Ampeg SVT 4 Pro vs. SVT 7 Pro

[Murph_Orpheus]

Hey guys. I read the other big thread on the 7 Pro and I have to say I'm quite tempted by it. I'm kinda missing that ampeg tone and have been thinking of picking up one of their amps again. I recently got to play through the SVT 4 and I absolutely loved it, so I guess my main question is how does the tone compare with these two? I know the 7 Pro only has one tube in the preamp compared to the 3 tubes in the 4 Pro so I'm guessing that the 4 Pro would be warmer sounding. But if the 7 Pro sounds anything similar to it then I think the lightweight factor may win out here for me. Opinions?

[Gearhead17]

I have played the 7 PRO and have owned the 4 PRO. I feel they sound the same. Although I have not played the 7 PRO more than an hour, it felt like I was playing the 4 PRO. I think you would be plenty happy with the 7 PRO.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Cheers for the reply Gearhead. Would I miss the extra power from the 4 Pro do you think? I know you didn't have too long with the 7 Pro but did you get to crank it?

[Gearhead17]

I don't think you will miss the extra power. The 7 PRO and the 4 PRO both suffer from way too much low end below 100hz when the tone knobs are flat. The key to getting both of those heads loud and more articulate sounding is lowering the content below 100hz. That is one of the many reasons people have claimed the 4 PRO and other Ampeg heads to be underpowered. I am not an Ampeg guy anymore, but they are still good amp heads.

Remember this, the supposed 1600 watts from the 4 PRO is the PEAK rating, not the RMS rating (1200watts). The RMS rating for the 7 PRO at 4 ohms was 1000watts? Right? 200 watt difference is not huge at all.

[Antares]

Both sound similar. Depends on what you want, the SVT 4 has a ton of features, Graphic EQ, Bi-amp capable, you name it this amp is capable of it.

IF you dont need all of the hook up capabilities of the SVT 4, and want nice Ampeg "Pro" tone in a nice powerful lightweight head, then go for the 7.

I enjoy all the bi amping options of the 4, so im sticking with that. Actually am about to swap out the Preamp tubes for some Ruby's, and am very excited to see if this brings the Ampeg to life a little more. Because even with the 3 stock tubes, it doesnt really sound very "tubey" or warm.

[Murph_Orpheus]

I guess that's where I'd miss the graphic eq on the 4 pro then. Would you recommend running an eq pedal perhaps to lower the content below 100hz if I were to get the 7 Pro?

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by Antares

Actually am about to swap out the Preamp tubes for some Ruby's, and am very excited to see if this brings the Ampeg to life a little more. Because even with the 3 stock tubes, it doesnt really sound very "tubey" or warm.

Prepare to be dissapointed. I put some new pre-amp tubes in my 4 PRO (Electro Harmonix tubes around $30 a tube), and heard NO DIFFERENCE in tone. The only thing that changed was the gain structure. What I hear a lot on this forum in regards to the Ampeg Hybrid heads, different pre-amp tubes do not radically alter the tone.

[Luis Fabara]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

Prepare to be dissapointed. I put some new pre-amp tubes in my 4 PRO (Electro Harmonix tubes around $30 a tube), and heard NO DIFFERENCE in tone. The only thing that changed was the gain structure. What I hear a lot on this forum in regards to the Ampeg Hybrid heads, different pre-amp tubes do not radically alter the tone.

Thats because the electro harmonix are/were the same Sovtek or Groove Tubes that come with the Ampeg.

But indeed, the 4 Pro does not sound that "tubey"

If you are looking for some good warm tubes, then JJ are a good option for a warm distorted sound.

For Higher gain, a more open and tight tone, I would go Tung Sol.

Sovtek 12AX7WA or GT12AX7R /12AX7EH is what comes on Ampegs, they are the same.

[Murph_Orpheus]

So far then the general consensus is that the 7 Pro is very similar to the 4 Pro? Seems to be the only reason I'd be forking out extra cash for the 4 Pro is for the hooking up of cab options and the graphic eq. Definitely leaning towards the 7 Pro right now.

[Nightlyraider]

Well you are almost going to be spending the same on a used 4 as you would a new 7. The 7 hasn't been available too long and there won't be many stellar deals about yet...

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by Luis Fabara

Thats because the electro harmonix are/were the same Sovtek or Groove Tubes that come with the Ampeg.

But indeed, the 4 Pro does not sound that "tubey"

If you are looking for some good warm tubes, then JJ are a good option for a warm distorted sound.

For Higher gain, a more open and tight tone, I would go Tung Sol.

Sovtek 12AX7WA or GT12AX7R /12AX7EH is what comes on Ampegs, they are the same.

Thanks for the information! I get it now.

[Murph_Orpheus]

I've read a couple of comments regarding the SVT 7 shutting down for a few seconds if it peaks too much, that could be a bit of a worry.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I've read a couple of comments regarding the SVT 7 shutting down for a few seconds if it peaks too much, that could be a bit of a worry.

I think any amp can be subject to that. Make sure the 7 pro has room for the air to move in AND out of the unit and you should be fine.

[Plstrns]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I've read a couple of comments regarding the SVT 7 shutting down for a few seconds if it peaks too much, that could be a bit of a worry.

Seems to be a class D thing. It's ok with me because I run a DSP anyway, so I can reign in that kind of issue. But yeah, I have an enclosure that can take the amp dimed so I tried it-the cab won. The amp will shut off, then back on within seconds when things get way, way up there.

I bought the 7 because I liked the sound. I wasn't amp shopping, I was effect shopping but I bought the amp instead. I needed a power amp for my biamped mids anyway so it really fit the bill.

I hate graphics, and generally any amp with more eq than 4 or 5 knobs. If you need more than that it should be switchable or you just have a lousy bass or cab imo.

I can't compare it to a 4Pro that I've never owned, but the 7 has that really great Ampeg tone + the grindynish (new word) like that of a GK400RB. YMMV

[OldHack]

I own them both, and they both sound and work great. The 4 Pro is more amp giving you more versatility in output configurations, features and a little more headroom. The EQ is no big deal for me as after using it for over 3 years I'm now running it flat except for cutting 33Hz. The 4 does sound creamier. The pots are centered differently, and the 4 has the additional bright switch. Keep that in mind if you are A/B'ing them. The 4 really takes some time to learn, especially in setting up gain structure. The 7 Pro seems to have slightly higher input sensitivity. The 7 is quicker to set up as you have fewer variables in play, so it's not as easy to mess up. It really is a great sounding amp as well, and it is very versatile tone-wise.

Aside from the 7's headphone output, the 4 will do everything the 7 will except it's bigger, weighs a lot more and runs hotter. It's side vented...uggh. You need to pay attention to that if it's racked. The 7 has a quiet little fan in the back and it barely warms up.

Like Plstrns, I really pushed the 7 Pro into my 810E to see what its limits were after reading about the shut downs. It was putting out a lot of sustained heavy thump that I wouldn't be doing at that volume live when it finally timed out for a moment. It was very loud, very percussive and clean before the shut down. Once I had that point established, I've never had it shut down again. I did confirm that this is normal protect mode operation with Dino at Ampeg. (He's a great resource, and has helped me out lots).

I bought the 7 Pro without even demoing it. I knew it would have the Ampeg SVT tone (tons) and power. No regrets.

Buying the 7 new, you'll get the full warranty on it, and a nice fresh kilowatt head. The 4 Pros are a bargain used. Actually, the 7 Pros are quite a decent deal new

Cheers!
If your decision is based on tone, I'm 100% happy with the tone out of each. They're both Ampeg SVT's You should be happy either way.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Cheers OldHack, that was extremely helpful. Would you say the 7 Pro sounds very similar to the 4?

[bwv1013]

be sure to do a full inspection/play-through if you go used on the 4 pro. because of the side-vent design mentioned it seems many of these bad boys have been racked and melted which has contributed to some reliability concerns. rbonner has some good insight, i believe he owns several 4 pros.

i can't comment on the 7, but i do own a 4 (purchased new) and it's the end of the tone road for me. there are a lot of knobs and sliders but i see that as flexibility to work with any set up. i usually just keep everything flat, only small tweaks for weird rooms etc. killer sound right out of the box and more power than i'll ever need.

if the 7 is even in the same neighborhood as the 4 you'll be set either way.

[OldHack]

Glad I could be of some help

They are two completely different amps, but you can dial in pretty much the same tones from each; it's just going to be done differently. And like I say, the 4 Pro is a little creamier. But the 7 Pro isn't edgy or brittle at all in comparison. Very nice to the touch. I play a pretty clean loud full range rock sound, pick, fingerstyle and slap on the same settings, so that's pretty demanding on an amp. If you need more crunch/distortion, you might want to add a processor of some sort. Realistically, once you're playing live, I can't see any blindfolded bass player (Jimmy M excluded ) in the audience being able to say you're playing "...x model... SVT". They both sound like an Ampeg SVT. (I did gig for a few years with a 70's SVT ). The 7 Pro is a great sounding amp. It hasn't disappointed me in the tone/volume/versatility areas.

Cheers!

[OldHack]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I guess that's where I'd miss the graphic eq on the 4 pro then. Would you recommend running an eq pedal perhaps to lower the content below 100hz if I were to get the 7 Pro?

My answer would be nah, just stay off the Ultra Lo and you're good. Go ahead with the button at lower volumes if you want it for a "loudness" effect.

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

So far then the general consensus is that the 7 Pro is very similar to the 4 Pro? Seems to be the only reason I'd be forking out extra cash for the 4 Pro is for the hooking up of cab options ...

That becomes a minor issue, too. Depends on what cabs you have or want to use with the 7 Pro. Some players are locomotive training four 810's with their 4 Pros and it will do so happily, but I like topping out the watts on a cab before adding another. So a decent 4 ohm 810, 610, 410, etc. high wattage cab will give you great results. If you need more cab, you'll just have to buy power at the same time. If you're set for cabs, I'd recommend demoing the 7 Pro through it-them if you can to be sure the combination gives you enough of what you need.

[Gearhead17]

Just turn the bass knob to the left rather then to the right. A little low end decrease is helpful with the Hybrid Ampeg's. Or just keep it at the noon setting. Definitely experiment with the head.

You don't need an extra EQ pedal.