Ampeg SVT 3 pro, whats the deal? - Page 2

shark561 · #21 05-15-2012, 01:42 PM

Yes. It seems backwards but the tube gain dial all the way to the LEFT is more "tuby." But I have found that turning it to the left greatly reduces volume (at least for me) as Teemuk stated.

I always used to turn the dial to the left for that tuby sound but I hated the level of volume I was getting. I felt this amp sucked. But when I figured out what I wanted, and how this amp works I found that to the right was the best for me. The amp really came alive.

Before, I was on the verge of getting rid of mine but I played a large outdoor gig this weekend with the tube gain to the right.... I got tons of volume! It sounded sweet! And I only had the amp master at around noon.

It's not a simple amp, as in plug and play, but after years of tweeking (and understanding) I finally love this amp!

RSNG · #22 05-15-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark561

Yes. It seems backwards but the tube gain dial all the way to the LEFT is more "tuby." But I have found that turning it to the left greatly reduces volume (at least for me) as Teemuk stated.

I always used to turn the dial to the left for that tuby sound but I hated the level of volume I was getting. I felt this amp sucked. But when I figured out what I wanted, and how this amp works I found that to the right was the best for me. The amp really came alive.

Before, I was on the verge of getting rid of mine but I played a large outdoor gig this weekend with the tube gain to the right.... I got tons of volume! It sounded sweet! And I only had the amp master at around noon.

It's not a simple amp, as in plug and play, but after years of tweeking (and understanding) I finally love this amp!

Thanks for the info, and encouragement.

I've had mine for quite a while, and have never been really happy. But, I have it in a rack case with a tuner, and I like the convenience and portability.

So, I guess it's time to start tweaking. I'm going to try playing with the amp master turned down a bit too. It always made sense to me to keep it all the way up, and use gain to adjust the volume. In fact, that's what the owner's manual shows for "suggested settings".

shark561 · #23 05-15-2012, 02:52 PM

Keep working at it. I felt the same as you, never really happy with it at all, until I understood it. The manual doesn't make much sense either.

As for the master volume, I start with it off. Then I increase the gain until it flashes a bit. That is also a major part of the amp function. Don't worry about the peak light flashing, its better if it does! You want it to flash about 75% of the time. Once I have this set, I then bring up the master volume until i have it where I want it. I also leave the EQ on. And if you still need more volume you can raise the far right EQ slider.

Try all these things and see if you like it. It was like night and day for me!

RSNG · #24 05-15-2012, 04:07 PM

I see now that I've never had the gain/master thing right. I'll turn on the eq too. My trusty SVT didn't have one, so I figured it's really not necessary. But, the SVT-3 is a different animal. And, you are correct; the manual doesn't make much sense.

I can't wait to try it. Thanks!

JimmyM · #25 05-15-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSNG

I see now that I've never had the gain/master thing right. I'll turn on the eq too. My trusty SVT didn't have one, so I figured it's really not necessary. But, the SVT-3 is a different animal. And, you are correct; the manual doesn't make much sense.

I can't wait to try it. Thanks!

Yep, totally disregard what you think is sensible for setting gain when it comes to the Ampeg hybrids. With some lower output basses I've used them with, I will have the gain past 3:00 and still not be able to hear distortion. Cranking the gain is key.

shark561 · #26 05-15-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSNG

I see now that I've never had the gain/master thing right. I'll turn on the eq too. My trusty SVT didn't have one, so I figured it's really not necessary. But, the SVT-3 is a different animal. And, you are correct; the manual doesn't make much sense.

I can't wait to try it. Thanks!

I have an ampeg micro vr too and it's so simple to get a good sound. But like u said the 3 pro is a different animal with all it's knobs! It takes work.

RSNG · #27 05-16-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark561

I have an ampeg micro vr too and it's so simple to get a good sound. But like u said the 3 pro is a different animal with all it's knobs! It takes work.

That micro vr looks like a very cool amp; I like simple. It seems like Ampeg could have built a simple hybrid that basically sounded like an SVT.

But, I guess they probably felt that to be competitive, the SVT-3 needed to cover a wider range of modern sounds.

bassfreakah · #28 05-16-2012, 10:10 AM

I have have a 3 pro for about 10 years. I bought it as a backup to a svt 2 pro when i was on the road with ancient harmony. Now i use it becouse i am old and the 2 pro is so so heavy. IMO the 3 pro is a great amp and sounds real close to the all tube monster. I use it with a swr one 15 cab now. At 8 ohms it is still plenty of power for club shows. The jap c9 preamp tubes sound the best to my ears. It is a fine amp and for the money i dont think u can find a better amp. And it looks so cool.

RSNG · #29 05-16-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfreakah

I have have a 3 pro for about 10 years. I bought it as a backup to a svt 2 pro when i was on the road with ancient harmony. Now i use it becouse i am old and the 2 pro is so so heavy. IMO the 3 pro is a great amp and sounds real close to the all tube monster. I use it with a swr one 15 cab now. At 8 ohms it is still plenty of power for club shows. The jap c9 preamp tubes sound the best to my ears. It is a fine amp and for the money i dont think u can find a better amp. And it looks so cool.

I'm using mine with an Ampeg BSE410HLF. My old "signature tone" was the all tube SVT with two 8 ohm 1x15 cabs with JBL E140s. This is a huge sound, that you can really feel. I have the 8x10 too, but normally didn't use it, because I couldn't move it without help.

I was advised by an amp tech to always run my SVT at 2 or 4 ohms. But, I've never considered trying the SVT-3 with one of my 8 ohm 15s. I didn't realize that was an option. I'll give it a try.

I'm an "old guy" too. The only reason I got the SVT-3 and the 4x10 was to have something that's easier to move. Otherwise, I'd still be using my "all tube monster".

Konigstiger22 · #30 05-16-2012, 11:28 AM

Love my 3!
Gain is at about 2:30-3oclock
Don't push any of the Ultra hi/lo or bright buttons
Eq it flat
Frequency at the 3 or 2
Master usually around half
Tube thing all the way left.
I don't use the eq sliders or the volume on it.
Got a Mullard in the first AX7 spot and JJ Gold pins in the rest
GE 5814 in the AU7 spot.

Love it!

RSNG · #31 05-21-2012, 09:19 AM

I got a chance to try some new settings at a gig Saturday night.

I put the gain at 3:00, the tube master at 12:00, the EQ flat, mid frequency at 3, and all buttons out. I set the volume with the master. I used my Aerodyne Jazz Bass.

This was a big improvement; it really did come alive. I usually have the bass boost button pushed in. But, I was playing in a room with a polished concrete floor, bare glass windows/walls, stone walls, and a high corrugated metal ceiling. An acoustic nightmare; it was a struggle all night. But, my bass sounded good; and I got complements on the tone from other musicians.

Thanks, everyone.

JimmyM · #32 05-21-2012, 10:24 AM

Very cool! Glad it's working out for you.

Toastfuzz · #33 05-21-2012, 10:34 AM

In a band setting, I've never used the right-side slider EQ's, only the basic Bass/Mid/Treble/Mid selector knobs. When gigging or practicing with the band, I'd keep the Master volume maxed, and control my actual volume with Gain. Also, I generally kept the Tube Drive around halfway or slightly bumped to the right "hi-fi" zone. Going left always muddied up my tone, keeping it around noon gets just the right amount of tube compression going.

shark561 · #34 05-21-2012, 11:22 AM

I'm glad you got it working. Its amazing isn't it... how with one "wrong" twist of a knob this amp sounds like junk but with the "right" setting it really comes to life! I played an outdoor car show gig last week, and I was really happy with how my sound was. I listened to the DVD recording after, I was like "wow, that's me?! My tone is awesome!" IMHO!

bassfreakah · #35 01-03-2013, 10:02 AM

RSNG i am glad everything is working out. If you have the green try upgrading the preamp tubes and the two in the power section. It will make a difference in sound and output.i like these Shuguang 12AX7-B they are 12 bucks at the tube store. you will need to get one 12au7 for the power section. The jj's sound good too. i think anything is better than the stock sovtek. so four 12ax7's and one 12au7. IMHP this will help get that amp pumping.

NKBassman · #36 01-03-2013, 11:28 AM

I've had my 3 PRO for close to 10 years and it's been an absolute workhorse for me. I've considered selling it a couple of times, but always chickened out. It's pretty much just my backup now, but it's just been so reliable for me I haven't been able to justify getting rid of it.

For me the tube gain has to be all the way to the right, I've found this adds a bit more edge/bite/character to the tone. I keep my Gain around 2:00-3:00, bass bump, slight mid cut, and treble boost. I never touch the Ultra switches, but occasionally hit the Bright button to compensate when my strings are going dead.

WCHIII · #37 01-04-2013, 09:47 AM

I just re discovered this amp yesterday at a local music shop. Id bought one for my son years ago and He loves it along with his 410hlf. I went in knowing I was coming out with the SVT 7pro and a 610hlf cab. I played this combo in the store for hours and was pretty satisfied with the sound/volume this 7pro could produce with the 610. Another bass tech came up, also an Ampeg guy by the way, and asked me why I liked the 7pro and wanted to know if I've tried the 3pro through the 610 cab. Im thinking 1000watts vs 450 watts... After He plugged up the 3pro and put it through its paces I really liked it better and the volume seemed to match the 7pro. He also explained that the 3 pro is much more reliable than the 7, something I did not know. He left me alone with it for a while and it didnt take long to dial in some really good sounds. I was surprised at the tube sound this thing is capable of. I was assuming that the 450watts would just not cut it for me being that Im using a Genz with 600watts now and its just not there for me with that head. The guy explained a little about digital vs solid state vs tube and it made better sense then. All they had were floor models so my SVT3pro and HLF610 cab are on order and I pick them up Wednesday....I love that 3pro. Kuddos Sterling...

rickdog · #38 01-04-2013, 10:01 PM

There have been some good points made here that agree with my experience (I've had a 3PRO for about 10 years).

Proper output stage bias is important. I checked mine and the bias was way too low. Tweaking it up to where it should be really filled out the low end.
The "Peak" light really ought to be labeled "Ampeg goodness". Light it up, you'll like it.
Setting the "tube gain" below about 10:00 sounds too mushy to me.

I like the sound of my 3PRO so much that I haul it (in its heavy rack) and a heavy 2x10 cab to coffeehouse and cafe gigs where my little 2x8 practice combo would be more than ample.

WCHIII · #39 01-06-2013, 12:13 AM

Ive seen the videos on youtube of people tweaking the bias on the SVT tube amps with a simple turn of two screws on the back of the amp. How do you do this with the 3pro?

JimmyM · #40 01-06-2013, 12:45 AM

You don't. You can burn up your amp if you're not careful, and the trimpot for setting it is extremely touchy. You can do it yourself but I believe you have to have a scope or at least a good meter, and a steady hand. I never attempted it in mine...I would send it to the tech when it needed it.