Ampeg V4BH or SVT-3 Pro?

[codyfreakinb]

Hey everybody, I recently purchased an SVT-3 Pro and run it through a 610hlf and it sounds great to me, but my friend told me a guy came into the local guitar shop here and was looking to trade his V4BH for a 3Pro. He told me it would be a pretty fair trade if I was interested since the V4BH is all tube, however I'm concerned about it only being 100watts. Is it going to be loud enough for a loud 5 piece rock band (2 guitars, bass, drums, keys) playing medium size venues (100-300people) considering that it will run through a 610hlf? Also, will I probably be pleased with the tone or is it fairly different than the SVT-CL tone since it has 6L6s instead of 6550s?

[JimmyM]

Personally I think it would be enough. Spent 10 years playing those size venues and bigger with a 70's V4b and an 810.

[DLEE]

I agree with Jimmy.You certainly wouldn't lack for low end with that setup.I've used both and I like them,granted neither is an SVT but it's definately Ampeg.

[Lync]

I own that setup and the V4BH sounds good with the 610HLF...up to a certain volume. If you are really rocking out, that extra power from the III comes in handy.

The V4BH sounds sweet at the right volume, but does not do well with a 5 string at rock band volumes.

[anderbass]

See if you can talk the dude into bringing it over to tryout with your band at a rehearsal.

[Son of Bovril]

agreed, the tone is great and the volume should be good upto a certain level after which you will get a fair amount of grit in your tone... if you prefer clean headroom the 3 pro is probably better for you...

[stiles72]

I have both the 3-Pro and the V4BH, and both are equally great amps IMO. For tone, I prefer the all tube V4BH. In a side by side comaprison, you can really tell what the tube power section adds to the overall all tone and slight tube compression. The tone is richer, warmer, more alive. At home and in most practice situations, it even seems that the 100 watt output of the V4BH is equal to the 3-Pro's 450 watts (at 4 ohms). But in a live loud rock band setting at a club or bar, I would always side with the 3-Pro because it will give you more headroom if you need it. When my 3-Pros were in the shop, I ran my V4BH on my LGS and ran my B15 head on a 4x12 - that was my favorite "V4BH setup".

[codyfreakinb]

Thanks everybody, I'm definitely gonna try it out before I decide and see if he will let me try it a band practice. I do like having the extra headroom of the 3Pro but I guess I can always mic or DI the V4BH right?

[JimmyM]

Right. Don't get me wrong...I had a 3 Pro and liked it quite well, but it ain't toobz in the power amp!