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Ampeg or Eden??

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#23
Don't buy the SVT 4 pro. I played through one for 9 years. I thought it sounded okay but was never completely happy, but then I got the LMII and boy what a difference. It blows the svt 4 pro away in tone and volume and thats through an svt 8x10. The svt 4 pro just doesn't have the volume you would expect from the advertised power. It has all the bells and whistles but I really didn't need that . It also cost > $1000. And by the way mine was made by SLM.
 
#24
You asked about the 2 Pro...that is an all-tube head, not a hybrid like the 4 Pro. It's also a terrific value on the used market, often going for around $800, which is the only way I'll buy Ampeg these days (used, that is).
 
#25
There is no difference in a NEW LOUD SVT-4PRO and an Older SVT-4PRO. If you are buying used well I wouldnt buy a 4PRO used as they have ALL been abused. I have one USA, one Korean, and two NAM units. The only trouble I have had is with the USA unit.

Dont think a 3PRO is a direct likness of a 4PRO they are different animals.

The preamp on a 4PRO is not a massive gain thing. When mine is cranked up the gain control is between 5/8th open and 3/4 open on all the amps. The master throttle sits at 3/4 open on all the outputs. If you need more volume a guy could also go to the EQ section and crank up that gain too. Things are getting pretty loud with an amp on MONO-BLOCK per cab at that point. How loud does a guy need to get with an 810? If you need more, add more cabs and amps.

But a lot of people complain because the knobs are turned way up there to get loud. Where I'd complain is if there was a need to turn to 11 and there was only a 10... This is what I find when I want to power two 810's per 4PRO, it just doesnt have enough power for that. That was a disappointment. A tube SVT head doesnt have enough power either. Sure you can plug it in, but it doesnt have enough power.

So there's a lot of anti SVT-4PRO guys here, thats cool. But you are going to need to play both of these heads and make the decision yourself. Its nice to listen to what everybody says, but seriously... Which amp makes your world rock? Its doesnt matter what any of us think... and why a WT-800 and not a 1205? BOB
 
#26
yeah, my 4pro is way underpowered, had to turn it up almost all the way then it would clip out. mine was made in the USA and everything, just never was loud or low. it has great features, and in theory, that amp should be awesome, but it had no real bass, the DI was junk, and it cut out whenever i turned it up. the only time the 4pro sounded good to me was when i bypassed the preamp and used my BassVT pedal to drive it.

of course imo
 
#27
rbonner said:
There is no difference in a NEW LOUD SVT-4PRO and an Older SVT-4PRO. If you are buying used well I wouldnt buy a 4PRO used as they have ALL been abused. I have one USA, one Korean, and two NAM units. The only trouble I have had is with the USA unit.
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I say to buy used because LOUD is a scumbag company who has zero respect for its customer base. I thought they were really trying at first, but they're not.
 
#28
Maybe I missed something. Has anybody asked what you play?
I've owned Ampeg Pro 3, Eden 1200, aggie 750.
All great amps. I decided to go all tube and play and SVT Classic now. We play a wide veriety of Rock and it suits all my Needs.
I'd go w/ the used Pro 2. Tube Power amp, Pro 3 EQ. Bad Rig dude.
The Eden will do anything you want. I'd get used Ampeg.
 
#30
From my experience the Eden's sound just blew me away. I was thinking about picking up a WT800 soon as well.

Also, not to hi-jack the thread but I'm wondering (since I haven't played through on) how the Aguilar's sound compares to the Eden's and Ampeg.
 
#31
novo said:
I am thinking of buying a new amp but still can't choose between the ampeg svt4 or the eden wt800... any suggestions please???
Click to expand...

Between just Ampeg and Eden? No contest. Eden all the way. Then again, I've never liked Ampeg anything. And from everything I've heard, Eden is just more high-end and professional in every respect. YMMV, of course...

MM
 
#32
BiggieSmalls said:
From my experience the Eden's sound just blew me away. I was thinking about picking up a WT800 soon as well.

Also, not to hi-jack the thread but I'm wondering (since I haven't played through on) how the Aguilar's sound compares to the Eden's and Ampeg.
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Just my opinon, but I have owend all 3. I will state again, they are all excellent amps.
I was using a DB750 w/ a GS 412 Cab. Killer Rig. Plain and Simple. Eden you have all kinds of adjustments. DB 750 is just the basics, but it's a basic killer amp. I'd say it sounds between the 2. I think it's a better Hybrid than Ampegs. Great for almost any style. Power forever. If I go back to Hybrid, I'll go back to that rig, I just love the sound of an all tube amp.
 
#35
i have played both and i have to say that i would choose the eden hands down. it is kinda like sound, you want clean cause you can make it plenty dirty if you want, but if it's dirty you can't clean it up that much. i like the ampeg, don't get me wrong, and if you can afford both then ... but if you can't then perhaps the eden would be a better choice.
 
#36
Williamsburgjim said:
....before purchasing my CL and 3pro I looked at the 4pro. While the stereo/bi-amp features (among others) are useful, it was too much on the 'solid state side' of the 'hybrid equasion' for my tastes. That said, maybe figure out what you want/need ....SS, all-tube, hybrid, power/stand-alone use, small/large venues, etc..

Jimbob
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JimBob, what and the heck do you mean by its too much on the Solid State Side of the HYBRID Equasion? Is it because it has a solid state amplifier in there? Hybrid is supposed to mean tubes and solid state.

Its got an SVP-PRO preamp screwed to a SVP-1500 amp. Now it does have a hell of a lot of features no other amp until then had. Stereo, built in crossover all the stuff complex systems might need. They went way out there to give us an amp with features. Is that what you meant by too solid state? Dont use the features....

Does it not have enough tubes in the preamp section for you? It has three and they all line up real nice on the preamp board. Does it need six? I think three works just fine. Then it goes to the final and they're all FET's in two rows on the solid state amplifier board.

The SVT-8PRO if we ever see them, is the VINTAGE REISSUE preamp bolted to a very simple 2500 Watt digital amp, now that might be too solid state too, but it still is a HYBRID. Even one more tube if that was whats needed and all those extra features are lopped off. Instead of looking like a PA amp on the back it looks like a CARVIN. I'm suprised they put two speaker jacks on the back its so void.

I guess I just don't get your definition.

When pushed a bit I get the sound I was looking for. To the guy who pushed his amp until it clips, thats what the little LED in the preamp is for. The output limiter also keeps the amp from clipping. I dont use that myself as I'm busting sheetrock with the limiter defeated here without clipping.

For those who have had the amps SHUT DOWN, you aren't providing enough airflow to the head by enclosing it too tightly in the rack. We here on the eastern border of the western frontier call that a safety feature.

Thats why I say all used SVT-4PRO's are abused, nobody uses them right and then slams the amplifier. Thats not very fair to the company or the reputation of the unit. Sure they've had production issues, and the long delays on the 8PRO are proof they've had issues with the 8PRO, but arent releasing it again until all the fires are put out.

Yeah Loud is screwing up their image, but not all of the products are crap.

BOB
 
#37
Bob, I think what Jimbob is trying to say is this:

Many of us have come to love the "Ampeg sound" (huge, blossoming, grinding, snarling, everything that rock should be, etc.) that was only available through their big SVT, SVT-CL, SVT-II, SVT-IIPRO tube amps. When you saw the name Ampeg, you assumed that you were getting that sound. When you plug into a hybrid Ampeg you are disappointed. It sounds more Solid State than glowing tube--a bit too clean for most Ampeg lovers.

FWIW, I used my SVT-3PRO for many jazz gigs and was quite happy.
 
#38
my 2 cents:

Eden. I was looking for a new head and there was a comparably priced Eden WT-800 and Ampeg 4Pro on CL at the time. I tried them out back to back. The Eden was louder, cleaner, bassier. The ampeg was farty. The Eden has been super reliable ever since.

Given, I already had an Eden 4x10 as a cab, and I think the heads are matched particularly well. However, if you use the DI to the mains at your gigs, i think Eden has another benefit, since their pre amps are super sweet.
 
#39
novo said:
I am thinking of buying a new amp but still can't choose between the ampeg svt4 or the eden wt800... any suggestions please???
Click to expand...

These days, I would pick anything BUT those two. There's lots of great amps out there now - try something that isn't 20 years old.

bannerman said:
Those two amps are not very similar. The Eden has more of a smooth, soft and clear tone while the Ampeg is likely to bring a bit of rock growl. In a good way, if you like that sort of thing. It's not so much a case of "better" as it is a matter of preference. I think Eden amps are great but if you aren't sure which you want, my guess is that you will someday feel like you are stuck with a specific tone if you buy the Eden.
Click to expand...

Having played one for two or three years, I can tell you that the Eden is definitely not smooth or soft - it's actually kind of harsh, edgey, raw and nasty. The Ampeg is just squishy as heck and distorts with the slightest provocation, giving you zero headroom - if you want a clean sound at all, forget it completely. And the power ratings on it are just a complete and total outright lie, bigtime. 'Sears' watts, for the oldtimers like me.

And do a search and you'll see 'one or two' posts about Eden AND Ampeg reliability these days - don't say we didn't warn you.

Markbass, Mesa, Aguilar, Thunderfunk, Genz-Benz, Ashdown, Tec-Amp, AER, Bergantino IP cabs, there's LOTS of good and GREAT amps out there now. Those two would be last on my list these days, and ESPECIALLY from a reliability standpoint.

Good luck,
Cameron
 
#40
dont get me wrong, i dont hate ampeg or anything, id love an ampeg tube amp for sure. or a 2pro or 8 pro obv. the 4pro just didnt work for "me". and im glad that you love them rbonner. my limit light would come on and the amp would fart out quite often when i was playing at volumes i thought werent unresonable for that amp to produce.
 
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