Ampeg SVT 3 Pro - Alternatives?

[Geoff]

Im looking at buying a new amp fairly soon. The one I have at the moment just doesnt have the volume and even though I kind of like the sound, I know I can do better.

I have tried and liked the Ampeg SVT 3, but i'm wondering if anyone can make suggestions as to any alternative amps with similar sounds I could try? I am wanting to try out some of the SWR's out there, but cant find anywhere that has them. Ive also heard that Markbass are worth checking.

[charic]

In my experience ampeg and markbass are worlds apart.

Ampeg = Dirty gritty punchy full beef bass sound full of all that rock tone you know and love from ampeg

Markbass = Cut through a mix, sounds good quality but sterile to my ears. Probably a bit more suited for the sound of the bass shining through rather than colouring it with the amp.

Just my experience with the 2

[artisan]

[quote name='charic' post='286249' date='Sep 17 2008, 09:29 PM']In my experience ampeg and markbass are worlds apart.

Ampeg = Dirty gritty punchy full beef bass sound full of all that rock tone you know and love from ampeg

Markbass = Cut through a mix, sounds good quality but sterile to my ears. Probably a bit more suited for the sound of the bass shining through rather than colouring it with the amp.

Just my experience with the 2[/quote]
+1
wot 'e said


i use an svt3pro + a b410hlf cab & man am i in bass heaven.

[Veils]

Marshall VBA 400

[LowBlow]

[quote name='charic' post='286249' date='Sep 17 2008, 09:29 PM']In my experience ampeg and markbass are worlds apart.

Ampeg = Dirty gritty punchy full beef bass sound full of all that rock tone you know and love from ampeg

Markbass = Cut through a mix, sounds good quality but sterile to my ears. Probably a bit more suited for the sound of the bass shining through rather than colouring it with the amp.

Just my experience with the 2[/quote]If you want clean tones then ampeg and markbass can be quite similar IME. Markbass can't do overdrive or grit like the ampegs can.

[mike257]

The SVT-3 doesn't seem (to my ears at least) to 'dirty up' like the classic Ampeg sound, as it's a few valves short of it. Does sound great though. I'm thinking of getting something DHA to dirty mine up once money's not so tight.

[thedontcarebear]

You can come round and try my Markbass, and Zivtin's SWR is here too, which I am sure he won't mind you using either.

[rodl2005]

The 3PRO will only 'dirty' up if U turn up the EQ level ( EQ ON of course) then run the gain HI so it's red lighting all the time when hitting notes..... & even then it aint a real pretty OD!! . The Mark Bass LMII will sound similar-not dirty tho- tho she goes FAR louder!!!! I owned both, kept the LMII sold the 3pro. 3PRO is nice, but IMO the LMII is just as nice a sound, with more versatility, more headroom, lighter, cheaper, ............

[Geoff]

Cheers for the replies people!

I do prefer a cleaner tone on the whole, but recently I have been experimenting with grittying up the sound a little bit. I think i'll have to try them round at yours Fosk just to see how things sound.

[phagor]

Maybe you could get a clean amp, like the Markbass, then use a pedal for the dirtier sounds.

I've got an Epifani rig which sounds fantastic, full bodied but clean, then I use a Tech21 VT Bass for a pretty convincing range of SVT tones.

[Geoff]

That does sound like a good option. A shop near me sells a load of Markbass stuff so that can be tried out easily. I have been toying with buying some effects recently. Ive had my same setup for almost 5 years, but for some reason ive suddenly got bored of it and want to try out as much as I can!

[thedontcarebear]

Text/call/message me if you wanna try it sometime, you can bring your cab if you wanna try it via that.