Smiles

4 hours ago, Russ said:

I had a SVT-7 about 10 years ago. Great tone, super-loud, and very, very Ampeg (ie, a little bit crunchy and hairy at all volumes).

 

However, it was massively unreliable. Crapped out during the first song at a gig once (had to play the rest of the show playing through the PA). Got it fixed, sold it, and immediately bought the RM-800. I had a tour coming up and needed something that would go the distance (thankfully, the RM did!).

 

Supposedly Ampeg have now resolved the design defect that made them so unreliable, but once bitten, twice shy. Not sure I'm going to ever trust Ampeg again. 

Ok thanks again Russ yep read a lot of similar posts regarding the 7 pro , such a shame isn’t it as most people like the actual amp but the reliability let’s it down , I’ve also heard that the new ones have apparently had the problems fixed but it still makes you hesitate putting down £800 to £900 on one .

appreciate all your thoughts 

Stu 

9 hours ago, Russ said:

Hi Stuart. The RM-800 sounds like an Ashdown - a little more vintage in character than most Class D amps, slightly darker and rounder. Very loud. Lots of built-in gizmos (compressor, distortion, octaver). One of the best all-rounders I've owned, if I'm honest. Tempted to get another one (the newer Evo II version). 

 

The Mesa WD-800 is modelled after the Walkabout head from 10 years ago or so, with the same EQ section. It's got a very nice valve preamp which adds some tasty richness and a little bit of additional harmonic complexity to the tone (although it can add a lot of additional hair if you turn the input gain up high enough). Very versatile EQ with sweepable frequencies, and a great low-pass filter that helps all that power actually make it out of your speakers by rolling off the very lowest frequencies that your speakers might not be able to reproduce. Loud, but the RM-800 seems louder (despite both technically having the same output) - it clips out a little when turned right up. I think there's more usable volume with the Ashdown. 

 

I like the Mesa for the tone - very detailed and flexible. I like the Ashdown for the punch (it has lots, especially if you use the compressor). Compared to the new Trace, the Trace is cleaner, louder (1200W) and, well, sounds like a Trace, with that big wide open midrange. It's also got the dual-band compressor, which is great - turn it up high on the lows and down on the highs and you've got that Tony Levin tone right there. Maybe a bit less detailed than the Mesa, with a less versatile EQ, but if you want that Trace tone, it's got it in spades.

 

Going to give the new Gallien-Krueger Fusion 1200S a test drive soon and see how that stacks up against the others. 

That’s really useful information very much appreciated Russ 👍at the moment I’m using the Ashdown ABM evo iv 600 going through an Ampeg pro neo 410 and pro neo  210 and I’m certainly loving it , very deep punchy and loud , but interested in a class D amp so have been thinking of Ampeg svt 7 pro / Ashdown rm 800 evo ii / Mesa , have you had any experience with the Ampeg svt 7 pro 

best regards 

Stuart 

On 09/03/2022 at 22:05, Russ said:

I'd be surprised if they did, but it's certainly possible. Most of the variance of Class D amps comes from the preamp. I've had an Ashdown RM-800 and a Mesa WD-800, which I believe share almost identical power amps, but sound completely different. 

Hi Russ you’ve mentioned two amps I’m interested in there ( rm 800 wd 800 ) what are the main differences in tone and volume would you say 

best regards 

Stuart 

6 hours ago, Jazzjames said:

The SVT-7 Pro is a big boy for class D. It’s not heavy, but it’s bigger than most other class D heads. see photo. I transport mine in an ABS case and it’s probably 10kg cased. An easy one hand carry but if I need to take something in the back pack or in the bass case, my Quilter BB800 is much more portable.
 

Regarding EQ, the EQ is actually very versatile and the ultra low and ultra hi switches mean that you can drastically alter your sound from classic SVT sounds to modern fast hitting sounds in a second.  I leave the Ultra Lo engaged 100% of the time, because it just sounds right that way. The compressor works super well, too. Tonally it’s just perfect for me, and the transformer tube DI sounds a lot beefier than the DI of my Aguilar TH500 did. The Aguilar wasn’t bad in isolation, but the Ampeg’s DI sounds fantastic. I use it pre EQ if sending to engineer and using a speaker, or post EQ if using IEMs.

That’s all great info JazzJames really appreciate that thank you  , the 7pro is still definitely top of my list and I’m highly likely to make the purchase in the next few months , ideally I’ll get to try one first but no one has any in stock at the moment due mainly to the currant global supply problems I think 

best regards 

stu 

21 hours ago, BassAdder27 said:

I owned the RM800 as a backup to my ABM600 

Its a great amp although lacks the EQ adjustment of the ABM

However it’s still a great amp 

I would of loved the SVT7 Pro as deep down I love Ampeg gear but with shut down issues on a few of their class D amps I wasn’t prepared to be let down.

As I’ve said the GK Legacy and Fusion 800 are very nice amps too and they are built in the USA still 

Thanks BassAdder again appreciate your useful info , yep love the eq section of the ABM but definitely hankering after a class d as a spare or main amp , I’ve no doubt the GK’s are great amps so need to try some gear out 👍

20 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Yes the RM amps are good to have as backups to the ABM 600, tho agree they do lack the overall flexibility- not a criticism, 5 band re 9 band just won’t offer as much. But they’re good amps, I have the 500 EVO2 and wouldn’t be without it.

Thanks Lozz yep that’s one of things I like about the abm’s is they have a great eq section , I think if the rm’s had the same I would have snapped one up by now , that’s one of the concerns about the pro 7 as the eq section seems quite limited but then again it may just sound great straight of the bat , I need to try a few out if possible 

42 minutes ago, Russ said:

Nice amp. Gobs of power, versatile EQ and some nice extras. You've got to be into the "Ashdown sound" to appreciate it properly though. It's got that hint of "wooliness" that most Ashdown amps have, a bit soft around the edges.

 

I decided I wanted something a little more modern sounding, so I replaced it with the Mesa, which does the slightly squishy, valve-y sound (since it has a valve in the preamp) but can also do punch and bite.

 

I'll always recommend Ashdown stuff though, fantastic gear, and their support is excellent. 

Yep I’ve used the Ashdown ABM 600 evo iv for the last few years and it’s a lovely sounding amp which I would certainly keep hold off but quite fancy a class d for portability so that’s why I’ve been enquiring about the Ampeg 7 pro as I use Ampeg cabs and just love the thump , but certainly interested in the Ashdowm rm 800 evo ii 

thanks again 

stu 

3 hours ago, Russ said:

I've had an Ashdown Rootmaster RM-800, a Mesa Subway WD-800 and, most recently, a Trace Elliot TE-1200 since the Ampeg (still have the Mesa and the Trace), and they've all been great-sounding and bulletproof.

 

These types of high-power Class D amps have no inherent flaws that makes them unreliable, I just think Ampeg messed up with the SVT-7. Still, I'm not likely to be buying another Ampeg anytime soon. 

How did you like the Ashdown rm 800 ? that’s another amp that’s caught my eye recently 

5 hours ago, Russ said:

I had a SVT-7. Always loved the sound and power, but it crapped out in the middle of the first song on a gig and I've been soured on them ever since. 

 

I'd love to get another one, but I just simply don't trust them anymore. I'd love to be convinced otherwise. 

Thanks Russ 

11 hours ago, BassAdder27 said:

I was very tempted to buy one of these after trying the PF800 and recent owner of the V4B ( now sold )

 

Instead I purchased the GK Legacy 800 from Polar Audio on EBay ( £549 ) and it’s a really nice and powerful amp

 

Appreciate the info thanks 👍

On 13/07/2022 at 01:06, Chaosanator said:

As above, I've had one for a few years with no problems whatsoever. Great amp.

Thanks for the reply that’s great 

On 12/07/2022 at 21:41, Jazzjames said:

Have you read the 7 Pro mega thread on TB?

 

As far as I know, they are on H - -revision on the board. As long as you get one of those, you’re good.

 

I bought mine at the beginning of the pandemic, and has therefore seen relatively infrequent use, but I’ve been extremely happy with it.  Mine has only ever seen an 8 ohm load, and it hasn’t missed a beat. Sounds absolutely great (if you like the Ampeg thing, which I do), and has volume and slam to spare.

 

Mine arrived in a Yamaha branded box. Yamaha own Ampeg now, and they don’t put out gear that breaks down all the time.

Thanks JazzJames really appreciate the reply 

Hi guys does anyone know if Ampeg have fixed the problems with the 7 pro 

best regards 

Stuart 

On 10/06/2022 at 08:51, naxos10 said:

Just read the thread above this 'new joyo compressor' a mxr clone apparently, might be wort a look.

I use the Spectrocomp (it's incorporated in my Spectradrive pedal) and it is an easy to use device and as said previously it is a doddle to change the toneprints.

Thanks for the post Naxos I’ll look at that , I’ve noticed Andertons in Guildford have a Black Country customs custard factory pedal SH in store , any idea what there like 

best regards 

stu

On 07/06/2022 at 12:16, Musicman20 said:

I'd try the new Source Audio Atlas. They really do know their bass-related effects/

Thanks will look at that as well 

stuart 

On 06/06/2022 at 23:10, BassThing said:

 

Or go for the TC Hypergravity, it's a Spectracomp and more. The 4 knobs give more adjustabilty and there is a toggle switch for "spectracomp", the chosen Toneprint and "Classic" modes. It only cost me £2 more than a Spectracomp when the latter was out of stock.

Like the sound of that will certainly look into that one thanks for the help 

Stuart 

19 hours ago, BassAdder27 said:

Firstly don’t use the compressor on the ABM600 as it drops your volume and sucks tone.

I now use the MXR 87 and it works brilliantly with the ABM600 head.

 

I set mine as MXR suggest and raise the MXR output so I just hit the VU meter Red on my loudest notes.

The result is a louder amp, more definition and thump and no large peaks to worry the speakers 

 

 

That’s great information thank you , the MXR is the one I’m leaning towards after reading a 1000 reviews 😄 I’ll probably still wait to try it until the Markbass vintage 1000 arrives at the shop I’m dealing with then try both at the same time , but unfortunately delivery time on the amp is the 31st July 

thanks again 

Stuart 

4 hours ago, fretmeister said:

ease of use and none of the dip and swell volume effect that traditional compressors can suffer from.

 

Its very transparent too. No tone changes.

That’s great thanks for the info 

Stu 

4 hours ago, pete.young said:

If you're not doing a lot of slapping and popping, there shouldn't be too many high freqency peaks to catch you out. You might find that a high-pass filter such as a thumpinator will tighten up the low end and protect the speakers without the complications of getting compressors dialled in properly.

Interested in the thumpinator not heard of those before , thanks for info will look into that 

Stu 

4 hours ago, ezbass said:

Did you manage to try these out, although the weekend isn’t over yet?

Not yet as the music shop hasn’t received the Markbass head I’m trying out yet so was going to try the compressors at the same time , they’re chasing the supplier so hopefully will get along there this week or next weekend , at the moment they do have the Keeley and MXR in store but will try others as well while I’m there 

Stu 

11 hours ago, krispn said:

There’s an Aguilar DB599 for £99 and a spectracomp for less on the for sale ad’s right now which are both decent options. The 599 maybe a little more intuitive as a play and play pedal. 
 

You’ll find most folk on bc take a pint on pedals here knowing they can reload and take a chance on an unknown purchase as they can easily flip it. For many of us it’s one of the best features - access to used gear which is decent quality and good resale opportunities. And the banter of course. 

Brill thanks for info Krispn 

Stu 

6 minutes ago, garyt said:

Why do compressors bring up so many different opinions?

I have a DG Hyper Luminal, and I absolutely love it, but I’m sure I’d feel the same with any high end compressor once used to it.  
I only bought the HL to upgrade from a Boss LMB-3, but the things that stand out for me on the HL are the Blend control, the ability to tweak in the DG suite, particularly being able to have your low frequencies uncompressed, having 3 distinct compressors available, and it’s one of those compressors that doesn’t get you lost in the mix. Great pedal. 

Thanks garyt sounds like a pedal to look into , I like a lot of low end in my sound I play in a Ska / Reggae band so I’m thinking i would want the low end compressed a bit to allow me to increase volume without farting out the speakers , we’re a 9 piece band and there’s always a lot of sound on stage and often pretty loud so the whole reason for me looking into good compressors is to keep my sound tight and controlled when I have to pick the volume up a bit 

stu 

8 hours ago, fretmeister said:

I’ve had:

 

Empress

Cali76

Darkglass Super Symmetry 

MXR87

Keeley 4 knob

Keeley Compressor Pro

Marshall ED1.

 

Now I use the newish Boss BC-1X.

It’s brilliant. Very simple to use and just works without any faff.

Thanks fretmeister crikey you’ve pretty much had them all , what’s different about the Boss pedal .. sound .. ease of use ?

best regards 

stu

16 hours ago, Boodang said:

Yep, know what you mean by the download thing, it's the reason I can't get on with the latest source audio pedals. TC though do a thing where the toneprints can be downloaded by making your phone make noises like an old modem which you then hold over the pickups. Like magic the pedal gets the preset... no idea how it works but ridiculously simply. But get that it's not for everyone. 

One compressor that hasn't been mentioned yet, and one of my favs, is the Aguilar TLC. You can set the attack time and comp ratio which I find it quite useful. It needs tweeking a bit more than some other pedals to get your settings but as a result it's a bit more flexible. 

Anyway good luck at the weekend, you can't go wrong with the pedals that have mentioned so far.

Thanks Boodang really appreciate all your info , the tc does sound interesting I may be wise not to write that off , I did notice Guy Pratt has one on his pedal board so it’s clearly a pedal to look into a bit more 

best regards 

Stuart 

57 minutes ago, MartinB said:

Very happy with my Keeley Bassist - it's pretty much idiot-proof.
Worth noting that the Keeley GC-2 is almost identical to the Bassist, and the MXR M76 Studio Compressor is identical to the M87 - sometimes you can find these a bit cheaper

Thanks Martin that’s useful info 👍I’m hoping to try both the Keeley and the MXR out this weekend , both are very popular compressors and have really good reviews 

best regards 

Stu