Gear Review: Ad Patres bassist Arnaud Pecoste on his Ampeg SVT Classic Amp

Arnaud Pecoste, bassist for the French death metal act Ad Patres, spoke with me recently about his favorite piece of gear – his Ampeg SVT Classic Amp. The band has just completed work on their newest effort Scorn Aesthetics; a crushing, riff-filled monster of a disc and Pecoste sat down to chat about the amp he used while recording. Here’s what he had to say.

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Arnaud: My Ampeg SVT Classic amp. Lots of bottom, lots of clarity, lots of dynamics and lots of power!

What about it makes it so important to you?
Arnaud: It’s very important to me because I’m absolutely not into geeky bass equipment: I only have a bass, a compression and my amp. You don’t have many things to plug, many switches, many buttons. No graphical or complex EQ, no rack. All you need is a singer to help you carry it. Just plug your bass, switch it on and ROCK ON! I like it because I love things to be simple and direct; efficient.

What are the major pros and cons?
Arnaud: Cons: its weight (nearly 50kg). Pros: everything else!

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Arnaud: I have it for 3 years now. I sometimes trade it for a smaller (and lighter) Ampeg head for gigs in small venues.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Arnaud: Dear Mr. Ampeg, please endorse me!!! (and send me a Heritage version).

Check out the ‘Scorn Aesthetics’ album promo