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SVT3 Pro or SoundCity 120B?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by ase_one23, Jul 29, 2009.

  1. Jul 29, 2009 #1
    ase_one23

    ase_one23

    Oct 23, 2008
    Glasgow
    argh, ok usually i hate these 'which is better' threads but i'm in a serious quandary here. i've pretty much agreed to buy a soundcity 120B which looks to be in pretty decent condition. now i've been offered a mid-90s ampeg svt3 pro for the same price. i've been trying to weigh up the pros and cons of each and am really stuck.

    basically i play in a loud punk rock band, use lots of distortion and also would be using it for doom stuff on occasion. it'd be going thro 2 separate 15" cabs.

    from what i can gather the svt3 pro might be lacking a bit of volume? but then again how loud would the soundcity be? and i'm worried about the reliability of an old amp like the soundcity. but then it might rule.

    i know these posts are annoying but anyone with any ideas or who's played thro these amps before, your comments would be much appreciated!:)
     
  2. Jul 29, 2009 #2
    snaverb

    snaverb

    Feb 19, 2007
    Atlanta, Ga
    I'd go with the SVT 3 Pro
     
  3. Jul 29, 2009 #3
    NecroticImbecil

    NecroticImbecil

    Aug 20, 2004
    under your bed
    I wouldn't.

    I'll even tell you why!

    IF the Sound City is in good working order it should give you close to 200 watts actual output, since you say you are looking for distortion. A broken Sound City is another story! You probably won't get a lot of super loud, super low bass from the Sound City. It will get loud, but they weren't made with drop X tunings in mind. I wouldn't expect a lot of super lows at high volumes from the SVT3 either though, it wasn't exactly Ampeg's flagship amp.

    If it's working right, or once it's been to a tech if it's not working right, the Sound City should be reliable. Besides that, it's a simple, hand wired amp, and the schematics to it are available free on the internet so it will be easy for a tech who knows tube amps to service. Maybe it will need tubes when you buy it. Maybe not. Tubes can last a long, long, long long long time.

    Best bet is to play both yourself to make sure both of them work OK, and decide which you like. The Ampeg should sound pretty much the same at all volume levels, until it gets too loud and sounds like horriffic robot flatulance. The Sound City will at some point as you turn it up begin to have a little more distortion, increasing at you turn it farther up, until at its loudest it will sound like your doomiest, distortiest nightmares come true. If your cabinets and ears can handle it.
     
  4. Jul 29, 2009 #4
    MAMMOTHvolume

    MAMMOTHvolume

    Apr 29, 2009
    sheffield, uk
    the soundcity will put out some crushing lows! huge caps, partridge transformers, kt88s it all makes for a bowel destroying combination

    i love soundcity amps so i'd recomend going for that! but definatly have it checked over by a GOOD tech.
     
  5. Jul 29, 2009 #5
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Sound City kicks it. I'd take it any day over a 3 Pro.
     
  6. Jul 29, 2009 #6
    projectMalamute

    projectMalamute

    Jan 9, 2008
    Westfield, MA, USA
    Sound City.
     
  7. Jul 30, 2009 #7
    ase_one23

    ase_one23

    Oct 23, 2008
    Glasgow
    thanks so much for the feedback guys, i really really appreciate it, you've set my mind at ease!!!!


    so the sound city it is!!!!

    i'll show you some picks of my rig when i get it!!!!!
     
  8. Jul 30, 2009 #8
    adam precision

    adam precision

    Mar 26, 2008
    Ireland
    SC120B 100%! You'll know why when you hear it:bassist:

    With the 2 115s you'll have a grin from ear to ear.
    (the active eq can be tricky to get used to, start with Bass Middle Trebble at 6, 6, 6 and tweak from there).
     
  9. Jul 30, 2009 #9
    main_sale

    main_sale

    Apr 26, 2004
    Cape Cod
    I've been very pleased with my SVT-3Pro but I'd go for the Sound City because it's all tubes. Any teck can fix it and I think it's future value can only increase. This from a big Ampeg USA fan.
     
  10. Jul 30, 2009 #10
    meatwad

    meatwad

    Apr 9, 2008
    Smallville, USA
    Nothing wrong with the 3PRO's volume, it's actually pretty dang loud if you know how to use it. Great tone too, but you could very well be onto a better sounding amp already.