Amps!

gray · Post by **gray** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:04 pm

It is a very good possibility that my band is too loud! However, every time I think we're too loud, I find another band who's louder. Oh well! Earplugs.

gray · Post by **gray** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:11 pm

Actually, I must admit that while I was in the store, I was very tempted to buy one of those brand new Vietnamese-made SVTs but resisted the urge and got the Markbass instead.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:44 pm

Robert - take Jeff's advice and give the Markbass gear a chance. I also agree with Jeff that their gear is just too good to be a "flavour of the month". I recently bought a LMK amp and it is probably the best piece of gear I've purchased in years. Your setup should pump out plenty of volume, and if you decide to stick with it, your back will thank you!

gray · Post by **gray** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:14 am

Yeah, I'm taking it to band practice tonight to see how it fares. It's nice stuff, and I really do hope that it works out.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:17 am

Tell your guitardists to turn down to sane levels. You should set your bass to match up with the drums and then your guitardists should set their levels to work with that.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:19 am

There needs to be organized a drive to help the:

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:40 am

gray · Post by **gray** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:02 am

Jeff- Belive me, I understand! I tried the logical route before. We'll see what happens. I do have a line on an American SVT Classic just in case.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:02 am

Well an SVT-CL is a good amp too, Robert (and I speak from experience). Mine has provided excellent power, tone, and reliablity for 2 1/2 years now.

One of the benefits of living in a big city is that I get to see a ton of live shows. I'd say that more than half of the big touring acts that come through here feature a bass player that runs an SVT-CL. I guess that could be a turn-off if you're looking to be unique, but there has to be a reason why so many players want to play through one despite their 80 lb. weight.

I know that many of the members of this forum feel that the early 70's SVT is the ultimate tube amp, but I say the SVT-CL ain't too shabby either!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:11 pm

The SVT-CL is a good amp and sounds fine and will be reliable. The vintage SVT from the early 70's up to the early 80's sounds great and has proven it's reliability by it's longevity. Any vintage amp will need some work to make it perform like new, and needs maintainence periodically, but the main difference aside from the circuit between the two is the value. The vintage SVT's will just keep going up in value, whereas the SVT-CL will depreciate and maybe eventually go up, but the vintage SVT's are still the king of the hill for a bass amp as far as desireability and value and sound. (sound is subjective but many people seem to like them)

I'd urge anyone looking for an SVT to look into the vintage ones and find a deal and just get a newer 8x10 if you don't get a cabinet with the amp. A good second choice would be the newer Ampeg products like the SVT-CL, but the vintage SVT should be the first choice for most people. All my opinion of course.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:22 pm

Have you had a chance to compare a vintage SVT with a new SVT-VR amp?

gray · Post by **gray** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:35 pm

Well, I'm happy to announce that the Markbass passed the test with flying colors and blew everyone away! It's definitely a keeper! I can get a number of great tones out of it, and I haven't it even used my Fulltone Bass Drive in the effects loop yet! That one should be a gas!
So this insane tale has a happy ending, because this rig WORKS!

I should add that this experience has in no way, shape or form quenched my thirst for a nice SVT. I realize that the vintage models are only going to get more expensive, but at some point I'd really like to buy some kind of all-tube SVT.
If anybody does want a U.S. made SVT-CL, Guitar Center in Rockford, IL has one left, and the GC in Brookfield, WI has a US made Ampeg 810. I'd get them both, but dang it, the ol' money tree's done picked clean!

Special thanks to Mark Gilbert for suggesting Markbass in the first place, and a huge, huge thank you to all the wonderful, patient people who put up with my neurotic ways during this episode!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:13 pm

Woot! Another happy ending!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:19 pm

I have two vintage 70's SVT's and had a 1987 St. Louis SVT head which is similar to what they make now but closer in spirit to the old ones, it was nice but just didn't have the roar or power the old ones have, none of the new ones do, I would get them as second choice though, they do sound good and I would definitely choose one over any SS head.
Old Ampegs are like many things: they just don't make em like they used to.
If you buy one that needs work, fix it or get it fixed, if it's done right it will last the rest of your life with periodic maintenance, mine are both 30 years old now and sound great, 1976 and 1977. My cabs are even older and have all original speakers and they have taken a beating at times.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:26 pm

"Have you had a chance to compare a vintage SVT with a new SVT-VR amp"

They are different, They are similar to the 87 I had, have two channels but use 12AX7's rather than 12DW7's and have much less gain and power. They also have different driver tubes, 12AU7's as compared to 12BH7's in the originals. It also has two less tubes in the preamp, another pretender. Spend the same money or less and get a real one, the kids don't know the difference and believe all the hype.