Ampeg SVT 7 Pro Club

[tekdiver500ft]

Originally Posted by godblender

That totally makes sense except that I'm using a passive P-bass. Thanks for the reply.

My passive p-bass slams the light at 9 o'clock, and gets really furry by 12 o'clock. In fact, for me to have decently clean (I still clip somewhat), I have to run at 3-4 o'clock with the pad on.

BTW, the whole idea that active basses are hotter than passive is pure hogwash. IME, passive basses are hotter than active quite often.

[rodl2005]

+1

[Lazarus.Bird]

I have my gain set around 2:00 but I'm also running my fuzz on with the gain rolled off all the way, and I'm getting a pretty gnarly over driven Ric tone without the gain light coming on. I use the amp for mostly clean power with a little tube OD and let my pedals do the gain work.

[Verminaard]

Originally Posted by Chuckster

Greetings fellow Tb-ers and to the SVT-7 Pro Club! I would like to apply for membership to the club; my qualifications and story follows.

I recently acquired (my) SVT-7 Pro, having no:

a) explicit intention of looking for/getting another amp*
b) awareness of the SVT-7 Pro's existence
c) awareness of this thread/club's existence

I went to my local GC as I'm wont to do on occasion just to see what's "new" in terms of both new and used item inventory. Well they had a '12 Am Std P in Olym White w/ tortoise shell guard but with a maple neck, which has historically NOT been my preference. I figured, "what the heck", let's handle it, plug it in to see what if any real change/improvement(?) the new models--specifically the Vintage P/U's--might offer. As I already own an American made ca. 2005 SVT-CL albeit not with the 810 Classic cab as was set-up in the store, I instead opted to plug into--what's this, an Ampeg "SVT-7" Pro???--and Ampeg 610 Classic cab set-up they had 2 spots next to the SVT/810-CL set-up. Well not only was the instrument itself one of the sweetest most buttery action along with correct intonation up/down the neck I've played either new or vintage status (always check those 17th-19th frets!), I was fully blown away by the "sound" of the 7Pro/610! Yes, I acknowledge maybe those Vintage P/Us were also contributing to the sonic/tonal bliss I was hearing...

To try and shorten my great American novel here: I really wasn't in a position to drop $799 on a new 7Pro, (even with my GC Card--mind I wasn't even looking for an amp!) so I go to walk away and lo & behold I spot a used 7Pro in a stack of 3 amps around the corner and it's priced at $549! Hmmmm...I talk to one the managers I'm friends with to check if they're having any sales (as they typically do EVERY other weekend it seems). They knock $50 off plus a little bit extra, and I said "w-t-f: Why not?!". I'm then offered a great deal on the (new) 610 cab as a package (really great deal & there were no used ones there to consider either, btw) but I really DO have to be fiscally prudent right now and figure let me first try it with my dual Aggie GS112 cabs anyway and if it's not the same then I'll have to consider my options re: the possibility of maybe searching the local CL for a used 610, never mind the financial ramifications of same.

So far (3 weeks or so now), I can say it's been *just* as an impressive and fulfilling set-up to my ears and I haven't "missed" my SVT-CL while it sits in deference to the 7Pro. Btw, my 7Pro is a "C00" Revision model and I've experienced none of the well known and documented cut--wait I'm so superstitious I'd rather not even type those words!!!

To ease your minds, I will NEVER sell my SVT-CL and at this point I firmly regard the 7Pro as being my new reference and it's not going anywhere either!

*A couple years ago I had the notion of acquiring a SVT-3 Pro as a "portable"/solid state amp option after hearing that in a set-up with a pair of Aggie GS112s, which in fact lead me on the search that ultimately resulted in buying the 2 used GS112s I'm using now; I now regard the 7Pro as supplanting and obliterating any personal desire for any other Ampeg Pro-Series or "hybrid" design amp. To that aspect, also know that I'm an "analogue/tube" guy when it comes to BOTH music AND home audio/stereo gear, and I've been extremely leery of Class D/Digital amp topologies; I take comfort that the 7Pro uses a 12AX7 in the pre-amp section, and it would seem that Ampeg has finally figured out how to properly utilize and apply Class D technology if only with this specific amplifier/application context.

Whew! Oh yeah, one final (I promise!) thing:

No pics-No Bass? No pics-No amp!

So, do I meet the qualification criteria to join the club or is this a case of "I don't care to belong to any club that would have me as a member!"?

PS-I have other pics of my full set-up including my basses, but apparently they're too big & I'll need to re-size them for TB...

#26 Chuckster!!

Welcome to the club Friend!!

[Kajel]

Ok guys, question of the day. Has anyone been able to by-pass the effects loop with the footswitch? Owners manual says you can, Dino's youtube says mute only. I have tried it myself and no dice... whats your take

[tekdiver500ft]

Mute only.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by Kajel

Ok guys, question of the day. Has anyone been able to by-pass the effects loop with the footswitch? Owners manual says you can, Dino's youtube says mute only. I have tried it myself and no dice... whats your take

Page 8 of the 7 PRO's PDF manual states that a dual footswitch is required to toggle the Mute and the FX Loop. Although I have not verified that this actually works as Ampeg claims, I am more inclined to believe that perhaps an incompatible footswitch is the cause of this issue.

Cheers!

[Kajel]

I had hoped the manual was correct, but it's not. I am using the Ampeg AFP2 dual footswitch the manual specifies.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by Kajel

I had hoped the manual was correct, but it's not. I am using the Ampeg AFP2 dual footswitch the manual specifies.

What is so strange is that the manual's schematic block diagram also indicates that there is FX switching capability.

I do not own any dual-switch pedals, but I will try to rig something up later on and report back with my findings on my Rev C00.

Cheers!

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

What is so strange is that the manual's schematic block diagram also indicates that there is FX switching capability.

I do not own any dual-switch pedals, but I will try to rig something up later on and report back with my findings on my Rev C00.

Cheers!

I have now confirmed that both Mute and the FX Loop switching work as expected on my Rev C00.

Since I did not have an actual dual-switch to test, I rigged a quick cable using a spare 1/4" TRS plug in my parts bin. I was able to switch both elements on/off by independently shorting the Tip and Ring to the Sleeve.

???

[Kajel]

Very cool CharlieC! I also have a C00 so I will try that also. Really appreciate the insight.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by Kajel

Very cool CharlieC! I also have a C00 so I will try that also. Really appreciate the insight.

Not a problem!

The only thing I can think of is perhaps there is a problem with your foot switch or its cable

Question: I do not know if the cable on the AFP2 is permanently wired or not, but there needs to be at least one 1/4" TRS on it if wired, and 2 x 1/4" TRS on the cable if it detaches (in case you are using a standard instrument cable by accident)

[Kajel]

The only AFP2 that I could find was on ebay. When I got it, switch 1 was bad, so I ordered replacement switches and used a ohm meter and tested with a new trs cable (it didn't come with a cable). There are LED's also that maybe the problem. The leds did come on when testing with the ohm meter though. Will be a few days before I can try your testing trick. Will post back here when I do. thanks again

[swsmusic]

How much is too much red light blinking on the 7pro? The sales person I bought it from said to stay away from the red light blinking. I am sure the amp was meant to push a little more than that. Any experiences?

[BullHorn]

Some say you can completely ignore the red light as long as the sound is good.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by swsmusic

How much is too much red light blinking on the 7pro? The sales person I bought it from said to stay away from the red light blinking. I am sure the amp was meant to push a little more than that. Any experiences?

That's the advice you take when you want it to sound dead clean and have as little balls as possible

[fishinmuzician]

I've had mine for a year now and the little red light is always flashing (on purpose). Jimmy is 100% correct ... No red light means nice and clean. Get that little bugger going and it starts to sound SVT-ish. I'm not scared of a little red light!

[zonehead]

I've had my 7 Pro for two plus years and its been nothing but good times! I can get all the grind I need or a smooth tight sound; it has a very usable EQ and compressor. I use it on big gigs and small gigs and it's always able to dial in the perfect sound for the situation. Never had a problem with it and I do push it hard on the bigger rock gigs. Run my EBMM 5 through this beast and it handles everything I throw at it.

[SwansonEricJohn]

John K custom designed and built this cabinet for my head. My only directions to him were: 1) I don't want it to seem like a rack unit, and 2) I want it to have an old-school Ampeg or Fender head look to it. It's beautiful! Excellent work!

[Lazarus.Bird]

I would say something like "wow that's amazing!" but at this point JohnK has done so much cool stuff I feel like I should just golf clap Great idea and looks awesome! Do you know how much the case without the amp ended up weighing? I really like that.