• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

SVT CL question

PinkFloydDan

PinkFloydDan

Jul 4, 2005
1,116
28
52
Buffalo
#1
So, I just bought one of these, and I am wondering, should I only use it for gigging, and not use it to practice with to preserve the tubes and electronics of this amp?

Just wondering how longtime users do it.....I might just get an inexpensive Line 6 or Ampeg combo to practice with and leave this baby closed up until gigs, but would like some thoughts.

I kinda wanna play it for even practicing here but she is LOUD in my apartment. shakes all the windows even low :)
 
#4
Advice I wanted to hear.

I took some good advice though from here. I turn it on standy first for 30 seconds and then play, never playing for less than 20 minutes on it so the tubes get a nice warm heat. Then I turn it off, throw a few blankets over the set up and walk away hoping my neighbors don't bitch.
 
#6
They're MADE to be USED & will last longer than most S.S. amps- why do U see SO MANY old ones for sale etc..... they last- like old Peavey's!!!! USE it MAN!!!
I own a V4BH also & use this at smaller gigs, pracs- ONLY coz it's lighter/easier to lift/transport etc.. TUBE amps IME are FAR more rliable than most solid state amps-especially ones built in the last 10 yrs. Remember the saying- yrs ago things were built to LAST-so ppl would BUY them, see how GOOD they were, word would get around & other's would buy them!! NOW it's seems everythings the opposite.......... build it to last 5-10 yrs then have it bust & all the part either too expensive or labour too expensive-so U have to BUY another. Look at BANKS... when I was a KID, U used to put money IN banks to SAVE & earn INTEREST on yr money..... now BANKS lend U money & we PAY interest to the banks!!!
I believe the SVT-CL is still made pretty much as it has been for decades(of course thereare cost cuting measures & differences in the circuits) but it's essentially STILL a 300w ALL TUBE amp- with an AWESOME sound & if mine(Sure it's an SVTII not a SVT-CL) is anything to go by, they're built like tanks!!! Mine's been dropped, bumped etc & have NEVER had a problem with it. MANY of the SVT-CL users on here(TB) say how theirs are the same-last the knocks etc...very well!! AND as far as tubes go- depending on yr use-how many gigs/rehearsals/how far U push it- (ie. use it flat out or at a 'respectable' volume;-) get it serviced by a reputable tube tech every year(if U use it hard) every cuppla yrs if U use it like I do- gig it once a week at "quiet" levels for that amp ;-) it'll serve U well for YEARS & YEARS!!!!
 
#7
Use that puppy-dog...
The WORST thing you can do is leave it lay..
The CAPS need to be charged-up or they will go south on you.
that's why the old "beat-up" tubers sound good and the "closet-kept" ones need a cap job.. Got to keep it workin'..
JW
 
#11
Hi.

Just use it, that's what is ment to do. Tubes will last, don't worry about that.

The only "problem" You may face when practicing is that you probably won't get it sound quite right at low levels. If You like the slightly overdriven and compressed tube amp sound that is.

The answer to that is to get the cab with lowest possible sensitivity and/or least number speakers for practicing. That way You can get the tube grind without raising the dead. The power handling has to be high enough of course.

Just my 0.02€
Sam
 
#12
I've never heard of a 4 ohm 1x10 or a 4 ohm 1x12

All I have found so far is a 6x10 the guy was $550 for, says it is basically brand new and an 8x10 the guy said he'd take $450 for and says it's in good condition with a little few rips in the tolex.
 
#14
Jimmy, it just seems an 8x10 is overkill for the clubs we play. Does it matter? I guess that's what the volume knob is for but the lower the volume and gain, isn't the tone diminished a bit?

For $450, if the 8x10 is in good shape I guess I will get it. But I still need an cabinet to practice at home with. Considering a 1x12 Avatar

I am really struggling over what cabinet to get for the type of gigging we do. And I wonder if it matters. If we got a gig, the 8x10 is the one to use no matter what, if we played at a huge club or a tiny bar.
 
#18
rodl2005 said:
Look at BANKS... when I was a KID, U used to put money IN banks to SAVE & earn INTEREST on yr money..... now BANKS lend U money & we PAY interest to the banks!!!
Click to expand...


I'm sorry...what? Do you know what a bank is? If not, I probably shouldn't let you know that the bank loans out YOUR money, and at any given time on has about 10% of its deposited funds as actual money; if everybody went to the bank on the same day to take out 50% of their money, we'd all be ****ed!

Oh, and yeah, I use an '80s SVT-100, every practice and gig. Power tubes are fine. Don't worry about it!
 
#19
...I wouldn't worry about tubes, etc.. Some folks, including myself, gig at med./small venues and/or don't require high stage volume and so gig with something lighter. The rational is the CL being heavy stays home yet still inspires for practicing, while the hybrid offers comparable tone at less weight and saves the back. For those same reasons, I mostly gig w/ svt3 & 410hlf and practice w/ CL & 115e. (An even 'lighter option' : I also run direct with svp in church but that's a different issue altogether; ie, Aviom v. stage monitors :).

Congrats!

Jimbob
 
#20
Williamsburgjim said:
...I wouldn't worry about tubes, etc.. Some folks, including myself, gig at med./small venues and/or don't require high stage volume and so gig with something lighter. The rational is the CL being heavy stays home yet still inspires for practicing, while the hybrid offers comparable tone at less weight and saves the back. For those same reasons, I mostly gig w/ svt3 & 410hlf and practice w/ CL & 115e. (An even 'lighter option' : I also run direct with svp in church but that's a different issue altogether; ie, Aviom v. stage monitors :).

Congrats!

Jimbob
Click to expand...
While logically you're probably right, there's no way I could be satisfied on a gig with a 3 Pro if I had a CL at my disposal.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back