Yeah the SVT is still worth its weight!

[Thumpking]

I will NEVER sacrifice great tone for lower weight. Good choice!

Then again I'm only 23. I may have to take back that statement in 20-30 years.

I am 43 and will STILL hump my heavy tube monsters for that one of a kind tone.

 

[doktorfeelgood]

In the late 80's I bought an early 70's Linden, New Jersey made SVT and matching 8X10 cab. I played it for about a year before I developed some medical issues and had to sell the rig. To this day I have not played anything that remotely comes close for sound and feel. Best bass sound there ever was or will be, IMHO.
)-(

 

[anonymous02282011]

I lug my '70 along happily.

What kind of cabs are you guys using?

I use a modded TL606 and it sounds awesome, but it's 8ohms and for years now I've been thinking about getting something in a 4ohm.

 

[Mastermold]

I lug my '70 along happily.

What kind of cabs are you guys using?

Ampeg 410 HLF. Sometimes I think about an 810 but the HLF 410 seems more than enough for 99% of what I do.

 

[johnk_10]

yep. a fender 400ps is actually heavier than an SVT.

 

[Tim1]

I am 59 and recently sold my VT pedal and went back to lugging my SVT or Orange AD200. The Orange is all tube and two thirds the weight of the SVT, but damn it all I still find myself lugging the Ampeg everywhere. I use Bergantino NV cabs, 610 or 215. Easy to schlep and great sound with just about any tube amp. I must admit, though, there is one seldom mentioned advanage to a good 410 on casters - you can throw the SVT on top of the cab and just wheel it in.

 

[ubersku]

dang it, you guys are going to make me dig out my svt this weekend, aren't you? honestly, i did get a little sick of moving it, especially after i got that micro vr for christmas, but doggone it...it really does sound amazing.

No sympathy from me. You made me buy one last week.

 

[JimmyM]

No sympathy from me. You made me buy one last week.

ok, for you i'll compromise...i'll bring my b-15

 

[MetroBass]

Still the reference. To me it's only heavy after a gig and 6 to 10 beers.

 

[mntngrown]

Any rig will fit in a Sube wagon. Things beat a lot of SUVs.

true even an Impreza wagon easily handles 48" tall cabs

 

[jvdb]

I'm going to get a flightcase for my SVT... Add another 10 kilo's. Awesome!

 

[alembicguy]

I felt mine wasn't heavy enough so I added a flight case to help increase it's stoutness.

Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass

 

[One Drop]

I always feel that way after coming back to mine.

Recently had a few rehearsals with my Eden and a VT pedal, absolutely no complaints. Yesterday brought the SVT back down to the room and once again realized the supremacy of the real thing, if only in terms of feel, but also the sheer girth and weight and presence to every note. There is a visceral dimension to playing a powerful tube amp that cannot be explained unless you've tried it. It's just so effortless and pleasing.

 

[john_g]

You guys are not helping. I have been GASn hard for a big tube amp lately. I have never had an all tube amp in my 25 years of playing. I have a LMII right now and I must admit that its great loading out at 2:30 am and its a great sounding amp. However, the tone I am after is all tube and so far, pedals are not impressing me. Uggghhhh

 

[jackcheez]

I lug my '70 along happily.

What kind of cabs are you guys using?

I'm using a 6 X 10.

There are many right answers for this.

 

[doktorfeelgood]

I lug my '70 along happily.

What kind of cabs are you guys using?

I use a modded TL606 and it sounds awesome, but it's 8ohms and for years now I've been thinking about getting something in a 4ohm.

Why not add another TL606...? Then you'd get 4 ohms...
for many years back in the 70's I used 2 TL 606's with an Acoustic 370 head and it sounded awesome. With that head I'd also use 2 TL606's and the 301 Acoustic bottom that came with the head when I bought it. And sometimes I would use 4 TL606's as the 370 would go down to 2 ohms with no probs. Before I sold my SVT, I also used it with 2 TL606's and that was also an amazing sound. very versatile cab.
Check the pic with 4 of them... )-(

 

[Jefe]

As a '76 SVT owner I approve of this thread.

I've had SWR, Thunderfunk, Markbass LMT800, TC RH450, pre-power set-ups with VT Bass pedal and currently own a Streamliner 900 (nice back up in case the ol' girl craps the bed at a gig).
For me, there is still NO replacement. Always keep coming back to the ol SVT.
That being said, every time I hook up the SVT to any cab other than my NV610, I can't stand it.
But that SVT with the NV610 is F(*&%^G magic!

 

[johnk_10]

+1.
back when i had my shop, i used to tell all of the 'tone chasers', "just buy a p or a j bass and an SVT and be done with it."

 

[Surly]

I'll be 55 this month and I still have two SVT's.

Right on.

It's worth it to me as well. For example my P-bass with Chromes and a pick sounds a little off, the strings are clanky and worn in.
Throught he SVT it sounds right, and in a band mix it works.

 

[Fawkes007]

I will NEVER sacrifice great tone for lower weight. Good choice!

Then again I'm only 23. I may have to take back that statement in 20-30 years.

At 23 I had a band with a rehearsal space, a van and two to three stoner roadies. I roadied for other bands. We all lugged each other's gear. It was cool. There was something very satisfying about hauling heavy gear and helping out your buds. Twenty something years later, I play here and there and everywhere in several different bands with no "home base," and as much I love the sound of an SVT...I love my Orange Terror Bass 500 and Bergie 1x12's just as much for their convenience and great sound!