What's so special about the SVT?

[Drummerboy2]

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?

One of the better rigs I have heard was a SVT head and a 810 cab, and I'm really not a Ampeg SVT fan but give credit where credit is due! Those heads just weigh a ton!

 

[Iristone]

The SVT has none of the inherent mid scoop found in amps with Fender-derived tone stacks. Instead, you could dial in your own with the semi-parametric MID knob, so you could cut or boost it at a frequency that reduces room muddiness yet doesn't sit back in the mix.

 

[GeoBass]

I use an 80’s Ampeg svtiip preamp with a crest audio pro-lite 3.0DSP power amp with an Epifani 4x10 and it’s monsterous. I’ve tried all the top rack mount preamp units and this one rocks…period!...for the svt sound.

 

[2tonic]

What's so special about the SVT?


Everything.

 

[bluesblaster]

Its big, audacious, purely unadulterated skull crushing bass amplification, in a word (s) its rock n roll baby. Its like dating a super model with generous attributes, a once in a lifetime fling thats not meant to last.

 

[Al Kraft]

I would offer that decades after its introduction (in the last century to be a bit more dramatic) it is still being talked about and rarely does someone enter the discussion asking what it is. It is a benchmark that is still relevant today after being followed by many generations of technological innovation. That may not qualify it as best amp of all time, but "special"...that I would say is a label it has earned.

 

[coy garcia]

Boogie 400+ is even better....but I won't haul around either anymore

 

[bluesblaster]

I wish I could say I missed mine, but I dont.

 

[squish]

I’ve had an SVT for almost 25 years. I love car analogies. An SVT is a big block V8. Sure, modem 4 cyl turbo engines can make more power (class D). But it is how it makes the power that is special. Tube amp power is like the torque of a V8. It converts the tone into a visceral experience instead of just hearing it.
Bass is a heavy sound. Lift that big dog like you mean it and Jeeze it only takes a few seconds.

 

[baxter_x]

Just very surprised to hear that an SVT sounded muddy

I guess that's because of the famous bloom of tube amps.
I tend to share his point of view even if muddy might be a bit too harsh to describe an SVT.

 

[Dave W]

I love my SVTs. Ampeg has been my sound for a while now. They just have what I've always been looking for. Other things can get close but nothing sounds like them. I've been interested in grabbing one of the newer SVT in a box type pedals (SVBT or Master 300) but all of the clips I hear have this inherent fuzzy/flabby character that is not present in the sound of any of my SVT amps. Everybody says it's close enough. It isn't!

People always talk about the subtilties being lost in a live environment, but I don't find that to be true. That's the most enjoyable part for me. I hear the difference and it really makes the gig that much more fun. Especially when we're playing "Take the Money and Run" for the umpteen millionth time...and the guitarist wants to "extend it" so he can wank off even more while I'm stuck playing the same boring riff for the ENTIRE duration of the song. I hate that song...

 

[beans-on-toast]

A big plus about the size and weight of an SVT that makes them special is that they are more difficult to steal than a tiny ultralight amp. My V4B is just as bad as my SVT in terms of transportability. Even still, for me, the sound makes it well worth it.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I love my SVTs. Ampeg has been my sound for a while now. They just have what I've always been looking for. Other things can get close but nothing sounds like them. I've been interested in grabbing one of the newer SVT in a box type pedals (SVBT or Master 300) but all of the clips I hear have this inherent fuzzy/flabby character that is not present in the sound of any of my SVT amps. Everybody says it's close enough. It isn't!

It was said somewhere further up in the thread, but I agree with that and your comment that a lot of the SVT emulation pedals seem to be based around distortion and settings with the mud buttons in which is just a bad representation to me. I got an hx stomp recently and have been playing around with the amp emulations on there, the SVT one is especially bad. It has no life to it until you crank up the gain to distortion levels which is not at all representative of an SVT to my ears. I feel like a lot of the pedal preamps are more sansamp emulators, which gives you that drive with a low mid scoop sound, but gets real flabby. I’ve also gotten away from the 810 sound, I generally run my SVT with a couple 2x12 cabs. I have amps with fender/ish preamps which really don’t work with an 810 but work well with the 2x12 cabs. The ampeg preamp is much more flexible than most other tube designs and works with any of them, just didn’t like hauling the 810 anymore.

People always talk about the subtilties being lost in a live environment, but I don't find that to be true. That's the most enjoyable part for me. I hear the difference and it really makes the gig that much more fun.

This is definitely why I prefer my tube amps when I can use them. They just feel different in the mix, the whole system is dynamic and responsive. Makes for a fun night.

 

[TonyP-]

You know Ampeg is great for what it is...Its not my personal choice either but what it does it does well...

However for those don't find salvation in an SVT there is always another lite path to your tonal goals...

Its initials start off with.

I come in peace...

 

[Al Kraft]

You know Ampeg is great for what it is...Its not my personal choice either but what it does it does well...

However for those don't find salvation in an SVT there is always another lite path to your tonal goals...

Its initials start off with.

View attachment 4475270

I come in peace...

It's interesting you posted this because when someone mentions iconic or classic bass amps I tend to think Ampeg and GK (specifically RB). In my opinion both brands have earned a "special" moniker and both represent a type of sound/voicing that doesn't necessarily appeal to all players. However, for those who are looking for "that sound", it's hard to find elsewhere IME.

 

[roccobass]

Yes, it’s definitely a you love it or don’t type of amplifier.

The only Ampeg equipment I ever owned was an all tube 1975 SVT (Selmer owned them at the time) along with the obligatory 8x10 cab. Hated the cab and got rid of it and used other cabs for the next 20 years I owned it. 4x10s, 2x12s, 1x15 or a combo of two.

But the amp never failed to deliver its magic of full and rich tones to any cab. I never was over powered by anyone onstage onstage either. It was 300 watts of molten lava. What other amp could keep you warm while standing next to it and playing on a crisp autumn outdoor gig?

@TonyP-
When I sadly had to give her up (weight issues) I did use a GK 800 as a replacement amp. It came in peace. It died in ignominy on the first gig. It went out in pieces. . No more GK.

I think I have refound an SVT like tone with my Mesa TT800 (as well as a few others)@Al Kraft

 

[dalkowski]

Not everyone likes trousers-flapping groin thunder, and that's perfectly OK.

 

[baxter_x]

When I sadly had to give her up (weight issues) I did use a GK 800 as a replacement amp. It came in peace. It died in ignominy on the first gig. It went out in pieces.

What happened?

 

[roccobass]

What happened?

It made an ugly buzzing sound along with a nasty burning smell just prior to its demise. This was at a venue I’d been at several times before. I exaggerated on the pieces part. . But it was not a good intro to the line for me. But while it was working, I did not like the tone. A bit lifeless to me

 

[TonyP-]

It's interesting you posted this because when someone mentions iconic or classic bass amps I tend to think Ampeg and GK (specifically RB). In my opinion both brands have earned a "special" moniker and both represent a type of sound/voicing that doesn't necessarily appeal to all players. However, for those who are looking for "that sound", it's hard to find elsewhere IME.

Hi Al,
Agreed, that is why I posted it here, because it really is the 'other' classic tone so to speak.
If don't like one, then there is a good chance you like the other.