anyone have this amp?? have the chance to buy it at a great rate so would like to pounce on it
cheers!
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Ampeg svt 3 from 03 opinions please
- Thread starter flea claypool
- Start date
anyone have this amp?? have the chance to buy it at a great rate so would like to pounce on it
cheers!
I thought they had changed the design to the white block lettering they do now. That looks like a much older one...I had one that looked just like it from 94. I could be wrong, though, so check the serial number. Regardless, it's the same head no matter what year you get one.
oh?? so it could be older??
you mean the svt 3 now is exactly the same as it was years ago?? are they a good amp??
I don't know about "exactly" meaning that you will get the exact components now that you got in 94, but as far as I know, the design hasn't changed at all, and to my ears, they all sound the same. I think it's a terrific sounding head, and you should get it if it's a good deal. I do think there's better these days, but back when it came out it was pretty amazing.
its only to match up with a 112xlt i got as a present i plan on getting a XLT115 and changing heads when money is right.. i reckon ill go for it cheers Jimmym as always a gent
anyone have this amp?? have the chance to buy it at a great rate so would like to pounce on it
I have one. Yes, they are a good amp. Do a search. There are several TB threads about the svt3pro. You should find just about everything you'd ever want to know about them.
Yes, I think you're right Jimmy. I bought mine new in early 04. No blue lettering.
Ben
what is the difference between the SVT-III and the SVT-III Pro? That looks like the one I have (a SVT-III from the early 90s...but mine has the white lettering) Mine is a hybrid with tubes in the preamp. It sounds great, but it took a back seat when I bought my LMII. I needed more power with two loud guitards.
yes thanks i know about the search button been here quite a while
and no there wasnt any info on what i was looking for.. 
Ahhh....thanks. In that case I can vouch for it...its a great sounding head and if you can get a great deal on it, go for it!
yes thanks i know about the search button been here quite a while
Okay, cool. I just recommended a search because the TB threads I've seen discuss good and bad points about the 3pro, how to optimize the controls for best/loudest sound, reliability, etc. So, what info are your looking for?
Ben
Reliability.. and general flaws and pro's..
it was the year i was and still am unsure about i dunno would i be right in saying mid 90's?
Mine looks exactly the photo; serial # is T3PDH90028
Haven't a clue what year it was made but have had it for ages and sounds good.
Not as good as a real SVT CL (to me) but decent.
Mine finaly needs tubes after years of thrashing.
Seems like the going rate is approx $450 so determine how good your deal looks from there.
Haven't a clue what year it was made but have had it for ages and sounds good.
Not as good as a real SVT CL (to me) but decent.
Mine finaly needs tubes after years of thrashing.
Seems like the going rate is approx $450 so determine how good your deal looks from there.
I own (2) 3-pros. One is from '99 (first year of the current cosmetics) and the other from either '01 or '02. Don't rememebr. The only maintainance I had to do to them was change the tubes. Both performed flawlessly and sounded great until just this year, when I started getting a distortion from the power section. ((Search the forums for "Ampeg Distortion Problem" to read more)). My local Ampeg tech had the same problem, but the fix posted on that thread worked for his. Unfortunately it hasnt worked for my two. Either way, I can't complain on the performance. Ten years of bouncing around in a trailer, being dropped by fellow band members, gigged just about every weekend, and exposed to hot and cold with no problems until now, sounds like a pretty good track record.
Pros -
1) Great tone!
2) Loud
3) Versatile
4) Built tough
Cons -
1) Heavy when compared to newer amps
2) NEEDS a 4ohm load
3) Can't really think of a third thing wrong with it
1) Great tone!
2) Loud
3) Versatile
4) Built tough
Cons -
1) Heavy when compared to newer amps
2) NEEDS a 4ohm load
3) Can't really think of a third thing wrong with it
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
- 3 Pro= more power 450 watts
- 5 Preamp tubes = Four 12ax7s and One 12au7 mosfet driver
- Expanded Graphic EQ
- Tube Driver Circuit
- Master VOL
- MOSFET output devices
- Toroidial Transformer
3 non pro had
- 3 preamp tubes all of which were 12ax7
- Less Power at 350 at 4 ohms
- Heavier with traditional Iron Power tranny
- Same front end as the SVT2 non pro
- Bipolar transistor output
I had both amps.. I sold my 3 pro since i liked the sound of the 3 non pro much better.. It was not as loud as the Pro version.. but I personally preferred the tone.. it seems to be closer to the SVT2 ... I still have it and have not used it in a while but i have recorded with it and love the sound of the preamp section... again the preamp is closer in sound to the NON PRO SVT2 version which seems more lively and closer to a vintage SVT than the PRO versions do.. just my take on things.. I was an ampeg endorser for 20 years and had all the toys.. I kept my SVT2 and my SVT3 but have moved the pro versions to new homes....
Thx for the breakdown, Kirk. It's odd but the Ampeg book gives it very short shrift, and so few people have played them. All they say is it had 350w and was a hybrid. Nothing about the PT or EQ points.
