Ot: I Hate My Amp!

[RitchieDarling]

So I got this Ampeg SVT-4 Pro......

I'm running it through an SVT410HLF........

And it seems completely gutless......

I used to have an Ampeg B-2 head and it seemed to get way more volume and tone than this......

What am I doing wrong?

Ritchie

 

[Dr Stankface]

You're doing nothing wrong.

Now go get you some GK or MarkBass gear.

 

[Big Poppa]

your not playing the amps that are so perfectly matched for our stuff....Mark Bass

 

[oddjob]

You're doing nothing wrong.

Now go get you some GK or MarkBass gear.

+1 (and what BP said - but I have GK stuff so 'nuff said)

 

[MingusBASS]

Ok do you want the good news or the bad news?

Ok good news first. We live in a time where there has never been so much great bass gear. Oh one more thing...MarkBass.

The bad news: The 4 pro is notoriously overrated in power. I had one a couple years ago and it's "1200 watts" wasn't as loud as my Ashdown's 575 watts. I mono bridged it, I tried different cabs, I did everything and it still had no balls and for a $1300 head there's no excuse for that. Another thing that sucks is that the market is completely flooded with used 4 pros so you'll most likely take a huge hit if you try to sell it.


but you're Rich by name and wallet so have fun...

 

[adouglas]

Oh, that's easy.

You're using the wrong bass.

(adouglas checks Ritchie's sig to see what he DOESN'T own)

You need an SR5.
Oh, and an H Bongo.

(adouglas runs and hides before Ritchie can throw anything at him)

 

[roburado]

If my local GCs and Mom & Pops don't have MarkBass, from whom should I buy?

 

[SLUGGO]

Ritchie, I had the exact same set up. So I tried 2 410 HLF's.....no change, more crap! Sold the Ampeg, picked up Mesa. I am completely happy now. Power to spare, tone for days! I will say, however that the 400+ is very heavy.....12 power tubes total! I am not looking forward to my first re-tube. But IMHO it is worth it. I have yet to try the Mark, but reeeeaaaally want to!

 

[EBMM7181]

So I got this Ampeg SVT-4 Pro......

I'm running it through an SVT410HLF........

And it seems completely gutless......

I used to have an Ampeg B-2 head and it seemed to get way more volume and tone than this......

What am I doing wrong?

Ritchie

Ritchie,
I've told you several times on iChat, but I'll go ahead and say it here, in front of everyone. Get rid of that Ampeg stuff, and get you some Gallien-Krueger!!!!

 

[Paul_C]

Bongo + MarkBass = wonderful noises

P.

 

[Kirby]

You could not pay me to play Ampeg today. In my opinion they are riding on a long since dead reputation from their early heads which actually sounded pretty good. Today's stuff is sterile sounding and under powered in my opinion. For a while Crate and Ampeg shared many of the same guts if that tells you anything.

There are so many other great choices out there, have fun experimenting!

 

[azzy_wazzy]

If my local GCs and Mom & Pops don't have MarkBass, from whom should I buy?

I'm told that you can order at your local GC, and they'll ship it into your nearest store from somewhere that has them. I know Chuck did this, and I think a couple of other people have too. Maybe worth giving Chuck a PM, or giving your store a call and seeing what the ETA on an order-in would be.

 

[Randracula]

Ok Ritchie, first of all i'm pretty much a GK lifer and i'm sure you'd love the sound of EBMM +GK but I want to help you with your setup that you have now.. I used to have a B2R and it was pretty much the wimpiest amp i've ever owned so if the SVT4 @ 1200 watts is not as loud as the B2 i'm pretty sure there's something wrong.The SVT4 is a stereo amp so there should be some kind of switch on the back for Stereo/ Mono Bridged.With the 410HLF it should be set to Mono Bridged.The SVT4 also has a crossover(I think) so make sure it's not set to bi-amp and your not just getting either the lows or highs to your one cab(which is what it sounds like to me).If that doesn't work check your preamp tubes and speaker cable .Hope that helps

 

[rhythmCity944]

the SVT410HLF is not a bad cab...i have one and i think it is killer (one of the best cabs i've ever played through)...but you need to run a 15" speaker with that cab as well for the full tone which will give you a thick bottom with good high end and ability to cut through the mix...a rather rounded tone

i don't like graphic eq on anything dealing with bass...parametric eq is where it is at...the Ampeg SVT-6 Pro is a great little amp for live performance

I have played through MARKBASS stuff and that is killer...i just can't stand to look at that yellow...i've been thinking of buying one of those little combo amps they make...after fixing the A/C in my old 944...summers in georgia can be a killer

 

[syciprider]

Check your Speakon cable connection.

You need it to be 1 (+) and 2(-).

Check the Neutrik website for guidance.

 

[Vanni]

Are you using the right speakon cable?
If you go with the mono bridged, you have to use a dedicated cable, not a normal speackon one...
check on the user manual!
... and stay away from the ultra low switch!

Ciao

Vanni

 

[RitchieDarling]

your not playing the amps that are so perfectly matched for our stuff....Mark Bass

I would love to try MarkBass.... If I could find it....

Then again, I haven't been to GC in a couple months... They may have some by now...

Ritchie

 

[RitchieDarling]

Oh, that's easy.
You're using the wrong bass.
(adouglas checks Ritchie's sig to see what he DOESN'T own)
You need an SR5. Oh, and an H Bongo.
(adouglas runs and hides before Ritchie can throw anything at him)

Bongo HH on the way!

Ritchie

 

[RitchieDarling]

Ok do you want the good news or the bad news?
Ok good news first. We live in a time where there has never been so much great bass gear. Oh one more thing...MarkBass.The bad news: The 4 pro is notoriously overrated in power. I had one a couple years ago and it's "1200 watts" wasn't as loud as my Ashdown's 575 watts. I mono bridged it, I tried different cabs, I did everything and it still had no balls and for a $1300 head there's no excuse for that. Another thing that sucks is that the market is completely flooded with used 4 pros so you'll most likely take a huge hit if you try to sell it.but you're Rich by name and wallet so have fun...

Yeah, I know what you're saying. There are 5 or 6 of the things at my local guitar shop.
I was thinking of using this one for target practice!

Ritchie

 

[RitchieDarling]

Are you using the right speakon cable?
If you go with the mono bridged, you have to use a dedicated cable, not a normal speackon one... check on the user manual!... and stay away from the ultra low switch!
Ciao Vanni

I've tried both. And yes, I read the manual.....

I've never used the "ultra low" switch.....

It's just gutless.......

Ritchie