Thanks for not wanking lead guitar licks with full overdrive! Great Comprehensive review! Speaking of the Grit: Even when I turn mine right down the fuzz feels kind of artificial like its “overlaid” on top of the bass tone rather than “Integrated” as it would be with an amp.
Nice one Jonny. I've got one of these and love it. It's a big bright beast. The SGT B15 section in particular is awesome. Like you I've never played through a real B15 but this unit gives great tone. There are heaps of options available, more than I need actually. But it's nice to know that cab sims and IRs are there if I need them, especially in a recording situation, whereas for live I just run the pedal as a preamp into my rig and tweak as required.
I've been using one for a few months now, and I honestly love this thing. I also don't really ever use the cab sims, so I can't really speak to them. But as an EQ/Drive pedal, this thing rocks.
Great review as always. I'm interested to know how settings that sound good at front room volume translate to the stage? We all love a "smiley face" eq at low volume, but these can result in bass players getting lost in a stage mix. Need to start showing your mids more love! Be great to see a review in a band rehearsal space.
My brother in bass I cannot recommend enough to use the OTHER loaded Ampeg cab sims using the “user” sims. It comes preloaded with 3 more Ampeg sims: 1x12, 2x10 and 2x12. Cannot explain why but the 1x12 is what makes this pedal my number one. I get such a punchy, clear bright tone with that setting as opposed to ampeg’s 4x10 or 8x10 sims which are just unusable to me with how dark, muffled and boomy they come across. Give it a whirl!
i think you can also change the user's sims with third parts to your taste. i don't have an ampeg sgt yet, i have a vt bass and a speaker simulator loaded with redwirez impulses
I spent a few years as the touring bassist for the Motown group The Miracles and a session bassist for 45 years. It was essential that I nailed the Jamerson tone exactly. Claudette Robinson was very picky about this. I used and still use the Ampeg SCR DI. I still got to try this one. I play an actual B15 and SVT Classic all the time live and in the studio. I actually don’t agree the UA Bass Rig nor Sansamp do Ampeg better than Ampeg. Definitely not the HX Stomp. It’s too digital and doesn’t have the character. I can get any of those pedals for free but I use my Ampeg pedal when I need to hit the Ampeg sound spot on with a pedal. A lot has to do with technique and set up as well.
Don't know if I agree with you there bill, the hx stomp definitely sounded better than this ampeg in the head to head. Clear as day. I've used many ampegs over the years and loved the sound, just not the reliability or weight. Modern technology has caught up, and tho ampeg has me with nostalgia, they are behind in the technology race. I use aguilar these days, and solid state I might add. Hell of a respectable resume you have I might add
A bit late to the show with this Review/Demo 😗 since the SGT-DI is out on the market for some time now. But hey, never mind, nice to remind some out there who haven't heard of it or got hold onto one of the SGT-DI unit's as yet, or have been holding back until now. In short, yeah don't hesitate just get one, no regret on my behalves so far. Bought my SGT-DI box already in April of this year, and yep, still do love it more and more by the day. 🥰 Now, I got the SGT-DI box sitting on my Pedalboard hooked up to an Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 on Pre-AMP-IN, blasting out of a PF-210HE plus PF-115HE as Stack setup, driven by the PF-500 AMP, to get the full potential with all the goodnesses capable of it. Fully Ampeg only with everything to wish for. Apart from that, the SGT-DI is an additional brick, in my instance combination with the PF-500 AMP, which has the FX Send/Return loop covered by all the original fore Ampeg Pedals. Namely, the Opto-Comp->Srambler-Overdrive-> Liquifire-Chorus->Classic-PreAMP, patched up in that order, so this can be controlled and engaged independently via Ampeg's AFS2 food-switch totally separate from the SGT-DI, but can do their magic together if wanted as well. I think the SGT-DI is quite a practical and nice addition to the larger AMP-setups. Specially for Studio use, as well as home recording and practising. Giving us a huge amount of option to try out and play around with, without the need to own any of the big-boys of the Ampeg AMP and CAB's combination. The killer feature on the SGT-DI is indeed the SVT circuit switch, absolutely love it. The IR loader is a nice addition to have, but personally not using it at all, the few preloaded CAB-Sim's are all it's needed, guess the IR option is aimed to DAW folks who do not have analogue Rack recording equipment available. Ampeg had to add the IR's option only as modern part to the SGT-DI because all the other brands out there offering their PreAMP's with it as well, so Ampeg has to show up with it to avoid being called off, lagging behind. So yes, IR's is a nice addition, but I can do without nicely.
May be good. But I believe the Revolt Bass by Two Notes crushes it. If you want that "original" Ampeg sound the sgt is better, sure. Especially because of ultra lo + hi and the eq curves they use here. If it is about having a nice tube sound with a little breakup, get a real tube like the two notes has ;-)
I don't think it's aimed at people who want loads of IRs. The first clue being that it is an analog pedal. The "interface" is analog too. No menus, no scrolling for parameters, all the controls are right there just as they are on the Venture series amps. It is only in the final output stage that digital is there, if you want it, in the form of IRs for cabs. Personally I see this as a product that alleviates the need to carry amps and cabs, beats the hell out of a plain DI - and allows me to take back some control from whoever is on the desk, it also gives me all the controls, in physical form that I have relied on for decades. I also don't think it is intended to be something that you can just kick between rigs to get a fully programmed sound. As you would with any analog rig, if you were switching cabs, you would alter the EQ on the amp. On the Ampeg it isn't just a question of picking a "scene" - I think that's what they call them in the digital world? It's about picking your rig and setting your IQ accordingly - once you have used to for a while you will know where the tones lie. I think people who use digital tend to pick their sound at home, or rehearsal space then just bring it with them, satisfied that it will sound right, but taking no account for the space they are playing in. I'm far more comfortable having all the controls accessible and readable. In practice, I tend to keep the EQ on the pedal pretty flat and rely on the EQ on my basses more, But as in real life, if I am switching to a B15 + 15" from an SVT + 8x10" it because I am changing the style and sound of what I am playing. I don't want a heavy rock EQ if I'm looking for a Motown sound. I also want to have control over my sound for all sorts of eventualities, the size of place, the acoustics, whether it is indoors or outdoors. If the rhythm guitarist breaks a string and switches from a guitar with humbuckers to single coils, I want to be able to shift into the mid frequencies that they've vacated. - for some of us the reliance on a digital preset where menus have to be accessed, and knobs don't have a stopping and starting point is too scary to contemplate. It's the difference between driving a 5-speed and a CVT
I was tempted, but it's big, it's expensive, and I would need to change the power supply on my board. I ended up with the Laney Digbeth instead and I'm very happy with it at less than half the price.
I’ve been interested in see what would happen if someone used something like Tonex to make an IR of a dual cab setup in the SVT Suite then load that into the SGTDI. I’ve seen videos of people doing captures of Neural DSP amp sims and then loading these onto their pedals for live use with great results.
Hey there. I’m going to be one of the detractors… I didn’t care for mine and ended up selling it. Just wasn’t my cup of tea. Sorry 🤷🏻♂️. But I do love and have other Ampeg items.
If the cab sim is your biggest gripe, why didn't you even try the other 3 that come pre loaded? I think a 112, 210, and 212. Weird that you used half of them and then said it was bad, the other ones are so much better. You also didn't talk about all the flexibility that you get with outputs when playing live, which is why I like this over the Sansamp which is just a baked in cab sim. I can send a line with the cab sim to FOH (XLR), a non cab sim line with the preamp / grit / compressor to the effects return or front of my amp, and/or a non effected DI line through output to FOH if he wants it. This pedal is super powerful when speaking in context of live sound.
Not sure there is much going on here that I couldn't just get from my much simplier BDDI, with the exception of maybe some of the more foul sounds that I'd not want to be emulating in the first place 🤷♂️ Whooooole lotta pocket change left with a BDDI too when you compare it to this.
What I don't get is the one knob Compressor instead of Gain. IMO It looks like an Ampeg Venture in pedal form, but while the small V3 doesn't have the comp, they all got a Gain knob! If I needed a practice worthy Ampeg thats portable, I would look elsewhere or just get a Venture Amp. A 100 bucks less for a DSM & Humboldt Bass Simplifier(Ampeg-Preamp with cab-sim, Aux In and Headphone Out) and a 100 bucks more for the Venture V3.
Considering that Yamaha owns both Ampeg and Line-6… means that the SGT-DI was most likely modeled by Line-6… which means the HX Stomp can probably do not only the same… but actually WAY more than the SGT-DI. I was thinking about getting the SGT-DI for a few months but then I realized that the HX Stomp is a better bang for my buck.
I've had mine for over a year and I love it. Took me a little bit to understand what it could do but paid off when I did.
The best bass Preamp / Di i have ever used so far! It's got all i need!!
Cool pick tone in the intro.
Fyi, the SVT and B-15 sounds are only ON if you engaged the SGT.
@@IvanBassist Thanks! Yes indeed!
Thanks for not wanking lead guitar licks with full overdrive! Great Comprehensive review!
Speaking of the Grit: Even when I turn mine right down the fuzz feels kind of artificial like its “overlaid” on top of the bass tone rather than “Integrated” as it would be with an amp.
Nice one Jonny. I've got one of these and love it. It's a big bright beast. The SGT B15 section in particular is awesome. Like you I've never played through a real B15 but this unit gives great tone. There are heaps of options available, more than I need actually. But it's nice to know that cab sims and IRs are there if I need them, especially in a recording situation, whereas for live I just run the pedal as a preamp into my rig and tweak as required.
I've been using one for a few months now, and I honestly love this thing. I also don't really ever use the cab sims, so I can't really speak to them. But as an EQ/Drive pedal, this thing rocks.
Thanks for sharing this! Love the tone and those basses look gorgeous!
Great review as always. I'm interested to know how settings that sound good at front room volume translate to the stage? We all love a "smiley face" eq at low volume, but these can result in bass players getting lost in a stage mix.
Need to start showing your mids more love!
Be great to see a review in a band rehearsal space.
My brother in bass I cannot recommend enough to use the OTHER loaded Ampeg cab sims using the “user” sims. It comes preloaded with 3 more Ampeg sims: 1x12, 2x10 and 2x12. Cannot explain why but the 1x12 is what makes this pedal my number one. I get such a punchy, clear bright tone with that setting as opposed to ampeg’s 4x10 or 8x10 sims which are just unusable to me with how dark, muffled and boomy they come across. Give it a whirl!
Thanks for the recommendation!!
Yeah, I have an SGT-DI for 6 months now and settled with the 2x12. Couldn't really make the 4x10 or 8x10 work for me, but I really like the 2x12.
Bro YES, the other 3 are so good, I came here to comment the same thing. Of the other 3, the one on the top is my favorite which I think is the 210.
i think you can also change the user's sims with third parts to your taste. i don't have an ampeg sgt yet, i have a vt bass and a speaker simulator loaded with redwirez impulses
@@balbo1981 Yep, you sure can. I have the Redwirez ones loaded in my SGT
I picked a Master Effects Super 300 for my "SVT fix". I will let you know how it goes!
I spent a few years as the touring bassist for the Motown group The Miracles and a session bassist for 45 years. It was essential that I nailed the Jamerson tone exactly. Claudette Robinson was very picky about this. I used and still use the Ampeg SCR DI. I still got to try this one. I play an actual B15 and SVT Classic all the time live and in the studio. I actually don’t agree the UA Bass Rig nor Sansamp do Ampeg better than Ampeg. Definitely not the HX Stomp. It’s too digital and doesn’t have the character. I can get any of those pedals for free but I use my Ampeg pedal when I need to hit the Ampeg sound spot on with a pedal. A lot has to do with technique and set up as well.
Don't know if I agree with you there bill, the hx stomp definitely sounded better than this ampeg in the head to head. Clear as day. I've used many ampegs over the years and loved the sound, just not the reliability or weight. Modern technology has caught up, and tho ampeg has me with nostalgia, they are behind in the technology race. I use aguilar these days, and solid state I might add. Hell of a respectable resume you have I might add
A bit late to the show with this Review/Demo 😗 since the SGT-DI is out on the market for some time now.
But hey, never mind, nice to remind some out there who haven't heard of it or got hold onto one of the SGT-DI unit's as yet, or have been holding back until now.
In short, yeah don't hesitate just get one, no regret on my behalves so far.
Bought my SGT-DI box already in April of this year, and yep, still do love it more and more by the day. 🥰
Now, I got the SGT-DI box sitting on my Pedalboard hooked up to an Ampeg Portaflex PF-500 on Pre-AMP-IN, blasting out of a PF-210HE plus PF-115HE as Stack setup, driven by the PF-500 AMP, to get the full potential with all the goodnesses capable of it.
Fully Ampeg only with everything to wish for.
Apart from that, the SGT-DI is an additional brick, in my instance combination with the PF-500 AMP, which has the FX Send/Return loop covered by all the original fore Ampeg Pedals.
Namely, the Opto-Comp->Srambler-Overdrive-> Liquifire-Chorus->Classic-PreAMP, patched up in that order, so this can be controlled and engaged independently via Ampeg's AFS2 food-switch totally separate from the SGT-DI, but can do their magic together if wanted as well.
I think the SGT-DI is quite a practical and nice addition to the larger AMP-setups. Specially for Studio use, as well as home recording and practising. Giving us a huge amount of option to try out and play around with, without the need to own any of the big-boys of the Ampeg AMP and CAB's combination.
The killer feature on the SGT-DI is indeed the SVT circuit switch, absolutely love it.
The IR loader is a nice addition to have, but personally not using it at all, the few preloaded CAB-Sim's are all it's needed, guess the IR option is aimed to DAW folks who do not have analogue Rack recording equipment available. Ampeg had to add the IR's option only as modern part to the SGT-DI because all the other brands out there offering their PreAMP's with it as well, so Ampeg has to show up with it to avoid being called off, lagging behind. So yes, IR's is a nice addition, but I can do without nicely.
@@spookycrow1 Ampeg said they wanted to send one, so here’s the review! 😉
@@JonnyDibble nothing wrong with that😀
I had the older version, the Ampeg SCR-DI, and I intend to get the newer version. I actually like this a lot.
@@irajamestech it’s definitely an upgrade from the SCR!
I love this thing
Thanks for sharing this 🎸🎶🎵
@@paultraynorbsc627 thanks for watching!
I like it, particularly the B15 but I can live with my tech 21 BDDI for SVT. I envy the headphone out.
We need a new deluxe Sansamp!
About damn time! Cool review. I've the SCR DI, this sounds better.
@@yayaegberongbe7553 defo an improvement! Thanks very much 😊
Cool review ! Have to ask …. How do you rate that Guy Pratt Betsy Bass mate? Will you be doing a review on it in the future? 🤘
May be good. But I believe the Revolt Bass by Two Notes crushes it. If you want that "original" Ampeg sound the sgt is better, sure. Especially because of ultra lo + hi and the eq curves they use here. If it is about having a nice tube sound with a little breakup, get a real tube like the two notes has ;-)
I don't think it's aimed at people who want loads of IRs. The first clue being that it is an analog pedal. The "interface" is analog too. No menus, no scrolling for parameters, all the controls are right there just as they are on the Venture series amps. It is only in the final output stage that digital is there, if you want it, in the form of IRs for cabs.
Personally I see this as a product that alleviates the need to carry amps and cabs, beats the hell out of a plain DI - and allows me to take back some control from whoever is on the desk, it also gives me all the controls, in physical form that I have relied on for decades.
I also don't think it is intended to be something that you can just kick between rigs to get a fully programmed sound.
As you would with any analog rig, if you were switching cabs, you would alter the EQ on the amp. On the Ampeg it isn't just a question of picking a "scene" - I think that's what they call them in the digital world? It's about picking your rig and setting your IQ accordingly - once you have used to for a while you will know where the tones lie.
I think people who use digital tend to pick their sound at home, or rehearsal space then just bring it with them, satisfied that it will sound right, but taking no account for the space they are playing in. I'm far more comfortable having all the controls accessible and readable. In practice, I tend to keep the EQ on the pedal pretty flat and rely on the EQ on my basses more, But as in real life, if I am switching to a B15 + 15" from an SVT + 8x10" it because I am changing the style and sound of what I am playing. I don't want a heavy rock EQ if I'm looking for a Motown sound.
I also want to have control over my sound for all sorts of eventualities, the size of place, the acoustics, whether it is indoors or outdoors. If the rhythm guitarist breaks a string and switches from a guitar with humbuckers to single coils, I want to be able to shift into the mid frequencies that they've vacated. - for some of us the reliance on a digital preset where menus have to be accessed, and knobs don't have a stopping and starting point is too scary to contemplate.
It's the difference between driving a 5-speed and a CVT
I was tempted, but it's big, it's expensive, and I would need to change the power supply on my board. I ended up with the Laney Digbeth instead and I'm very happy with it at less than half the price.
I subscribed to this channel specifically for the nob jokes 😆
Had one. Hated it.
I’ve been interested in see what would happen if someone used something like Tonex to make an IR of a dual cab setup in the SVT Suite then load that into the SGTDI. I’ve seen videos of people doing captures of Neural DSP amp sims and then loading these onto their pedals for live use with great results.
It would be a solid work around for a feature that should be added to a “SGTDI 2”.
Hey there. I’m going to be one of the detractors… I didn’t care for mine and ended up selling it. Just wasn’t my cup of tea. Sorry 🤷🏻♂️. But I do love and have other Ampeg items.
I went back to my Sansamp. Same, same but if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I always go back to Sansamp! If this wasn’t your cup of tea, check out the VT Bass!
Man, that's a lot of treble 6:35. Less mids would have been nice too. Very toppy sound.
If the cab sim is your biggest gripe, why didn't you even try the other 3 that come pre loaded? I think a 112, 210, and 212. Weird that you used half of them and then said it was bad, the other ones are so much better.
You also didn't talk about all the flexibility that you get with outputs when playing live, which is why I like this over the Sansamp which is just a baked in cab sim. I can send a line with the cab sim to FOH (XLR), a non cab sim line with the preamp / grit / compressor to the effects return or front of my amp, and/or a non effected DI line through output to FOH if he wants it.
This pedal is super powerful when speaking in context of live sound.
This is a tough choice. This or a the Samsamp BDDI V2 or VTDI
VT sounds better IMO
Not sure there is much going on here that I couldn't just get from my much simplier BDDI, with the exception of maybe some of the more foul sounds that I'd not want to be emulating in the first place 🤷♂️ Whooooole lotta pocket change left with a BDDI too when you compare it to this.
@@joek.8247 I’d recommend checking out the VT Bass!
What I don't get is the one knob Compressor instead of Gain. IMO It looks like an Ampeg Venture in pedal form, but while the small V3 doesn't have the comp, they all got a Gain knob! If I needed a practice worthy Ampeg thats portable, I would look elsewhere or just get a Venture Amp. A 100 bucks less for a DSM & Humboldt Bass Simplifier(Ampeg-Preamp with cab-sim, Aux In and Headphone Out) and a 100 bucks more for the Venture V3.
I sold this DI and got a Venture amp instead. The Venture does everything this DI does, only better.
did this give the SVT sound in a better way than the Sans AMP VT? is it worth the extra cash?
@@poikusa0207 I’ll be comparing them soon 😈
@@JonnyDibblewe need it. I think no one did yet...
Considering that Yamaha owns both Ampeg and Line-6… means that the SGT-DI was most likely modeled by Line-6… which means the HX Stomp can probably do not only the same… but actually WAY more than the SGT-DI.
I was thinking about getting the SGT-DI for a few months but then I realized that the HX Stomp is a better bang for my buck.
Not a fan, the HX Stomp sims sound better.