i was recording the other day at a studio in a local university, and i waws going direct through my svt3-pro, with my stingray5 fretless. i was just wondering, am i getting the sound of the preamp of the bass or the preamp of the amp?

The answer is: both.

Your bass has a preamp and your bass also has a preamp. When you take the line out of your head, the signal has already been sculpted by both of these preamps.

well, what i meant to ask, is the preamp on the svt3-pro shaping my tone at all, or is it acting as just a direct out?

i also set the amp for pre-eq.

If that helps any.....

Whoa...I meant to say your bas has a preamp, as does your amp. Sorry to confuse.

I've got a printout of the manual here...
Looks like the knobs affect your tone, but not the EQ sliders, since you have the button on pre-EQ.