Why are Ampeg SVTs so popular?

[bleedingfingers]

I've owned a couple they are okay if you get a good one . ( they are not all good )
They are no good on small stages and in small clubs alright if you can stand 15 or 20 feet in front of them .
They are standard back line at big shows because everybody knows how to run one . (maybe not everyone )
Definitely better sounding stuff out there .
Would much rather use my D800 and my 212 Neo cab if I have time to get it on and off the stage .
But will use anything if I have too .

 

[John Tomaselli]

Nearly every rock/metal bassist I see uses an SVT live. Whether it's Mike Inez, Jason Newsted, Rex Brown, or Dave Farrell, so many of my favorite bassists play Ampegs.
Why is this? Are they just that good that almost everyone uses them? I've never played one, so I wouldn't know. Am I missing out? Is the SVT the holy grail of bass amps?

 

[John Tomaselli]

Nearly every rock/metal bassist I see uses an SVT live. Whether it's Mike Inez, Jason Newsted, Rex Brown, or Dave Farrell, so many of my favorite bassists play Ampegs.
Why is this? Are they just that good that almost everyone uses them? I've never played one, so I wouldn't know. Am I missing out? Is the SVT the holy grail of bass amps?

I still have an Amp B15N with a JBL 15 that I bought new in 67. It still works like new. I have never owned an SVT but played thru many. The SVT is "The Sound" just like the B15 was "The Sound" in the studio.I believe Most amps are designed with These Two A amps in Mind. Just like Fender Basses,Ford Trucks and The Cheeseburger.

 

[GreyEagle]

Loud! I really needed two cabs (I kept blowing reconed speakers one at a time!) during my SVT days. Also, they're good for killing off roadies you might not like! So HEAVY! Definitely the lading amp choice for pros from Alt to Death Metal!

 

[pacojas]

i’ll pass. too ordinary sounding, but loud.

 

[pacojas]

They sound great, but there are plenty of amps that can produce that tone at a fraction of the weight. There’s nothing magical there, technology does improve. I owned one briefly and quickly tired of the hassle of lugging it around. I suspect that few could tell the difference between an SVT and other high quality modern amps with emulation software or tube preamp sections in a true blind sound test. Again, a great amp with a huge portability downside. I’d take a Mesa D800+ over an SVT any day. I realize this is an unpopular view on TB, so play one and form your own opinion to separate hype from reality.

so true. mostly hype, imo.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Good point. However, like any tube amp, if you play enough, you will be changing out those tubes on a somewhat regular basis. I think the tubes for my SVT2-Pro was about $1100 and at the rate I was playing needed to be done about once annually. Pretty expensive.

Ouch!!

 

[JimmyM]

so true. mostly hype, imo.

Right, because we're all so stupid and can't make our own decisions.

 

[No Treble]

so true. mostly hype, imo.

If that were truly the case, I guess so many bands and bass players and studios and venues have all just been duped, being that solid state amps and computer programs can really duplicate that sound. It would be rather odd however, that they're even trying to emulate the sound that is all just mostly hype, though... Hmmmm...

 

[bass183]

The old SVT tube amps & new SVT-CL are the best. Not sure about Heritage, but if it's tube it's probably incredible. I do not care for the solid state hybrid SVT 4-Pro. I played a lot of them when I toured in Europe. A lot of the venues I played had them backlined with an the Ampeg 8x10 fridge. For me it was really hard to get that driving sound out of them--to really push the air out of the big cab. They lacked what the Classic tube Ampeg has, that oomph. I just felt my sound got swallowed up once the whole band played. I was playing with an indie-rock/psych band, kinda like Flaming Lips. My current rig, which I've had for 10 years now, is an Ashdown MK-500 head with an Ampeg HLF 6x10 cab. I love it. IMO, Ampeg cabs are the best. To each their own.

 

[No Treble]

After studying for some time the difference between class D, hybrid, and all-tube amps, the difference is in how the amp processes (and for class D, reconstructs) the output "wave". That solid state (and even hybrids) have to resort to so much work trying to simulate a sine wave, means some analog purity may be sacrificed just before output. Nothing against them, and it simply comes down to subjective critique, that few (maybe even very few) will truly find with a distinguishing ear for it. It's about what it sounds like to your ear. So many factors are to be considered, that choice is up to the listener/player. I prefer the "magic" of purity, to even high quality simulation. Lower power overall means solid state can truly "outpower" a tube amp, but how it makes that power does clearly matter. Many would agree that just because the 1200 watts (jeeze, 1.2 kilowatt) of the SVT 4 is so much more than the 300w of the SVT CL, that larger venues would demand it. It's not necessarily the case. The volume levels aren't so lopsided at clean levels, but the distortion sounds different when really cranked, and you just can't simulate power tube distortion through chips. If you need 1.2 kw, you'll probably be PA'd anyway. Really, with so many different models from so many different manufacturers, there isn't just one answer to "why that heavy SVT". Personal preference and many other factors all contribute to the end result.
Besides, in the end, we've forgitten the real answer. To quote Sonny Barger: "F#€!< It, let's ride", or in this case, play.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Go play one, at stage volume, in a rock band.
If you can use 2 810s do it.
Your question will be answered.

If I stand in the path of 2 810s, would my molecules disperse?

 

[RobbieNuke]

The SVT amp has been in production since 1969 with little changes no matter who was building them (even the MTI units made in Japan in the 80's and the SLM "Skunkworks" units of the 90's). SVT II, II Pro and Vintage Reissue had a few minor electrical tweaks (i.e. DC filament current on the first pre-amp tube and the LED indicators of the bias adjustment circuit) that, fortunately, never altered the sound. These amps are still being built because of the demand for them. Most other brands offer their flagship models for a few years, then stop production because the overseas factories are only contracted to a finite amount.

The SVT is a very reliable amp in terms of quickly getting a working tone at any volume for any genre of music (you have to make an effort to get a bad sound) with the semi-parametric mid-range control and the low freq boost/cut in channel one. Paired with one or two 8x10 cabinets (which have their own unique sonic characteristics), these rigs are a pure joy to gig with.

 

[Mike Romanowski]

While many of you agreed that it needed to be played through the 8–10’s and I did do that for many years; I got around the “Fridge” part of it which is mainly that cab, by using a different speaker setup. Granted the head still weighs a hefty 86 lbs, but at least the smaller footprint is easier to move, especially if you use a flight case with it that has wheels and adequate handles like I did. I and my guitarist from days gone by manufactured EV TL designed cabinets that were made practically indestructible by use of heavy aluminum channel around all edges and flight handles, and glued on heavy duty ABS covering to protect the wood. You could practically throw them off the equipment truck without hurting them. E/V had a killer design with that cab as it was made in heaven for E/V Speaker specs. Best part is while 15” was the most used it was adaptable to 12” and even 18” drivers with different cubic cab volumes. I used 1 of each stacked with 18”, 15”, then 12” on top with SVT head and it was a killer rock setup. I also had 2 of each cab I could use with my 2nd SVT for arena’s. In smaller venues I eliminated the 12” and could mix and match the cabs with room characteristics. Especially that EV-TL18 was made for the SVT’s Ultra Low switch. Granted the 8–10’s cabinet was a standard designed for that rig and there’s a reason it sounds so good and is used universally. But I had a more portable rig that sounded a really close 2nd and still had the midrange qualities of the “Fridge” plus a gut punching low the 8x10’s never had. Even the EV18 had a relatively small footprint for its size and was easy to move with the flight handles and removable wheels. The TL25 was only 17”X19”X24”. It was a killer rig I used on hundreds of gigs over 25 yrs. and still have today. For some reason it was uniquely suited to that SVT Tube Head and I had dozens of other bassmen that heard it agree.

 

[King Kolon]

Nearly every rock/metal bassist I see uses an SVT live. Whether it's Mike Inez, Jason Newsted, Rex Brown, or Dave Farrell, so many of my favorite bassists play Ampegs.
Why is this? Are they just that good that almost everyone uses them? I've never played one, so I wouldn't know. Am I missing out? Is the SVT the holy grail of bass amps?

Well, if you'Ve never tried one, go to a Music Store that Has Ampeg and give them a Try thru a 2/19 or 4/10 cab. Tube Sound is Great. SoliD State is also Great. Best Tone in the Business for Bass Guitars. And Keys too.

 

[ThisBass]

They are no good on small stages and in small clubs alright if you can stand 15 or 20 feet in front of them .

I'd tell it this way, it depends on the players skills and ability just how to adjust the knobs right for the task.

 

[ThisBass]

Would much rather use my D800 and my 212 Neo cab if I have time to get it on and off the stage .

Very different practical experience on my side cause every time, even on rather small stage, at even moderate loudness level needs I could get a more "3-D" sound with the svt + 810 rather than with my SVT + 212 neo cab.
btw, the 212 cab should benefit from vertical speaker stacking which should provide noticeable better dispersion versus the fridge but, actually the fridge provides the better 3-D feeling on stage and FOH.

But will use anything if I have too .

So true.

 

[Joshua B]

Same reason Fender basses are so popular - they got it right first and became part of the sound people think of when they think "bass."

Personally I think Aguilar DB and GK sound better, but different strokes.

I could not agree more. I’ve owned two GKs, and I’m now on my second Aguilar. Definitely my faves out there. They both just have “that tone”.

 

[Joshua B]

Personally, and I’m gonna say this with the utmost respect, I never had any use for Ampeg. Every one I’ve ever played through just came across as gutless. Very well built, and really nice versatile tone, but gutless. Never understood that. I used to have an old Fender BXR 300C when I was much younger, that would absolutely destroy any SVT, in terms of volume (nothing else). I say that with the full acknowledgment that the old BXRs were VERY one dimensional, but damn, they were LOUD. Used an SVT-7 on three occasions, joined to an 810, and had barely a squeak of stage volume. Couldn’t walk any more than about 8ft away. All outdoor gigs, but still....anyone else say the same?

 

[JimmyM]

Personally, and I’m gonna say this with the utmost respect, I never had any use for Ampeg. Every one I’ve ever played through just came across as gutless. Very well built, and really nice versatile tone, but gutless. Never understood that. I used to have an old Fender BXR 300C when I was much younger, that would absolutely destroy any SVT, in terms of volume (nothing else). I say that with the full acknowledgment that the old BXRs were VERY one dimensional, but damn, they were LOUD. Used an SVT-7 on three occasions, joined to an 810, and had barely a squeak of stage volume. Couldn’t walk any more than about 8ft away. All outdoor gigs, but still....anyone else say the same?

No.