Ampeg Valve or SS?

[Shockwave]

Hey guys.

How close is the valve sound on the Hybrid Ampegs?

I would love a Ampeg SVT CL or other all valve head but finding a second hand one come up for sale seems far fetched. How close are the Tube Pre/SS powered amps? Do they get the SVT valve tone bang on? Or not quite?

I think i am very close to buy

Rob.

[rodl2005]

IMO/IME Not close at all!!! Dunno re the separate pre & pwr amp route... An All tube SVT300 power amp would be good tho ;-) I used to own a B2R(350w S.S.) sounded nice.... but NO cigar... traded that in on a SVT3PRO (450w hybrid) - a bit nicer, but NOwhere near the "AMPEG SOUND" in my books. I've not found a S.S. / or hybrid amp that DOES sound anywhere near the Ampeg tube sound... closest i've found is my Mark Bass LMII- strange I know- but with the 2 filters U can get a real old school sound-easily too!! Add a Tech 21 VT bass pedal or even a (again Tech 21)Sansamp BDDI before the LMII & U got FAR closer to the SVT tube sound than ANY S.S. or hybrid amp I've EVER heard or tried. Depending on how much volume one needs.... I grabbed a 100w Ampeg V4BH(all tube -4 x 6L6 pwr tubes) & to me this sounds almost idetical to my all tube SVTII(non-pro).
But if U ARE going the S.S. route- A VTBASS pedal in front of ANY amp will get U closer to the tube Ampeg sound than anything other than a tube Ampeg. I'd be patient & keep looking- for either a SVT-CL/AV/VR , a SVTII(pro or older 'Non-pro'. There are a LOTTA Svt's out there- one will come up 4 sale soon. otherwise I reckon you'll end up wasting $$$ - as I did- buying other amps, but really wanting THAT sound- which can only be had with the real thing. OR Bass > VTBASS pedal > S.S. amp-(the pedal IS that good- but can't give U the EXACT sound of vacuum tubes-very close tho) Asdown EVO amps were the only other amps I found came CLOSE to giving the warm sound of an all tube baby... but that aint a SVT sound either...

[doctorbass]

[quote name='rodl2005' post='561642' date='Aug 6 2009, 01:05 AM']I grabbed a 100w Ampeg V4BH(all tube -4 x 6L6 pwr tubes) & to me this sounds almost idetical to my all tube SVTII(non-pro).[/quote]

How are you getting on with the V4BH? Enough volume?

Which cabs do you use to get the most out of it, and which output valves are you using?

[rodl2005]

The V4BH is fine for volume for me. Running thru a pretty highly sensitive cab with plenty of drivers = good volume. I use a Bergantino NV610. Thru a single 15" I get a great ols sch. sound, but not heaps of headroom. I play in a pretty loud band, but we only play as loud as the acoustic drums(onstage anyway) & I can run the V4BH at "the sweet spot"- i.e. right at the point of starting to get power tube overdrive, if I play hard-I get nice OD, play soft-she's clean. I LOVE it!!! & I usually take this amp instead of my SVTII as-1. it's 1/2 the weight, 2 the SVT is THE amp for anyMORE vol. but if I know I don't NEED to be really loud out front(Or we have a F.O.H. PA system ) then the V4BH is usually the one.