What's comparable to Ampeg tone?

[PortableMadness]

I've been using an Ampeg SVT 350H for the past 6 months to play in a metal band, think Meshuggah. It's not the greatest head, but it has served me well. I'm not trying copy Meshuggah tone, but we're in that genre. About a month ago I bought a Mesa M6 Carbine. Fine amp, no real complaints, but not ideal for what I needed....live and learn, right? I traded that in for an Ampeg svt4. The store had two svt 4's, but both had issues with hissing and volume cutting out. So the sales guy ordered me a new one. I get it a week later, plug it in, turn it on and poof, fire and smoke literally shoot out the side vents. So now I'm going to take it back, but I'm hesitant to order another one. I really like the Ampeg tone and know the svt 4 will get me where I need to be in the band. Problem is reliability. Are there any other amps I should look at that are comparable? I have $1600 to spend. I kind of want to stay away from all tube heads, prefer a hybrid. I'll be pairing it with an Ampeg 8x10.


Thanks!

[Slackerprince]

The 7 Pro seems to be the new, big thing.
I own one and like it.
Plenty of threads on them now.
Worth a look, for sure.

BTW-What bass are you using?

S

[PortableMadness]

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

The 7 Pro seems to be the new, big thing.
I own one and like it.
Plenty of threads on them now.
Worth a look, for sure.

BTW-What bass are you using?

S

I was looking at the SVT 7, but I'm not sure about the reliability of these new over-seas Ampeg's.....my experience so far has been less than encouraging.

I'm using two basses...a Schecter Omen Extreme 5 w/EMG40DC pickups and Ibanez SR700 w/Bartolini pickups.

[lfbassguy]

i use a 7 pro with an ampeg 8x10. thats what i would recomend.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 to the 7Pro. Or conversely, back to the M6 Carbine with a VT pedal in front.

[lfbassguy]

as long as you get a new 7 pro or at least a rev c model you should be ok.

[christw]

7 Pro seems to be the trend but I'd give the 4 Pro one more shot. I've only had two gear related encounters with Ampeg that I can recall and if you have a warranty, they take care of it.

[sad_katz]

Go 7-PRO. Haven't research about 4-PRO reliability issues, but the 7-PRO is a quite reliable head. The newer Ampegs are more reliable than the ones pre-2006, I believe.

If that 4-PRO still has warranty then do try again and again until you get a good one

Oh, and nothing else sounds like Ampeg

[B-string]

I cop a good Ampeg tone (when I want to) with the G-K Fusion 550.

[rickomania1970]

70's ampegs are true classics but new ones especially SVT models S***KS
EDEN WT series,TRACE ELLIOT and MARKBASS amps are excellent for all genres.if you want all tube 70's ampeg is ok but fender bassman 300 pro is the king choice for crazy huge metal sound

[jumbodbassman]

make sure the svt 7 is release C. As far as iknow appears the issues have been fixed fom release a and b. i recently got a svt 7and pair it with a henry 8x8. sounds great

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by rickomania1970

70's ampegs are true classics but new ones especially SVT models S***KS

Sorry, but that's not true at all, and if it was, I wouldn't play new Ampeg stuff. I play rented SVT's of all eras on my road gigs, and the new ones are every bit as good as the old ones, and I should know...I have one of the very first SVT's ever made.

Anyway, back to the OP...I know it's a bummer when something breaks, but all amps can break, even top of the line handmade boutique stuff. Ampeg's got a 5 year warranty on the 4 Pro, and their CS department is great.

[JimiLL]

Check out a New Hartke Kilo if you can you may be pleasantly suprised... and about $500 ahead of the game