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Why are Ampeg SVTs so popular?

#21
Nickweissmusic said:
They’re reliable, loud, and push the good rock bass low-mid frequencies. I prefer a more hi-fi tone myself, but when they are provided as back line I enjoy them- not enough to lift one, but I do enjoy them :)
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Use it on a cab with a tweeter on it or even a 3-way cab and there's your hi-fi :D
 
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#28
JimmyM said:
Use it on a cab with a tweeter on it or even a 3-way cab and there's your hi-fi :D
Click to expand...

Probably a good point, I’ve never heard one out of anything but 4 or 8 10’s as far as I can recall. I imagine it would sound pretty killer through my bag end 15 stack, which are also low mid machines.
 
#30
For the moment, the only amp that could really compete with an legendary SVT is a MEsa Titan V12.
I compared one of the first SVT, made in 68, against the Titan, and I would choose the Titan again. Only 26lb, 1200W, no power tubes, two channels, overdrive, a solo channel.....
And moving around an SVT is such a pain.
 
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#32
For me, the SVT is the electric bass sound. I'd wanted one for years and finally got one in June. I'd gigged with them before but didn't quite appreciate the quality, depth of tone and sheer power until I owned one. The only thing I'd change about it is the weight but carrying it around is absolutely worth it when I plug in and hear it.
 
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#34
IMO the ultimate overdriven bass tone is an Ampeg SVT crancked up. You can mimic it with pedals and stuff (as I do) but once you've played a real SVT it's hard to look back.

Why don't I have one?

#1 Money . For me it's expensive to afford and mantain .
#2 Weight . No comments . Right?
#3 Venues . For most of the venues I gig I can't bring a giant bass rig.
 
#35
It's not just rock / metal players who use SVT heads and cabs. SVT has been the most widely used amp in all genres for almost 50 years. They sound great and it's easy to dial in the tone you want. They only drawback is that they are very heavy. There are a lot of different brands being used today but the Ampeg SVT is still used by more players than any other amp.
 
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#37
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.
 
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