Hello to all
So I have finally saved enough to purchase my dream rig - an Ampeg SVT. I am almost settled on the Heritage SVT as it's made in the US and people don't report any of the issues that arose from Vietnamese production. That and the SVT-VR seems to inspire mixed reactions from people.
So now I need to decide on cabs - I live in London and don't have a car so an 8x10 or 6x10 is pretty much out of the question. But a 4x10 or even 2x 4x10s could work well.
My question is that my understanding is that the Ampeg sound is very much about an 8x10 sealed cab. The 4x10s that Ampeg makes are ported. So even if I get 2, I would not get the same sound as an 8x10. Would you guys recommend getting another manufacturer's sealed 4x10s or just going with the Ampegs?
From what I have seen Digital Village has the best deals on Ampeg. Any other ideas?
Thanks fellas!
Comments
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Thankfully - the cab company can come right to my door and drop me right at the door of the studio .
But I get your point. I just haven't heard anything get remotely close to the sound of a SVT.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
So I ordered the SVT-410HLF based on your recommendations.
What I don't understand is why Ampeg doesn't make a 15" cab that is 4 or 2 ohms. Making it basically impossible to use a SVT head with a 4x10 and a 1x15. Would there be phase issues? Or what? There has to be a reason.
I have always really dug the sound of a 4x10 with a 1x15.
Wouldn't that be series with most cabs, and give a total impedance of 16Ohm? I think most head with two speaker outs have them in parallel, or at least switchable.
I'm with ICBM. I love an SVT when it's already provided and set up on stage for me. Otherwise I'm perfectly pleased with my Zoom B3 pedal ! So pleased in fact that I'm selling my Orange. When I actually need backline (which isn't that often as it's 2013 and PA systems are pretty good!), I run it through a (90w!) keyboard head and one or two old 15" PA cabs.
I've come to the conclusion that the bigger the gig, the less I need an amp - I only find an amp useful for pub gigs nowadays.
I think the reason Ampeg don't do a 1x15" SVT cab is simply that the whole design philosophy of the amp is based around 10" speakers, and it may not sound right. I'm pretty sure I know of players who use 1x18"s with them though, along with 4x10"s. The relative efficiency is probably a better match.
Funnily enough I also use my Zoom B3 mostly now! I thought I might be the only one... Oddly the SVT model on it doesn't sound right, it has a strange 'phasey' tone that I don't like - I use the Fender Bassman usually, or the Marshall Super Bass for really dirty stuff. My bass combo doesn't leave the house now, and won't unless I need to play somewhere without provided backline - most of the gig venues round here have perfectly usable house amps. Sadly none of them are SVTs.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Well, that's something new I've learned! Luckily, I've never had a rig with two cabs!
I haven't used the SVT much on the B3 - I tend to stick to the Bassman too, and occasionally the Fliptop. Great piece of kit, and a real bargain. I don't bother with an amp for recording at ll now. A big part of the SVT sound is the fact that you're hearing it directly from ahuge cab I think - that gets lost once it's recorded, and also once you're through a PA, so really I think it's quite pointless from a practical gigging/recording perpective!
There's no denying they do sound great though - everytime I've played through one I've always thought "ah yes, THAT's the sound!"
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The only downside with it is that you can't split the output and have a signal without amp modelling (or at least without the cab modelling) into your amp, and a fully amp modelled signal to FOH. Hence my switching to keybaord and PA stuff for my stage rig/monitor.
Once I found it would replace my octaver and tuner for the same price I could get for them, I didn't hesitate. Now it's replacing my amp in terms of tone, and doing a lot more besides.
All of which is, of course, beside the point. If you want an SVT and cal live with the drawbacks, go for it! I'd probably have one if I had roadies too.
For outdoor gigs in particular, coupling the speakers to the largest possible volume of air is the most effective way of generating real volume, rather than amp power.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein