It's the original all-tube monster bass amp, the classic of classics!

The reissue Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head brings back in all its glory a classic big stage amp that was the choice of players in the '60s. There's no question that the SVT-CL delivers 300W (to either 2 or 4 ohms). Its tube array includes 2 - 12AX7s in the preamp, 2 - 12AU7s and a 12AX7 for drivers, and six - 6550s for power. Controls include 3 bands of tone, a 5-way mid selector, plus ultralow and high boosts. Other pro features on the Ampeg SVT-CL Bass Head include normal and padded inputs, tube protection circuitry, auto-fault mode, fan cooling, slave output jack, 4/2 ohm selector, user biasing controls, and 3-position AC polarity switch. 24"W x 11-1/2"H x 13"D. 80 lbs.

Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head Features:

• 300W tube power
• Three-band tone/five-way mid selector/low and high boosts
• Normal and padded inputs
• Tube protection circuitry
• Fan cooled
• Slave output

Emulate, schmemulate. If you want REAL tube tone, you gotta get REAL tubes. Make the investment today. You'll never regret it.

Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head

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Average of 44 User Ratings

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The Best

Posted by basser from KC on Aug 27, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: rock

I had to purchase a back up for my american made and compared it to the new vietnam version, which I've had for about 6 months now. No noticable distinction. These have always been awesome and still are. The tone is simply excellent.

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Nothing special

Posted by Bassplayer750 from NYC on Jan 18, 2009

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Touring Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Pop, etc.

I've used this amplifier on numerous occasions (both American made and newer Vietnamese models) and I could never really get the tone I wanted out of it. Believe it or not, but I liked the tone I got with the much less expensive SVT-450H more. It seems to be built pretty solidly, but as far as tone goes, it fell far short in my opinion. Ampeg customer service seems to fall short too from what I've heard. I went with Aguilar instead and I've never looked back. I'd recommend any bass player who wants quality, tone, and excellent customer care to do the same. Ampeg is not the king of bass amps anymore.

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Beautiful

Posted by Anonymous Musician from NY on Dec 21, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Punk/Reggae

My band just played a show last week opening up for someone in upstate new york, I only bring this out on special occasions and that was one of them as i hooked it up to my 8x10 cabinet it sounded crystal clear and gave the powerful sound i was looking for. My only problem with it is that it is extremely heavy but to have a sound like that, i don't mind it

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This has the sound you want

Posted by music row joe from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec 8, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Retired pro from Nashville

Reviewer's Play Style: Everything except opera

At a recent Florida outdoor festival, two stages were set up facing each other. Both had basic equipment for visiting artists. Both had SVT 8-10 cabs, but one had a Hartke amp and the other had this amp. The bands alternated from stage to stage. The difference in the bass was like night and day. This head put out the sound and the bands knew it. You could see the bass players smiling with eyes closed when using this one. Lots of different basses used over 3 days, but all using this amp sounded awesome.

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The best amp for rock and roll

Posted by ElectricAlchemy from Virginia on Nov 12, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock

Before buying the Ampeg SVT-CL I did a lot of research. There area many reviews out in the internet that give the impression that the SVT-CL is somehow inferior to the SVT-VR reissue and that it doesn't have the tone of the reissue. I believed the hype and purchased the VR - I ended up returning it and exchanging it for a CL in a few days. The VR was all growl, but the CL is simply a more versatile, prettier amp. I wish I had read a review like this when I bought the VR. If all you want to do it old school rock, then go with the VR. But if you want to play jazz, funk, pop as well as rock, stick with the CL. It will give you all the growl you need and then more. It is a really, beautiful amp and I am very happy with my purchase. Nothing beats the sound of a tube amp.

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Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head

Read 44 Reviews

Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head

Read 45 Reviews