The Ampeg SGT-DI is a bass preamp and DI pedal that Ampeg describes as giving "modern bassists an entire rig in a single stompbox." It carries an enhanced Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit featuring what the maker calls iconic Ampeg SVT and B15 voices, and it is Ampeg's latest launch in this line1. Guitar World's reviewer Nick Wells notes that with this release Ampeg is making a bold claim that the new SGT-DI gives bassists an entire rig in a single stompbox2. MusicRadar lists it at $399/£3423.
What it does for your sound
The core of the pedal is the enhanced Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit, which Ampeg pairs with two amp voicings. A Voice toggle switch gives access to the tube-like grind of Ampeg's benchmark SVT or the signature warmth of a B15, according to Guitar World's review2. Ampeg has also walked through the pedal under the banner of "The All-In-One Bass Box" on its own resources pages4.
Alongside the amp voices, the SGT-DI processes cab impulse responses (IRs, digital snapshots of a speaker cabinet's sound). It comes with six preloaded Ampeg factory cab IRs, three of which may be replaced with your own1. Cab Mode includes Ampeg Heritage B-15, Heritage SVT-410HLF and SVT-810 Squareback IRs1.
Only three of the six IR slots can be overwritten with your own IRs; the other three stay as Ampeg factory IRs1.
Owners who register their SGT-DI, or the SGT-DI Blue Line Anniversary edition, are eligible for the 75th Anniversary Free IR Pack via product registration1.
The controls
Guitar World's review runs through the panel2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Voice switch | Selects the SVT or B15 voicing2 |
| Ultra-hi and ultra-lo switches | Ampeg's classic tone-shaping switches2 |
| Stacked Volume/Compressor control | Volume with a compressor on one shaft2 |
| Stacked Grit/Level control | Drives the Super Grit Technology overdrive section2 |
| Cab selector switch | Chooses between the cab IR options2 |
| Cab Level control | Adjusts and saves the amount of cab IR sound in your signal1 |
Two footswitches sit below the panel: the left one turns the preamp on and off, and the right-hand switch activates the Super Grit Technology overdrive, each with its own LED2.
For connections, the design incorporates a 1/4-inch jack input, a thru output to run a signal to an amp, and auxiliary jack inputs, alongside the balanced XLR and 1/4-inch line outputs12.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Nick Wells gave the pedal a warm verdict, finding that "the functionality of this DI, together with the ease of use and routing options on offer, make it an excellent addition" to a rig, and describing it as ideal for serious tone lovers seeking classic Ampeg sounds2. He also notes that Ampeg has a proven record of producing high-quality amps and cabs with more than a nod towards vintage bass tones2.
The SGT-DI sits in a family of Ampeg bass pedals that grew out of the SCR-DI Bass DI, which split into separate preamp and overdrive units such as the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp. Players comparing it with other options may also find the wider field of bass pedals useful context.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Ampeg SGT-DI come with a power supply?
Yes. Guitar World's review lists the SGT-DI as running on 9V DC with a power supply included in the box, so you do not need to source one separately. As with any preamp and DI pedal of this kind, a dedicated supply is worth keeping free on your board, since the pedal also handles cab IR processing and outputs alongside its preamp and overdrive duties.
Can I load my own cab IRs into the SGT-DI?
Partly. The SGT-DI ships with six preloaded Ampeg factory cab IRs, and three of those slots may be replaced with your own IRs. On top of that, owners who register their SGT-DI, or the SGT-DI Blue Line Anniversary edition, are eligible for the 75th Anniversary Free IR Pack through product registration, which adds further Ampeg cab IRs to work with.
Does the SGT-DI have an XLR output?
Yes. Ampeg's product page lists balanced XLR and 1/4-inch line outputs, so the pedal can feed a PA or audio interface straight from the stage while also driving an amp. The design also includes a thru output to run a signal to an amp, plus auxiliary jack inputs, according to Guitar World's review.
What does the Grit control do on the SGT-DI?
Grit is stacked with the Level control as a single knob. It drives the pedal's enhanced Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit, the same section activated by the right-hand footswitch. Guitar World's review describes it as a stacked Grit/Level control, so turning it shapes how much of that Ampeg-style grind is blended into your tone.
What voices does the SGT-DI offer?
A Voice toggle switch gives access to two Ampeg voicings: the tube-like grind of the SVT or the signature warmth of the B15. Those amp voices pair with a Cab selector switch and Cab Mode, which includes Ampeg Heritage B-15, Heritage SVT-410HLF and SVT-810 Squareback IRs among the six preloaded factory cab IRs.
Sources (4)
- Ampeg | SGT-DI :: Premium Bass Preamps and DI Pedal, Ampeg
- Ampeg SGT-DI review, Guitar World, 2023-06-02
- "With a DI box and some time to learn the layout, it's a robust, reliable and ridiculously well-equipped powerhouse for the stage and studio": IK Multimedia TONEX Pedal Bass Edition review, MusicRadar, 2025-11-24
- Ampeg | Pedal Series :: Manuals and Videos, Ampeg (ampeg.com)
