Gear stolen, need advice for new amp please!

Sharky1450 · #1 07-14-2011, 10:32 PM

Hi everyone,

My flat was broken in to earlier this week and my bass gear was all stolen, I need some advice for a new amp please.

I have two amps in mind, both on ebay - a used SVT 3 Pro OR a new SVT 7 Pro. The SVT 3 Pro is about 30 bucks cheaper than the SVT 7 Pro.

I want to get an amp that I will keep for years. I know both are good, but it's the choosing between them part that I'm not so great at...

If you have an advice or experience with either of these amps I would really appreciate your input.

BTW - what ever I choose will probably be going through an Ashdown MAG 450 4x10 until I save enough money for a Bergantino NV412.

Thanks in advance.

rodl2005 · #2 07-14-2011, 11:34 PM

Feel 4 ya mate. Happened to me WAY back in '88 lost my 1st real amp- a 120w all valve beast & a 2x15" & my loved (bought new) '77 Precision!

IMO- go for the 7 PRO. Heard a LOTTA good things re that amp. The 3 PRO is cool, nothing wrong with it, & could, I s'pose be the 'safer' option as it's performance in proven,(I had one a few yrs ago) but from what I've heard of the 7 PRO- I'd go for that.

5stringsofdeath · #3 07-14-2011, 11:35 PM

I love the pro 3. i'm betting this is all going to be a matter of personal choice however since both kick serious nuts.

Marton · #4 07-14-2011, 11:37 PM

The SVT 3 PRO is lacking some power in my experience.

Have you thought about a GK 700RB-II too ? Pretty cheap, and probably my favorite amp ever.

Mykk · #5 07-14-2011, 11:46 PM

Even just seeing the title of this thread is going to make me investigate insuring my equipment.

Sorry to hear of your loss.
I would most definitely go with the 7 all the wattage overhead

JimmyM · #6 07-15-2011, 12:53 AM

Sorry man...I've had stuff stolen and destroyed and it sucks. But like you, I found a way to carry on and keep it going. It's only stuff...they can never steal your love for bass!

Anyway, 7 Pro all the way for me. Used to have a 3 Pro and liked it, but not as much as the 7 Pro. I couldn't give a rat's ass about the extra wattage, as I've never needed anywhere near 1000w, or the 450w of the 3 Pro for that matter. But man, the sound of that thing is amazing. Might be the best sounding amp of any hybrids or SS amps I've ever played. Certainly closest to the tube-SVT ideal of any non-all-tube amp that that I've heard.

tom once dead · #7 07-15-2011, 03:28 AM

Goddamn.
With a backing like that from Jimmy, I'm going to have to try a 7 pro.

Barduuk · #8 07-15-2011, 04:01 AM

SVT-7 Pro..

KsPiNeSh · #9 07-15-2011, 06:06 AM

Where are you located? A used 3 Pro should be like half of the cost of a new 7 Pro, if not less.

I would also choose the 7 Pro

Rickengeezer · #10 07-15-2011, 06:58 AM

Better make certain that the warranty for the new 7 Pro is valid if you buy it on ebay. From my experience with the 3 Pro, you'll need it!

51pbass · #11 07-15-2011, 10:53 AM

Hi-----They are both fabulous heads---but duue to warranty issues , etc I would go with the new one.Either way you will THUNDER !!!!!!!!!

MusicDad · #12 07-15-2011, 11:13 AM

I have been using a 3 Pro since '94, and it has never failed me. It was made in the USA and has all the power i have ever needed. I just retubed it, and I still love it - BUT it is heavy. The 7 pro is a little more than half the weight.

Sharky1450 · #13 07-18-2011, 12:12 AM

Thanks for the input everyone, I bought the SVT 7 Pro for $1068 (NZD) including shipping to Auckland - saved over 1k buying it like that rather than from the rockshop (nothing against them, but the mark up is more than twice the price). I'll let you know how it turns out, hopefully it's not one of the ones that farts out like I've read about on here.... I'm pairing it with an Ashdown MAG 450watt 4x10 so I'll see how this turns out... Cheers!

kosmicwizard · #14 07-18-2011, 02:46 AM

Grats on your new rig! Cheers.