If you want the SVT sound, get the SVT, everything else is just a compromise. I know the whiners will whine and the haters will hate, but play what you want and don't worry about them.
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SVT-CL or stick with current rig?
- Thread starter LowEndWooly
- Start date
I've seen a few youtube demos where they were not over the moon about it. I don't own it so I can't comment from experience, yea def. being lighter is a good thing, another would be the warranty on a new product. You can get a older v4b for half the price of the reissue thou.
Ive seen quite a few around here on craigs for 700-850, v4bs that is, but that seems like a really good deal for the CL. I couldnt do a 4 hour drive, my buttcheeks and back wouldnt agree with that. If you played the v4b and liked it I would prolly grab the CL for that price making sure everything works fine on it.
I also love to play loud but the svt cl is soooo loud, like it is really loud seriously, loud
Exactly. I saw the one demo you're probably talking about. Dude has a clear agenda and a prejudice against all new amps IMHO.
Yeah , the SVT CAN be seriously loud , no doubt about it but it has a master and volume control on it and they can be dialed in to be as low as you need it to be and still sound great. I've even used mine in an acoustic setting a couple of times with no problems.
hasbeen
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The SVT-CL is a great amp. I voted for it in your poll. I have one......and have LOTS of hours on it. I don't have any amp prejudice; I'm not a "Mesa guy", "Ampeg guy", "GK guy" etc. I ask different amps to do what they do best when I need/want that sound.
The SVT tone is a classic. On a side note, they are really, really fun to play because of the "authority" they have.
The SVT tone is a classic. On a side note, they are really, really fun to play because of the "authority" they have.
The only factor that bummed me out of using these big tube amps is the weight. If you are really digging the sound and can handle the weight I'd go for it. Tubes can be fickle, but in my experience snaking out a problem in a tube amp is usually simpler and easier (should not be confused with "safer"). I ran a Fender Bassman 300 Pro for a year and a half pushing pretty hard and loud without a single hiccup from the amp. I got it used with tubes that are probably pretty darn old.
Maintenance can be costly when it comes time to retube but unless you play all the time or are super rough on the tubes then it shouldn't be all that bad. Just bring a preamp tube or two to shows in case one breaks or goes microphonic
Maintenance can be costly when it comes time to retube but unless you play all the time or are super rough on the tubes then it shouldn't be all that bad. Just bring a preamp tube or two to shows in case one breaks or goes microphonic
If the CL checks out ok, I don't see how you could go wrong buying it at that price. I say go for it, and don't look back.
My V4-B story: I was playing in a band in Bismarck, N.D. (yup) and I dragged my V4-B cabinet out of the back of the van. As it was icy, the cab immediately flew down a very steep hill as I shouted "fore!" It ended up at the bottom with no discernible injury. Just hope you've got some good-sized roadies ...
Well.. the people have spoken. Almost without question, I need to jump on this deal. 80lbs is a lot, and, really, the only drawback I'm hearing. I guess I did need a reason to hit the gym...
I will plan on driving up to test it out and buy, given it is in good condition. I will keep this thread open with updates on the trip and maybe throw some sound clips in when I get it. I'm pretty stoked!
I will plan on driving up to test it out and buy, given it is in good condition. I will keep this thread open with updates on the trip and maybe throw some sound clips in when I get it. I'm pretty stoked!
Got back into gigging last year, and got an SVT-CL. My band mates are more than happy to help carry it, lol. they love it as much as I do.
Two questions to accompany the CL:
1. Is there a way to silently run the CL with DI? I read that it can be really damaging to have the head on without a speaker load, but it would be ideal to be able to just use the DI with no cabs muddying up stage sound in certain settings
2. I'm looking at pairing this with the Ampeg 410hlf after my Aguilar GS 412 sells (it's so big, hard to fit in a car). The main reason I'm considering this one is it's frequency response being so low. I have a 4 string stingray strung BEAD, so I wanted that low B to really be present, but I also have a PJ with Chromes strung standard. I've heard this cab is really boomy; can that be toned down with EQ or with a HPF? Or is there a better cab option?
1. Is there a way to silently run the CL with DI? I read that it can be really damaging to have the head on without a speaker load, but it would be ideal to be able to just use the DI with no cabs muddying up stage sound in certain settings
2. I'm looking at pairing this with the Ampeg 410hlf after my Aguilar GS 412 sells (it's so big, hard to fit in a car). The main reason I'm considering this one is it's frequency response being so low. I have a 4 string stingray strung BEAD, so I wanted that low B to really be present, but I also have a PJ with Chromes strung standard. I've heard this cab is really boomy; can that be toned down with EQ or with a HPF? Or is there a better cab option?
Nope. Have to have a cab plugged in, and a dummy load big enough to handle it will be prohibitively large and could possibly cause overheating.
The 410hlf has been tamed down in the extreme boominess since LOUD started making them. But you can definitely use an HPF or EQ on it if needed...
I'm new to tube amps, but I did a bit of research. I voted for the Fender Super Bassman 300, that's what I ended up getting.
Here's what I compared, from least to most preferred:
I got the Fender because of the weight, the versatility, the auto-biasing circuitry, speaker-off capability, and I found a used one in great shape.
If the SVT (especially the VR) has the sound you want and you can deal with the weight, nothing else will do IMO. But that 810 is a big part of its sound, I don't know that it will have that HOLY SH1T sound through anything else, although it will obviously sound good through pretty much anything.
Here's what I compared, from least to most preferred:
- Mesa Prodigy - VERY clean and quite scooped. Too clean for me. Sounded almost solid state. Hated the preamp distortion.
- Mesa Strategy - Less scooped and can be sculpted with the graphic eq. Incredible low end and power. Still too clean.
- Mesa Buster - sounded good and pretty tubey, but not crazy freaky good to my ear.
- My rack rig - Alembic F-1X, Ashly parametric, Crest ProLite 3.0 - Nice tubey attack, clean and sweet. Some magic dust, but not nearly as much as SVT or Super Bassman.
- Ampeg SVT CL - w/ matching 810 sounded very big and very mid-focused (set "flat"), very punchy and with lots of cutting power.
- Ampeg SVT VR - w/ matching 810 was just incredible sounding, huge, warm, singing. The voice of god.
- Fender Super Bassman 300 - w matching neo 610 (set flat) was not as immediately impressive as the SVTs, but nice and tubey, 20 pounds lighter, and the most versatile of the bunch using the modern channel. Great preamp distortion with blendable drive.
I got the Fender because of the weight, the versatility, the auto-biasing circuitry, speaker-off capability, and I found a used one in great shape.
If the SVT (especially the VR) has the sound you want and you can deal with the weight, nothing else will do IMO. But that 810 is a big part of its sound, I don't know that it will have that HOLY SH1T sound through anything else, although it will obviously sound good through pretty much anything.
The SVT CL, Heritage and VR are to me THE Sound. Yes, I group them all together because they all give the classic Ampeg tone without a lot of variation in my opinion. If you love the Ampeg tone it's likely that nothing else will scratch that itch.
The second point is that you have found a great deal on a really nice one. If you pass it up you will forever look at it as the one that got away.
I think that you know what you want to do, just do it.
Full disclosure...
I don't own one, but play drums regularly next to a bassist that owns both a recent Classic and a Heritage. Hearing them regularly has given me serious SVT tube GAS. I have a SVT 3 Pro, which is nice, but 2015 is the year that I'm going to own a Heritage, VR or Classic.
The second point is that you have found a great deal on a really nice one. If you pass it up you will forever look at it as the one that got away.
I think that you know what you want to do, just do it.
Full disclosure...
I don't own one, but play drums regularly next to a bassist that owns both a recent Classic and a Heritage. Hearing them regularly has given me serious SVT tube GAS. I have a SVT 3 Pro, which is nice, but 2015 is the year that I'm going to own a Heritage, VR or Classic.
I just caught that you are looking to replace your cab as well.
Check out the SVT 212 AV cab. It gives a sound that is closer to the 810 than 410HLF and it is still relatively easy to move. I have one and use it regularly with my SVT 3 Pro, but I've also heard it and played it matched with the Classic and it is a killer combination.
Check out the SVT 212 AV cab. It gives a sound that is closer to the 810 than 410HLF and it is still relatively easy to move. I have one and use it regularly with my SVT 3 Pro, but I've also heard it and played it matched with the Classic and it is a killer combination.
how would the SVT 212 AV compare to the 610HLF? I'd rather not blow a lot of money on a cab if I can find decent used, such as the 610hlf (found one for $400)
I think they're pretty comparable myself. I used a 610hlf on a fly gig in September and loved it. It may be a little big bigger on the low end than an 810e or 212av, but it's closer to them than the 410hlf.
Can't say I'm a fan of the 410hlf at all. Just not a good sounding cab - IMO, and the form factor is no good - IME. Heavy, big for a 4x10, and too short for the tilt back casters. I would end up hunched over trying to move the cab. Might not be an issue coming from a 4x12 though.
That 4 and 2 ohm thing sure makes life difficult sometimes. Ampeg could make a bundle if they made a 4 ohm version of the 410HE. But then again, they might loose a bundle in 8x10 sales.
That 4 and 2 ohm thing sure makes life difficult sometimes. Ampeg could make a bundle if they made a 4 ohm version of the 410HE. But then again, they might loose a bundle in 8x10 sales.
The 212av was designed as a companion piece for the V4B but works great with an SVT as well provided you're not looking to dime an SVT into power tube fuzz.
