Ampeg SVT7Pro?

**BullHorn** · #1 06-23-2011, 02:46 PM

I'm looking to maybe buy one but have some questions that the Ampeg website doesn't have.

1) It's lighter and more powerful than the SVT3Pro but costs less. Why?

2) The power output is enormous, I would've actually preferred the SVT3Pro if it was cheaper. Are there any 'budget' cabs that can handle this much power? My country has a limited choice in brands and models so pairing the amp with something will be hard unless there's a trick you guys aren't telling me?

All info will be appreciated.

JimmyM · #2 06-23-2011, 02:52 PM

1. It uses class D and a switchmode power supply instead of an iron transformer like the 3 Pro, and apparently the price on that stuff has come way down since it first came out.

2. Rare is the budget cab that could handle that much power. I feel the same as you about crazy power, but it does come equipped with a volume knob, so if you think your cab is getting too much power for it to take, you can turn it down.

charlie monroe · #3 06-23-2011, 02:53 PM

1) the 3PRO has a nine band eq that the 7PRO does not. I think the 3PRO uses standard power amp while the 7 has a Class D power amp

2) You can use any wattage cab, but be mindful of the ohm rating. Use your ears to warn you when you are pushing too hard.

I believe that I have heard (read) JimmyM, our resident Ampeg Guru state that he prefers the 7PRO over all of the other PRO series, but we should wait for him to weigh in. He will probably be along later or tomorrow, as it is his birthday today

**BullHorn** · #4 06-23-2011, 02:57 PM

Haha, beat you to it, Charlie! :P

OK, then I have just one more question: Is there a way to get close to the 810 sound without owning a 810? I see a shop selling an Eden D410XST for a very nice price and it can easily handle the amp's power.

JimmyM · #5 06-23-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

Haha, beat you to it, Charlie! :P

OK, then I have just one more question: Is there a way to get close to the 810 sound without owning a 810? I see a shop selling an Eden D410XST for a very nice price and it can easily handle the amp's power.

Don't count on it. Eden is notorious for overrating the performance of their cabs. They claim 1000w power handling, which is the wattage it takes for the voice coils to melt. But having played those cabs many times in the past, I can tell you firsthand that there's no way in hell they will take 1000w without sounding absolutely horrible and making fart sounds. I'd say 400-500w is more like it in a real world scenario.

BTW, I do prefer the 7 Pro over pretty much any other SS amp I've ever played. Only reasons I don't have one already is because I'm not made of money, my current amp lineup gets it done for me, and I just don't need 1000w.

**BullHorn** · #6 06-23-2011, 03:17 PM

Great, the amp gives 600w into 8ohm, this should fit perfectly.

I guess the only way to know if a cab sounds good is to first buy the Amp and then lug it all over the country's music stores to find the right cab. I just hope one that is not the SVT810 exists... :|

MN_Bass · #7 06-23-2011, 03:44 PM

Carvin makes some affordable cabs that can take some juice. The ampeg 410hlf sounds really good with this head.

citynorth · #8 06-23-2011, 04:19 PM

I've owned an svt 7 pro for a few months, and i've gotten to play it for about 10 hours. It went in for repair the first day i got it (stopped working after an hour), got "fixed" eventually and worked for almost a full band practice then stopped again. Last week it worked for about an hour when i tried it again, then stopped. Apparently a lot of the early models had problems, but unfortunately I'm not the person to tell you how to narrow down the newer and older models. Many others have had these problems as well, i'm not just a rare case. However, it is an amazing amp and many people have also had no problems with it. I have to take mine to a better repair shop and pray that when i get it back it will work for good, but i'm always going to be worried it's going to die on me again. So i guess i'm saying if you really want this amp, look into when the one you're purchasing was made. If you are on the fence about this amp, maybe take a look at something else, good luck.

**BullHorn** · #9 06-23-2011, 05:55 PM

I wonder if the birthday boy has anything to say about this.

BassBob1 · #10 06-23-2011, 06:01 PM

I have had my SVT 7 Pro for over a year now and no issues thus far. I think it is a great sounding head and i prefer it to the 3 pro. Everything else has pretty much been covered here. Now on to the cab. I run mine through an ampeg 410HLF. Now the 410HLF is rated and 500 watts at 4 ohms. I haven't had any issues running my 7 pro through that cab. As JimmyM said, you don't necessarily need a cab that handles 1000 watts just watch your volume if it sounds like you are pushing the cab too hard.

**BullHorn** · #11 06-23-2011, 06:06 PM

I prefer getting an 8ohm cab first, I'll possibly want to add an extra 2x10 or some such later.

First I need to sell the MarkBass. It's already for sale online.

pedulla1 · #12 06-23-2011, 06:10 PM

Also had mine about a year and no problems. I also like it better than my previous 2 SVT-3 Pros. The tone is close to the 3-pro but just bigger sounding. With all that extra power your tone is just bigger! Another thing is the "clip" light does not come on a quick like the 3-Pro. Ampeg seemed to have solved that "issue" with this model. I can dime my bass volume without out the amp clipping like before.

JimmyM · #13 06-23-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

I wonder if the birthday boy has anything to say about this.

Not really. All amps can break.

Slackerprince · #14 06-23-2011, 06:42 PM

I have been looking at the PF heads, and was at GC and they had the 7 Pro and the PF-350.
I played them both quite a bit, and the 7 Pro was hands down juicier in tone. I played the 350 through the PF210, an AV210, and an Ampeg 610. Incidentally, I liked the PF210 better than the AV210, and of course the 610 was deep and full, as you would imagine. In all fairness, I think the AV had been abused or overloaded, as hit had some buzzing and vibration. Understandable at GC.
I REALLY wish they had the PF500 head, but you can't get everything you want at GC.
I just fell in love with the tone of the 7 Pro and I'll just make no-interest payments on it, and plan on it being "the one."
Hope I don't have any issues with it.
Still wish I could try the 500, but I'm sure I'll be happy with the 7 Pro, as I played around with it quite a bit.

S

cavedweller · #15 06-23-2011, 09:39 PM

Friend of mine bought a 7pro and an ampeg 410. the head would fire up but when you connect speakon from head to cab,head completely shuts down and off. does anyone know what could be causing this?

kurt1420 · #16 06-23-2011, 10:25 PM

I like the 7pro, but I love the 4pro. It has tones of options. From running 1x15 to running 4x810's. Sometimes bi-amping is nice to. And with the graphic EQ u can get whatever sound u want

**BullHorn** · #17 06-23-2011, 11:07 PM

Someone PM'd me and suggested I stay away from this head and get a Genz Benz instead. :/

Selta · #18 06-23-2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavedweller

Friend of mine bought a 7pro and an ampeg 410. the head would fire up but when you connect speakon from head to cab,head completely shuts down and off. does anyone know what could be causing this?

Sounds like the cable is shorted.

cavedweller · #19 06-23-2011, 11:50 PM

no,not cable. ran a gk head with same cable and cab with no problem.

Selta · #20 06-23-2011, 11:56 PM

Did you try the 2nd speakon output? Does it do the same thing? Have you tried with a 1/4" cable?