What now? Ampeg SVT-3Pro + SVT-410HLF

valentine1 · #1 10-11-2011, 07:37 PM

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of reading but I think I'm missing a few sections of knowledge about my current rig (which I'm happy with) and some of you with you pre-amps and other cool sounding advanced rack gear.

So I have an SVT-3PRO and SVT-410HLF, I run an MXR M80 as well to give it a bit of extra tone... If I were to upgrade my rig, what sort of gear would I be looking at purchasing? My band is continuing to get more and more shows, slowly growing and doing shows interstate in Australia - so upgrading is on the cards. I love the tone I have, but if I could make it better i'd be prepared to spend!

I just don't understand what pre-amps do, and other sort of rack gear that aren't considered 'effects.'

Thank you for your help in advance,

Buster Brown · #2 10-11-2011, 07:43 PM

Well, quite frankly, I am not sure exactly how much you might need to upgrade? What I mean is that - are you looking for more volume? merely a "bigger" rig?

If I recall, the 3 Pro through a 4X10HLF "should" be a fairly potent rig....but I guess I could envision an upgrade to a 4 Pro maybe?

I can't really see the need (in your case) for anything other than what you have (a very formidible rig). However, if you need more "umph" I suggest you look into the 4Pro!

Cheers!

chubrocker · #3 10-11-2011, 07:45 PM

3Pro has enough power. IMO, I'd get another 410. Or 610. Or 810. I'd invest in cabs before the amp. I just did an outdoor gig and the 3Pro has more than enough power IMO. I use a compressor to beef-up my tone and push the preamp a bit more. Other choice would be 7Pro.

Toastfuzz · #4 10-11-2011, 07:58 PM

+1 on the 3Pro being a pretty awesome amp. I've used it as my main rig with an Ampeg 4x10 HE (only 8 ohms) for around 3 years now. I run my signal through a VT Bass, and love the tone I get from it. I read good things about aftermarket tubes for the pre-amp to get more SVT-ish sound, and I'm thinking of building fEARful cabs this fall and finally being able to get the full wattage out of it with a 4 ohm load. I don't doubt that it'll sound killer.

valentine1 · #5 10-11-2011, 09:07 PM

Thanks heaps guys! Much appreciated. I've never been too sure where my gear falls on the 'decent scale' as it was not the product of many months of trial and error, merely a very, very lucky pickup for a great price when my friend moved overseas at the same time I needed to upgrade from a 1x12 Peavey Combo.

Lately I have been trying to push the sound a bit louder, and as a result just blew all four cones... I don't think it was completely my fault as I did allow the three bands before us use it, but the gain was at maximum and so was volume when I started playing - I should have checked. I'm getting my speakers re-coned with kevlar (it sounds cooler than it is, I presume) so I hope that'll allow me to push it a bit louder. From what you say, it is likely the cab that's letting me down in addition to my lack of knowledge about what I'm actually using!

Thanks again, I'll definitely be looking at a bigger cab. Take care ^_^

will33 · #6 10-11-2011, 09:12 PM

The preamp is basically the front half of your amp. It takes the little millivolts signal from your pickups and boosts it up to the 1 - 1.5 volts needed to drive your poweramp. It's also where all the tone controls are. The poweramp is the back half of your amp. It takes the boosted signal from the preamp with all it's tonal adjustments and boosts it up to even higher power to move the speakers and get loud.

Your 3pro and every other "bass head" is a preamp and poweramp all in one box. The rack systems you see may have separate preamps and poweramps. The advantage being you could buy a different preamp for a different tone and connect it to the poweramp you already have. Or if you have a pre you like and just need more power, you keep that pre and just by a bigger poweramp. The poweramps are the same as you see in PA systems. The downside is it's usually more expensive, more stuff to buy and carry around. Dedicated bass preamps are becoming less common as "integrated" or "all in one" bass heads and now micro amps which are also pre and power in one unit have kinda taken over the market.

Kind of a simplistic explanation but that's pretty much it.

will33 · #7 10-11-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valentine1

Thanks heaps guys! Much appreciated. I've never been too sure where my gear falls on the 'decent scale' as it was not the product of many months of trial and error, merely a very, very lucky pickup for a great price when my friend moved overseas at the same time I needed to upgrade from a 1x12 Peavey Combo.

Lately I have been trying to push the sound a bit louder, and as a result just blew all four cones... I don't think it was completely my fault as I did allow the three bands before us use it, but the gain was at maximum and so was volume when I started playing - I should have checked. I'm getting my speakers re-coned with kevlar (it sounds cooler than it is, I presume) so I hope that'll allow me to push it a bit louder. From what you say, it is likely the cab that's letting me down in addition to my lack of knowledge about what I'm actually using!

Thanks again, I'll definitely be looking at a bigger cab. Take care ^_^

You have a good rig. Don't let other people use it, especially idiots that crank everything to 10 because they didn't pay for it and they don't care if you did. Let them earn their own money, buy their own stuff and abuse it instead. I don't care what their excuse is...nobody's hands on your stuff but your own. (I do have a couple trusted friends I do let use my stuff but they are damn few and have proven their trustworthiness.)

chubrocker · #8 10-11-2011, 09:25 PM

If you need more volume, you need to get more speakers first. Thus, 410 or get an 810. You have the wattage, just need more speakers. 810s can be had for cheap right now due to all the mini-rig mania going on right now. I LOVE mini-rigs, but they don't fit my needs. I need loud, I need rude. That's an 810 for me.

valentine1 · #9 10-11-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

You have a good rig. Don't let other people use it, especially idiots that crank everything to 10 because they didn't pay for it and they don't care if you did. Let them earn their own money, buy their own stuff and abuse it instead. I don't care what their excuse is...nobody's hands on your stuff but your own. (I do have a couple trusted friends I do let use my stuff but they are damn few and have proven their trustworthiness.)

Yeah, I know. I just don't like being so jaded. Don't be offended, I completely agree with you as a result of past experiences! It's just that our music scene in Melbourne, Australia is so small compared to other parts of the world and our band tries to embody the 'good, generous and honest guy' deal, but it's getting harder and harder...

Just last year we opened for this semi-big US band (well, big comparatively to the Australian scene!) and my SVT-3PRO was sitting on top of the 8x10 they told me I was using. I then turned my amp off after I played, and unplugged it but left it there because of time constraints. Next thing I know is I'm being pulled onto stage to figure out why my amp killed the sound during their set... They plugged my amp and identical SVT-3PRO into the 8x10 and turned them both on. Sizzle sizzle.

I could have murdered somebody... It was a $700 fix, having to get all the circuitry replaced because it was fried. Again it could have been prevented, much like the 4 cones that I've blown, but I'm just having a hard time saying no... Guess I just have to do it!

NKBassman · #10 10-12-2011, 08:38 AM

Sounds like you need an 810. Not only will you have more speakers, but they'll be closer to ear level, so you won't need to turn up as loud to hear yourself. You have a great head there in the 3PRO and I don't think that needs changing. I've had one for years and I love it.

I hate to sound like an ass, but I'd also get a pedal tuner if you don't have one already. Nothing kills a decent band faster than playing out of tune!

And, stop sharing your gear! Sounds like you've tried doing the nice guy thing and received nothing but **** in return. Being nice isn't worth it if you have to cover the repair bills. I share my stuff only with friends/people I know personally (i.e. know how to get a hold of at any given time), and only with people I have seen play before and I know are responsible with their own gear first.

nateynate · #11 10-12-2011, 09:10 AM

+1 To everyone on the subject of sharing gear. It's ok to do with people you trust and have seen play. I'm like most here, only trust a few select friends.

On the subject of upgrading, I have the a very similar rig to yours, and I love the tone and volume, but not the weight. I'm using an SVT3-Pro with the 410HLF and a dbx160A compressor. It's got killer tone, and gets loud. Like most folks are saying here, if you just need a "bigger" rig, go with the 8x10 if you can haul it.

I'm in the process of building a fEarFul 15/6 cabinet to hopefully replace my 410HLF and cut off some weight. Check out greenboy's page here to learn more about them. They are great sounding cabs. Be seeing you