Ampeg SVT

Sam Marshall · Post by **Sam Marshall** » 9 Aug 2002 6:49 pm

Anyone ever use an Ampeg SVT for steel? 300 watts of tube power!!!!!!!!!

Sam in AZ

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 10 Aug 2002 5:59 am

Sam,
When I was on the road w/ Tommy Overstreet,we were endorsed by Ampeg. I was using a VT-22.
GREAT amp,but if you think a Fender "Twin",w/ 2 JBL's was heavy,think again! The Ampeg had 2, 12" Altec-Lansing spkrs. I,finally,called Ampeg,& asked them if they could,somehow, "split the load" for me. They did,indeed. I got a V-4 head,(same chassis as a VT-22) & a VT-22 extension spkr. cabinet,w/ a closed back. THEN,I was a "cappy hamper"

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KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 10 Aug 2002 6:53 am

I never have tried it on steel,but it's the best bass amp I 've ever owned. Good clean,warm punch.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 10 Aug 2002 8:06 am

I`ve tried the SVT preamp in my rack and it sounds very, very good.So , the SVT head with an open back cab (2 12`s maybe ? ) and a reverb device should make a killer steel rig.

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Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Aug 2002 8:34 am

Unless you're playing stadiums or big coliseums, I think it's overkill. Sure, lotsawatts, but no effects...and it's HEAVY. I tried one over 20 years ago (with the 8-10" cabinet), and it had plenty power and bass, but not a lot of tonal variation.

Like Kenny said, great for bass. But for steel...why bother?

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 10 Aug 2002 3:26 pm

If you're thinking of buying one, there are some technical things that you may want to know about.

I've heard that SVTs are very touchy when it comes to biasing. I believe that Groove Tubes also gave them the award for "most tubes in an amp". This is another way of saying that it would be very expensive to retube one. Some of the older ones may have power tubes that are either rare/no longer available or very expensive. As for weight, it seems that a lot of the old Ampegs were heavy. The SVT heads were no exception. I read an article one time where the author stated that the VT-22 was so heavy that you'd swear that it was bolted to the floor.

All that said, I still don't think that anyone has answered your question. And no, I haven't tried one or ever heard anyone who used one for steel. But if it's got the sound you're after, you just may start a new trend.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 11 Aug 2002 12:57 pm

It takes two people to carry one of these heads--young people. And I've heard that Johnny Winter used to play guitar through SIX of 'em!

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 11 Aug 2002 3:13 pm

Years ago I played bass using this head with two cabinets, each having 4 x10 speakers. It was a really fine bass amp.
In 1976, I bought my first steel, a MSA S12 extended E9. I did play through this amp once but didn't care for it because it didn't have any reverb. I much prefered the Shobud amp I got with the steel.

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Mullen D10
The Blue Angel
Emmons D10 8x10
Emmons D10 8x5
Remington D10 8x7
Evans

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 12 Aug 2002 12:13 am

Stephen, i was a roadie for JW back in the 70s. he had 6 twins ! 4 were on + 2 were on standby waitin' to take over if...
i had a VT 22 head, V2 i believe that i used on a Leslie back then. good sound.