This will be the 3rd SVT I've Owned in my 60 year music journey. Love the tone as always. I'm probably going to need help, in the near future loading in and out of clubs. But that's a price I will gladly pay for the tube sound.

It doesn't matter what you're trying to do. It doesn't matter what tone you're trying to get. It doesn't matter what the price tag is. This amp is the answer for every tone/volume problem you have. It sounds amazing. It is extremely flexible for tone shaping. This is the amp you always wanted. Just buy it, skip McDonalds for a little while and get the amp that your Bass guitar deserves.

For the last couple years we've had our eyes on this particular model. It was backordered for a long time.
I've been wanting to buy this for my wife who plays bass and we were finally able to purchase. We're so glad we did! She has some boutique Class D bass heads but there is no substitute for an all tube Ampeg! The definition, feel and amount of air movement will astound you. Mated with Ampeg's 610 cabinet, it has a big sound without taking up too much stage. Our sales rep Bart Amburn has been with us every step of the way in our music business! We are very grateful for his help & guidance with all our purchases!!

You really can't say more than what has already been said about the Ampeg SVT-CL. Simply put, this is the bass tone you've been looking for. Yes it's old technology, yes it's heavy, yes it's expensive, yes it's tubes. There is a reason you see it on every stage, hear it on tons of albums, and know people who swear by it. It sounds amazing. Period. I spent years with various set ups trying to find the right sound, feel, tone, power, etc. Do yourself a favor and just start here. This will be the amp you use for life. My search is over. Ampeg SVT-CL for life!

This amp as given me everything i demand of it. The sound as been amazing. Glad I went with the full tube.

For many years I have always wanted this amp. Finally got one, and all I can say is YES! This is the sound and tone I have been chasing this whole time. Have not gigged with it yet, but will soon. It is super versatile. I play in 2 different bands and use 2 different speaker configurations and it sounds fantastic through both set ups. The one set up is the Ampeg 6x10 cab coupled with this amp. And it sounds amazing! Great pairing for that band. My other band I used this amp with a 2x12 and 1x15 cabinets and again, just a fantastic sound. Great clarity on the upper register and nice warm fat low end. Even with the effects I use, the definition and tone is simply what I have always wanted. It is heavy and I will be getting a road case for it, which I highly recommend to anyone who gigs a lot and wants to take care of their investment. So glad I finally bought this amp. Sweetwater was amazing and their customer service is top notch.

This is THE amp! The one you're looking for. It has so much room to play. If you need to switch from active to passive the two inputs make that very simple. The tones are endless!
Also, Sweetwater doesn't just sell you things they call to make sure it arrived and that I was enjoying it. Most of the guys I've talked to there are actual musicians. Thanks Dontae!

I received this amp from Sweetwater recently and it is certainly the best big name currently produced amp I've heard! Very harmonically rich, LOUD, and can be dialed in seemingly endlessly! My favorite setting is Master maxed while using the gain for volume, boost the bass, boost low mid, and add a little treble to get that high end bite!
This is seriously a great sounding amp, worth every pound and penny.
My only gripe is the lack of FX loop. Utilizing the preamp out/power amp in gave me quite a volume drop, but the amp has a lot of head room and takes pedals into the front with ease. So, no loop is really not a big deal. It performs great, sounds great, comes with a 2 year warranty from Sweetwater and 5 year from Ampeg. The customer service from Sweetwater is also top notch!
SVT is the reigning King of Bass, and I say Hail to the King, baby!

A captivating amplifier for any bassist.

This amp is absolutely amazing. The control you have over your tone with it is unbelievable. I went from a Ampeg 350 SS which I also love and have played since 99 but it is very limited. The classic really cuts through the mix.

Just purchased one...SVT 300 head and 8X10 cabinet. Unbeleivable tone and puch...after all these years I finally have the sound I have been chasing, with my Jazz bass.

It really is the epic tone!

Hey guys

Just purchased ampeg Svt Classic and reading mixed reviews on the standby switch cud u please advise on the correct way to turn on my ampeg Svt Classic cus I don't want to blow it up or ruin tubes etc

I play professionally and tour with a country artist 200 plus shows a year, and can pick any gear I would like. I tour with this very head and 810 cab because of its reliability night after night and the sound it produces. I can't afford to deal with amp issues, and in the five years I've ran the same head, I've NEVER had a single issue with it. The mid switch lets me quickly dial in the sound I want going from different basses, and there isn't anything that fills out an outdoor stage like the svt can. I love the pre amp section of this amp; keep the pre low and dime the post and you have a great full clean sound with oodles of head room, but with a full tube sound supporting it. Crank the pre for grit, and you will understand why this is a industry standard. This is not a one trick pony, it's very versatile, I can dial in a sound anywhere from a clean country sound to the crunchy Godsmack crunch (with a Spector) in a matter of seconds. I play five string basses exclusively, and the amp takes it all in stride. This amp will not need to be re tubed unless you are looking for a different sound. I've ran the factory set of tubes for over four years, only switching out when looking for a different sound. Get a good road case and this amp will last forever. Yes it's heavy, but it will last when all of the fancy boutique amps fail. One night shows are brutal on equipment. This amp has passed the test of time. It's the reason it's provided on the back line of most pro level shows I've encountered. If you are serious about playing this is the go to amp for the pros.

Contrary to what another reviewer says, tubes on an SVT-CL usually last many years before needing to be changed, even under daily use. These amps are extremely well made, built to last a lifetime, and while heavy are worth their weight for the tone they produce compared to micro amps. Lots of great bass amp products out there, and I'm a big fan of Mesa Boogie, Genz Benz and others, but the warm tone and note "bloom" produced by an all tube SVT-CL is why it continues to be my first choice. If you can afford it get it. Even better, get the Heritage.

TUBES NEED TO BE CHANGED EVERY YEAR. AT A COST OF $400.
FOR AN AMP THAT COST SO MUCH MONEY YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD LAST LONGE. IT'S KILLING ME.
ON ANOTHER NOTE GREAT SOUND.

I've been playing bass for 52 years (started young) and I came back to the best. I started with An Ampeg B15 ( the best bass amp then). I've had many, many amps and many, many basses including the 300W Classic w/ 2- 8x10's and a Fender Jazz. I'm now back to to what I started with, a SVT Classic w/ 1-8x10 and a Fender Jazz. You can't beat the SVT unit. You'll get any sound you need and it's NOT WIMPY.

This head is fabulous. Deep bass that's not distorted or boomy, warm, rich mids, and highs that don't drop out, yet aren't glassy and thin. I coupled this with an Aguilar DB 410, and it's the best rig I've ever owned. The head is pricey, but the tone is worth it.

I'll start off by saying that I've owned this amp for about 7 years, and I play it at every practice and at every show. This is a phenomenal amplifier, and it's a classic for a reason. The tone that this unit provides has thick, deep lows, clear highs, and a gutsy midrange. If you're looking for that old-school Ampeg growl you will definitely find it here.

The problem is, that's about the only tone you WILL find here. The sound you get from this amp is fantastic, and it will fit right in with any genre. But that one tone is all you get. The knobs on the amp help you dial that wonderful tone in, but you're not going to turn a few knobs and say "Wow, this setting sounds completely different!" The only way to get a really different character out of this amp is to change the tubes. I switched in a set of sovteks that had a nice, clear, open, sound and then slapped in a set of JJ's which had a whole lot more of that growl that I bought this amp for.

The other negative aspect of this amp head is the weight. It is HEAVY! I pair my CL with an Ampeg 6x10 cab, and the head is HEAVIER THAN THE CAB! At least it feels that way. I'm not a small guy so I can deal with lugging this beast around bars, up and down stairs and such. But it's definitely something to consider before you purchase. How much is earth-shattering tone worth to you?