I have a Fender ab763 tube pre that I like. I'd like to have an ampeg voiced tube pre. Does the product exist?
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SVT Tube PREAMP is there such a product?
- Thread starter nicksorenson
- Start date
Went looking, didn't find much except an older thread here: Best Ampeg SVT-like preamp/DI? Maybe some good info in there?
Not in current production AFAIK but with a bit of patience you should be able to score a used Ampeg rack mount tube preamp. I have the SVT-IIp which does precisely what I want: add plenty of tube character with intuitive tone shaping controls. And it's not mid-shy! There are other models. HTH
Passinwind
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Which flavor Ampeg voicing do you prefer? Tons of B15-ish tube preamps are readily available.
Ampeg SVPCL preamp . You can find them used once in a while . The real tube preamp of a classic SVT . They work awesome .
I've played bass most of my life now and somehow have never played through an SVT but I like the recorded sounds and live tones I've heard. So that's what I'm thinking. I remember not caring for the ampeg RI flip top in the 90s but that was a long time ago. I've grown to like smoother darker sounds with age. The Fender pre I have does dark and smooth (or bright and scooped) pretty well. So an SVT type tube pre interests me.
Wow! Looking at used prices, one of the svt hybrid amps is pretty much the same price as just a pre and I'm guessing that's because the pre is rare. I guess I may as well just buy the full amp head. Wish I could go back in time to when the pre was cheaper. All I really need is the pre.
Not to derail the thread, but that's one good looking (and sounding) rig.
Ha ha... I was going to derail my own thread to say the same thing. Nice setup!
If you are doing recording, then the SVT Suite might be a good path for you
Ampeg – Bass guitar amplification
If it doesn't have to have an Ampeg logo and come in a rack format, you may have better luck with a newer boutique unit in a pedalboard or "lunchbox" form.
Ampeg is based on the Bandaxall preamp design. Any unit with that in the description should at least offer similar functionality (i.e. intuitive boost/cut tone controls). Voicing could deviate, but there seems to be plenty of stuff out there intended to evoke and/or replicate the classic vibes.
For a full tube amp, I went with a more obscure name and have not one iota of GAS for the "genuine" Ampeg product. (I actually tried the newer Ampeg first and got stuck with a lemon.)
Ampeg is based on the Bandaxall preamp design. Any unit with that in the description should at least offer similar functionality (i.e. intuitive boost/cut tone controls). Voicing could deviate, but there seems to be plenty of stuff out there intended to evoke and/or replicate the classic vibes.
For a full tube amp, I went with a more obscure name and have not one iota of GAS for the "genuine" Ampeg product. (I actually tried the newer Ampeg first and got stuck with a lemon.)
I will second the SVP-CL...but it's channel 1 of the vintage SVTs, rather than a CL preamp. Ampeg SVT vs Ampeg..SVP-CL?
If you don't know, Jerrold Tiers worked at a high-level at Ampeg.
AFAIK it may be the closest you can get but it won't sound exactly like an SVT, as part of the mojo is in the output section. My understanding is SVT power amps have a small broadband bump centered around 400hz.
The SVT 8-Pro uses the SVP-CL preamp. I find that the mids and highs sound right, but not the lows. The 8-Pro and SVP-CL specs say the bass control is 20hz. The original SVT bass control was 40hz. I have to run the bass control much higher on the 8-Pro than on my vintage SVTs...and the low contour does not seem the same.
SVP-CL is more about clean headroom than the CL preamp. The 8-Pro has a power reduction/OD circuit that adds a little bit of dirt and compression. I think this circuit works well at super low gain settings to make the amp sound more tubey. I don't think it really matches the way an SVT transitions into higher levels of drive though. The SVP-CL does not include this circuit, so expect more of solid state/clean sound.
Early SVP-CLs had weak output, so they needed an amp with a relatively low sensitivity rating.. I believe their is an update that can be done.
But there is no way of knowing how much of the signal you heard was because of a mic'd cabinet with SVT head, or maybe a DI, or a DI with outboard EQ, or SVT line out with or without outboard EQ.
I've owned the SVP-CL and SVT-IIP pre amps for many years.
They do not sound like my SVT-CL no matter what the SS power amp (everything from a CA6 to the effects return side of a GK).
Best recorded tone I ever had (while working as a recording engineer) was a dummy load on the back of a V4B with the pre-amp out going directly into a Sony console flat to an 1176 to tape.
Smooth_bass88
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There's also the Origin Effects SV. It's the only preamp pedal that I've tried that actually sounds like an SVT. It's good stuff.
I've also got an Ampeg SVP-CL, SVP-Pro, SVT-II, SVT II-Pro, V4B, and B15R.
I like Ampeg
I've also got an Ampeg SVP-CL, SVP-Pro, SVT-II, SVT II-Pro, V4B, and B15R.
I like Ampeg
Both the Broughton SVPre and the Master Effects Super 300 are stunning at getting that sound without a tube. If you're dead set on a tube (and I support that choice) There are some good options. The soon to be reissued Sushi Box SBVT will have multiple tube stages and is going through beta testing right now. I imagine it will be available within a month. obviously I haven't tried it, but I've heard the original and it's already amazing. I would also look at the Kahn DI (based on the Ampeg DI) or the Arkham Oracle. You can get SVTish tones from them even though they might be more B15 slanted. the vast majority of experienced players lean to the REDDI. Again, that's more flip top based. These all get into real money. However, anyone who has tried a variety of devices will swear that they are worth every penny. For a slightly cheaper option, the Mozztronics DI 2 gets very Ampeggy. I recommend reading the massive Tube DI threa that Scubaduba started.
Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...
Yes, it's lengthy but worth taking the time to go from the beginning. It is complete with sound samples and tons of comments, useful bits of info and detailed discussions.
Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...
Yes, it's lengthy but worth taking the time to go from the beginning. It is complete with sound samples and tons of comments, useful bits of info and detailed discussions.
