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Which big bottle tube amp?

P

P_Basser

Jul 19, 2023
116
166
#1
Hello all!

I recently purchased a new reissue Ampeg V4B with SVT212AV cab and I absolutely adore it. I am looking for a higher powered complimentary head to park on the same cabinet. Here are what I am looking at:

-Fender Super Bassman 300
-Older LOUD Manufacturing USA built SVT-VR
-50th Anniversary USA built SVT-VR
-Current reissue SVT-VR
-'71 SVT Head

Especially from the SVT versions, which would you recommend? The reissue SVT's are a few hundred bucks cheaper, but I don't mind ponying up a few hundred more if they are truly better. All the USA SVT's are about the same pricing, so curious if there's any clear advantage with those as well.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
I'd be tempted with the '71 SVT. (Assume it's a blue line?) It will overhang your cab though.
I'd also consider a classic, I'm spoiled by the Master Volume on my V4B-R.

I had a SVT-VR, and it was incredible on the SVT212AV;
just more than I needed, and couldn't drive it that hard for the gigs I had.
I let it go once I got the V4B-R...
 
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#3
J-Bass RMR said:
I'd be tempted with the '71 SVT. (Assume it's a blue line?) It will overhang your cab though.
I'd also consider a classic, I'm spoiled by the Master Volume on my V4B-R.

I had a SVT-VR, and it was incredible on the SVT212AV;
just more than I needed, and couldn't drive it that hard for the gigs I had.
I let it go once I got the V4B-R...
Click to expand...

I definitely feel the V4B is going to be my go to for most the gigs I do. Just wanting to explore some higher power stuff.

I agree about the '71, it is a blue line, and it is very enticing... I come from electric guitar world and regularly gig vintage Fender and Marshall amps, so I definitely have a bias towards vintage.

Is there any reliability issues to report on any eras of the SVT's? I know some of those early super high powered tube amps on the guitar side of things had reliability issues that have gotten "better" in longer term development. Not sure if the SVT's fall into this.
 
#5
J-Bass RMR said:
I'd be tempted with the '71 SVT. (Assume it's a blue line?) It will overhang your cab though.
I'd also consider a classic, I'm spoiled by the Master Volume on my V4B-R.

I had a SVT-VR, and it was incredible on the SVT212AV;
just more than I needed, and couldn't drive it that hard for the gigs I had.
I let it go once I got the V4B-R...
Click to expand...

No overhang with the SVT on the AV cabs. The SVT head box has always been 24" wide, the vintage V4 was 26" compared to the modern 24" so those tend to overhang, maybe that's what you were thinking of?

74 SVT



73 V4



Between the SVTs listed, I'd probably go with one of the modern reissues over the 71 unless you've got a good local tech to give it a once over. They should all sound pretty similar.
 
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#6
You might want to factor in logistics.

* Competent/experienced servicing within driving distance
* Cost of *quality* power tube replacements
* Does the biasing scheme permit adjustments (if so, how) and is it accessible to the user or is it a tech job

Probably others, too, but those are what immediately came to my mind.
 
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#11
I think I am interested in the cleaner sounds the SVT offers, especially since I have the V4B for when grind is necessary.

I have played a lot of Class D amps trying to find the sound I am looking for, and nothing really did it for me. The Mesa heads sound great, but I think it was more a feel thing i was missing, and the V4B has it.

For example, with my last rig, I would need to use a SushiBox Ampeg Pre, their Finally DI with the 1/4" pass thru to juice it up a little more, and an Empress Para EQ Deluxe to get a tone I could work with. The first gig with the V4B, all of it was off. Straight in, bass and mids pulled back to about 11 o'clock, it was everything I wanted and needed.

I do at times use a cleaner sound, and I am curious if the all tube platform is what is giving me the tone and response I am liking in the V4B, or if its an Ampeg thing in general. I haven't played their new flagship Class D amp, but I have played the Portaflex's and the solid state Bassman (100T?) and didn't care for them at all.

So in a nutshell, I have the V4 for grind. This complimentary head would be focusing on use for bigger stages and the cleaner side of things.

eniac said:
You might want to factor in logistics.

* Competent/experienced servicing within driving distance
* Cost of *quality* power tube replacements
* Does the biasing scheme permit adjustments (if so, how) and is it accessible to the user or is it a tech job

Probably others, too, but those are what immediately came to my mind.
Click to expand...

I have a very competent tech in my backyard. The '71 SVT I am looking at should be the 6550 model (would verify before buying), so power tubes shouldn't be much of an issue over the other options I am looking at. The biasing feature of the Super Bassman is cool, but IMO stuff like that can just as easily become another point of failure.

I am leaning USA SVT VR, but am so curious about the Super Bassman...

EDIT to add, another reason I am really interested in the '71 is how well it will sit with my '72 Precision i play. Romantic, I know lol
 
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#12
I recently listened to a few albums I recorded where my mic'ed SVT-Cl was the primary bass sound.

By most measures it was clean. It's well worth a try because I like an SVT not pushed and through not a fridge.

My cabs are 115 Sunn clones with D-140s, which are efficient and kinda woody with some snap up top.

I also ran my V-4b gained so I could drive it or clean up based on my touch.
 
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#14
Jugghaid said:
Blue line SVT is the best SVT period, IMO. 2nd would be the 50th anniversary from your list.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on the differences between the USA SVT-VR, the 50th Anni, and a vintage blue line? On paper they all read about identical. Not implying that is the case, but I was hoping to get some insight on specific differences so I can make an educated buying decision.
 
#15
P_Basser said:
Can you elaborate on the differences between the USA SVT-VR, the 50th Anni, and a vintage blue line? On paper they all read about identical. Not implying that is the case, but I was hoping to get some insight on specific differences so I can make an educated buying decision.
Click to expand...
The Blue Line is the OG. It just has a certain nasty to it that it's successors do not. It also punches like Mike Tyson. A little more high maintenance (as are most vintage tube amps) but my second favorite head of all time behind the Trace V6

The 50th anniversary is actually like a 2 channel SVT with a blue line side and a black line side. Both are pretty darn good approximationsof the amps they are emulating but the blue lines had a different power section and did not use 6550 tubes (with a few rare exceptions) like more modern SVTs.

The. VR is good and better than the standard classic, but it's more of a modern take on The SVT concept, IMO. And it just lacks a little something compared to even the original black line magnavox SVTs.
 
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#16
Jugghaid said:
The Blue Line is the OG. It just has a certain nasty to it that it's successors do not. It also punches like Mike Tyson. A little more high maintenance (as are most vintage tube amps) but my second favorite head of all time behind the Trace V6

The 50th anniversary is actually like a 2 channel SVT with a blue line side and a black line side. Both are pretty darn good approximationsof the amps they are emulating but the blue lines had a different power section and did not use 6550 tu es (with a few rare exceptions).

The. VR is good and better than the standard classic, but it's more of a modern take on The SVT concept, IMO. And it just lacks a little something compared to even the original black ki e magnavox SVTs.
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is great info. I think the 50th just went into first place.
 
#19
Jugghaid said:
blue lines had a different power section and did not use 6550 tubes
Click to expand...

Earlier SVTs ran 6146. FYI, blueline production switched to 6550 sometime in 1970. So AFAIK a 1971 SVT should have come with 6550 from the factory. I believe the change to blackline came in 1972.

The early bluelines required a reliability update that involved cutting and rerouting some circuit traces, and adding a few components. AFAIK, This update was factory for the 6550 amps. Basically the 6550 amps got a revised power PC card that included the revised circuit. Functionally it's exactly the same circuit for both.

Differences: 6550s required a different power transformer to bump up the screen voltage from about 230V to 350V. 6550 has a different pinout than 6146, so the tube sockets are wired a bit different.

I own a 69 running 6146 and an 87 Skunk running 6550. My 6146 amp has a bit more headroom, but I believe 6550s are more resilient if the amp is pushed into overload.
 
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#20
Wasnex said:
Earlier SVTs ran 6146. FYI, blueline production switched to 6550 sometime in 1970. So AFAIK a 1971 SVT should have come with 6550 from the factory. I believe the change to blackline came in 1972.

The early bluelines required a reliability update that involved cutting and rerouting some circuit traces, and adding a few components. AFAIK, This update was factory for the 6550 amps. Basically the 6550 amps got a revised power PC card that included the revised circuit. Functionally it's exactly the same circuit for both.

Differences: 6550s required a different power transformer to bump up the screen voltage from about 230V to 350V. 6550 has a different pinout than 6146, so the tube sockets are wired a bit different.

I own a 69 running 6146 and an 87 Skunk running 6550. My 6146 amp has a bit more headroom, but I believe 6550s are more resilient if the amp is pushed into overload.
Click to expand...
Good info. Most of my blueline experience is with a 69 running 6146. Love that head.
 
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