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Ampeg SVT 3 PRO upgrade

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D-ROCK5972

Mar 4, 2008
13
0
#1
First post; hope it's in the right place. I know this subject has been talked about a bit, but couldn't seem to find an answer that directly relates to my situation. Forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse.

I own an Ampeg SVT 3 PRO (450w at 4 ohms), G-K Backline 1x15 (200w at 8 ohms), and a G-K 4x10 (400w at 8 ohms). I'm looking to pick up an SWR Goliath Senior 6x10 rated at 1200w at 4 ohms. Am I correct in assuming that I'll need more power than the SVT 3 PRO will produce? If so, can I just add a power amp to the Ampeg or do I need to upgrade to the 4 PRO? If I can just add a power amp, what brand/wattage is suggested/ideal?

Thanks for all the help and advice.

D-ROCK
 
#2
D-ROCK5972 said:
First post; hope it's in the right place. I know this subject has been talked about a bit, but couldn't seem to find an answer that directly relates to my situation. Forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse.

I own an Ampeg SVT 3 PRO (450w at 4 ohms), G-K Backline 1x15 (200w at 8 ohms), and a G-K 4x10 (400w at 8 ohms). I'm looking to pick up an SWR Goliath Senior 6x10 rated at 1200w at 4 ohms. Am I correct in assuming that I'll need more power than the SVT 3 PRO will produce? If so, can I just add a power amp to the Ampeg or do I need to upgrade to the 4 PRO? If I can just add a power amp, what brand/wattage is suggested/ideal?

Thanks for all the help and advice.


D-ROCK
Click to expand...

Are you planning on powering ALL of your cabs - the 1x15, 4x10 and 6x10 - with your Ampeg SVT3 Pro? If yes, then your current amp will not cut it because it is not stable at 2 ohms.

What you could do is pick up a power amp and use your SVT3 Pro as a pre amp. You could then run the GK 4x10+1x15 in channel "A" and the 6x10 in channel "B".

An SVT4 Pro would be capable of running all of those cabs. http://www.ampeg.com/products/pro/svt4pro/index.html
It puts out 490-Watts x 2 at 4 ohms

I would recommend adding a power amp instead of switching to the SVT 4. Albeit a very nice bass amp, the SVT4 is a wee bit underpowered by many people's standards. Supposedly it works well in mono-bridged mode, but you wouldn't be using it like this.
Look into QSC and Crown power amps.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=481587V
On sale for $399, 800 watts/channel at 4 ohms

If you decide you want to stick to Ampeg and upgrade, I would recommend an all tube head like an SVT 2/SVT 2 Pro, SVT VR, Classic or Ampeg V4.

Welcome to TB by the way!
 
#10
I agree, the 3Pro and the 610 should be a good match, but if you want to upgrade the amp, skip the 4Pro, and find yourself a 6Pro. Much better amp, imo, and easier to dial it in. If you like the tone from the 3Pro, a 6Pro is the logical next step up.
 

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