Ampeg SVT II pro EQ settings help/tips (Alternative Rock/Metal)

DeadbeatLine

DeadbeatLine

Nov 13, 2013
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#1
Hi guys, a few days ago I acquired myself an SVT II pro and Ampeg 410HLF cab. I've been interested in ampeg for years and after saving hard finally managed to pick up a rig. This is my first tube amp (My old amp which I still have is a Fender v3 Rumble 500, which I got a great sound out of) that I have owned as I was interested in trying out a tube amp and noticed a lot of my favourite players often played Ampeg.

I found it easy to EQ a tone I like on my Rumble, but can't quite seem to nail it on the SVT. I play a Squier Vintage modified jazz (which I have modified to put a Seymour Duncan PJ Quarter pounder set in) and a Fender Blacktop Jazz primarily and both using Rotosound Swing 66's. I mostly play Alternative Rock/Grunge/Metal and go for a rather 'grindy' sound and often distort it for sections in songs using a Boss ODB-3 and/or a Deluxe Big Muff which I have great results with.

Examples of the kind of sounds I go for:

'Stone' by Alice in Chains


'Face Full of Scars' by Lower Than Atlantis


'Mona Lisa' by Dinosaur Pile Up (From 2:27)


Any tips or suggestions? I usually seem to slightly boost bass, generally cut low mids somewhat, boost high mids, and adjust treble to taste and string condition.

Thanks!
 
#2
Forgot to mention, I was originally looking at getting a SVT-CL but decided to go with the II Pro as I heard theyre essentially very similar but the II Pro has the much more useful graphic EQ. If I went the other way would this have changed much?
 
#5
DeadbeatLine said:
The other obvious option is swapping to a 410HE. Cant really lug around an 810 easily as much as id love it. Do you reckon that would help?
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If you're going with a small cab with the SVT, I would go with the SVT-212. The 410HE is 8 ohms, while the SVT is for 4 or 2 ohms. You can run an SVT at 8 ohms, and it will probably be fine, but it really wants to see 4 or 2.
 
#8
Sartori said:
More high mids, for those grindy tones.
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I generally do somewhat, and also somewhat cut low mids (300-500hz roughly), but seem to realise that's almost regarded as blasphemy around here haha. Could it possibly be down to choice of tubes? I believe the guy I bought it off told me they're Electro Harmonix tubes, but I could be mistaken. I also wonder if its because I've thus far yet to gig with it and i'm wondering if it wouldn't be cranked enough at bedroom level to produce the type of sound I want.
 
#9
DeadbeatLine said:
I generally do somewhat, and also somewhat cut low mids (300-500hz roughly), but seem to realise that's almost regarded as blasphemy around here haha. Could it possibly be down to choice of tubes? I believe the guy I bought it off told me they're Electro Harmonix tubes, but I could be mistaken. I also wonder if its because I've thus far yet to gig with it and i'm wondering if it wouldn't be cranked enough at bedroom level to produce the type of sound I want.
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Because cutting low mids get you lost in the mix. You don't want to be competing in the same frequencies as the kick drum, you want to be sitting above it. Especially considering that the 410HLF you're using already is very quiet in the low mids.

It probably won't be cranked enough at bedroom level to really open up. Try using the tube drive on the 2pro, though.
 
#10
Interesting. This may be a ridiculous idea (as I said i'm completely new to tube amps, don't hate me) but if I had the master on full and used the gain essentially as volume, would this provide nice power tube distortion? I find the drive feature on this sounds a bit ratty and thin. Also, a seperate question that came to mind, the Graphic EQ on the SVT II PRO seems to run alongside the regular EQ when engaged. Surely if you wanted a 'seperate sound' this is a fairly pointless feature as it just adds another EQ on top of your existing one?
 
#11
DeadbeatLine said:
Interesting. This may be a ridiculous idea (as I said i'm completely new to tube amps, don't hate me) but if I had the master on full and used the gain essentially as volume, would this provide nice power tube distortion? I find the drive feature on this sounds a bit ratty and thin. Also, a seperate question that came to mind, the Graphic EQ on the SVT II PRO seems to run alongside the regular EQ when engaged. Surely if you wanted a 'seperate sound' this is a fairly pointless feature as it just adds another EQ on top of your existing one?
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That's not the intent really of the graphic EQ, though you can operate it for a very different sound from the standard. It's really for adjusting more precisely to the room. It can also be used as a boost.

As for using the gain as your volume... you can do this, but diming the master isn't going to give you power tube overdrive unless the gain is also set fairly high. It will give you maximum clean headroom, though.
 
#12
Sartori said:
That's not the intent really of the graphic EQ, though you can operate it for a very different sound from the standard. It's really for adjusting more precisely to the room. It can also be used as a boost.

As for using the gain as your volume... you can do this, but diming the master isn't going to give you power tube overdrive unless the gain is also set fairly high. It will give you maximum clean headroom, though.
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Thanks Satori. Tried this method and it may just be a placebo but I swear it all sounds richer now. Is running it in this way detrimental to tube life or amp health in general?
 
#13
That cab is mid-scooped and can get boomy quick. I recommend reducing lows slightly, bumping high mids a bit and bumping low mids a bit more. That should help you sit well in the mix. If you're losing low end when kicking on your dirt pedals, use the "dry blend" or something like the BOSS LS2 to bring in some of your original signal in order to fatten it back up.
 
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#15
DeadbeatLine said:
Thanks Satori. Tried this method and it may just be a placebo but I swear it all sounds richer now. Is running it in this way detrimental to tube life or amp health in general?
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You'll burn through tubes quicker if you dime the master and turn up the gain to where the power tubes distort. Overall amp health, however, should be OK. Your hearing, not so much, but hey, I was young once...
 
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#16
JimmyM said:
You'll burn through tubes quicker if you dime the master and turn up the gain to where the power tubes distort. Overall amp health, however, should be OK. Your hearing, not so much, but hey, I was young once...
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Thanks Jimmy! Would they burn through notably quicker or just a little? Any extra advice for my original EQ question? You seem to be the ampeg guy around here! Hahah. I know that Mike Inez from Alice in Chains uses a SVT-II Pro for his 'Stone' Bass tone, no idea how he achieved quite 'that' tone though.
 
#17
DeadbeatLine said:
Thanks Jimmy! Would they burn through notably quicker or just a little? Any extra advice for my original EQ question? You seem to be the ampeg guy around here! Hahah. I know that Mike Inez from Alice in Chains uses a SVT-II Pro for his 'Stone' Bass tone, no idea how he achieved quite 'that' tone though.
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I don't have advice other than turn knobs till it sounds good. As for tubes, the wear is proportional to the volume. A little push will wear them out a little quicker, a lot of push will wear them out a lot quicker.
 
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