SVT-450H Review

In the world of high performance bass amps, the Ampeg SVT-450H gives you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass amp in its class. And if we didn’t tell you, you’d swear the SVT-450H was a tube amplifier.

Features:	8
Sound:	7.5
Reliability:	10
Impression:	7.5
Overall rating:	6.1
Reviewer rating:	8.3
Users rating:	4
Votes:	6

overall: 10

Reviewed by: Kizashmir, on july 22, 2008

Price paid: $ 725

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: I purchased this head in the fall of 2007 so it is relatively new. This amp is the top of the line for bass heads, 450 Watts of pure power. This amp can be used for any style of music you could think of. From funk to heavy metal it will do the job perfectly. The only thing many players will consider that it is not all tube. That is not a problem since this amp features a MOSFET output which means it boosts the output signal but decreases the resistance which I immediately found impressive. Also included is one of my favorite features of any kind of amp is the on-board graphic EQ. I love to make tones and this EQ is very strong and helps shape the perfect tone. // 10

Sound: I play a Fender Precision Bass with an EMG-P and a Fender Jazz Bass V with 2 EMG-J's. I am picky sometimes about my bass tone, but this amp helps me dial in the right tone for the right recording or song. This amp is not as quiet at high volumes since it has a MOSFET output, as I explained in the "Features" section. This amp can get a very gritty distortion if the gain is cranked up, but a pedal could help for the most part. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This amp, like every other Ampeg, is built like a tank and built to last forever. I take this thing to every show I play and I have had no problems whatsoever. A benefit of the MOSFET output is that I do not have to worry about replacing tubes so it is beneficial in many ways. // 10

Impression: I play very many styles of music ranging from reggae to Slipknot-esque metal. This amp handles all of that perfectly, regardless of the cab you are driving it with. I have been playing for a good 5 years and would consider myself a tone-freak and love to build good solid tones. This amp has helped me greatly in finding my best bass tone. The on-board EQ has to be my favorite part, and I feel that it is missing nothing. I would definetly go for this head again if I lost it. // 10

overall: 6.5

Reviewed by: jamesr, on august 20, 2008

Price paid: $ 699.99

Purchased from: Musciansfriend.com

Features: This is the updated version with 450 watts vs the old 350 watts 350h model. Personally I always thought Ampeg’s wattage was way over rated. It is very quiet for 450 watts. I run it into the 410HLF 4ohm cab, so it is putting out its full power. I practice with a Peavey max 700 which puts 475 watts into a 4ohm cab, and the Peavey is much louder. It has all the standard stuff 9-band eq, limiter, effects loop, and speakon outs. This head would benefit greatly form a tube preamp. // 6

Sound: For reference I play a Fender American Deluxe Jazz 1995, and a 1999 American Precision. This is where this amp really disappoints. The sound is very clean, but also very transparent. It sounds like you are just playing into a power amp. I was going to buy the SVT-CL, but at 3x the price I decided to go with the 450h. But after gigging with this amp 4-5 times a month for the last two years I am disappointed with the sound. The preamp just seems to be an eq. I am probably going to upgrade to the CL or pro 6 soon. Plus it is always at half volume or more just to compete with my loud drummer. // 5

Reliability & Durability: It is built very nice, and looks like a Vintage SVT head. Like I said I play out with this head weekly at half volume and have no issues. It has been through rain, snow, beer, and being banged on door openings. It still looks new except some of the chrome corners are starting to rust. But it is 100% reliable. // 10

Impression: Well as far as a gigging amp it is a reliable, good looking head. But as for tone, it will leave you lost in the mix. I wouldn’t buy it again, and will probably end up selling it. I might Switch to guitar in the near future, but if I stay on bass this will be traded in on a better Ampeg. // 5

Comments

[TheFly_1990]

theres one of these at the recording studio I use, sounds damn awful, the EQ doesn't really do anything and the MOSFET feature you mentioned so much isn't that great either, as good as the name Ampeg is, I wouldn't buy this

[lorrythebassguy]

i completely disagree,
its a great amp, okay so its not the best in the ampeg range,
but its good for an SS amp.

[Revhain]

SVT's are really popular around my area, and its easy to understand why

[Your41Plague12]

I've tried this right next to the SVT Classic (which I ended up buying), and you can definitely tell the difference. There's no substitute for quality gear, but this one isn't too bad either. It's solid, but not amazing.

[sam1618]

if you have money for the SVT CL, then do it. if youre just gigging weekly in town, id say go with the 450. its not a tube head, but its not bad either. something i heard you can do that makes it sound real nice, is either a tube overdrive processor, or an overdrive peddle. havent tried either and havent really looked, but id imagine it would compliment the ss preamp pretty well.