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which Ampeg SVT head to buy?

jcroxford

jcroxford

Jan 7, 2017
36
17
56
Sacramento CA
skypigband.bandcamp.com
#1
I'm new to tubes. I have only ever owned solid state amps including when I used to play guitar. Can anyone explain the difference other then price point (which is considerable) between:
Ampeg SVT-CL Classic
Ampeg SVT-VR vintage reissue
Ampeg SVT-CL Heritage

I'm currently running a Rickenbacker 4003 through portaflex pf800 head & 2 15"portaflex cabs and tons of pedals. I play Doom metal. My guitarist plays through a Sunn Beta lead and Marshal cab. volume wise, I'm cranked and he is blowing me out with his beta on 2 or 3. I demoed a 100w ampeg at guitar center and loved the sound and feel of the tubes. My plan is to aquire a tube head & 8x10 cab.
 
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#4
jcroxford said:
I wouldnt say money is no obect. I just want to know why and what I'm paying for.
Click to expand...

Both the SVT-CLs are the same amp, the Heritage costs more because it's assembled in the USA and has a few upgraded parts and pricier tubes. But it sounds the same as the classic version. I own both and use them interchangeably (my classic isn't overseas made but they use the same components).
 
#5
Mastermold said:
Both the SVT-CLs are the same amp, the Heritage costs more because it's assembled in the USA and has a few upgraded parts and pricier tubes. But it sounds the same as the classic version. I own both and use them interchangeably (my classic isn't overseas made but they use the same components).
Click to expand...

The VR is meant to be a functional equivalent of a vintage SVT. I has two channels with different voicing and no master volume. In order to get overdrive (OD) you need to push the output tubes fairly hard. Another option would be to use a clean boost to hit the front end of the preamp hard enough to drive the first tube section into OD.

The CL preamp is voiced similar to channel 1 of the VR, and a bit higher gain. The idea is you can get a bit of preamp drive with the CL by cranking up the Gain and the setting your volume with the Master. In other words you can get preamp drive at a low volume. Preamp drive and output drive don't sound exactly the same, but the CL is a bit more versatile if you want OD.
 
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#6
Wasnex said:
The VR is meant to be a functional equivalent of a vintage SVT. I has two channels with different voicing and no master volume. In order to get overdrive (OD) you need to push the output tubes fairly hard. Another option would be to use a clean boost to hit the front end of the preamp hard enough to drive the first tube section into OD.

The CL preamp is voiced similar to channel 1 of the VR, and a bit higher gain. The idea is you can get a bit of preamp drive with the CL by cranking up the Gain and the setting your volume with the Master. In other words you can get preamp drive at a low volume. Preamp drive and output drive don't sound exactly the same, but the CL is a bit more versatile if you want OD.
Click to expand...

This. I like both sounds. But they are different for sure.
 
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#7
Wasnex said:
The VR is meant to be a functional equivalent of a vintage SVT. I has two channels with different voicing and no master volume. In order to get overdrive (OD) you need to push the output tubes fairly hard. Another option would be to use a clean boost to hit the front end of the preamp hard enough to drive the first tube section into OD.

The CL preamp is voiced similar to channel 1 of the VR, and a bit higher gain. The idea is you can get a bit of preamp drive with the CL by cranking up the Gain and the setting your volume with the Master. In other words you can get preamp drive at a low volume. Preamp drive and output drive don't sound exactly the same, but the CL is a bit more versatile if you want OD.
Click to expand...

And the 50th anniversary edition coming sometime this summer is supposed to feature two channels that will have both the late 60s and mid-70's voicing. Could be worth the wait for the OP to see how that one turns out.
 
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#12
I’m happy as can be with my VR. I hate preamp grind, so have no need for the gain control the CL heads have. I like the aesthetics of the VR more - which honestly is the reason I bought it over the CL. I learned a little trick last year about jumping the channels on the amp and it takes everything I love about the tone and just gives it a little more - fatter and warmer than running one channel alone. It’s subtle, but very nice. You can’t do that with a CL.

I also play through the Heritage 810 cab, which is the sweetest sounding cab I’ve ever heard - to me, kinda like the lovechild of an Ampeg and Bergantino NV.
 
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#13
Alexander said:
....

I also play through the Heritage 810 cab, which is the sweetest sounding cab I’ve ever heard - to me, kinda like the lovechild of an Ampeg and Bergantino NV.
Click to expand...

Yeah I started gigging my Heritage 810 again for that same reason. It's bigger than I need most of the time but it sounds too good to leave at home.
 
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#14
You can find 2 of Bob Glaub's SVT-VR heads he used with CS&N, for sale on Reverb (some place in Burbank, I believe). Those heads are not US made, IIRC. Had all the soldering rehit, not a bad touch. Don't know if it was necessary but then again I'm back after a 15 year hiatus so I'm not up to date on the quality comparos of US, Vietnamese, Korean, etc.
I suspect you'd be happy with any of them but shop around. Locally, a woman sold her brother's USA SVT and 810 (perfect cond) for $900, while others were selling the imports for $900 for the head alone!
 
#17
jcroxford said:
I'm new to tubes. I have only ever owned solid state amps including when I used to play guitar. Can anyone explain the difference other then price point (which is considerable) between:
Ampeg SVT-CL Classic
Ampeg SVT-VR vintage reissue
Ampeg SVT-CL Heritage

I'm currently running a Rickenbacker 4003 through portaflex pf800 head & 2 15"portaflex cabs and tons of pedals. I play Doom metal. My guitarist plays through a Sunn Beta lead and Marshal cab. volume wise, I'm cranked and he is blowing me out with his beta on 2 or 3. I demoed a 100w ampeg at guitar center and loved the sound and feel of the tubes. I want to go all tube power and run through a couple ampeg pr-410hlf cabs. thx!
Click to expand...

First of all, good choice selecting an Ampeg all-tuber! :thumbsup:

I've owned a CL and a VR. I found myself liking the tone of the VR more than the CL. If someone asked me why that is, I don't know if I would have a good answer, because *ALL* Ampeg all-tubers sound good to my ears. But the VR seemed to put the biggest smile on my face! :)
 
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#18
Alexander said:
I’m happy as can be with my VR. I hate preamp grind, so have no need for the gain control the CL heads have. I like the aesthetics of the VR more - which honestly is the reason I bought it over the CL. I learned a little trick last year about jumping the channels on the amp and it takes everything I love about the tone and just gives it a little more - fatter and warmer than running one channel alone. It’s subtle, but very nice. You can’t do that with a CL.

I also play through the Heritage 810 cab, which is the sweetest sounding cab I’ve ever heard - to me, kinda like the lovechild of an Ampeg and Bergantino NV.
Click to expand...

I dislike preamp grind as well. To my ears, preamp grind sounds too fizzy, like a hornet flying around inside an aluminum can. For me, it's getting a slight grind from the power tubes that puts a smile on my face! :thumbsup:
 
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#19
I think a lot of bassist eventually will go down the SVT road--whether it's truly needed or you just want to scratch that "itch". Be careful what you ask for...there is a downside to owning an all tube amp (cost, weight, maintenance, etc.) that you don't have with SS amps. Having said all that, there is nothing like a cranked SVT...the way it rattles your ribs. I have owned the CL, VR and Heritage, BUT I have sold all three. If all tube is really your sound, look into buying used and save yourself some $$...there are a bunch on Reverb right now.

If you like the tube vibe, a hybrid amp would certainly give you a more than what your PF800 can offer. Look into the Ampge SVT 7-Pro (1000w) or the newer Mesa WD800 (800w). The WD800 offers a nice tube breakup in the sound that is close the the SVT, but not quite...BUT, its like 7lbs...lighter than your PF800!
 

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