2006 Ampeg SVT 3-PRO (American)

miketallica315 · #1 10-02-2010, 07:44 PM

Hello fellow bass players,
I noticed today during band rehersal that the mid-range frequency selector knob wasn't working. I played my American Deluxe Jazz V through it and my '62 RI Precision, the amp in general just didn't feel or sound right from the get go. It stays at my church (it never leaves the church) I keep it in a rack with only a rack tuner. I bought the amp new from Guitar Center in early 2006. Could it be that it needs new tubes? I am so protective of all my gear and take great care of all of my amps and basses. I am a little worried, actually a lot. Anybody ever heard of anything like this? If it helps, I also had to have the gain up so high and my master volume around 2:00 and it still wasn't very loud. Any advice as to what could be going wrong or what I can/should do? I have an insurance policy out on the majority of my gear beacuse with my finances as of now none of it could be replaced. Thanks everybody for all of your help.

Verminaard · #2 10-02-2010, 07:48 PM

get a set of jj tubes
put them in
sweet!!

JimmyM · #3 10-02-2010, 10:41 PM

what kind of cab are you playing through? where exactly was the gain set? what were your other settings? it could possibly need new tubes, but i doubt it. i think we need way more info to give you any sort of real answer. but i'll tell you...i used to have a 3 pro and ran it into an 8 ohm 410 and it would get pretty darn loud...way louder than i ever needed.

miketallica315 · #4 10-03-2010, 05:39 AM

I am playing through a 2006 (american) SVT-410HLF (8ohm). I set my gain to where I play a note and the peak light comes on then cut it back a little bit. This amplifier is always SSSOOOO loud. but during practice yesterday I couldn't get a good solid volume or tone, for example my 62 RI Precision was louder than my 2008 American Deluxe Jazz V, that is a very aggressive pre-amp. I just hope that it isn't broken, I love it so much. Since Ampeg sold their company and moved overseas, there stuff isan't as good any more for the price tag, so I would have to get a used American which you never know what it has been through.

ridgeback · #5 10-03-2010, 05:54 AM

battery in the bass maybe?

DrSmaggs · #6 10-03-2010, 06:05 AM

your mid frequency doesn't sound different unless you're boosting or cutting the mids.... if your mid knob is at 12 o'clock, try boosting that all the way and then sweep through the 1-5 frequencies and you'll hear it. if not, try changing the tubes.

DrSmaggs · #7 10-03-2010, 06:07 AM

actually let me rephrase what I said.... just to be sure...

When your midrange knob is at 12 o'clock it is not cutting or boosting anything, so you won't hear your mid tone change when you go through the 1-5 settings with your midrange frequency knob.

I hope I'm making good sense, because I'm sleepy, but wanting to be quite helpful.

Your head is a fantastic piece of gear and I'd hate to see you be frustrated with it.

bluestarbass · #8 10-03-2010, 06:12 AM

Yea sounds like battery to me too. I found the III to be not very loud, but I run 2 ampeg stacks so I need more volume than most. Your pre tubes most likely wouldn't do that, sounds more like a power issue. It wouldn't hurt to switch out the pre tubes though if they are original. The ones that come original aren't great and 4 years of decent use could be it for them.

DrSmaggs · #9 10-03-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestarbass

Yea sounds like battery to me too. I found the III to be not very loud, but I run 2 ampeg stacks so I need more volume than most. Your pre tubes most likely wouldn't do that, sounds more like a power issue. It wouldn't hurt to switch out the pre tubes though if they are original. The ones that come original aren't great and 4 years of decent use could be it for them.

are you running two 8x10s on your SVT 3 PRO... if so, you're overloading it and going too low on the ohms.

The SVT 3 pro only goes down to 4 ohms, so it's either a single 8x10 classic cab or a single 4x10 pro series which are at 4 ohms.

The SVT 4 pro is a logical choice if you like the 3 and want to go down to 2 ohms and have plenty of power.

**JayAmel** · #10 10-03-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketallica315

I am playing through a 2006 (american) SVT-410HLF (8ohm).

The SVT-410HLF is 4 ohm.

DrSmaggs · #11 10-03-2010, 06:27 AM

oh yeah.... then you're solid! I do enjoy my 4 pro over my 3 pro because of having more headroom.

Don't mind me. I'm sleepy... I'm going to sleep.

I hope the replies help with the SVT 3 pro issue.

Jerrold Tiers · #12 10-03-2010, 08:00 AM

The logical conclusion is that a solder joint in the midrange circuit has come loose..........

JimmyM · #13 10-03-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketallica315

I am playing through a 2006 (american) SVT-410HLF (8ohm). I set my gain to where I play a note and the peak light comes on then cut it back a little bit.

there's your problem. that's not a peak light. it's an input light, and it should be lit up consistently. you're not anywhere close to using your available clean power by setting it like it's a clip light. next time you play, ignore the light and use your ears, set it to the point where you can hear audible distortion, then back off slightly from there. you'll find that your gain knob will be cranked very high...close to all the way up. and you'll get a ton more available power.