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That SVT thing.

S

suraci

Apr 11, 2005
1,014
100
#1
An SVT CL head with smaller speaker(s)?

I am toying with idea of a newer SVT CL matched (
overmatched?) with a cab or two, it was not designed for.

1. I don't need nearly the volume of an svt and 8x10's
2. I want that unique Ampeg tube sound that the CL has
3. I prefer two knobs- Master and Gain- for me it offers option to move away from the purist SVT VR or vintage svt, but in degrees.
4. I have a tricky situation at a church- "not too loud". As it is, the drummer is next to, and almost behind the face of my speaker.
I would like him to hear a more direct beam of the svt. This suggests 2 cabs. But one svt cab maybe too much... if I have two, i have to play that much softer... ugh.

i like the sound of the deep 4x10 ampeg cab ( rated around 28 or 30 hz)
I am not sure that cab would be right, given its too much of a good thing- low end.
I may try it, esp if someone says it can be tamed
5. As it is, I am trying a 220 watt ampeg combo- it has sufficient volume... but it ain't an svt cl. So whatever cab(s) I end up with, bear in mind I can't play too loud.
6. People are going to say, then just stick with 220 watts. But that amp lacks 3 things
a) no ext speaker option for drummer- i prefer drummer really hear a bass amp not a dumb monitor
b) not a tube sound, anything like the svt
c) and not as BIG sounding-- is that part of the description of a sound, bigness, as opposed to loudness?

Anywho
a) stick with the ampeg 4x10
b) try these ****** cabs etc etc etc . Please, if you can, mention something that has really worked well with an svt head.

Thanks
 
#2
suraci said:
6. People are going to say, then just stick with 220 watts. But that amp lacks 3 things
a) no ext speaker option for drummer- i prefer drummer really hear a bass amp not a dumb monitor
b) not a tube sound, anything like the svt
c) and not as BIG sounding-- is that part of the description of a sound, bigness, as opposed to loudness?
Click to expand...

but what would the drummer prefer?

seems like the easiest solution would be to stay with the combo and use a SansAmp VT pedal...
 
#4
the VT pedal has mids control. it's an amazing pedal. does the ampeg thing beautifully. do a search on the board here and see how many people have weighed in on it. it's killer.

if you'd like to spend more money though...you can try the DHA VT1 Bass EQ. It'll do you right as well.
 
#5
Does your drummer really need to hear you in that greater proportion to everything else? Your amp aside, it might be worth looking into spending some money on sorting that out if its a regular gig for you, a decent monitor will have enough low end and will be more versatile.

I dont get this problem with having a more sensitive (i.e. how efficiently your cab turns power into sound) setup speaker wise, you can always turn down.

Anyway with regards to the 410 HLF (I assume thats the 4x10 your referring to), you wanna be weary of alot of stats Ampeg, or many other manufacturers for that matter, publish on their amps. If you wanted to get into semantics your phone puts out 30hz, albeit at -godknowshowmanythousand dB, thats my understanding of it at least, I can say for sure that despite it being a pretty deep sounding and feeling cab itll do 28-30 Hz at a very low sensitivity. If its too bassy you can always eq round that, you can take out what a cab has, but you cant add what isnt there.

The SVT isnt really designed for anything really, maybe back in the day it was voiced to go with the current 8x10, but the 8x10 they produce now and the one they were producing when they came out will be differently manufactured cabs. The 410 HLF will be nice and deep sounding, but there are plenty of cabs that will give you a deep sound, I take it your after something pretty warm sounding seeing as you seem pretty set on the SVT vibe?
 
#7
Place whatever cab you want by the drummer and make sure it ends up facing at you. The two of you should hear it just fine. The SVT CL sound is within that head and I suggest you get the head and a simple 210 or two 210's. Try some other brands out and go from there. Don't worry about the Master and Volume - let the tone you like get you past that. The Tech 21 VT peda is a decent choice, but if you already found your tone, while settle for less?

A simple way to get your SVT quieter is to turn down the Bass knob in a live situation. Since low end goes everywhere, you can keep that part of your signal from wreaking havoc in the church and messing with the PA.
 
#8
Yeah at low volumes the muddier part of the low end is more predominant on most setups, if you turn down the bass or some of the low mids by using mid style one and doing a cut then that'll tighten things up a little and let you turn up to get some depth back without being too boomy and overpowering.
 
#10
Just use an 810 and turn the volume down a tad, an 810 isnt much louder than a 410 anyways!

One thing to keep in mind, is that some (maybe just one) of the ampeg 410s only come at 8 ohm (4x 32ohm speakers so you couldnt even change it to 2 ohms). Some people will swear by it being ok, but I sure as hell wouldnt be risking running an SVT (or any tube amp that didnt have an 8 ohm tap).

Or, you could always compromise and go with a 610 . . .

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#13
quickervicar said:
As much as it pains me to say it, take the suggestion of a VT pedal. A "real" SVT in a church setting is absolutely ridiculous. It will NEVER get a chance to stretch its legs enough to get you that SVT tone that you desire.
Click to expand...
i don't know about that. of course, it's a matter of opinion, but i often use an svt in low volume situations just because i like the sound better than ss or hybrid even at low volumes.

however, i can't say enough good about the vt. if you can't swing the real thing, it cops the tones if not the great feeling of playing through a tube amp.
 
#15
JimmyM said:
i don't know about that. of course, it's a matter of opinion, but i often use an svt in low volume situations just because i like the sound better than ss or hybrid even at low volumes.

however, i can't say enough good about the vt. if you can't swing the real thing, it cops the tones if not the great feeling of playing through a tube amp.
Click to expand...

I'll agree, while you're not probably pushing the SVT to that breaking tone, the SVT STILL sounds killer! You can get a really nice warm tone- IMO the SVT doesn't sound bad at any volume.
 
#16
+1 on the Berg, I am former user of the cl and 8x10, I've found that the IMO the Mesa Walkabout Scout Combo is a really nice portable tubey sounding option. Loud and great sounding. But I found that sealed cabs work best with the CL.
 
#18
Thanks

I bought the svt 410hlf
when i saw t I thought it was light weight
Later I found out it is the PR 410hlf that is the beast

Sorry but damn this nomenclature of ampeg- dumb

I mean this was not easy to figure out

I believe there are THREE freaking 4 10 cabs by this company

That's fine but the way they advertise, it annoys me

B 410
svt 410
PR 410

It is NOT clear

Any comments about the pr model vs the svt model??
Berg's are hard to find in a store setting

Again, i paid $525 for a good condition svt410hlf is that a decent price
? Can I sell it if the PR is even "better" what is the $$ difference between these 2?

Thanks for all the support
 
#19
quickervicar said:
As much as it pains me to say it, take the suggestion of a VT pedal. A "real" SVT in a church setting is absolutely ridiculous. It will NEVER get a chance to stretch its legs enough to get you that SVT tone that you desire.
Click to expand...

Well we tried the svt 410hlf at church w a 500 watt mark bass
the sound man said it filled the room w full frequency

He tried to talk me out of it at first
I think the cab changed his mind and he's a bass player!

the mark bass is "cold" for my taste
so svt cl is next!!
 
#20
Jimmy, I hear you but still don't think the CL will get him what he's after in a church setting. A big, bad tube amp can't do its crunch/bloom thing unless you give it some leash which won't happen in a worship setting. It will sound GOOD, just not what he's after. If the OP just wants warmth he'll get it.

My vote: Bassman or V4 w/ VT pedal
 

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