• 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.

Using an SVT this weekend - suggestions?

GrooveWarrior

GrooveWarrior

Oct 21, 2003
4,734
692
51
Oxford, Ohio (Near Cincy)
Visit site
#1
We are playing a festival this weekend, and instead of hauling my amp around, I'm just going to use the SVT & 810 that is going to be set up. The guy I talked to has owned it since the late 70's.

I've never used an SVT. Any suggestions for getting a quick tone?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is an example of one of our tunes to give you an idea what tone I go for.
 
#2
Earplugs. And a change of underwear.

The best advice I can give you is to actually turn the thing up to where it's working a bit. However, in a jazz setting that could be difficult. It'll probably sound fine with whatever tone settings the owner has now.
 
#3
Your rig doesn't look that big. Why not bring it? I had to play through an SVT/8X10 at a festival and hated it. I turned the amp volume off and just listend to my DI through the monitors.
 
#4
I'd turn the Ultra-High on, boost the mids, Ultra-Low... maybe, you'd have to try it out and see what you think. I like to go for a more ballsy tone playing through an SVT and crank the gain to about 3'oclock. You might want to have it dialed back to about noon so it doesn't get too gritty.
 
#7
DickyT said:
I lack the experience to offer any assistance, but that tune is great!

I just got yelled at by my boss for cranking it up too loud and dancing in the isle.:D
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks. That is the un-mixed, un-mastered version of a tune on our new album that was finished (mixing and mastering) last night. I'll let everyone know when our record company gets the CD's in.
 
#9
Start flat, Avoid the ultra switch at all cost, well, ultra hi is fine if you want sizzle as it only boosts but the ultra low makes a deep cut in the mids and makes you dissapear in a band setting.

The thing with the Svt is that you need to use the overdrive to get definition, you'll find that the more you crank the gain the more attack your sound gets, up to a certain point where the distortion is too noticable (well, it is desired by certain player) When you have found the sweet spot with the gain you can adjust the volume and be set, you shouldn't need to use drastic Eq.
 
#10
JustOpenYourMind said:
Start flat, Avoid the ultra switch at all cost, well, ultra hi is fine if you want sizzle as it only boosts but the ultra low makes a deep cut in the mids and makes you dissapear in a band setting.

The thing with the Svt is that you need to use the overdrive to get definition, you'll find that the more you crank the gain the more attack your sound gets, up to a certain point where the distortion is too noticable (well, it is desired by certain player) When you have found the sweet spot with the gain you can adjust the volume and be set, you shouldn't need to use drastic Eq.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is a lot of help. I'll start with the gain, and go from there.
 
#11
+1 on avoiding the ultra buttons. Keep them both off, you'll get more headroom and more mids. Go in ahead of time if you can and try to get a feel for the amp. I know when I was touring w/ my SVT and 8x10, it didnt always sound great at every venue. Sometimes it would sound too weak, other times too strong, too bassy, too trebly. I always enjoyed playing on a hollow stage with the SVT/8x10 combo, I think you'll be alright with the setup.
 
#12
SuperDuck said:
I would suggest setting it flat and avoiding the "Ultra" switches. On my SVT they were quite drastic. Be judicial with the bass knob, too.
Click to expand...

+1 on the bass knob. On mine you can go from the "shakin booty out on the dance floor" to non-descript flatulence in just a small bass knob boost.

I think the SVT gets most of its loyal following from the fact that it is plug and play- sounds great set flat and it's easy to "season to taste" with small adjustments. This is also the reason people will buy new SS amps today (LMII) IMO.
 
#13
I just used one at a gig for the first time a few weeks ago - soundman owns it - made in 1974 with original cabinet.

I didn't have time to tinker, so I just set it flat, avoided the ultra switches, and flew with it. At the end of three sets, I only tweaked it to have the bass knob at about 1 o'clock, with the mid knob at about 11:30, treble flat. It sounded great like that.

Less is more with the vintage heads.
 
#15
I like your song! I think an SVT will sound great for that kind of music. I would avoid the ultra switches, and set everything flat. If you've got 2 min before showtime, you can tweak it from there.
 
#16
GrooveWarrior said:
Thanks. That is a lot of help. I'll start with the gain, and go from there.
Click to expand...


No gain on an old SVT, just master volume.

I would just do what most others have suggested and start with it flat. I usually bump mids and highs and sometimes cut lows depending on the room/surroundings. Dont worry about it. The old SVT is easy to get good tone from in a matter of moments. I dont really care for the ultra low switch though.
 
#18
I would run it flat and bump the midrange. You've got a pretty burpy tone going there, the 810 and SVT should compliment that nicely.

If it's a large stage, that amp will just act as a personal monitor, the FOH will be taking care of your sound. First priority is to make sure you can hear yourself and the rest of the band.
 
#19
lowendgenerator said:
I would run it flat and bump the midrange. You've got a pretty burpy tone going there, the 810 and SVT should compliment that nicely.
Click to expand...

+1. Set the mid switch for middle position and boost it slightly to taste, and you may want to even back off the lows. If the 8x10 is an old one, it will have plenty of highs and you shouldn't need to boost the top end at all. The SVT's EQ is very powerful, but the amp's flat sond is very close to your tone on that recording just slightly bassier. BTW, expect to be very pleasantly surprised at how good your tone is.
 
#20
Crank it.

GrooveWarrior said:
We are playing a festival this weekend, and instead of hauling my amp around, I'm just going to use the SVT & 810 that is going to be set up. The guy I talked to has owned it since the late 70's.

I've never used an SVT. Any suggestions for getting a quick tone?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is an example of one of our tunes to give you an idea what tone I go for.
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back