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Thoughts on the Ampeg SVT450? Or what else in that $ range?


tenoken

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Posted

Right now I've got a GK 700RB head, but I'm looking for something new. I don't need all the sculpting that the GK offers.... I play in a 60's r&b/garage rock band so I was thinking about something like this 450.

 

ampeg_svt450_h_largelightbox.jpg

 

I read some good reviews, but I wanna see what you all think.

 

Thoughts?

 

BTW, I play a jazz bass or an SG short scale bass out of an Aguilar 410 cabinet.

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Posted

Preamp for the GK? That's be cheaper, as/more reliable, better options and as loud as anything on the market. The GK's make great poweramps. I use mine to power my small PA because its small and light when I'm not using it for a bass amp.

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Posted

I don't understand what you guys are talking about. Preamp for the GK? I have a GK head already and it's a single complete unit.

 

Anyone here own a svt450? What do you think?

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Posted

 

I don't understand what you guys are talking about. Preamp for the GK? I have a GK head already and it's a single complete unit.


Anyone here own a svt450? What do you think?

 

 

Yes, the GK is a single unit, but it can be used as a poweramp only and skip the tone shaping section.

 

buy preamp of choosing then take the output of preamp-> effects return = new amp for half the money.

 

The GK is a great poweramp, when used as such. The good thing about this approach is that if you dont like a particular pre, you can keep using the GK while you test and tune preamps for you taste. If you buy used (pre's either work or they dont usually), you can often sell for what you paid.

 

Examples (if buying new):

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tech-21-Sansamp-RBI-Rackmount-Bass-Tube-Amp-Emulator?sku=480223

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/BBE-BMAX-Solid-State-Bass-Guitar-Preamplifier?sku=488800

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ISP-Technologies-Beta-Bass-Preamplifier?sku=481421

 

Used

Billy Sheehan Ampeg: http://cgi.ebay.com/AMPEG-SVP-BSP-BASS-PREAMP-PREAMPLIFIER-PEDAL-SVPBSP_W0QQitemZ170258860934QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170258860934&_trkparms=72%3A1163%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Used Alembic F1-x (incredible oldschool mojo)

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=1949522

Sansamp RBI

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2064394

 

I hope this makes sense. If you are looking for a simple all in one rig, I'd skip new SVTs or any solid state SVTs. Mine were junk. I went Mesa, then downsized to GK because I needed reliable gear and the Ampegs never gave me confidence after too many times in the shop.

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Posted

Man, I can get all the vintage thump in the world out of my GK, that's the benefit of all that sculpting.

 

Turn down the Presence all the way, turn the Contour up half way, leave the EQ flat, Boost at 50%, and Woofer at 75%. Use the input gain to control volume. A licky boom boom down.

C7

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Posted

Honestly, for $750 you could probably do better.

 

The Ampeg B4R I'm selling would fit the bill, but so would the SVT1000. Ampeg's lower powered stuff seems to be SUPER over rated to me...in power that is.

 

The B4R tonally is very similar (and actually is the exact same as the SVT1000 Jugghaid mentioned) to the 450. Runs at 1000w in mono-bridge, and 500w in stereo at 2 ohm. I loved the tone it had through the Aggie's I've played it through.

 

Plus my B4R I'm only asking $550 shipped for.... :poke:

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Posted

Looks like a lot of sculpting on that SVT, too.

 

Crescent Seven has good advice for the GK. You can turn the Presence and Contour all the way to the left, and they are off. I mostly do this on my GK head.

 

Have a look at the new Hartke LH500. $449, and a simpler interface. A good thread about it on talkbass.com. It would be perfect for your equipmant and the music you are playing.

 

Hartke gets little love at times, but these look and feel really solid. If you have a Sam Ash nearby, they should have one to play.

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Posted

+1 more to just EQ the GK the way you want it. The 450H is a POS. I've used one a number of times, and they never seem to have the power or grunt you are looking for from 450 watts. And the GK build quality is just plain superior, IMO.

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Posted

thanks for the advice everyone. very helpful!

 

maybe (after all this time) I just haven't found my GK sound yet. I'll work with the controls a bit and see what I can do. otherwise the preamp separation is a new option I wasn't aware of.

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