Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've always had solid state bass amps and it's time I get a real amp. I want a good tube amp. I was thinking about an SVT of sorts but I just don't know what sounds best. What about those AMPEG SVT III PRO or a Pro 4? Are these tube preamp models any good? I know a Pro 5 has a tube power amp but are anything like this is going to be so heavy. I don't want to be sorry later that I didn't get the right thing. What's good and what's not good?

what kinda music do ya play? how big is the crowd? will the signal be fed thru a board?

Ampeg B-15, SB-12, SVT...IMHO

them new Traynors are a great deal-depends on how much ooompf ya need.

Rock 'n' Roll! No gigs as of yet but I'm going to be pushing an Ampeg 8X10 from time to time and I want it to sound good! Sometimes a 4-10 cab at lower levels.

I have heard a lot of different bass amps. I have never heard a better sound than a Rick through an SVT (tube version) amp.

I owned a Mesa Bass 400 for several years and it was very nice, but I honestly think I've heard a lot of tube amps that sound better (but I didn't have my Rick when I had that amp.)

The think I would ask you is if it is parked or you're moving it around a lot? SS is a bit more practical and often lighter. The other thing about tubes is if you get a good tube preamp, you might find yourself on the slippery slope and then feel the need to run out and get a tube power amp.

Was Squire playing an SVT at the HOB event? I thought it was...there was a, 8X10 cab in the backline, with another hidden behind it, I believe...

At the end of the set (Roundabout?), last chorus, he reached over and tweaked the volume on his amp up to 10, and those of us standing on the floor were assailed with bottom end that turned our legs to jelly.

as well as ears...

...and innards...

A 70's SVT head (anyone, any year in good shape) kills all the rest especially mated with a 70's SVT cab (was only one SVT cab ever made: an 8 x 10). I've used them now since 1975 and haven't found anything that touches them in sound and warmth and sheer punch, and they are extremely reliable compared to other tube amps in fact other amps period, they were built like tanks and weigh as much as one in fact. There are many louder, lighter amps, but these are still the amp by which all new amps are compared to. They sound so thick you can walk on it. If you're going to buy an Ampeg get the best right away, you'll never need nor want another amp if you're like most SVT players. I have three set ups.... just in case. And yes they can be quite loud especially with two cabs, I've earthquaked many a club when I was younger, "man that stuff is shaking my light booth from twenty feet away!"
IMHO a tube preamp is pretty useless, just makes the SS amps sound dull as the SS poweramp takes away the warmth from the tube and the tube doesn't seem to have the clarity of the SS preamp section, this may be the way these companies EQ them however as tube preamps can be very clear and trebly if you want them to be, that mellow sound you get from the tube in the hybrids amps just doesn't ring true with me. Tubes are not necessarily mellow, SVT's certainly aren't when cranked, they roar and I believe that's from both sections working together, not just the power amp section. Get a full tube amp.

One of the best bassists I have ever heard played a 4001. He borrowed a pair of tube SVTs (he had been using a pair of Sunn Coliseum Leads) through his two custom made cabs with gigantic Gauss speakers. That was the best bass sound I have ever heard in my life.

Mind you, he still gets a myriad of great and different sounds with SWR gear and he's switched basses, but I don't think he can touch _that_ sound.

If you're looking for a vintage SVT and don't want to pay the price for the 70's era ones, the early 80's MTI made ones are a little cheaper and are basically the same circuit, but with some inferior Japanese components. Since the amp is old, most of those should be changed anyway, leaving you with an amp with good parts in it, and a sound very close to the 70's SVT's. These amps were made from '81 to early '85, and the very early ones (like mine) actually used the Ampeg transformers too, so change the parts over and you end up with a real SVT for less money.