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Ampeg SVT 3 Pro- Change the Tubes to Vintage?

B

behemecoytl

Oct 1, 2008
136
3
#1
I've got an ampeg svt3 pro and I love the sound of the tube pre-amp. Talking to another bassist recently, I was advised to change the stock factory tubes with "Vintage" tubes. I love the tones I get from this thing already, but he assured me that I would be even Happier with vintage tubes. In the pursuit of ultimate tone happiness, will changing the tubes to older, "vintage tubes" make much difference? I'm willing to give it a shot if significant auditory bliss awaits.

thanks for any advice.
 
#4
if you wanted to just give something a whirl, you could change the FIRST pre-amp tube. This where most of your CLEAN headroom (clean tube) or major distortion (tube that distorts quickly) comes from.

So if you found like a NOS (new old stock) tube that offers nice clean headroom, and you like your Chinese stock clean headroom tube ( i believe JJ's are very clean) than go for it!

know what I mean?

honestly after that, those are preamp tubes, although help shape sound, it isn't unbelievably drastic.
 
#5
When I had an SVT III Pro I did change out all five preamp and driver tubes. I just used new Electro Harmonix tubes. I pulled out a motley collection of Chinese tubes and a couple of Groove Tubes in the head and popped in the EH's.

The change in tone was quite noticeable to my ears. Cleaner, less fizz, less background noise and thicker, punchier tone. I think that "vintage" (you probably are referring to NOS "new old stock" tubes) are a waste with a bass amp. Plus, the 12AX7's are getting very pricey.

Try some JJ's, Tungsols, or Electro Harmonix and I think you'll be pleased.
 
#6
I have the exact same amp and question as the original poster.

Here's my question: How simple is it to change the tubes? Is it as simple as it sounds? Just take out the old and pop in the new? Or are there other things I should be doing as well? This is new territory for me. Thanks.
 
#7
fastplant said:
I have the exact same amp and question as the original poster.

Here's my question: How simple is it to change the tubes? Is it as simple as it sounds? Just take out the old and pop in the new? Or are there other things I should be doing as well? This is new territory for me. Thanks.
Click to expand...
You just pop them in and out at will, nothing special need be done. Only power tubes need to be replaced by a tech so they can be biased.
 
#10
Materials, expertise, quality of the glass, quality of the vacuum in the glass "bottle". A lot of varibles, It all comes down to the expertise of the manufacturer. A newer name (selling cheap) doesn't always mean poor quality. I used to buy "Winged C's" before people found out about them, now the price has gone up 4 times over.
 
#14
fastplant said:
I have the exact same amp and question as the original poster.

Here's my question: How simple is it to change the tubes? Is it as simple as it sounds? Just take out the old and pop in the new? Or are there other things I should be doing as well? This is new territory for me. Thanks.
Click to expand...


Yep, easy as changing a light bulb. Here's a roadmap to help you out:

2898795416_56c03c77d0_b.jpg
 

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