Back in the day (late '70's) I played a few gigs through an SVT and 2-8x10 cabs using my '75 Precision.
It was like the voice of God!
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And he was angry!
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Who's never played through a real SVT ?
- Thread starter sedan_dad
- Start date
I've done the 2x810 cabinet thing with my '76. It's good. Really good. A serious wall of sound.
My definition of "real SVT" would be any amp that's just an SVT. This includes everything from '69 to Skunkworks. The others are internally and inherently different amps. I could probably stretch the definition to include any all-tube SVTs. Though the CL sounds quite different from the old ones, the vibe is pretty similar.
I think you could include the SVT-II and VR. At least don't tell my SVT-II it's not a "real" SVT, it sure thinks it is.
I run it into a Berg NV610, does that count? I also used to have a CL --> 2 410HE's. IMO the SVT-II & Berg win hands down and easier to move.
I think I can stretch my definition to include all of the all-tube SVTs.
I actually think that the SVT-II sounds more like a 70s SVT than the CL does. Haven't had much time with the VR so I can't directly comment. I'm using an NV610 as well. It's a fantastic cabinet.
You may now partially remove me from the list. I was bored on my way home today, so I stopped at GC and played a 30th Anniversary StingRay and a Victor Bailey Jazz V (the two closest basses they had to my main two) through an SVT-VR and single 8x10.
It's obviously a very nice amp, but the tonality is not what I'm looking for in a bass amp. Perhaps with a 4x12 cab I'd like it better. Clearly there's some great tones in there somewhere, but I highly doubt anything any better than my V-Type rig.
I say, "partially remove", because I haven't played an actual rehearsal or gig with an SVT, yet.
It's obviously a very nice amp, but the tonality is not what I'm looking for in a bass amp. Perhaps with a 4x12 cab I'd like it better. Clearly there's some great tones in there somewhere, but I highly doubt anything any better than my V-Type rig.
I say, "partially remove", because I haven't played an actual rehearsal or gig with an SVT, yet.
Read my .sig.
Trace Elliot V-Type head, 4x KT88, 220 W
Trace Elliot V-Type 1248H 4x12 cabinet
I've heard of Trace Elliot but am not familiar with any of their models. Is that a tube head?
I haven't played an all-tube Trace, but I get the impression that they're on a similar wavelength with the SVT. Would that be accurate?
Well, the defining features of the V-Type are the Fender Dual Showman-based preamp (similar to the Alembic F-1X, the BBE BMax, the Fender TBP-1, etc.) and the KT88 output section. There are at least four models:
1. The original V-Type 220 W head, possibly renamed the V4 at one point.
2. The V6 head, added two more KT88's, and upped the plate voltage for 400W total output.
3. The V8, which introduced a completely different preamp (looks like a proprietary Trace Elliot design, maybe based on their earlier TVT9 and/or Trident guitar amps?), and upped the KT88 complement to eight tubes, still at 400W, so probably dropped the plate voltage back to original specs.
4. The later model V4, which looks like the V8 preamp with the original 4xKT88 output section.
Then there's the original V-Type Rackmount Preamp. I'm not sure if a rackmount version of the V8 preamp was ever released.
I don't count the V-Type hybrids with the tube preamp and SS power section.
As far as similarities with the SVT, the SVT uses 6550's, which are American tubes similar to the KT88, but quite as "hi-fi", and the SVT preamp is radically different than the Fender-based designs, mainly due to the Baxandall EQ stack that Ampeg is famous for running, but also for other reasons.
Although I think the V-Type serves my needs better than the SVT, the SVT is still a kick-ass amp!
Ah, so it's more like a Mesa or a Fender. Makes sense. Didn't know they used the Fender tone stack. That tone stack is not my favorite for bass, but I have to say I'm quite impressed by what I've heard out of the TBP-1 so maybe I should rethink a few things.
I have never played on anything above a $500 combo except for an Eden stack. Our local music store has an all tube Eden head plugged into the wall, but not a cab.
From what I've heard around here, the SVT-II is pretty close to the sound of the original late 60s-early70s SVTs.
I've only had mine for about a week but it sounds incredible with my NV610. It's the tone I've always had in my head.
Love it!!
I've only had mine for about a week but it sounds incredible with my NV610. It's the tone I've always had in my head.
Love it!!
It has to be made in New Jersey, with the correct model number, in the correct year and phase of the moon, with the correct speakers, NOS tubes, bias adjustments, and original tolex, at a gig and not a music store, and of course cranked all the way up.
No, I have not tried one.
Other than the tolex, I agree with you. Then again, I have a first-issue SVT from 69 with the correct CTS speakers in a correct straightback cab and correct NOS 6146B tubes. The head has its original tolex, but not the cab. The difference between it and one of the more pedestrian SVT's with the 6550's is astounding. And if you think I'm saying that only because I own it, you're right!
