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What's so special about the SVT?

#81
JazzyJacuzzi said:
OBLIGATORY I AM NOT TROLLING MESSAGE

I don't have strong opinions about amps. I think all moderately priced amps do a fine job doing what they were built for: amplifying your signal. Sure, I prefer some over others, but I'll be happy with whatever (I'll be giving the Aguilar Tone Hammer another chance this weekend now that I understand its drive and gain controls better, if you've been following that thread).

Except for the SVT.

Whenever I plug into an SVT I feel like I'm plugging directly into a shrieking panel of stainless steel. Every other year I buy yet another SVT-flavoured preamp pedal -- SV-Pre, Bass Driver DI, VT Bass DI, SCR-DI -- hoping I'd finally get it and end up absolutely hating it (I must be the only one who's ever returned a perfectly working Broughton pedal).

I know I'm not the first one to hold a grudge against the SVT, but whenever these feelings are brought up, people are quick to point out the magic comes from the 810. Maybe that's part of the story, and but then, why is the preamp market flooded with SVT-flavoured pedals? Why is the 810 always paired with the SVT? Why the SVT/810 combo and not the Fender Bassman/810 combo?

And yet, here's Sean Hurley sounding like what I assume warm butter on freshly-taken-out-of-the-oven bread sounds like plugged into an SVT (whether or the SVT is what we actually hear here is another story).

So, what's so special about the SVT?
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The SVT was essentially both first and loudest, at least to the mainstream.

Similar to why Fender still dominates the marketplace decades later.
 
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#82
I've played everything under the sun. My opinion is simply that an opinion. Even when I am playing thru something that sounds amazing to my ears I am sure there are other bassist who will prefer something different. With that said SVT's are very loud. They do the loud thing better than anyone else. Loud doesn't mean good though. While it is loud the tone was never something that made me want to rush out and buy one.
 
#83
When I first plugged in to an SVT it was powering a pair of JBL D140F speakers in a way too large cabinet , probably 1972 . Up till then I had played mostly a Bassman 100 and then a Sunn Concert head also using a pair of JBL D 140F speakers . I had my Sunn head with me when I tried the SVT head and used it for a few tunes before the Ampeg . When I switched to the SVT it was like nothing else I had tried . The feel and presence was almost unreal compared with what I had been playing and I loved the Concert bass head . I was sold . I didn't buy one till the next year and then played it through a Peavey folded horn cabinet with a Cerwin Vega 18 . Hauled it around to all kinds of gigs for the next seven years .

I don't know how it would stack up to what I play now because it's been so long , but I do know that what I play through now sounds great and weighs almost 200 pounds less than the SVT head and Peavey cab . I would like to play one again though .
 
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#84
I am a big Ampeg and SVT fan. I have to admit, the first time i played the SVT CL, i was not blown away. It was on a 410HE. I was quite underwhelmed. I had already committed to the deal at that point and was just checking the functionality. Anyways, i take the amp home and decide to play through it again. Just a tweak of the gain knob and i instantly found the tone i was after.
The SVT VR was much more plug and play the first time i tried it. Still love that one to this day. Much like the V4b, but with more versatility with the two channels.

Anyways, to each their own.
 
#86
coy garcia said:
For me it's the all tube amp that has my tone...Mesa Boogie 400+, ampeg svt, or my pf50T which is my favorite cause of portability. Tube pre amps and simulators sound kinda like the real thing until I do a side by side comparison. Other bass players prefer a high wattage solid state amp and that's cool also. :)
Click to expand...

The pf50t with a 210av (sometimes 2) is my current "baby SVT"... Balls for days!
 
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#88
Back in the day, there was nothing like an SVT. The whole room could hear and FEEL every note. Playing through on was like harnessing the power of the universe. It was great. It was transformative. The SVT will always have a warm spot in my heart.

That said, I would never drag one around today. So many lighter, smaller, better options.
 
#90
diegom said:
The pf50t with a 210av (sometimes 2) is my current "baby SVT"... Balls for days!
Click to expand...
I agree... I use mine with a BBC112. less than 50 lbs total and it growls and shakes the stage even at large outdoor places. KIMG0100.JPG
 
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#96
Sixgunn said:
I had one and it was a 90lb. bucket of mud.
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I appreciate everyone's perspective here, truly. But I have a hard time with reports like this. Just very surprised to hear that an SVT sounded muddy. Mine does, when the Ultra Low switch is on. That switch stays off. With the Ultra High switch on, and especially with the treble knob rolled up and perhaps the high mids increased, my tone would be right where the guitarists are. I just don't understand this "muddy" reputation it has with some.

But then, some folks like anchovies on their pizza. Not that there's anything wrong with that...... :)
 
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#99
SVT's never worked for me when I used them. But I wouldn't judge an SVT based on a pedal. Also I wouldn't even judge the SVT's I used because I never owned one only used them as backlines and I am sure with enough time I could have dialed something in.
 

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