Dood

I used to house my SVT2 Pro in either a wooden 4u rack case OR a normal 'plastic' rack case (SKB variety). I found that the internal fan in the SVT wasn't really sufficient - however, I bought a 12v 12cm computer fan and I had a 12v DC power adaptor already to power it. I mounted the fan to the grill on the back of the SVT using cable ties. (I also used 4 fat nylon washers to hold the fan away from the grill as well.) So - no screws and no damage to the amp itself - removeable and won't leave a mark either. The fan's air flow sucked hot air away from the amp - and it made a HUGE difference to the temperature of the surrounding case. i.e. - without - bloomin' hot - with - just warm to the touch! I think Ampeg missed a trick with this one. You only have to look at other maunfacturers who put a fan on the back of their valve amps to see it's a good idea! Try it it really does work and a lot cheaper than having to choose a rack based on ventilation!

I am assuming that you aren't getting enough low end volume from the 610? If this is the case, I am AMAZED! It's a naturally 'bass present' cab so I'd like to offer you an alternative to having a second cab. Run the SVT4 in bridge mode straight in to the 610 - then if you want more bass - don't crank the bass control, DROP your mids a touch. When you bring the volume up ,there will be a far higher perception of additional bottom end. If I need to, I like to scoop around the 350Hz frequency as this can make a cab sound deeper and less boxy. If you still think you need more bottom end - I would mebbe shy away from a 2x10 as it will only add mid bottom, not deep bottom (*90% of 2x10's on the market, that is) - A specific 'sub' cabinet maybe better if you want to move more lowend air with the 610. Something like a tuned cabinet loaded with an Eminence 3015LF. - but then you get in to phase issues so you might not gain as much anyway. I reckon, in the long run you'll be better off with plan A though! - I'd get fed up with carrying sub cabs as well - that bottom end should be being looked after by FOH PA. Try it, let me know how you get on!

[quote name='OldGit' post='833950' date='May 11 2010, 09:14 AM']Unless this is a secret classic I'd suggest £500 is rather ambitious. Someone may prove me wrong, of course.[/quote] I'm not really into entering discussions on prices and what older instruments are worth, but even though this is a really good example - I picked mine up, delivered from the US for under 300 notes. The bass it self was just over 200. I have to say though, they are, when in A1 condition VERY good instruments and I would love to have another one - one day.

Wow! I was just posting an old rig pic elsewhere and found this! It's probably the only pic I have of my ole Sheehan Pre!

I found this pic lurking - but it's not so much the bass but my old, old rig, so I'll get a better one taken soon!

Yeah, I like the 5! You used to own an M80 didn't you? I would say as a pedal, you could get close to some of the sounds on the SVT5 - but having heard Stag's SVT5 recently - yeah, it's a great piece of kit.

[quote name='eude' post='834176' date='May 11 2010, 01:11 PM']Chuffed it's all working out for you mate I'm being drawn more and more to a nice simple set up. As it is, I don't touch the controls on my LittleMark, bar Gain and Volume, thing is though, is it flat response, or is it that "MarkBass" sound... One thing is for sure though, I'm gonna stuck with Aggie cabs for the long run I reckon. Cheers, Eude[/quote] Thanks matey! They Aggies are great and definitely have a nice scoopy tone to them - probably have something in common with the Hartkes!

[quote name='peted' post='834189' date='May 11 2010, 01:22 PM']Wow! That is an epic equipment journey you've been through Dood. I'm glad you've come back around to Hartke though as they seem to have something so 'honest' about their gear. It's really gear built for the working bass player I feel. Now when can I expect to hear this mighty rig at a Within The Void gig?!? [/quote] Aww Thanks mate! I'm glad too! - Well Within The Void is a verrrrrrry slow moving project! - I am literally chomping at the bit to get material out and released - but I know we are up against a lol lol 'distance relationship'. JP and Thomas both live over in LA - a mere 5400 odd mile trip to band practice!! However, we ARE definitely working - Then we can get a tour sorted- so hang in there!

The 5 definitely has the more options and flexibility, if that wasn't obvious in my rambling!

[quote name='PauBass' post='834445' date='May 11 2010, 05:36 PM']Since you've tried, listened to the two of them: How would you compare the SVT 4 and 5? Just talking about the sound not the specs, combinations, wattage, etc... Is the drive channel any good on the 5? Or you'd be better off with the 4 and a pedal to add the overdrive?[/quote] The 4 and the 5 although completely different beasts (indeed the clean channel schematic is completely different) - Tonally they still have the 'Ampeg' thing going on. I think they both sound great - good full tone and have plenty of options tonally - obviously as you have pointed out, the 5 has the dirty channel that you can run on it's own, or mixed with the clean channel (or clean on it's own) - I think with even just a few minutes of playing you can find a good crunchy bite - all the way too out and out filth! - You *can* make the distortion sound grotty if that's your thing - but with a bit of experience you can get the drive to sit in the mix with the clean sound and it sounds great. Do I think you could do the same with a pedal - well - no, unless you *start* with something like an M80 that allows you to mix in the clean bass tone as well - and even then, you may not have EQ on both signals as you would with the SVT 5 of course - unless you started adding more and more pedals. I rather like the idea of having everything in one box! On the flipside - The 5 distortion channel can not cover ALL the distortion type bases and thus you may feel you want to use a different distortion in a pedal to cover those tones - e.g. Catalinbread SFT / BDDI / Big Muff. [quote name='AttitudeCastle' post='834522' date='May 11 2010, 06:48 PM']The drive on the pro 5 is the same as on the BSP, and its bloody f***ing Amazing![/quote] Yep, it's the same preamp - and the SVT 5 has an Octaver thrown in too. It is very good.

Hey Matey! How's things? You well!? Thank you! - Actually, One of the reasons I like it - is that the HX range are really light! - ok, not Tec-Amp light - but even an 'invalid' like me has no problems lifting these cabs. I recall my epi' 610 was about 36Kg and these 4x10's are 32Kg (and obviously two small boxes as opposed to one big one!) Tonally speaking - Well, I know that I'll certainly get a lot of joshing for the journey I've been on for the last few years. I'd got it in to my head that I was after this undefineable tonal heaven. I've owned some truly amazing gear but the laughable thing - is the sound I was after had only been I guess what my brain was used to all those years ago - and that was my old Hartke rig. Don't get me wrong - I still stand by what I say about the other rigs I have owned. I still adore the Tech Soundsystem cabs I owned and the ISP is brilliant, along with the Powersoft amplifiers. I did spend time messing around with the EQ on 'flatter' sounding systems - which would lead me to a simple answer. Dood doesn't do 'flat response' and looking for a flat response rig was a bit of a waste of time - well, other than using it as an expensive learning exercise. The Hydrives defintely have a voice of their own - there's a Hifi clarity and a bite to the top end which is great - but in comparison to the 4.5XL (A/B'd recently) there's more body - what some people may call 'warmth' in the tone. My EMG DC's actually need that I feel to balance their response a bit, as they are toppy in comparison to say, my old P style EMGs - and it works nicely. Oh the simple preamp! - yes yes - I have had 30 band EQ's and routings that go around the houses - but this is - well - I did wonder if I was going to get on with it! - I can understand why the tonestack and preamp design has been so successful over the years. It's built in curve when everything is set to 12 o'clock is so simple, but just works. I really like it and I am hoping that my 'rig' related GAS has been stemmed! It's very nice to be home.

[quote name='umph' post='833776' date='May 10 2010, 11:22 PM']hiwatts and ampegs were never cheap they were top bollock stuff back in the day to![/quote] Well, to be clear,I didn't call them cheap or crap - but in comparison to today's high end gear - in this world of SMT and D-Class, it's hardly , to use Chris_B's analogy , the Mercedes with all the bells and whistles on. That's not to say there is anything wrong with that - I was just trying to make a comparison, t'is all.

The PJBS was the first bass I ever really wanted. Infact my very first bass was a PJBS clone - the Marlin Sidewinder. I had a red sidewinder as it was similar to the picture of a red PJBS I'd ripped out of Bass Player magazine. My Dad bought my first Bass and Amp for me. So here's the wierd coincidence! I still have the magazine page - and in the corner it is dated September 1989. Jump on however many years (I think it must have been 17 odd!!) - I finally got to buying one after a G.A.S attack and a bit of ebay abuse. I didn't pay that much for the PJBS I found - I'm looking at it now - it's the same red - and it was made in 1989!!!

Ahhh!!! Sweet! - Best I get a pic of mine up then! Zoe should be along shortly with a nice black JBS too, I'm sure!

Here we go then! Just a quick picture for now as I am yet to get a moment to snap properly! Here's my brand new Hartke rig and my two Shukers, Doodle & Baby! I'm really pleased! LH1000 + HX410 x2 (TC Electronic G Major 2 and TC Electronic Nova Dynamics (not shown)

[quote name='umph' post='833719' date='May 10 2010, 10:26 PM']ampeg b15 and hiwatts are low end? There price doesn't seem to say so![/quote] Probably not now - but back then, hence ' from the past'. Sure, they're not cheap now!

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='833463' date='May 10 2010, 07:04 PM']I have a nice rig - it's an Aguilar AG500 head (twin channel jobby), an Aguilar GS112 and a GS112NT. I also use an Aguilar Tone Hammer which also acts as a DI box. It's all connected with OBBM's cables and the whole lot sits on a Gramma Pad. Last night I did a gig in a huge marquee, big stage, big PA, small audience (it was ferking freezing). Because of the small numbers, I couldn't bring myself to be arsed to unload my rig so I used the house rig - a slightly battle scarred Hartke HA3500A head and an equally road worn Hartke VX 4x10 and I have to say it sounded absolutely bloody marvelous. We've had debates about this before - I know but I was kinda flabbergasted and thought to myself...why spend loadsa money when this little rig is plenty good enough? Thoughts please....[/quote] I've spent a great deal of money looking for a amp tone that was under my nose all the time. I wish I knew then what I know now!! - Boy, have I enjoyed owning some sweet gear though!

[quote name='Mog' post='833630' date='May 10 2010, 09:13 PM']for everyday use highend gear is pointless. in the studio its vital.[/quote] Although, I have to counteract that by suggesting that some of the most unmistakeably great recorded bass tones from the past *have* come from some pretty shabby gear! JJ Burnell and his broken cones, Entwhistle's old cranked Hiwatts and the Ampeg B15 - brilliant for recording but far from hi end Only joshing of course - at the end of the day, boring as it is - if it sounds great, it is great! - Another example of great tone on a budget would be the Fender Showman / Alembic F1x / Trace V-type / BBE T-Max / Hartke LH preamps - dead simple, no flashy components - sounds absolutely magnificent!

Hey James! Great to meet you at the weekend - a smmmoooooooth and quick transaction - not to mention the obligatory 'looks like a dodgy deal out of a back of a car in a Maccy D's car park' meet up to chat about some Bass! In response to your comment about Shuker owners; right back at-cha! Shuker owners are a top bunch! Catch ya soon, Dan

[quote name='walbassist' post='833641' date='May 10 2010, 09:17 PM']Thanks Dan. Yes, I must say I've used a lot of Peavey heads over the year, mainly for PA but a couple of DPC1400Xs for bass rigs as well, and they've always been really reliable workhorses. My main requirement was something light, and at 7lbs this is perfect. Happy days![/quote] Lots of power - not lots of weight! Sounds good to me! - AND pretty lights! Bonus!

Well, I've owned two SVP preamps - which the SVT4 Pro shares with the mighty SVT2 Pro (which I have also owned) and think they sound great! I've not used the SVT 4 myself, ut I can't imagine it would sound too much different to the SVP with a power amp. Stag has just gotten an SVT5 Pro and have to say that sounded impressive, so all round - I like 'em!

[quote name='walbassist' post='833173' date='May 10 2010, 04:06 PM']Well, I sold out in the end and picked up one of the new Peavey IPR1600 amps. (image lifted off Talkbass) It's a bit bling, but it is light (7lbs), plenty powerful enough for my needs, and very loud![/quote] I think, in the light of the responses read above - you made the right choice! - Tombboy sold me one of his Peavey power amps recently and have to say, I'm really impressed with it's capable output and fuctionality. I will probably use it as a spare now, as my Hartke rig has now arrived - but yeah, good on ya!