Tone library / Uriah Heep / Sympathy

Sympathy amp settings — Ampeg SVT Classic

The Uriah Heep guitar tone for “Sympathy”, dialed in for a Ampeg SVT Classic with a Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass. Studio version, Firefly (1977)

Original rig

Fender Precision Bass (modded with J bridge pickup) into Marshall amp stacks

Warm, thick fundamental with slight midrange growl — supportive pocket tone
Amp settings — Ampeg SVT Classic
BRIGHToff
GAIN 5 BASS 7 MID 6 TREBLE 4 REVERB 0 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain5
Bass7
Mid6
Treble4
Reverb0
Master6
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE7 VOLUME10
Why these settings

Bolder's Marshall rig was mid-forward with natural grind; the SVT's inherent midrange push covers this with mid at 6. Rolled treble to 4 prevents the Jazz Bass bridge pickup from getting too bright versus his P-bass fundamental. Bass at 7 maintains the thick low-end that anchors Hensley's organ and Box's guitar without overwhelming the mix.

PRO TIPPlay with a firm pick attack near the bridge pickup to replicate Bolder's definition and rhythmic pocket — the song lives on steady 8th-note root movement, so consistency in attack matters more than dynamics.

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