SVT3Pro vs, SVT-CL

ptolemny · #1 05-13-2010, 11:49 AM

Hey, currently playing a Fender P through an SVT3Pro and an 810E. There's a CL on Craigslist dirt cheap and I'm thinking about getting it. I understand that the 3Pro has a very similar preamp to the CL, but it seems like the CL gets a lot of love around here while the 3Pro has its critics. Anyone have experience with both of these amps? Thanks.

Fuzzbass · #2 05-13-2010, 11:58 AM

My vote: if weight isn't an issue, then by all means go for the SVT-CL!

EricF · #3 05-13-2010, 12:01 PM

I've had the 3-Pro, and currently have a CL. They are two completely different animals. The 3-Pro is weak in every way by comparison. The magic lies in the all-tube power amp of the CL.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 05-13-2010, 12:02 PM

Mrdak · #5 05-13-2010, 12:10 PM

How dirt cheap is the CL?

eyeballkid · #6 05-13-2010, 12:13 PM

the CL is a BEAST compared to the 3pro.. BY FAAAAAAAAAAAARR!... but its a beast to carry around too... if youre young and strong.. get the CL.. you will not regret it.. Ive had THREE!!.. i keep getting em cos of how good they are, and keep sellin em cos i hate carrying them.

Daywalker · #7 05-13-2010, 12:17 PM

Your 810 is gonna sound the way it should sound with the CL, that 3-pro is doing nothing for that cab...

EricF · #8 05-13-2010, 12:36 PM

If the CL is on CL, and is dirt cheap, it's probably already gone.

ptolemny · #9 05-13-2010, 12:50 PM

Dude just returned my message, he sold it last night - for $600. I should've posted this thread awhile ago; I'd been thinking about going all tube, specifically the CL, but I don't have the $ for a new one. I'll just have to keep my eyes open.

JimmyM · #10 05-13-2010, 02:57 PM

wow, too bad. $600 is outrageous!

btw, i 100% disagree with those who call the svt 3 pro weak. turn that gain up really far, and use your ears to tell if it's distorting and ignore the light. won't be weak anymore.

lowendgenerator · #11 05-13-2010, 02:59 PM

Wow, I would have jumped on that like a lion on a wounded gazelle. I miss my CL, but I don't miss carrying it around, that's for dang sure!

EricF · #12 05-13-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

wow, too bad. $600 is outrageous!

btw, i 100% disagree with those who call the svt 3 pro weak. turn that gain up really far, and use your ears to tell if it's distorting and ignore the light. won't be weak anymore.

$600 is a ridiculous price. Next time you see anything close to that, do not hesitate for a second.

I respect your opinion, Jimmy, but I respectfully disagree. The CL beats the 3-Pro in every category except bing easy to carry. Optimize the gain, push the volume slider on the graphic EQ section to max, etc., and it's still not up to par with the CL. I'm not saying the 3-Pro is a lousy amp, not at all. In fact, it's pretty darn good. It's just not as good as the CL. By quite a ways. *

*This statement is soley based on my my own experiences, and my preferences. YMMV.

JimmyM · #13 05-13-2010, 04:12 PM

well of course a tube svt is stronger than the 3 pro, eric! i just don't think it's weak compared to other hybrids. that's all i was saying. but yeah, compared to the cl or vr...

EricF · #14 05-13-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well of course a tube svt is stronger than the 3 pro, eric! i just don't think it's weak compared to other hybrids. that's all i was saying. but yeah, compared to the cl or vr...

Since the OP was asking about a comparison between the 3-Pro and a CL, I was actually staying on topic - LOL

ptolemny · #15 05-14-2010, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

wow, too bad. $600 is outrageous!

btw, i 100% disagree with those who call the svt 3 pro weak. turn that gain up really far, and use your ears to tell if it's distorting and ignore the light. won't be weak anymore.

So this won't hurt the amp or the cab? I'm conditioned to react very viscerally when I see a red light flash on my amp.

Fuzzbass · #16 05-14-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptolemny

So this won't hurt the amp or the cab? I'm conditioned to react very viscerally when I see a red light flash on my amp.

It won't hurt the amp at all. As I recall, the manual says to set tone so that the red light is flashing on peaks. If I want overdrive, I set gain so that the red light stays on all the time.

The only thing that will hurt your cabinet is too much volume, but that's true whether the red light is flashing or not.

P.S. IME/IMO it sounds good to overdrive the tube section of the 3Pro, but not the graphic EQ section which is solid state. Because I used to run my 3Pro at high gain settings (as Jimmy mentioned), I would bypass the graphic EQ because it sounds godawful when it clips.

JimmyM · #17 05-14-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptolemny

So this won't hurt the amp or the cab? I'm conditioned to react very viscerally when I see a red light flash on my amp.

nah, it'll be fine. don't react viscerally. react audibly.