• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

SVT-CL or stick with current rig?

Which rig would you gig?


  • Total voters
    58
An SVT and a BBE pre with a power amp are two very different vibes. The BBE is super airy with a ton of high-end definition. Honestly, I haven't come across many other amps that have that much high-end on tap. If you like having a lot of presence in the mix with a quick attack, then the BBE is the ticket. The SVT, on the other hand, is going to be big and burly. It's going to have an enveloping low and low-mid thing that the BBE lacks.

If you can swing the SVT without having to sell your other gear, I'd keep them all. The SVT and BBE are both super awesome pieces of gear with two totally different types of goodness going on.
 
I just scored a used Fender Bassman 300 for $900. Was the best money ive spent in a long time!!!! The difference between tube and solid state is night and day!! The Tube head will make you a man!! The sound that comes out of a Tube amp is just simply AMAZING!!!!! The head is big, bulky and 80lbs heavy. That is the trade off for superior sound. My opinion. I was 100% convinced, and turned into a true tube believer in the first 30 second of playing mine!!! Yes, that good!! Do yourself, bandmates, and your audience a favor and go TUBES!!!!

As for brand, any of the top big guns are good. I researched most of them and settled on the Bassman. It was available here in the classifieds and the price was fair plus the sound sculpting options are what drew me to this model but I believe you'll be more than satisfied with any of them.

Do IT!!! Good luck

-Pod-
IMG_2083.jpg
 
Last edited:
So, I had the chance to crank the amp.. Loved it. There was a lot of heat coming from it, though.. I imagine that's normal, but want to double check. Also, the biasing control is new to me. I did a bit of reading about it prior, but I have it set all the way to the left and I'm still getting the red lights with the green (only when signal is passing through).. Is that bad? What do I do about that?
 
Last edited:
that's what I came up with based on the manual and some threads on here.. what does out of spec mean, specifically, and how do I get it corrected? Replacing the trio? But it's both sides, so that would mean replacing every power tube.. yikes.
 
Looking at replacing all the power tubes.. I've done a little bit of digging. It seems almost everyone prefers the winged C tubes, but they are $100 a pop. I'm looking at an EH 6550 and JJ 6550. I also see there are JJ KT88 that seem to be interchangeable.. I read that KTs seem to have a bit more dirt output, if that's the case, I am interested. Could I get three of the KTs and 3 of the 6550s, or would this cause problems?
 
right.. that's my point.. something is wrong. The green light doesn't come on without the red light simultaneously coming on.

No. You stated ( when signal is passing through ) which is NOT when you adjust bias. You adjust your bias with volume and gain at 0 and without an instrument plugged in. When you play through the head both red and green will illuminate....always, even if bias is adjusted full left.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowEndWooly
No. You stated ( when signal is passing through ) which is NOT when you adjust bias. You adjust your bias with volume and gain at 0 and without an instrument plugged in. When you play through the head both red and green will illuminate....always, even if bias is adjusted full left.

Well.. call me no longer ignorant. Thank you. I feel like a fool for not knowing that. It's obvious this is my first all tube amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abull78
Congrats on the purchase! You are going to love it.

I'd recommend finding the manual for your particular year and model. For my 2011 Heritage SVT it went like this:

With the controls left (or somewhat left) both green lights should be on. Then ease one control to the right until its red light begins to come on. Then ease back to the left just until it goes out. Repeat for the other side. You may find the two sides are somewhat interactive and may tweak both a little.

Then enjoy 300 watts of all-tube goodness!

EDIT: The red lights do come on while playing. The above procedure is without your instrument plugged in.
 
leaving at about 5am to go pick up that SVT. I feel like a little boy on Christmas.

Nice score. Having a real SVT is better than having the SFT pedal right HAHA. I know exactly how you feel, just picked up my SVT exactly one month ago today. Just happened to be my birthday :). What cabinet did you settle on? Did you get the 610HLF? I'm going through that issue right now.
 
Nice score. Having a real SVT is better than having the SFT pedal right HAHA. I know exactly how you feel, just picked up my SVT exactly one month ago today. Just happened to be my birthday :). What cabinet did you settle on? Did you get the 610HLF? I'm going through that issue right now.

Yes it is!

I'm actually going to keep my Aguilar gs 412. It's an amazing cab. I have a fEARless f115 on the way and I plan on getting an additional f112 to throw on top.
 

Latest posts