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The amp odyssey...

MichaelSmalley

MichaelSmalley

Jun 21, 2010
121
3
43
East Lansing, MI
#1
In the past 2 years, I have gone through 4 amp heads and various cabs, looking for a rig that felt right... that felt like... home.:bassist:

I've had a Hartke LH 1000, pf500, Mesa Boogie 400 (didn't work right), Eden 1205: all those through various combinations of Hartke HyDrive 410, Pf 210, & PF115 cabs.

Last week, a buddy let me borrow his SVT-CL amd 410HLF, and ohmygod it made me week in the knees. None of the amps I've owned have had that kind of headroom. The tone was amazing. I didn't feel like I had to baby it at all.

Then I had to carry it back to my car, and I thought that maybe the tone wasn't that great after all...:hiding:
 
#2
I loved my SVT-CL until I wiped out in my hall while carrying it in after a gig and almost killed myself (it was snowing and slippery!). 85lbs crashing down on your legs isn't much fun.

A SVT and a 410HLF is one of the best sounding combinations out there IMO. I just don't like the weight of the SVT and the fact that it can't drive a single 8ohm cab. I gig with a single 2x10 a lot, so this was an issue.
 
#4
I'm getting a really nice rig right now. Just ordered a Demeter preamp from the classifieds on this site. I'm going to pick up one of those nice new lightweight poweramps. Just trying to decide on what brand I'll go with for some really nice sounding cabs.

But the SVT sounded as nice as anything I've heard, imho. Makes me wonder if I jumped too soon an dropping tons of loot on the hifi rig.
 
#8
I just got my SVT Cl and am getting nervous because my 45 day return limit is creeping up fast, I love it but the thought of sending it back for a SVT 7 pro keeps hitting me, less money and less weight, never herd a 7 pro before so I am not sure if I will be trading down!
 
#9
I've played house SVT backlines before. My current "larger rig" setup blows them away wrt feel and dynamics (imho). Hard to find one to demo though - you just have to have faith or use a place with a return policy. 4lb head, 44lb cab. Yeah, some will dismiss it based on that alone. It's their hernia :D

Tecamp Puma 500/M212

m212-2.jpg
 
#10
nostatic said:
I've played house SVT backlines before. My current "larger rig" setup blows them away wrt feel and dynamics (imho). Hard to find one to demo though - you just have to have faith or use a place with a return policy. 4lb head, 44lb cab. Yeah, some will dismiss it based on that alone. It's their hernia :D

Tecamp Puma 500/M212

m212-2.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a sweet little rig, and I agree that there are options out that that some may like better than an SVT and 810 rig. For me its a pre/power amp and a fEARful.
 
#12
Try a Traynor YBA-3 or the new ones the YBA200-2 and 300-3 they all weigh less then the Ampegs, still all tube and sound great!

Also, I used to have an 8x10 and the 410hlf both sounded amazing except, believe it or not, the 810 was easier to move since the casters and bar where at an easier level to roll around. Both need help to lift anyway might as well just get the 810!
 
#13
jarrydee said:
I just got my SVT Cl and am getting nervous because my 45 day return limit is creeping up fast, I love it but the thought of sending it back for a SVT 7 pro keeps hitting me, less money and less weight, never herd a 7 pro before so I am not sure if I will be trading down!
Click to expand...

This weekend I had a SVT 3 Pro and SVT 7 Pro at home. The 7 Pro isn't as thick or rich sounding as the 3 Pro, likely due to the added preamp and driver tubes in the 3 Pro. The 7 Pro also has a much more hifi high end to my ears. I also tried a 7 Pro and Korean CL at Guitar Center driven by the same bass through the same cab. Same overall comment - not as thick and definitely not as saturated with harmonics as the CL was. Lastly, tried the 7 Pro vs my MESA 400+ which is my current amp. Obviously the 7 Pro has the Ampeg sound, but I'm personally sold on the all-tube sound.

I've yet to find a hybrid that breaks into a pleasant overdrive, their overdrive always sound like crap, though many do a good tube warmth vibe. And the hybrids always have way too much clean hi end pushing through, at least for the sound I want.

Keep in mind I'm a self-taught play-mostly-by-ear local band dude, not a professional.
 
#16
jarrydee said:
I though about this BUT, wouldn't this thing jar the heck out of your tube amp? Have you used one of these before for a SVT Cl? If you have I guess it is safe and I may go for it!
Click to expand...

My longboard works very well for this with it's big, soft urethane wheels. I can even turn corners easily with loose trucks. I do go very slow over rough pavement in the parking lot to prevent any jarring.
 

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