Ampeg SVT3: USA vs China

RandyRyan · #1 11-11-2010, 08:49 AM

Okay, believe it or not, this is not a political debate and I am all about buying USA but let's face it - I'll buy what sounds the best and just because it was assembled in one place doesn't mean that all of the components are "patriotic" so I remain fairly "unbiased" (no tube pun intended).

I am in the market for an SVT-3 and don't know which way to turn. Some people say that the ones made in the USA are the best and others like the newer ones. The only one that I have personally tried is a new one (2009-2010) and I do LOVE the sound, especially with the Tube Gain (or Plate Voltage) knob cranked. That amp just "sings". So, here is what I THINK I know (I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong):

SVT-3 (old USA made w/out separate "Gain" and "Master" volumes)

350w
No speakon output
No "Tube Gain" or "Plate Voltage" knob
No driver tubes

SVT-3 Pro (USA, Blue lettering)
350w

No speakon output

SVT-3 Pro (Chinese)
450w

Speakon Output

Toroidal transformer (lighter weight)

It would seem that the newer ones would be "better" but that is subjective. They are more expensive and more "wattage" doesn't always equal more perceived "loudness". My old SVT-2 was 300w and I never could crank it without someone complaining about the volume. As for the speakon output, I tried out the amp with a regular speaker jack and it was very beefy.

All in all, I could go either way but I wanted to hear from everyone else who has tried both.

stiles72 · #2 11-11-2010, 09:03 AM

The SVT-III and 3-Pro are slightly different animals. The III as you have listed was the 350 watt single volume, no plate voltage, etc... first version. The 3-Pro has always been 450 watts, plate voltage/tube gain control, master & gain, etc... The 3-Pro actually has three different cosmetic versions: Black & White, Red White & Blue, and modern Black & Gray. The Black & Grays were made both in the USA and overseas.

Considering used prices on USA 3-Pros are pretty reasonable, that's what I would go with. More wattage for the buck. But if you want new - then by all means buy new. One interesting thing to note about "USA" 3-Pros is that even though they were made in USA, the transformers were made in Taiwan (at least mine were). Nothing is ever 100% made in USA, but I personally liked seeing the USA label on my amp along with the "Tested by Joyce" sticker that let me know it was someone here in the states that put the final stamp of approval on it.

Jerrold Tiers · #3 11-11-2010, 08:51 PM

plenty of US units had Speakon, so don't use that as a determining factor......

Basically, All are US until about 2006-7 at which time the asians started making them (Vietnamese and Koreans, in that order, IIRC). It's the date that determines where it was made. That and the label of origin....... If made in USA it will SAY "Made in USA".

No reason the Koreans and chinese can't make a good one, but I know there were issues, both with quality, and with supply at various times.

RandyRyan · #4 11-12-2010, 08:48 AM

I didn't realize that they were still being made in the USA for that long. I really don't care where it is assembled as long as it works. Just because it was made in the USA doesn't mean that it won't break. It depends on the "batch" of components as much if not more than the assembly. Assembly issues are usually discovered before they leave the factory, anyway.

I know that speakon is more solid connection and won't "pop" out but I have never had an issue where the speaker cable came unplugged in my whole gigging career so I am not really worried about that. How about sound? Can anybody tell a difference? I doubt it but wanted to hear any opinions.

JimmyM · #5 11-12-2010, 09:11 AM

not saying new ones won't break, but the new regime in charge of ampeg is a lot better and a lot more cognizant of the ampeg legacy than the previous bunch of idiots at loud. loud took over in 2006 and the head idiot at the time singlehandedly trashed the company's legacy and bankrupted the company. but now they have an actual amp designer in charge instead of a college educated moron.

i play a lot of rental ampegs, and i've generally found there isn't much variance in the tones from old to new at all when it comes to amps. speakers...there is a ton of variance, but not with amps. not that i can tell. if it works, it works.

stiles72 · #6 11-12-2010, 09:21 AM

Ditto Jimmy on the sound. I own two 3-Pros, and they sound pretty much the same as any others I've played. Cabs make the biggest difference when comparing the heads.

eyeballkid · #7 11-12-2010, 09:22 AM

I wouldnt even touch the asian svt-3 pros with YOUR money, let alone mine. The US models were near bullet proof. Our local music store was one of the biggest volume ampeg dealers on the east coast at one time and when they went to overseas production all but 2 came back within 3-4 months for repair or replacement. nope, uh-uh, no way. Id put down $600 bucks on a 5 year old US version any day of the week before someone gave me an asian model. If i cant depend on it, its worthless to me.

JimmyM · #8 11-12-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

I wouldnt even touch the asian svt-3 pros with YOUR money, let alone mine. The US models were near bullet proof. Our local music store was one of the biggest volume ampeg dealers on the east coast at one time and when they went to overseas production all but 2 came back within 3-4 months for repair or replacement. nope, uh-uh, no way. Id put down $600 bucks on a 5 year old US version any day of the week before someone gave me an asian model. If i cant depend on it, its worthless to me.

right, well again, that was because loud was run by an idiot at the time. i've not heard nearly as much complaining about quality since pyotr belov took over.

RandyRyan · #9 11-12-2010, 09:38 AM

Wow! Sounds like a rotten batch of amples! I hear you on how LOUD sucked! I can remember calling them every week to try and get a schematic for an old Ampeg BT15 Combo and they were NEVER there!

As far as models go, I am leaning towards the blue lettering series. They seem to be going the cheapest on E-bay. No speakon, but oh well. I have a 410HLF that I got at the pawn shop for $350. That thing sounds better to me than my old 810 and WAY more easy to manage.

eyeballkid · #10 11-12-2010, 09:40 AM

yeah, I know Jimmy.. but Im STILL gunshy on em.. To me they got a helluva mess to clean up and for me Im gonna have to see years of top notch stuff before I feel comfortable buying an ampeg...its sad, cos it used to be all I used, but it did make me venture out and find some gear I truly love!

lomo · #11 11-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

not saying new ones won't break, but the new regime in charge of ampeg is a lot better and a lot more cognizant of the ampeg legacy than the previous bunch of idiots at loud. loud took over in 2006 and the head idiot at the time singlehandedly trashed the company's legacy and bankrupted the company. but now they have an actual amp designer in charge instead of a college educated moron.

+1
A lot of people think an education in business is sufficient to run virtually any company. Come to think of it, it's mainly people with a business education who think that way, LOL.

eyeballkid · #12 11-12-2010, 03:13 PM

so is that what caused the recession?!

JimmyM · #13 11-12-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

so is that what caused the recession?!

i honestly believe that it did to a large degree, no joke. there is no passion for the products when you're strictly a businessman with an eye on nothing but the bottom line. and i believe that passion is important to the consumer. it's especially important in MI, and of the utmost importance with a company like fender or ampeg. fender got back on the good foot in the 80's because the new owners cared whereas cbs didn't care at all. slm got ampeg back on the good foot in the 90's because they cared. don't think that matters? idiot jaime engen trashed it all within a couple years. why? because he didn't care. people still bought ampegs, but their rep got greatly tarnished, and frankly i can't blame anyone for feeling that ampeg went to crap back then.

but pyotr truly cares, i believe. the products are better made, they brought back a usa presence, and are making 50 more b-15's and will make more if they sell. just the 50 new b-15's alone make the world a better place. seen those things? awesome! they'll make a comeback because pyotr cares about making amps. that's his passion. gotta have it in order to sell to the people. it doesn't even matter if your product isn't the best on the market. you just have to have passion.

eyeballkid · #14 11-12-2010, 04:22 PM

once again. Jimmy speaks the truth.

Kermin VH · #15 11-12-2010, 04:37 PM

I can't speak for the new ones, but my black and white face SVT-3PRO has been absolutely bulletproof. I blew a fuse once plugging straight into a wall jack in a part of town called the Old City, but that was the building's (and my own idiotic self for not having a power conditioner, which was IMMEDIATELY remedied) fault.

As for not using the Speakon out, I've never, ever played a gig using anything other than a plain ol' speaker cable, and I've never had a single problem.

JimmyM · #16 11-12-2010, 04:42 PM

speakons aren't necessary unless you're doing high wattage applications, and the 3 pro isn't quite there. i'd want a 4 pro with speakons, though. that high wattage stuff does have a jolt to it if you touch the barrels of a 1/4" jack. 450w...not so much. 800 or more...yeah, speakon's a good idea.