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Why are Ampeg SVTs so popular?

#301
BioDriver said:
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.
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Uhm, again I get very different experience on my side. May be GK is not my cup of tea?
edit, btw I didn't play Fender bass guitars any more since the year of 1979 if I remeber correctly?
 
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#303
Joshua B said:
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?
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No!:rollno:
 
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#305
Joshua B said:
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?
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In Germany we tell it this way,
Erfolg gibt recht
which may translate into your language as
Success has proved them right
 
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#306
Like a lot of people have said, I tried a P through an SVT with an 810. Told myself I couldn't handle it, got a bunch of other amps first, they were/are good but I just kept remembering that tone. Eventually i got one and I haul it to every gig. Here are a few of the reasons, in addition to all the things others have said:

1. Muscle, not just volume. The SVT has just a foundational 'bassy-ness' that can't be beat. It has punch and power. The bass is as much a rhythm instrument as a musical one. I can get a great, muscular tone even at lower volumes, and I have headroom to spare when I need it.
2. It just sits so beautifully in a mix.
3. Musicality. You can still hear and get the definition of the note despite the low end.
4. Growl - that gorgeous tube growl, the right mix of warmth and aggression.
 
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#308
ETThompson said:
Like a lot of people have said, I tried a P through an SVT with an 810. Told myself I couldn't handle it, got a bunch of other amps first, they were/are good but I just kept remembering that tone. Eventually i got one and I haul it to every gig. Here are a few of the reasons, in addition to all the things others have said:

1. Muscle, not just volume. The SVT has just a foundational 'bassy-ness' that can't be beat. It has punch and power. The bass is as much a rhythm instrument as a musical one. I can get a great, muscular tone even at lower volumes, and I have headroom to spare when I need it.
2. It just sits so beautifully in a mix.
3. Musicality. You can still hear and get the definition of the note despite the low end.
4. Growl - that gorgeous tube growl, the right mix of warmth and aggression.
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Fascinating. I love all the different perspectives on this site. Everything you've said is EXACTLY how I feel about Aguilar, and much about GK as well
 
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#309
I used to play through an SVT cabinet driven by a Peavey Mark IV head. I called it THE
MONOLITH and it always sounded great! Also; I was in my 20's, it had wheels and fit perfectly in the back seat of my 4 door 1966 Chrysler Newport. Therefore, transport and loading/unloading was no problem for most gigs!
 
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#310
I can tell you this or you can listen to a sound man and they will also tell you that an Ampeg SVT Classic tube amp will shine on the stage or in the studio! You can't beat that pure tube power that is so warm, crisp, clear and clean it is the best amp in it's class!
 

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#312
Whitenoise17 said:
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?
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The magic is really in the cabinets. The heads are OK. And many model years do not sound great. But I think the cabs are awesome. The 410 is special. And the 610hlx. But I'd never useand Ampeg Head with em'b
 
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#314
Sparkl said:
I use my svt3pro usa ranging from jazz to fusion, reggae, pop, rock... Everything really. And it always wins in every genre sound-wise to me. This, paired with either a pbass or jazz bass is how I imagine the sound should be.
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Yes I like my new (China) pro 3 so much I've decided to regretfully sell my Fender Super Bassman 300 410 rig as I just can't bring myself to lug this beast anymore so may as well go to some one who is willing. There is nothing quite like a well built 300 watt all valve head but the pro 3 is a great alternative being a lot lighter to lift, sounds excellent with my Stingray 5 and Fender P and J basses and also great for a wide range of different styles and genres. .
 
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#316
rickbass1 said:
Yes I like my new (China) pro 3 so much I've decided to regretfully sell my Fender Super Bassman 300 410 rig as I just can't bring myself to lug this beast anymore so may as well go to some one who is willing. There is nothing quite like a well built 300 watt all valve head but the pro 3 is a great alternative being a lot lighter to lift, sounds excellent with my Stingray 5 and Fender P and J basses and also great for a wide range of different styles and genres. .
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Yes I agree completely. To me the SVT CL is king of the hill followed by Fender SuperBassman as a close second.

Ain't really nothing like tubes. I am therefore very surprised that the 3pro sounds so close to the cl. As soon as I realised that I snatched one.
 
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