SVT... Dislike?

[brianrost]

Another vote on it just being the wrong cab. With the original 8-10 + tube head I have always been able to get a decent sound, even with my upright.

The original 8-10 rolls off the lows at about 80 Hz, which is above the fundamental of the open E. You don't get much fundamental until you reach the open D string, that reduces mud and gives better string to string balance. It's also not very trebly (no horn), the top end starts rolling off about 6Khz.

The modern cabs are more full range which IMHO is a mistake.

My only dislike of the SVT has been the usual: too big and heavy

I wish Ampeg had never used the SVT name on the transistor models, they are not at all the "real thing" no matter how much they claim to be.

 

[majortoby]

For me, it is something along the lines of: SVT-3, and the all SS SVT I tried failed to impress me. The SVT CL/VR never agreed with me until I learned how to EQ, then I became aware of their respective merits. The SVT-7 still continues to blow my mind in terms of how bad I love it (it is worth noting however, that I generally prefer SS power sections, call me "ultra-modern" if you must). They seem, IMLE, rather sensitive to speaker choice. I've played all of the aforementioned amps through the 410HLF, and I just plain didn't care for the combo. Oddly enough, a GK with some cut lows through the same cab made my pants fit all funny. My point being, I wouldn't so quickly write off one of the most beloved bass guitar amp series' ever based on one speaker cab's tone.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I think we are only talking about an actual SVT here (or Heritage or CL) the SVT-pro series or the solid state SVTs are quite different beasts.

The SVT pro 4/6/7 can do a pretty solid clean tone, so I really do not think OP would have the same issues with them as an SVT.

And I never said I hated the SVT, I said I have some dislike for it. It has its place, and I don't see myself going to that place. I loved my SVT-CL at a time, but my tastes changed and it wasn't versatile enough to change with me.

 

[George Mann]

The problem with the 410 is that it is a modern, boomy (ported) abomination! The sealed 810 however is perfect.

Also, the only REAL SVT is the original tube model.

 

[Faderoktopus]

I find this is my biggest issue with most any amp on modern Ampeg cabs. The notable exception for me was GK's RBs. I never even liked my SVT's on Ampeg cabs. When I plopped my SVT-II on a Genz Benz 610T XB2 it was the best bass tone I've ever had. My SVT-CL on Bag End cabs also sounded like I've always wanted the Ampeg cabs to. I even sold the 610HLF I bought the CL with immediately.

Funny thing is, I actually run my Eden WT800 with an old Ampeg 810pro and have no complaints about clarity. The EQ on the amp can make it do pretty much anything I ask it to, including cleaning up the low mids. And it's not just my particular cab, I chose that model partly so I could learn how to dial in my head on something that would likely turn up in a supplied backline. It might not be the cab of my dreams, but even with my very 'non-SVT' tone preferences it works very well with a more EQ-flexible amp.

Martin

 

[George Mann]

I just wanted to add that the best amp rig I have used to date with my single-coil Precisions is an old '70's Ampeg tube head, and 2 strapped Hafler DH500's driving sealed 810 cabs.

Endless power, and just the right tone!

 

[MoeTown1986]

And I never said I hated the SVT, I said I have some dislike for it. It has its place, and I don't see myself going to that place. I loved my SVT-CL at a time, but my tastes changed and it wasn't versatile enough to change with me.

What he said!

 

[MoeTown1986]

The problem with the 410 is that it is a modern, boomy (ported) abomination! The sealed 810 however is perfect.

Also, the only REAL SVT is the original tube model.

I really gotta try one with an 810 I suppose!

 

[majortoby]

IDK. I tend to be of the school of thought that an SVT with the appropriate speakers will cover pretty much any tone. Hell, I even thought someone on TB scoped the pre of the SVT and reached that very conclusion.

 

[Fair Warning]

The amp needs an 810

+1

 

[georgestrings]

Here's another vote for poor amp/cab matchup - and not the amp's fault... I really like the sound of an SVT or Mesa 400+, and also really like the SVT-410HLF, but not together... I think the SVT-410HLF works well with SS or hybrid amps by G-K, Genz Benz, Mesa, Markbass, Peavey, etc... but doesn't work well at all with all tube amps...

Although it isn't my 1st choice for a rig, give me an all tube SVT and an 810e in decent working condition, and I won't have any complaints... The SVT also works really well with a Berg NV610, IME...


- georgestrings

 

[dmac1961]

Yep, definitely the wrong cab for that rig. I owned two HLF's and they never sounded good with my SVT or anything else. Sold 'em both. Of course, the 810 is the go to cab, but I think sealed cabs are the key. My SVT sounds great with (2) SVT210AV's, at moderate volumes of course. You should definitely give a "proper" SVT rig another shot.

 

[JOE EDO]

OP: What bass were you using?

 

[Corey Y]

I have the SVT-CL, the 810e and the 410HLF and I agree that you should try it with a sealed 410 or 810 before making a final judgement. It may still not be to your taste, I only like it with certain basses in certain contexts, but IMO the 810e is the cab best suited for pairing with the SVT-CL. The 410HLF sounds great with a lot of other heads though.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

IDK. I tend to be of the school of thought that an SVT with the appropriate speakers will cover pretty much any tone. Hell, I even thought someone on TB scoped the pre of the SVT and reached that very conclusion.

Uhm... no. Have you ever actually owned an SVT?

I tried like hell to get a clean hi-fi tone out of it, like Markbass, GK or Hartke... the closet you can get is with the hi boost enabled, and it is not close. The SVT has a distinct tone that cannot be denied.

That is like saying I can emulate an SVT pretty good with my Markbass SD by rolling off the highs (the VPF knob or w/e) I can get close but it is nowhere near the same experience.

I use (I believe, I could be wrong) SGDLuthries description, because I think he summed it up best, the SVT gives the SVT tone to any bass whereas I prefer a natural un-coloured bass tone.

 

[majortoby]

Don't qualify my statements for me. I know what I heard. Thank-you.

 

[georgestrings]

I've played all of the aforementioned amps through the 410HLF, and I just plain didn't care for the combo. Oddly enough, a GK with some cut lows through the same cab made my pants fit all funny.

Agreed - I recently picked up both a Streamliner 600 and an SVT-410HLF, and although the Streamliner sounded great thru both my 215s, it wasn't that great thru the SVT-410HLF... then, I got my 700rb-II back, paired it up with the SVT-410HLF, and it was slammin' - just as I remembered it...


- georgestrings

 

[MAMMOTHvolume]

I like the V4B much better or even the B25B over the SVT. Most of my stuff is British, Hiwatt, Marshall, Sound City etc. The SVT was never a match for me and I have had 4 or so blue line over the years.

+1 i don't really get on with the way the mid control works in the svt and the lack of head room in the preamp.

hiwatt, simm watts and marshall all the way

 

[nysbob]

I've never liked the HLF cabs. Didn't matter what pushed them.

It's not the fact that it's ported - I play a '70s SVT through ported 15"s and it's lovely. It's just the way those cabs are engineered...not my thing.

 

[Jim Carr]

HLF is what it is, big bottom, heavy, expensive, not articulate, loud. With the right head, it kills, which I suspect is a tube pre and a big lead sled.

I could never get the sound I wanted out of one in the past, but I am still wondering about what that one can really do.