the v4b.. The thing is, the CL I'm looking at is brand new (damaged cosmetic, but was repaired) and it's still cheaper than any v4b, even used (although, it's close). The CL is $875 + a 4 hour drive.. Cheapest v4b I see is $950 with free shipping. Seems like the better deal is the CL ($1800 list) vs the v4b ($1300 list).. I haven't played the CL, but I would feel guilty NOT getting it. What would you guys do?

I love to play loud, but dont play large venues, although the occasional outdoors show with PA support.
 
#20
LowEndWooly said:
You make a very good point about the v4b.. The thing is, the CL I'm looking at is brand new (damaged cosmetic, but was repaired) and it's still cheaper than any v4b, even used (although, it's close). The CL is $875 + a 4 hour drive.. Cheapest v4b I see is $950 with free shipping. Seems like the better deal is the CL ($1800 list) vs the v4b ($1300 list).. I haven't played the CL, but I would feel guilty NOT getting it. What would you guys do?

I love to play loud, but dont play large venues, although the occasional outdoors show with PA support.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have made your mind up. You don't want to spend the next few years wondering about what might have been. I say go for it at that price and if you don't like it you can always sell it with minimal loss (or even a profit?).
 

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