• 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 comparison with Streamliner

S

suraci

Apr 11, 2005
1,014
100
#1
I am an owner of an SVT CL and I am auditioning a Streamliner 900
I am surprised to ( up to this point, anyway ) find that the SVT may have less darkness or put the other way , more clarity.
Or I may just like the SVT more.

I have played both heads through a total of 2 cabs
Ampeg 410 HLF
And gb neo 12"

If this thread is redundant please send me to where this specific topic of Streamliner vs SVT is occurring.

All opinions are welcome.
 
#2
If one is not careful with the low-mids and gain controls on the Streamliner, the sound would quickly turn muddy. Not quite noticeable when solo practicing, unfortunately can get you buried in the mix in a full band. This may also what is the OP experienced. Cutting the low-mids slightly can clear up the tone.

Two very different heads with two very different characteristics, imo. One could not replace the other.
 
#3
The CLs EQ is much closer to flat with everything at noon whereas the GB has a pretty strong baked in voicing. I always found the CLs extremely easy/intuitive to dial in.
 
#4
My comparison is between the SVT2 Pro and the Streamliner 900.

I also come to a similar conclusion, that it's easier to get clarity out of the SVT. Both head ran through the same GB Über 810, did not have to push very hard at all to get loud. Not pushing hard may have gave the edge to the SVT to stay clean thou.
 
#5
Just to play devils advocate for the sake of gaining more information:
Aren't all amps "baked in" with their characteristic inherited tonal stamp???
I suspect you know this. Yet you still maintained that SL ( Streamliner will be SL ) has a pretty baked in voicing
Can you help Us understand the apparent DEGREE of baked in ness of the SL vs other amps, which no doubt have some degree of baked in ness?
I want credit for coming up with a new phrase "baked in ness". Ha ha
 
#8
suraci said:
Just to play devils advocate for the sake of gaining more information:
Aren't all amps "baked in" with their characteristic inherited tonal stamp???
I suspect you know this. Yet you still maintained that SL ( Streamliner will be SL ) has a pretty baked in voicing
Can you help Us understand the apparent DEGREE of baked in ness of the SL vs other amps, which no doubt have some degree of baked in ness?
I want credit for coming up with a new phrase "baked in ness". Ha ha
Click to expand...

All amps have a baked in voice (that isn't a new term, by the way:). Some amps have baked in voicing that is actually quite even and almost flat within their range, like the Markbass LMII/III. Other amps like the Streamliner have a bit more EQ variation as part of their baked in tone (i.e., when the EQ knobs are all set to noon).

All amps also sound a bit different, and none will sound exactly like the other. However, some (many) of us find the voicing of the Streamliner to be among the closest sound and even 'feel' of an all tube head that has been achieved so far (with the Mesa Walkabout and Mesa MPulse360/600 also in that 'all tube' tonal universe).

However, just like every 'all tube amp' sound like it does, the Streamliner will not exactly mimic any other amp perfectly. Seems the closest in tone to the Sadowsky SA200 to me (and others who own both amps).

Once you get into pushing power tubes though, all bets are off!

That all being said, most find that a slight cut to the bass and a slight boost to the midrange (center point depends on cab, bass and room) results in a pretty amazing 'all tube tone' with plenty of articulation.

Here is a clip of my Streamliner with my P Bass, as a data point for you. For me, the perfect 'vintage meets modern tubey tone':bassist:

Baer Amplification ML112 - YouTube
 
#9
One of my favorite old old time actors and dancers was
Jimmy Cagney
And in one of his movies he says
"you dirty rat..."
Well jeff stoled my phrase
It's mine. It's mine I tell ya

Sorry still giddy from Christmas

Nothing replaces an Svt
But sometimes ( weight aside, you guys complain too much about weight ) I want a sound that has ampeg and a clearer sound

That is why I got SL. I knew it was on the darker side
I may try GB 9.2
Or MB f500 or little mark 2
 
#10
Another clip with the Streamliner and this time the new Acme 112 Neo.... big, clean, articulate, with plenty up top for me personally.

FYI!

Acme 'FullRange' Series III and Genz Benz Streamliner 900 - YouTube

Edit: One of the things that makes at least some of us a bit giddy about the Streamliner is that, unlike most (well, pretty much any) all tube head, once you get the Streamliner's tone dialed in, and the amount of warmth, grit or totally clean that you want, that tone will stay VERY constant through extremely loud volume settings. It surely won't get any louder than an SVT in an absolute sense, but it will get WAY louder if you like your tone clean. And, the savings of around 90 pounds in weight is a nice bonus!
 
#12
I'm about to pull the trigger on a new amp for gigging. I have an SVT-VR and 810AV for practicing, but is not available for gigging (wife won't let it leave the house). I have an SVT-III Pro (not the new -3 Pro, but the genuine Ampeg article) that I use for gigging, and just don't care for the sound of it. There is no clarity at all in the bottom end, the attack is very soft, not at all like the VR.

Since I don't have an STM available to test, I'm listening to every YouTube clip I can find (thanks, Ken!), and so far, I like the tone, but would really like to hear more discussion from those who have used both, and other options as well. I've had so many troubles with Ampeg lately (killed five amps in the last three months) that I'm a bit soured on Loud Technologies right now, so I want to move on to another brand, but I still like the VR tone, and love the ability to change tone with a simple tube swap. Any other hybrid options, love to know about it, but only if you have direct experience between the VR and X.
 
#13
suraci said:
Appreciate it Ken you are a TB Gem
But MUCH more importantly
I never claimed baked in was mine, all mine
I claimed "baked in NESS" was mine, ALL mine!
Sorry I am really goofy today
Click to expand...

:D I'll give you the 'baked in ness'.

And again, I don't think that Genz tried to copy an SVT tone in any way, so if you just love that tone (clean or otherwise), well, there you go. However, for those who are looking for a way to get a pretty 'real' sounding 'all tube signal chain' in a lightweight box, and especially for those who like 'all tube like' clean tone and who play at loud volumes, the Streaminer 900 is pretty darn cool.

For those who like the specific grind that the SVT can give you when pushed, an LMII/III with a VT pedal in front of it gets surprisingly close to that 'Ampeg grind and roar'.
 
#14
tekdiver500ft said:
I'm about to pull the trigger on a new amp for gigging. I have an SVT-VR and 810AV for practicing, but is not available for gigging (wife won't let it leave the house). I have an SVT-III Pro (not the new -3 Pro, but the genuine Ampeg article) that I use for gigging, and just don't care for the sound of it. There is no clarity at all in the bottom end, the attack is very soft, not at all like the VR.

Since I don't have an STM available to test, I'm listening to every YouTube clip I can find (thanks, Ken!), and so far, I like the tone, but would really like to hear more discussion from those who have used both, and other options as well. I've had so many troubles with Ampeg lately (killed five amps in the last three months) that I'm a bit soured on Loud Technologies right now, so I want to move on to another brand, but I still like the VR tone, and love the ability to change tone with a simple tube swap. Any other hybrid options, love to know about it, but only if you have direct experience between the VR and X.
Click to expand...


Have you tried a VT pedal in front of a relatively flat solid state micro head? That MIGHT get you where you want to go for a ligthweight option. The VT/Markbass LMIII combination is much loved on this site.
 
#16
tekdiver500ft said:
I have to give kudos to the SVT-III Pro on that count, it does grind really well.
Click to expand...

+1.. The VT/LMIII will actually give you similar grind, plus the ability to mimic quite a few other 'Ampeg' tones (with that footswitchable higher end VT model), but also to quickly go 'warm and clean' by bypassing. And, more absolute volume and a fraction of the size and weight.

Just FYI there.. might or might not float your boat. That 'grind' thing is very 'brand specific', and the Streamliner has its own vibe when pushed that isn't particularly Ampeg-like.
 
#17
I have a deposit on a used LM2 - waiting for police report at GC- but I still need the VK PEDAL eh? I tried a pedal by them ( 21 something or other) but it had no mid control.
Isn't there a "better" VK WITH mid control that you would recommend?

Thanks
 
#18
suraci said:
I have a deposit on a used LM2 - waiting for police report at GC- but I still need the VK PEDAL eh? I tried a pedal by them ( 21 something or other) but it had no mid control.
Isn't there a "better" VK WITH mid control that you would recommend?

Thanks
Click to expand...

No, I was actually responding to 'tekDiver' regarding his tonal needs. For warm but clean, the LMIII (or LMII) is perfect for many... nothing extra needed unless you want some grind and break-up in your tone.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back