Considering an SVT3.. opinions?

[Venom of God]

Title pretty much says it all. I almost ordered one today but thought I'd do the sensible thing and get home and do some real research on them first. I was going to buy one of those new Portaflex's for touring then a VR plus fridge when I could afford it, but realistically that could be a long way off and I'm not sure I'd be satisfied with the Portaflex and a 210 for very long (and as my gigging rig).

What are peoples experience with the SVT3 here? Reckon it would keep me happy for a good few years matched up with an Ampeg 410? A worthwhile upgrade over the Hartke 3500 and LabSystems 410?

[vin*tone]

Not sure if the Portaflexes are available in Australia yet? I've owned a few SVT3's and am a big fan of their tone but really - I think you can get similar tone in smaller packages these days - lighter and cheaper (an SVT 3 will still sell used for abound $1000 in oz) with more grunt. Streamliner, RH450, .... even a new PF500 would be imported cheaper!

There are 2 different Ampeg 410 cabs - the HLF is a 4Ω ported cab with a lot of low end - the 410HE is sealed and available as an 8Ω cab. Being sealed it's probably closer to the 810 tone.

Not sure what sort of music you play but I think for touring I'd get something rugged, portable and puts out decent volume for its size - you will likely be playing through PA's so use them. I supported the Panics on a tour once and I was really impressed by his setup - 4001 Ric through a beat up 1x15 Trace Elliott combo. Out front the crowd got the superb 4001 tone DI'ed through the PA. On stage the band would have had loud and decent monitoring through his no-frills amp. (no offence intended for Trace fans )

[Venom of God]

The Portaflex's are very nearly available! I was talking to my guy today and he said they're in a shipping container and will be here soon, also said I can borrow one for a day or two to try out in a band situation so that will be good. I actually meant the SVT3 PRO also, if that makes any difference. But yeah, willing to consider other brands but the shop I buy from mostly does Ampeg and Ashdown (and I want to stick with that shop as it's owned by a friend and I get a great discount).

I was leaning towards the sealed cab but since it's 8ohms was worried that it might not be loud enough? When I say touring I don't mean a big, paid for by record company tour, just us and a van driving about playing gigs where we can. Genre wise we just play hard pub rock style stuff, my user-name came from my metal days and I wish I could change it, haha.

[NKBassman]

My 3-PRO has treated me well for many years. At common used prices I think the 3-PRO is a great deal, but if you're buying new I'd say you may as well save a few more pennies and get a 4-PRO for more headroom, or go for an SVT Classic or VR if that's what you think you'll want eventually anyway.

I currently have a 3-PRO and a 2-PRO (collect the whole set! ). I use the 2-PRO as my main amp for larger gigs, and the 3-PRO for most practices and for smaller gigs when I'm only using one 8 ohm cab. I've had it for probably close to 10 years now, and I've never had any trouble with it. I think it sounds great, and has more than enough power for almost any gig when running into a 4 ohm cab.

[stiles72]

I've used a pair of 3-Pros for the last 10/11 years and they have served me very well. I beleive the extra tubes in the preamp give it more tone than the 4-Pro, but lacking power amp tubes - it's not quite as sweet as a CL/VR/2-Pro. For an active gigging musician I think it's a great hybrid. The main complaint you'll hear about them is that they aren't loud enough, or that the 450 watt rating is overstated. Both untrue - it has to do with how you set the gain structure. On 3-Pros, there is a signal light for the input gain that many mistake for a clip light. That light needs to hit on every note, not juts the spikes. Once you get it lighting up, you'll have more than enough juice feeding your master volume.

[TheNightLife]

I would look into the 7pro if I were you. Especially if your going to buy new the 7pro is 799.99 v.s. the 3pro which is 999.99. A side from the price factor the 7pro is much more powerful and much lighter. I had a 3pro and was not happy with it at all. I tried the whole gain thing mentioned above and it just wasn't for me.

[bugsy]

the portaflex amps have a voltage switch on the back which makes it dead easy to change to 240v,
I shudder to think what they will retail at in OZ.
I would nab one from the US

[Jim C]

I had a 3 Pro and wanted to like it.
It did not sound enough like my SVT-CL to justify keeping it in spite of trying different tubes. I found the Mesa Walkabout better suited but would also consider the Streamliner or TC head if you are after this tone.
Many here love this head so I may just be in the minority.
Also, many of the older US units had problems with bad solder traces on the boards; mine went to the shop twice for this inspite of very gentle handling.
Good luck.

[pedulla1]

Saturday I played a 3Pro after a few years and it reminded me why I had a love-hate relationship with it. I absolutely love the tone but the frustrations is the woofing out at relatively low gain. I owned 2 of them in the past so I know what I'm talking about. They both failed in a similar way. I now own a 7Pro and love it. Great power and no woofing out. Give it a shot before buying the 3Pro.

[JimmyM]

very nice amp, but i, too, would go for the 7 pro if i were in your shoes. i think it sounds even more svt-like than the 3 pro.

[shaboda]

I just sold my last svt 3 pro... (the 3rd one i have had in my arsenal over the past 10 years years)... I just wasnt happy with the power of it anymore.. and it failed on me a few times... having to change tubes, and the output bias issue needed fixed... so I guess my question is.... about the 7 pro... is it a good reliable amp? Even now since it's not USA made? (dont jump all over me for asking) but I wanna know some opinions... I am looking for something that will run my 4x10 and 1x15 ampeg cabs with power to spare.

[shaboda]

I agree

thats why I have had 3 of them... and sold them..

Originally Posted by pedulla1

Saturday I played a 3Pro after a few years and it reminded me why I had a love-hate relationship with it. I absolutely love the tone but the frustrations is the woofing out at relatively low gain. I owned 2 of them in the past so I know what I'm talking about. They both failed in a similar way. I now own a 7Pro and love it. Great power and no woofing out. Give it a shot before buying the 3Pro.

[bassteban]

I had one- nice tone, about half as powerful as I'd like.

[shaboda]

I thought it was just me who thought that!
Seemed like I could crank the heck out of it...
and still wasnt what I wanted to hear.
Either my ears changed or the amp got tired...
or my taste changed... or the band got louder!

I DUNNO!
All I know is it wasn't cutting it for me anymore.

Originally Posted by bassteban

I had one- nice tone, about half as powerful as I'd like.

[bassteban]

I was primarily rockin in church when I had one, and was ALWAYS turning something up, yet never satisfied. IIRC I replaced it w/a CXC-110 on top of a CX-110. LOVED that rig, would jump on another. Dumped that for reasons wholly unrelated to performance, regrettably.

[Venom of God]

It is a VR that I really want, I just don't know if I can really justify the cost (I'm a student without much income and rent to pay) and the weight of lugging the thing around.

I didn't even consider a 7, thought that it wouldn't sound anywhere near as good due to the lack of tubes in the pre.. might have to looks up some samples as I doubt I'd be able to sample one before ordering it.

[lokikallas]

I have had mine for over 10 years. I personally love it. I would consider a four paired with an 810, as an upgrade if I was pro, but for club gigs and rehearsal with a stupid loud band, I pair it up with a 410 and have never found it lacking. I traded from a hartke 410xl to a svt410hlf recently and find it's a perfect match. I find Jimmy's comment on the 7 interesting as I thought the 7 would sacrifice the tube pre for the lightweight powerful amp. It might be a good choice with a pre like a tech21 product.

[cheezewiz]

Originally Posted by Venom of God

It is a VR that I really want, I just don't know if I can really justify the cost (I'm a student without much income and rent to pay) and the weight of lugging the thing around.

I didn't even consider a 7, thought that it wouldn't sound anywhere near as good due to the lack of tubes in the pre.. might have to looks up some samples as I doubt I'd be able to sample one before ordering it.

In my book, the 7 is a much better amp than the 3.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Venom of God

It is a VR that I really want, I just don't know if I can really justify the cost (I'm a student without much income and rent to pay) and the weight of lugging the thing around.

I didn't even consider a 7, thought that it wouldn't sound anywhere near as good due to the lack of tubes in the pre.. might have to looks up some samples as I doubt I'd be able to sample one before ordering it.

it has one tube. sounds awfully good to me.

[Skyblue977]

Cool stuff on the myspace Theo. No real suggestions for you though.
I'm big into yob rock too and use a VT pedal into an Ashton 300T (yes- Ashton, with the 6 KT88's) into an EV TL 15" or 2 and get a very 70's rock tone.