You need to remember once you play it live, it will be difficult to go back to your other much lighter rig,
so be strong it won't be easy
so be strong it won't be easy
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
To Finally Gig an SVT
- Thread starter Old Fart
- Start date
You will not regret it. Nothing is the same as an SVT > 810 just on the edge of breakup.
I only take the SVT to outdoor gigs anymore; it's just too much for most rooms we play in. Indoor gigs get the V-4B.
I only take the SVT to outdoor gigs anymore; it's just too much for most rooms we play in. Indoor gigs get the V-4B.
I played through an SVT rig about 15 years ago and it was glorious! Lusted after one for many years. Now, my back hurts just seeing pictures of them.
Understood, but I have heard plenty of SVT/810 rigs in nightclubs that are ordinary size and they do very well there. At modest volumes. I just really think a big part of the superiority of this rig is all those 10" speakers. Volume can be low, and still fill the room all the way to the back corners.
IMO standing in front of an Ampeg SVT and an 810E and actually feeling the sound of that 810E is glorious.
I've played through SVT/810's. Fortunately we had roadies. The rig sounded good but the impact for me was lost on the arena sized stages. I heard more bass from the side fills.
I'm sure you will love the sound you make.
These days my 30lb maximum carry rule doesn't restrict me. I still have a great selection of bass gear to choose from.
I'm sure you will love the sound you make.
These days my 30lb maximum carry rule doesn't restrict me. I still have a great selection of bass gear to choose from.
I have only used one on a gig one time (supplied backline) in the summer of '06. I really don't recall the experience as to how it sounded, unfortunately.
View attachment 5457323 View attachment 5457324
I wish you were able to really hear that Rickenbacker that you were playing through that SVT setup. I played my 4001 through a vintage SVT/Ampeg SVT a few times, and it was pure magic.
I rehearsed and gigged with an SVT/810E for years. The band all chipped in with load ins and load outs, so it wasn’t really a big deal moving my rig. Back in those days, I was mainly playing a MusicMan Sterling and a Fender Precision.
What tone! And what a feel! And like another person already posted, playing at the SVT’s sweet spot, right where it’s just starting to mildly distort, was pure magic, IMHO.
I don’t know why it took me so long to realize that just a slight bit of overdrive/grit is so wonderful for playing live, IMO. For me, that slight bit of breakup makes the bass a lot more audible within the mix, and it blends in with the entire band mix, so the bass isn’t covering the other instruments/vocals up.
I wish I still had an all tube head for large rooms. And the guys that I occasionally play with love SVT’s too. Hopefully I can own another.
These days I use a Tech 21 GED-2112 into two separate cabinets. One gets the “Deep” channel and the other cabinet gets the “Drive” channel, which sounds incredible. But I still want an all-tube bass amp, because IMO it provides a tone and a feel that I’ve never found in any hybrid or solid state rig.
Although the Aguilar gets pretty darn close IMHO.
I have only used one on a gig one time (supplied backline) in the summer of '06. I really don't recall the experience as to how it sounded, unfortunately.
this is a superb match, I ve personally, used my Rick 4001 and the 75 ebony ripper with my SVT VR or my 75 v4b with 810E, and is AMAZING. but I ve to say my favorite cab is 2x15 or two good 1x15 oversized.
View attachment 5457323 View attachment 5457324
also, mic placement in front t the cab does a Lot but a Lot, it can make your sound great or poopie, almost regardless of the amp you are using. I found a 10-inch speaker difficult to mic way easier to get good sound from a 12 or a 15-inch speakerI have only used one on a gig one time (supplied backline) in the summer of '06. I really don't recall the experience as to how it sounded, unfortunately.
View attachment 5457323 View attachment 5457324
Man, I just looked it up and I’ve owned my SVT since 2012 and never gigged it.
I desperately need to change that.
I desperately need to change that.
Here is my report from last night, my first time gigging this rig:
TB is littered with hundreds or thousands of posts describing the majestic sonic and spiritual experience of gigging with the SVT/810e bass rig. Those posts understate the experience. I just checked out the two indoor venues we will play downtown tonight and tomorrow and those stages are plenty big so I just left the rig at tonight's venue and I am tempted to take it to every stage on which it will fit.
Everybody commented. Bandmates, sound guy, audience members.... The serving wenches said nothing, but that's because they were busy.
The stage was outside in a covered area but facing the stained wooden back of the building. About 50' x 40' including stage. The amp's two channels were bridged at the input jacks. Channel 1 volume was at about 1.1 and my bass volume knob still had some headroom. Channel 2 was at something like 2 or 3. I won't bore you with the rest of the knob and switch positions but they were just set 'neutral' (knobs at 12:00) and I saw no need to 'fix' any tone problems.
Dang thing was just fat and full sounding. Perfect. Not loud, but very FULL. I 'heard' some of my notes with the backs of my legs.
Somebody suggested that with this rig, you play both the bass and the amp, and this is quite true. It basically gave my fingers WAY more control over the tone and dynamics and volume than other rigs do. Like the difference between a car with power steering and one without.
I did not take any acceptable pics but I will do that tonight and/or tomorrow.
Seriously. I think I will be taking this rig to every stage on which it will fit. Well worth the extra effort. Words just cannot adequately express.....
TB is littered with hundreds or thousands of posts describing the majestic sonic and spiritual experience of gigging with the SVT/810e bass rig. Those posts understate the experience. I just checked out the two indoor venues we will play downtown tonight and tomorrow and those stages are plenty big so I just left the rig at tonight's venue and I am tempted to take it to every stage on which it will fit.
Everybody commented. Bandmates, sound guy, audience members.... The serving wenches said nothing, but that's because they were busy.
The stage was outside in a covered area but facing the stained wooden back of the building. About 50' x 40' including stage. The amp's two channels were bridged at the input jacks. Channel 1 volume was at about 1.1 and my bass volume knob still had some headroom. Channel 2 was at something like 2 or 3. I won't bore you with the rest of the knob and switch positions but they were just set 'neutral' (knobs at 12:00) and I saw no need to 'fix' any tone problems.
Dang thing was just fat and full sounding. Perfect. Not loud, but very FULL. I 'heard' some of my notes with the backs of my legs.
Somebody suggested that with this rig, you play both the bass and the amp, and this is quite true. It basically gave my fingers WAY more control over the tone and dynamics and volume than other rigs do. Like the difference between a car with power steering and one without.
I did not take any acceptable pics but I will do that tonight and/or tomorrow.
Seriously. I think I will be taking this rig to every stage on which it will fit. Well worth the extra effort. Words just cannot adequately express.....
Now wait for the IEM and purse amp crowd to shout you down….
as much as I liked my Gk 400RB in the 80’s to early 90’s getting my SVT-CL was a huge step up. The solidity and incandescence of each note was a delight. I also played it at rational stage volume (through 2 JBL 15” loaded cabs) and really played clean with a little crunch when I dug in (heavy power trio originals).
yes it’s a lot to move etc but if you can why the bleep not!?
as much as I liked my Gk 400RB in the 80’s to early 90’s getting my SVT-CL was a huge step up. The solidity and incandescence of each note was a delight. I also played it at rational stage volume (through 2 JBL 15” loaded cabs) and really played clean with a little crunch when I dug in (heavy power trio originals).
yes it’s a lot to move etc but if you can why the bleep not!?
I did too. I used single 15 sunn clone cabs with big slot ports. I like the way they behave
I, at one time had a SVT-CL, I played it through a Berg NV-610, it was a great sounding rig, a lot of people say the NV-610 was the Frige Killer, I did have a Ampeg 810 classic, and the 810 that I had, was one if the darker sounding cabs, I put some Jensen "MODS" in it to change the tone of the cabinet, but I liked the NV better, sold the 810, and still have the NV-610
Being able to interact with the sound using touch sensitivity and dynamics is what’s it’s all about. I think that a wall of sound helps do that. It can be quite emotional.
