Ampeg SVT-CL Demo

[@stephensepan291]

I worked for AMPEG (1966_1969) and watched the development of the SVT. great time,great job.

[@bucknasty69]

Any cool stories you can share with us about your time working for Ampeg?

[@stephensepan291]

@@bucknasty69 Ampeg hired two engineers from Zenith. they had developed a speaker that was a tube. (speaker mounted on top and bottom) they developed a large tube speaker using 18 inch speakers.sounded great. Mr Hull came over to the show room to try it out. on the first note, speaker jumped up and took off across the floor. cancelled project.

[@stephensepan291]

@@bucknasty69 when designing the SVT, a chamber was built in the sound room(thats where I worked) the SVT chassis was put in the chamber driven by a frequency generator at full power. after about one hour the chassis exploded.power capacitors over heated and exploded. quite a shock.

[@TheBolt3366]

Don't forget to mention the 8x10 cab. Also part of the sonic equation.

[@FoamSquatch]

I have been waiting soooooo long for a good demo of these heads that are not outdated, or done by Ampeg themselves. Thank you!!!

[@darvinclement3250]

Man, I remember Bon Scott climbing on top of Cliff Williams Ampeg stack at an AC/DC concert back in the large 70's. Seeing Billy Sheehan rocking an Ampeg. You said it, the SVT is rock and roll! Great video.

[@Roberta_Esposito]

think Billy switched to hartke

[@rome8180]

I agree that this amp is the Holy Grail of bass amps. I also have to give a shoutout to the V-4B and the B-15N. Really, as long as it's Ampeg and it has tubes you can't go wrong.

[@ryanmurdoch9360]

Agreed. I have a V-4B and it sounds awesome. I'll never need another amp.

[@Muppio]

Most demos i've seen/heard the V4B sounds not great. Maybe it's because of comparing it to something like this? Wich would work best for someone who uses alot of gain on bass?

[@ryanmurdoch9360]

@@Muppio I think you should try one at your local store and see what you think. The SVT-CL is a beast but if you use a lot of gain its really loud and not ideal for playing at home. I don't think you can go wrong with any tube Ampeg though. These are not cheap amps though so I really think you should demo one a see for yourself. Hope you find one you like buddy.

[@Muppio]

@@ryanmurdoch9360 I got a Ampeg PF-500 going into a Ampeg PF-410 800w in the rehearsal space and a Darkglass Overdrive pedal, i can manage ^_^

[@ryanmurdoch9360]

@@Muppio oh nice, that's a pretty good set up indeed.

[@Groovemyster]

I'm lucky enough to have one. Love it heaps. But, things to consider if looking to buy. 1) Price of replacing tubes isn't cheap. 2) It is heavy. Not only heavy but quite awkward. Stairs are pure evil. 3) People do judge you on it. I've had to tell so many people, "don't worry, it does have a volume knob" If you can handle those things, you'll love it 🤟🤟

[@VladicD]

2:51 O mannnn, this is the sound of the bass on so many records I grew up with! Proud owner of SVT2-PRO here. Nothing beats the full tube Ampeg.

[@Slayerfan457]

I’ve got an SVT-3 PRO with a heavy duty road case. Love that thing to death. Can’t believe it was only like $400

[@mikegreenebass]

Killer demo. That tune at the end was solid.

[@joehernandez2021]

I've been the second owner of a 98 SVT-CL for the last couple years and its seriously the nicest thing I've ever owned.

[@erikarko]

This amp is just pure LOVE!

[@linadecaseleycarloss5838]

Finally - an Ampeg demo that is worth watching. Excellent. Subscribed.

[@jaxonvictoria4345]

Damn. The intro play-in was all we needed.

[@Therealchuckbailey]

Thanks!

[@stevennemeth6256]

Nothing compares to standing in front of an SVT-CL and 8 x 10 cab and just playing. You get lost in the sonic clarity and amazing tone. While this video does a nice job of demonstrating the versatility, you simply have to play one, and you’ll never plug into any other bass amp again! It’s a classic for a very good reason!

[@NEWWAVE27]

Industry standard and never had a problem getting a good sound with plug and play, but the Ampeg SVT II may be the most slept on Tube head along with the Sunn (rebranded to Fender) 300t. Love the channel, this was fun!

[@Rooniman]

Ampeg is love, Ampeg is life.

[@grisbain]

No demo of the gain knob?? That’s all I wanted to hear. I know there was a full gain clip over metal background music. But it would have been logical to give the knob a spin when you were showing the tone circuit.

[@jesuguru2394]

Often imitated, never duplicated!

[@heinrich5098]

I waited way to long for this. Thank you guys!

[@artkemberling7764]

The gold standard in amplification!

[@thetardisneedsamot]

Jason Newsted used an SVT on the black album, that was literally the best rock/metal bass tone ever!

[@kitoraaa]

@bflo1000 Cliff used SUNN heads with mesa cabs. During Master of Puppets he used an ibanez 1500hd on top of that.

[@kitoraaa]

@bflo1000 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZTFkGxvgbx-pK8 This video explains them a bit more than I can

[@clydearmstrong6378]

I love the Black Album !!

[@Farewelltokingz]

@@kitoraaaCliff used MB heads. 2 d180s. Also Ampeg in 1984.

[@actionfigureplus]

Amazing head! I got one myself and what can I say that this awesome review has not? It crushes all in it's path, if that is the objective and splits them raging over confident Mesa/Marshall 412 guitar rigs in half. Make no mistake, this amp was designed to CRUSH and make bass players the world over, actually heard in the bands they played in, when it debuted decades ago and moving forward.

[@57precision]

Is it possible to get gain without blowing out your windows? Or does the amp have to be turned up?

[@nategin9009]

Funny how in the first bass playing segment you can see a GK RB plugged in and powered on, hooked up to a GK cab lol

[@sooperflat]

Sounds awesome! I tried one in the store and wasn't impressed, but this is it!!!

[@DeathCAPTsukinose]

I use this amp in Amplitude as the SVX CL, this amp is the crown jewel.

[@ChristosBassCovers]

By the way... Been playing 40 years. I have an SVT Classic head with a 410 cabinet. Everything. you said is spot on. Can't beat this amp.

[@armignac]

Ive got a svt cl and dont regret buying one. Its even stable in price as I can sell my used one for more than I bought it for. That should show just how good it is

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome video. \m/ I’m personally a gallien-Krueger and hartke kind of guy, but ampeg amplifiers sounds phenomenal and are indeed a classic. Plus I’ve noticed that nick is playing a teisco bass. Those basses looked pretty cool. Also that bass josh played looks radical. The pick guard on it looks killer. Other than that, the ampeg sounded pretty cool with a jazz bass, a string ray bass, and a Spector bass.

[@alexskibicki2262]

That rig sounds like killer combo. And yeah orange amps are phenomenal. Both Their Guitar and bass amps are a real surprise for me. They sounded warm, rich, and heavy.

[@PointingLasersAtAircraft]

@@alexskibicki2262 My doppelganger is into amps? Sounds about right.

[@alexskibicki2262]

I’ve just noticed our last names rhyme. What are the odds in that when I meet someone who’s last name rhymed with mine. Lol anywho, I do like amps. My personal favorites has always been gallien-Krueger and hartke.

[@cbvinyard8778]

I had the incredible opportunity of getting an SVT-CL when I was 17. I was pushing that thing around Boston on a 410he at the wrong impedance and it still smacked every gig I played with it. Had one bassist from another band come up to me during setup at a gig in a small bar and said to me: "Don't you think that's a bit like bringing a ferrari to a dirt bike track?" Told him, "Sorry brother, I'm not interested in other amps." He had brought a rack with a 1001rb and a compressor on a 115. Sounded like clicky compressed poop. Bartender told me at the end of the night I was one of the best sounding bassists he'd had in there in weeks and thanked me for it. The very next gig I'm hauling my svt up a flight of stairs at a brewery, huffin' and a puffin' all red in the face, and one of the people who was just there to eat yells out "HELL YEAH I GET TO HEAR SOME AMPEG TONIGHT!" Years later when I finally had an 8x10 I brought it to long hall shaped bar with great acoustics and a fantastic soundman. We made some $$$ that night and it was complements of the bass sound from everyone yadda yadda yadda. Standard fare when you bring an svt to the gig. Things like this do not happen when you don't have an svt. The general public will quite literally will thank you for bringing it. I've been rocking mine for 11 years now and I still haven't found any amp I'd rather own. I've had to change the sextet of power tubes twice (I've had three tubes go out, replaced a trio the first time, the second trio the next time, then all 6 the third time) but that's after letting it get tossed in and out of vehicles and going on hours long rides standing on its side etc. It was always because I had knocked loose the filament in one of the tubes. I deserved it and I was willing to pay the price to keep it working. I like the sovtek power tubes and I get em from thetubestore.com. I picked up a PB250 when I joined a band that went direct with IEM and while I have no complaints with the pb250 as a small SS head for what it is, it sucked. The crowd was happy but I was miserable every night. No one ever complemented the bass tone at any of those gigs. It was always "thanks for not being so loud." Which is fine, we always got call backs. But not one bartender at any gig I ever brought the SVT to ever complained about volume. They just appreciated the tone. If you can afford one, and you're able to carry it, and you have the vehicle to transport it, you really should get one. Lotta check marks on that list I know, but every other amp is a compromise imo. Oh and don't use the Trans Balanced Out. You have to crank the amp louder than you'd ever need to in order to get a decent signal going to the board. By the time you've added the amount of Mic Preamp Gain you'd need to get it through the house, you've introduced tons of noise from the mic preamp. Just mic it. It's an SVT. How many times have you thought to yourself, "DI's fine. Maybe if it was an SVT it would be worth mic'ing.." A mic'd SVT blended with the direct box is the sound you want in the studio and you know it.

[@JeserNoob]

Finally someone makes a solid svt video

[@PedroRodriguez-bw6fb]

Ampeg SVT classic with a Spector or music man 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@danielroos5426]

Brilliant video. Long overdue for sure.

[@t.j.meechan682]

That's the tone right there!

[@keithclayton1271]

Incredible demo. Thanks so much for this.

[@patrickhunter]

Forever the T H I C C E S T

[@joshbeast8599]

Why thank you!!🤗

[@markwinchester3005]

Chris Caccamise just got a new fan. The Ampeg really delivered for him

[@johndelong9230]

Back in 70 had the SVT with 2x15 with power cabinet. No ear plugs back then, today "say what"? Thanks Ampeg..😜

[@joehernandez2021]

That finger style metal playing was nasty

[@Theweeze100]

Played one back in the 80s Another one in the 90s because I couldn’t get away from the tone… Here it is 2024… I don’t have a gig, these things are way too heavy for me now that I’m old… And I’m looking at getting another one.😉

[@ooinvsaoo]

gone through so many heads and pedals preamps to get to duplicate the svt sound bc i tought i couldnt afford it. what i later realized what i couldnt afford was that closet of failed experiments 😂🤣

[@smop]

Looks like Gibson basses are having a moment, seeing a lot more of them lately; and I’m all for it!

[@DropDee44]

This has always been my favourite bass amp! Such great tone man

[@leedemkiw6085]

The Ampeg STV is also the best SIM within the Fractal Audio Axe Fx2. It's all I use for recording.

[@EzyoMusic]

I remember looking for demos of the SVT and not finding much. Great job and great sounds. Cool to hear it in the variety of contexts. I guess it really does do it all.

[@andrejilievski]

Video idea: Which bass di pedal sounds the closest to a cranked SVT?

[@rockascreen1109]

SansAmp Bass DI.

[@vincgordo5861]

normally, DI aren't there to simulate something. they are just here to put a correct signal /impedance from source to console.

[@rockascreen1109]

@@vincgordo5861 You are absolutely correct.Despite the Tech21 called it Bass DI it is acutally amp simulator,drive and DI all into one unit.Cheers

[@trailblazeratv6306]

Grizzly Bass is awesome

[@stevennemeth6256]

I’d think the Ampeg SCR-DI has an advantage of sounding like an Ampeg.

[@ricardojmestre]

I could recognize Josh immediately

[@seanreyes5126]

Can we get more ampeg reviews!? Great video btw. 😎👍

[@limegreenthecolor]

I own a Ampeg SVT Cl Heritage and have significant playing time on both a 300w all tube Fender SB and Aguilar DB 751. Both the Fender and Aguilar are great amps. The overdrive on the Fender is the best of the 3. But if I had to choose one, it would have to be the Ampeg. There is just something about the Ampeg sound. The engineers lucked out onto the best bass sound ever, in my opinion.

[@jamescoderre9595]

It's the ultimate bass amp of bass amps, case closed. 😃👍that being said the Orange AD 200 MK 3 would be my 2nd fave bass amp IMO.

[@bucknasty69]

If you like the AD200, check out the Matamp GT200. It’s very similar and better made. The power tube sockets aren’t soldered to the circuit board, so if one goes down the whole amp isn’t fragged.

[@jamescoderre9595]

@bucknasty69 Thanks. I will definitely check it out

[@MrAlecksTv]

Hammer of the Gods. Once you've played through the CL though an 810 everything else pails in comparison

[@johnhareiel5118]

Driving to Georgia Thursday to pickup a Ampeg 8x10 cab! I already got amps for it- Ampeg SVT Classc, Ampeg SVT 4 PRO, and a GK800RB

[@klaymeister]

Frequency 4 or 5 boosted way up sounds great

[@pablomontes5289]

The Ampeg SVT Classic is the gold standard of bass amps!!!

[@coreyu4590]

GREAT PLAYING JAMIE!!!

[@chrisdufexis3604]

wow this amp kicks ass !!!! i love it !!!

[@Lodderknecht]

Now we're talking! 🙂 ✌️

[@gpwk1]

Hi, Thank you very much vor the presentation, she is very good, this Amp Sound is the Killer !!! Thank you very much.

[@roadbull1]

Best amp ever.

[@blankvrs]

Sweet Christmas that's nice! What bass is being played at 7:35?

[@TonyPuleo1]

Nice job Chuck and crew...

[@Therealchuckbailey]

Thanks man!

[@DanielYance]

Si me ponen a escoger, me quedo con Ampeg para toda la vida

[@warwicker22]

I was going to buy one of these back when they were still made in the US. I really wish I had.

[@limegreenthecolor]

The SVT CL Heritage is made in the USA.

[@Mattseak]

Holy fuck that metal sample tone :O

[@GODenWord]

Ampeh SVT Classic probably was my favoryt bass amp but resently i found Ampeg FlipTop amp and now i think it is my favoryt amp!!! :)

[@MungasaurusBravo69420]

5:00 Trivium - Into the Mouth of Hell We March Nice Choice

[@dysonmodica9302]

Love me some trivium

[@JayVeeVicencio]

nah, its Torn Between Scylla And Charybdis

[@wellsca86]

Omg I'm in love 😍😍😍

[@RealEstateChris56]

I had a 90s SVT Classic I played from 2002-2006. I would get compliments on my tone at gigs which was cool. But I got tired of lugging it around so I sold it for a Thunderfunk 750.

[@RTOutdoors]

I always look forward to gigs where I can use the SVT.

[@mrpositronia]

It's a shame we didn't get to hear the gain on full. I know Ampegs sound great when pushed.

[@peinmilan]

2:52 Looks like gain is on full here...

[@rinok9662]

2:50 , that was KILLER

[@TromboneSauce]

oh my god i love the tone from the Chris Caccamise clip at the end. Kinda reminds me of Paz's tone from Thirteenth Step by A Perfect Circle

[@nibrocnoel3240]

If your budget is not classic friendly, then look for a used SVT 350 or a SVT 450.

[@rickbrown3426]

Ya it’s the bomb. Been lugging at least one around for 22 years. You didn’t mention the cabinet, when you do be sure and talk about the difference in the 215 and 810e and the 410hlf

[@xdoctorblindx]

With the increase in tube prices, you're looking at over $600 to retube this thing (which will need to be done every couple of years at least). Consider this before you buy one!

[@michaelb.42112]

CAUTION : Not meant for players over the age of 25. Consult your chiropractor for details.

[@nibrocnoel3240]

🤣

[@lurpnuts7817]

Do more core exercises. Also, ain’t no 26 year old out there with a chiropractor.

[@michaelb.42112]

@@lurpnuts7817 Haha good point ! When I was 26 I carried it ON my back ! JK...

[@ianstrickland5280]

odd as old as this amp is, theres like no good youtube videos on it until now

[@edwardhunga4488]

Great review guys! Love the SVT!! What is that song that Chris is playing at the end of the video?

[@GODenWord]

I really like all tube bass amps!!! It is sad that noit many manufactors make all tube bass amps!!!!

[@Bigscott4130]

The SVT is the benchmark. Any thing else is just an attempt to improve on that benchmark.

[@TSayfullin]

Hi friend, thank you for an awesome review. Have you ever had a chance to use it with Ampeg 410hlf speaker? I want to build a setup like that but can’t decide whether it’s gonna be loud enough. I know many go for 810E or 810 and have a happy life with it but it’s just too big for my situation.

[@bucknasty69]

I play my SVT CL through a 4x10 and it’s plenty loud playing with two guitar players and a drummer.

[@johnnhello4913]

There are no videos of the ampeg B-40. I have one and I want to know if there can be any potential videos of it

[@fearpocalypse8062]

Now do the Mesa 400+

[@Therealchuckbailey]

Would love to! Someone tell Mesa to hit us up!

[@zillamata4720]

10:11 is that new lunar satan 👀

[@basspenpen]

Just love 6:52 so much that you have an orange amp in the back. lol

[@gpasc]

amazing speech

[@sleepingturtle8888]

The warm thumpy tones are my favorite. The bright, nasally, aggressive tones sounded harsh and obnoxious to me. Great variety all around. This is my only tube amp for life. I wish the industry would return to making Analog Solid State amps again.

[@brandonmalone1893]

Have you reviewed the bassman 100t?

[@mrwagner01]

How does this not have 666 likes?

[@maxkilluminati8278]

I like the bass sound of Chris Caccamise what kind of bass guitar is he playing?

[@maxkilluminati8278]

Dingwall D-ROC …

[@maximelavoie717]

Can someone help me find the title of the song at 10:10 Nice video btw I absolutely love this amp!

[@TheBassChannel]

That track will be officially released later this summer. Lunar Satan - Lord of the Vampires

[@maximelavoie717]

@@TheBassChannel I'll be looking forward to it! Thanks!

[@GodsTruthMinistries]

Great that you're doing the video on the Ampeg... but playing in front of the mic'd up Orange stack?

[@Therealchuckbailey]

I mean…. It’s a guitar amp and cab tho…. Not bass related and it’s a studio so…. Background is what it is 😬🤷🏻‍♂️😉

[@northfortyrecords]

Great video

[@toneshack]

please do a review on ampeg svt 2-pro! would love to!

[@joekennick71]

I would love to hear an Ovation Magnum II through one of these

[@jerryhubbard4461]

Ampeg makes the hard hitting bass amps. But Kustom makes the smooth low tones that travel.

[@Mordred478]

Ampeg rules but DAMN is it expensive!

[@alextruf]

what else was used (pedals?) in getting the tone that is right in the beginning (RATM - "Killing in the name" theme)? Thanks a lot

[@TheBassChannel]

Nothing. Just the G3 and the SVT. Actually, no additional pedals or effects were used at all in this video.

[@alextruf]

Good pickups on that bass guitar ;-) thanks

[@courtneygillespie1187]

These are really good 🤔

[@FEAROWNAGE]

The second to last guy had this Geezer Butler kinda sound.

[@shawnalove5050]

Great video! But you never said what cabinet you were using! I think that's a little important!

[@TheBassChannel]

Thank you. We mentioned that we were blending the DI with the 810 and Shure Beta 52.

[@JM-gf2iv]

Can someone please tell me what brand bass Chris Caccamasie was playing?

[@TheBassChannel]

Dingwall D-ROC

[@JM-gf2iv]

@@TheBassChannel thank you!

[@SoMDHarleyRider]

I have two!