Ampeg SGT-DI

[dubmaster]

Anyone else have the preamp section of their SGT-DI spontaneously die? I was using the Ampeg power supply with no other pedals connected. I heard a pop then the bass signal dropped to inaudible along with with bacon sizzle distortion. Only gets worse if I turn the gain up. If I turn off the preamp section then the IR and SGT section still pass the signal normally. Of course this happened to me outside of the one year warranty. Ampeg customer service just tells me to bring it to a service center and I’m honestly over it at this point. I can’t trust that it won’t happen again so it’s not going back out to a gig regardless.

 

[2saddleslab]

Anyone else have the preamp section of their SGT-DI spontaneously die? I was using the Ampeg power supply with no other pedals connected. I heard a pop then the bass signal dropped to inaudible along with with bacon sizzle distortion. Only gets worse if I turn the gain up. If I turn off the preamp section then the IR and SGT section still pass the signal normally. Of course this happened to me outside of the one year warranty. Ampeg customer service just tells me to bring it to a service center and I’m honestly over it at this point. I can’t trust that it won’t happen again so it’s not going back out to a gig regardless.

Nope, mine has run flawlessly since purchased new. I've used it extensively both live & in the studio.

 

[dubmaster]

Nope, mine has run flawlessly since purchased new. I've used it extensively both live & in the studio.

Yup I’m bummed and I honestly don’t have faith in the only authorized service center in my city from previous bad experiences. I bought this SGT-DI on product launch day. Ran to get it the moment I saw that it was out. Oh well.

I’m trying to see the positives. It still works as an IR loader and the overdrive still works. I had already switched back to a sansamp BDDI for gigging anyways. I found the SGT to not have enough signal for the XLR out for certain venues. I would have soundguys asking me for more level even when I was close to clipping the IR section. I wish they had thought of putting a switch to choose between line and mic level for the XLR out. Also could have used an input pad. Maybe they will get it right one day with a V2.

 

[klattman]

The sound of the SGT-DI is very sensitive to gain staging. Add to that there are three seperate sections that need to be lined up well and it can be a pain sometimes.

An input pad and a switch to have line level out as an option would have been extremely helpful.

 

[2saddleslab]

Yup I’m bummed and I honestly don’t have faith in the only authorized service center in my city from previous bad experiences. I bought this SGT-DI on product launch day. Ran to get it the moment I saw that it was out. Oh well.

I’m trying to see the positives. It still works as an IR loader and the overdrive still works. I had already switched back to a sansamp BDDI for gigging anyways. I found the SGT to not have enough signal for the XLR out for certain venues. I would have soundguys asking me for more level even when I was close to clipping the IR section. I wish they had thought of putting a switch to choose between line and mic level for the XLR out. Also could have used an input pad. Maybe they will get it right one day with a V2.

Bought mine 2 hours after launch as well. Sorry to hear of your issue. It would be a shame [or blessing] if it's just something as simple as a broken solder joint.

 

[Bass Intrigue]

Anyone else have the preamp section of their SGT-DI spontaneously die? I was using the Ampeg power supply with no other pedals connected. I heard a pop then the bass signal dropped to inaudible along with with bacon sizzle distortion. Only gets worse if I turn the gain up. If I turn off the preamp section then the IR and SGT section still pass the signal normally. Of course this happened to me outside of the one year warranty. Ampeg customer service just tells me to bring it to a service center and I’m honestly over it at this point. I can’t trust that it won’t happen again so it’s not going back out to a gig regardless.

Same thing happened to me several months ago. My local repair places have been unable to fix the issue so I’m bringing it to a certified repair place outside my state. Not too far thankfully but still incredibly disappointing. Ampeg support has been quite lacking considering the price point of these units. I’ve noticed the signal goes completely out when the SGT circuit is engaged. Does that happen for you?

 

[Bass Intrigue]

I seem to be having some problems with my SGT. Wondering if anyone here has had similar issues.

The output from the main line out is quite low and noisy but the preamp out sounds fine. And when I engage the SGT circuit it looses almost all volume just barely audible which happens on both outputs. It was fine the last time I used it but suddenly seems to have soiled itself.

Did you find a solution to this by chance? I have run into the same issue and my pedal is past warranty.

 

[dubmaster]

Same thing happened to me several months ago. My local repair places have been unable to fix the issue so I’m bringing it to a certified repair place outside my state. Not too far thankfully but still incredibly disappointing. Ampeg support has been quite lacking considering the price point of these units. I’ve noticed the signal goes completely out when the SGT circuit is engaged. Does that happen for you?

I’m sorry to hear that I’m not the only one with this going on. The big difference for me is that my signal works when the sgt circuit is on but completely cuts out when the preamp is engaged with some sizzle and static. Even my IR section still works. But now I can’t use any of the tone controls and I can’t set my gain with the preamp. I refuse to spend any more money trying to fix it out of warranty.

I’ve played a ton of pro Ampeg gear from mostly 90s-00s. I’m really not thrilled about how much money I spent on this sgt di for it to just quit working so soon. I switched back to a sansamp DI for gigging and I’m sticking with that. I’m done buying new Ampeg gear for now. I was hoping the quality would be there with Yamaha behind this new stuff but nope. Last time I tried to gig with new Ampeg stuff I had the same luck. I bought a faulty PF500 head when they first came out that cut out constantly. They replaced it and the new one did the same thing. Sent it back for a refund. It’s not user error. I have no issues with my Aguilar gear or my old quilter setup. I do have a small rocket bass practice amp that’s still kicking lol.

 

[Bass Intrigue]

I’m sorry to hear that I’m not the only one with this going on. The big difference for me is that my signal works when the sgt circuit is on but completely cuts out when the preamp is engaged with some sizzle and static. Even my IR section still works. But now I can’t use any of the tone controls and I can’t set my gain with the preamp. I refuse to spend any more money trying to fix it out of warranty.

I’ve played a ton of pro Ampeg gear from mostly 90s-00s. I’m really not thrilled about how much money I spent on this sgt di for it to just quit working so soon. I switched back to a sansamp DI for gigging and I’m sticking with that. I’m done buying new Ampeg gear for now. I was hoping the quality would be there with Yamaha behind this new stuff but nope. Last time I tried to gig with new Ampeg stuff I had the same luck. I bought a faulty PF500 head when they first came out that cut out constantly. They replaced it and the new one did the same thing. Sent it back for a refund. It’s not user error. I have no issues with my Aguilar gear or my old quilter setup. I do have a small rocket bass practice amp that’s still kicking lol.

Yeah it’s quite discouraging considering the price of the unit. Only other pedal I’ve had fail was a behringer sf300 but $25 down the drain is far more palatable than $400.

I will definitely update if the certified tech is able to diagnose the problem.

 

[DonaldR]

There's probably a ton of SCR-DI out there without any issues. If mine breaks I'm pretty confident it could be fix easily.

 

[tom once dead]

Did you find a solution to this by chance? I have run into the same issue and my pedal is past warranty.

No solution yet, I've just been using the Preamp out which functions fine minus the SGT circuit.
Need to get it take it in for repairs and see what the damage is.

 

[Bass Intrigue]

No solution yet, I've just been using the Preamp out which functions fine minus the SGT circuit.
Need to get it take it in for repairs and see what the damage is.

Brought mine to an authorized Ampeg dealer this past week. He said it is likely due to one of the two pcbs inside the unit. One of them controls the SGT circuit and compressor which is where mine has failed. The part was $115 out of warranty.

The fact that Ampeg’s response to this has simply been to pass the buck to repair techs is quite disappointing. Hope this is simply a lemon issue and not something endemic with their quality control for other users sake.

 

[tom once dead]

Brought mine to an authorized Ampeg dealer this past week. He said it is likely due to one of the two pcbs inside the unit. One of them controls the SGT circuit and compressor which is where mine has failed. The part was $115 out of warranty.

The fact that Ampeg’s response to this has simply been to pass the buck to repair techs is quite disappointing. Hope this is simply a lemon issue and not something endemic with their quality control for other users sake.

Sounds like I could be in for a hefty repair bill. Or find another one on the used market and have some spare parts laying around.
Ampeg's quality control really hasn't been up to scratch whenever they launch a new product. It's a shame because the SGT-DI really is perfect for me. It's the dream Preamp DI pedal I have been wanting for years.

 

[2saddleslab]

Sounds like I could be in for a hefty repair bill. Or find another one on the used market and have some spare parts laying around.
Ampeg's quality control really hasn't been up to scratch whenever they launch a new product. It's a shame because the SGT-DI really is perfect for me. It's the dream Preamp DI pedal I have been wanting for years.

Your frustration is understandable but these are the 1st reports I've read of any issues w/ the SGT-DI.

 

[dubmaster]

Sounds like I could be in for a hefty repair bill. Or find another one on the used market and have some spare parts laying around.
Ampeg's quality control really hasn't been up to scratch whenever they launch a new product. It's a shame because the SGT-DI really is perfect for me. It's the dream Preamp DI pedal I have been wanting for years.

This is exactly how I feel. Obviously the three of us with lemon units are in the minority but this is why we come to talkbass to share our experiences.

 

[Spanish Pirate]

Hi... I recently acquired this gadget. We're still getting to know each other, but I'm already looking for a friend for it... I've heard about the Edison, but I can't find where they sell it... I'm reading the Sushi Box thread and I'm wondering if anyone uses one of them with the SGT and if it would give it something extra. Thanks.

 

[smatanovic]

Hi... I recently acquired this gadget. We're still getting to know each other, but I'm already looking for a friend for it... I've heard about the Edison, but I can't find where they sell it... I'm reading the Sushi Box thread and I'm wondering if anyone uses one of them with the SGT and if it would give it something extra. Thanks.

I run a Hagerman Valve into the Sgt-di and love the combo.

 

[2saddleslab]

Hi... I recently acquired this gadget. We're still getting to know each other, but I'm already looking for a friend for it... I've heard about the Edison, but I can't find where they sell it... I'm reading the Sushi Box thread and I'm wondering if anyone uses one of them with the SGT and if it would give it something extra. Thanks.

I use an Edison on my SGT-DI rig. There are a few in the TB classifieds but they are sold new here:

Store | nightowlindustries

www.nightowl.industries

I run a Hagerman Valve into the Sgt-di and love the combo.

The Hagerman sounds better on the SCR-DI to my ears but both pedals deliver the tubey goodness.

 

[klattman]

I wish the SGT had an effects loop and an input buffer. It doesn’t sound great to me with a hot signal into it. Even some of my passive basses hit the SGT circuit too hard and there’s too much gain. I like edge of breakup most of the time and with too much input, the SGT gain knob set at zero is already above the breakup edge. Now if you like more dirt a boost in front will work, but I’ve never not had enough gain with the SGT knob by itself.

You need to be careful with the SGT since it has three volumes l, you want to avoid clipping the preamp with too much SGT circuit volume and then avoid clipping the cabsim section with too much preamp volume. If you are careful, this thing sounds just like the amps.

Also I thought the old SCR was too gainy for my taste so your tastes may be different. I like the SGT much better.

 

[AObando2002]

I wish the SGT had an effects loop and an input buffer. It doesn’t sound great to me with a hot signal into it. Even some of my passive basses hit the SGT circuit too hard and there’s too much gain. I like edge of breakup most of the time and with too much input, the SGT gain knob set at zero is already above the breakup edge. Now if you like more dirt a boost in front will work, but I’ve never not had enough gain with the SGT knob by itself.

You need to be careful with the SGT since it has three volumes l, you want to avoid clipping the preamp with too much SGT circuit volume and then avoid clipping the cabsim section with too much preamp volume. If you are careful, this thing sounds just like the amps.

Also I thought the old SCR was too gainy for my taste so your tastes may be different. I like the SGT much better.

That's terrible to hear. I wanted to pick one up for a different flavor to my Darkglass Infinity along with the rest of my board.