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What amp is the most like the SVT4pro

Lauragoddess7

Lauragoddess7

Oct 18, 2020
18
3
35
United States
#1
Hey all hope everyone is doing good. So I’m wanting to get an Ampeg SVT4pro or B4R (as I sold my 4pro years ago) but people have been telling me that it’s a dinosaur and that I should get something newer that’s just as powerful and lighter as we have them now days. So my question is which amps are they talking about because none of them have given me names. I guess depending it doesn’t absolutely have to be ampeg but I’m just curious what’s out there now that is comparable to the SVT4pro or B4R. Thanks y’all in advance.
 
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#2
I don't know the SVT4pro or B4R in particular, but assuming they both have the Ampeg tone signature, the most obvious answer is the Ampeg Venture amps, with the SVT voice.

Then the Fuchs FBT-300 and FBT 700 should also get you closed (preamp inspired from the SVT).

Quilter Bass Block v803 with the Qtude voice and the scooped input should also do it, it's lightest of all.
 
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#7
It may be that the only thing that is not available in most amps today is the biamp/crossover and channel routing ability of the SVT4-Pro. The Fuchs has been mentioned and it is a great sounding amp in the spirit of the SVT. The Origin Effects Bass Rig or other preamps do a job of SVT'ing as well.

Edit: My daily driver is the SVT4-Pro. Added biamp.
 
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#8
I’m 57, and the last thing I need is a heavy amp head and 6x10 Ampeg cab (been saying this for 20 years, yet here I am lugging my 4Pro all over the place) every time I finish a gig I leave saying “Man, I love Ampeg and I love this beast". Maybe I’m old school and like to feel that air moving behind me, maybe it’s that growl I get from it. The best investment I ever made to compliment this rig was to buy a nice heavy duty hand truck with massive knobby (air filled) tires and I use it for both the head and my 610. However, I do often think about the newer brands of 2x10 cabs stacked vertically with a lightweight head…my back would love that. Try out different rigs in person and see what moves you. Your gut will end up making your final decision. Good luck!
 
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#10
not sure if it would be IDENTICAL but the new Quilter Bass Block 803 has me GASing…. Surely it’ll do what you want. If you want to tweak the tone even more, add a Tech 21 Q/Strip to the FX loop… that would make an absolutely KILLER rig.
 
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#13
Lauragoddess7 said:
Hey all hope everyone is doing good. So I’m wanting to get an Ampeg SVT4pro or B4R (as I sold my 4pro years ago) but people have been telling me that it’s a dinosaur and that I should get something newer that’s just as powerful and lighter as we have them now days. So my question is which amps are they talking about because none of them have given me names. I guess depending it doesn’t absolutely have to be ampeg but I’m just curious what’s out there now that is comparable to the SVT4pro or B4R. Thanks y’all in advance.
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If you like the Ampeg SVT4pro and don't mind lugging it around, find yourself a used, low mileage USA made one. You should be able to snag one for a reasonable price given its "dinosaur" status and it'll probably be a real workhorse for you. I have an Ampeg SVT3pro that I've had for over 20 years that has served me well.
 
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#15
They are not dinosaurs. They are fine (the SVT-4 I would say is GREAT) amps, and people have been gigging even older amps such as SVT-2, Sunn 200S, SWR, Trace Elliot etc..
For weight saving, I'd recommend SVT-7, too. SVT-3 may also be fine if you don't need 1000W of power. You could upgrade the B-4R to these amps with real valves, but I see absolutely no reason to change out the SVT-4 other than the weight.
 
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#17
Super Bass said:
And no the SVT 7 Pro does not sound the same as the 4 Pro.... the 7 Pro is great sounding as well though.
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IMO and IME it sounds totally the same.
And the 7 pro is also easier to control tone wise. I felt the 4 pro was always very hard to control in the low end.
Which is not the case with the 7. Maybe it's loaded with an HPF the 4 doesn't have. I don't know.
 
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#18
baxter_x said:
IMO and IME it sounds totally the same.
And the 7 pro is also easier to control tone wise. I felt the 4 pro was always very hard to control in the low end.
Which is not the case with the 7. Maybe it's loaded with an HPF the 4 doesn't have. I don't know.
Click to expand...
I think there's a subtle difference: the SVT-7 hasn't got the Bright switch of the SVT-4. It'll nicely brighten up basses with passive humbuckers or pick bass.
 

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