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Ampeg question

C

Cliff1908

Jun 29, 2005
9
0
43
#1
Hello everybody,

I'm looking for a head to match my Ampeg BXT 410 HL 4 cabinet and I'm very interested in a Ampeg B4 head and a Ampeg SVT 3 Pro head. But I've noticed that the B4 head produces 1000 watt solid state power and the cabinet has a powerrating of 600 watt. Does that form any problem for both items (blowing my cab up, etc...)? I hope that there are a few people here that could help me out. The SVT 3 Pro is also on my list but many people told me that the B4 is a more then worthy investment.
 
#3
Keep in mind the 3 pro runs @ 4 ohms max and the BXT is rated @ 4 ohms, which prevents you from being able to add another cab... should the need arise. (unless you slave an additional power amp).
 
#5
Thank you all for the advice! I have heard many great comments about the Ampeg B4R head. The SVT 3 Pro head on the other hand is not that populair. I've tested the SVT 3 Pro head and it isn't that loud. Compaired with the B4R, it sounds so quiet. Perhaps I'll seek other combinations (for example: Ampeg B4R head + Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1000). I'll see what I'll do. Thank you all very much for the response and the advice. Cliff!
 
#6
I've got an SVT-3Pro and it is not restricted to 4-ohms max. That is just incorrect. I use mine wiht a G-b XB410 and it is extremely loud. I think it is a very good amp and sounds great. Many people do not understand how it works, even some that own them. It is a complex amp. Take time to read the manual and understand it's controls and that time will turn into maximized tone, which I think is worth it.
 
#7
main_sale said:
I've got an SVT-3Pro and it is not restricted to 4-ohms max. That is just incorrect.
Click to expand...


Wow your 3 pro can run below 4 ohms? Thats amazing... they must have made a design change just for yours. Cliff1908 said he wants a "head to match" his BXT 410 HL (which is a 4 ohm cab). I simply pointed out that if he eventually wanted to hook up another 4 ohm cab to a 3 pro, the amp would run at 2 ohms. Try running your 3 pro at 2 ohms and let me know how it works. ;)
 
#8
main_sale said:
I've got an SVT-3Pro and it is not restricted to 4-ohms max. That is just incorrect. I use mine wiht a G-b XB410 and it is extremely loud. I think it is a very good amp and sounds great. Many people do not understand how it works, even some that own them. It is a complex amp. Take time to read the manual and understand it's controls and that time will turn into maximized tone, which I think is worth it.
Click to expand...
Hmm that's odd since mine has a notification at the outputs that says distinctly 4 ohm minimum.......
Now the statment about how people percieve them as a "quiet" amp is more correct. The Master isn't an amplified curcuit as much as a limiter on how much volume is allowed out....
The guy that I bought mine form used the water faucet as an analogy, want more sound? Open it up..... the power seems to be run from the gain control and the "crunchiness" of the tubes (what there are 6 of 'em I think?) is controled by the tube gain section, which seems to add no volume.... So for most app's you run the master wide open and use the gain and tube gain to get the tone you're looking for. I was quite intriqued by this and wondered why a master at all then, but I'm still figuring it out. Like my SVT3Pro alot, it drives a pair of 8 ohm 4x10's just fine. I can just barely hear the guitarists...hehehehehe
I wish it had a second speakon connector however...
 
#9
8mmOD said:
Wow your 3 pro can run below 4 ohms? Thats amazing... they must have made a design change just for yours. Cliff1908 said he wants a "head to match" his BXT 410 HL (which is a 4 ohm cab). I simply pointed out that if he eventually wanted to hook up another 4 ohm cab to a 3 pro, the amp would run at 2 ohms. Try running your 3 pro at 2 ohms and let me know how it works. ;)
Click to expand...

Interestingly right after I bought mine I mistakenly ran it into a 2 ohm load and it didn't appear to do harm, that is the magic smoke didn't come rushing out...... I only did it once and would not tempt the gods again.
 
#12
yeah, but most of them have stereo capabilities that allow for the use of two 4ohm cabinets. This is the reason I purchased a power amp when I had 2 cabs.

Basically, if you have a 4ohm cab with a 3Pro, and you want more speaker surface... you've gotta ditch whatever cab it is you have. That tends to piss people off. If your in the same position with a B4, you can get another 4ohm cab and run it stereo. No, its not as much power, but the extra speakers will probably make you a hell of a lot louder than you were before.
 

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