Considering picking one up in great condition for $250! Is this a good deal, or should I avoid it? Not that many good demos online, what do owners think?
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Ampeg SVT 3 Pro USA: Is It Worth It?
- Thread starter Silas Caldwell
- Start date
If it functions as it should, that's a very good deal.
Once you figure out the gain staging the amp has plenty of power.
Once you figure out the gain staging the amp has plenty of power.
26 lbs. and a wimpy 450W.
If you need a backup to your TH500, I guess?
I can't imagine it will get much use with the Aguilar around.
If you need a backup to your TH500, I guess?
I can't imagine it will get much use with the Aguilar around.
Had one long ago and wonder if I'd like it now. Always read it was underpowered but I had a 810 to go with it so I never had any issues with volume. I sold it at least a dozen years ago after I had gotten a lighter head to travel with, but for some reason still have the rack (and power conditioner, tuner, and 2 space drawer) that it lived in. Maybe it is time to get a rack mounted head again...
It blows my mind that these are still being sold new. For $1200!
Mine wasn't "wimpy" at all. I ran it into a Mesa 210/115 EV and it was loud enough for a very loud blues rock band. IMO for $250 an SVT3-PRO is a good deal. I owned mine 20 years ago. These days I'd probably be looking at a different amp, but $250 for this amp is a lot of persuasion.
A lot of the older ones have an issue with the line out humming. Ground lift never helped. I had mine in the shop for another issue and they fixed that while it was in. Some sort of grounding problem common to that era.
It's a good amp. Heavy by today's standards. But at that price, why not?
It's a good amp. Heavy by today's standards. But at that price, why not?
Attachments
Have you played one? Absolutely no contest from any of the Aguilar gear I have tried.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Hi,
The price is almost twice lower than I spent on mine
..take it! 
Maybe it is little heavy but FOR ME the sound rewards carrying it.
Before getting 3PRO I've tried many amps but neither sounded good enough to my ears. Obviously the sound is a subjective matter
As mentioned - GAIN is the KEY (listen to Dino: ).
I'm running mine with 610HLF cab, volume set at noon - enough to cut through two loud guitarists and drums without using any EQ boosting.
Good luck!
PS. If I wanted to upgrade I'd go for 2PRO
The User manual suggests setting the Master to the loudest it will go without the amp being too noisy. For my amp that was at 3 o'clock. Then set your volume with the Gain. I didn't use the buttons or the EQ faders. The tone controls were between 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock.
Anyway, don't be afraid to turn it up 
Lmao 26 lbs heavy...leave the lightweight stuff for the old guys with rubber band spines
They're great amps, plenty of power and tone for days. Played mine last night with 2 guitars playing thru orange rockerverbs and a heavy handed drummer. Will not disappoint, would recommend
They're great amps, plenty of power and tone for days. Played mine last night with 2 guitars playing thru orange rockerverbs and a heavy handed drummer. Will not disappoint, would recommend
I love mine. It's a workhorse amp from days of yonder, and I will be taking my to rehearsal later. I've had Ashdowns and Mesas but prefer the Ampeg sound.
I paid twice what you did and thought I had a bargain for a USA made amp (I know they are not all USA made)
I paid twice what you did and thought I had a bargain for a USA made amp (I know they are not all USA made)
It is a great deal. One of the best amps out there. Consider pairing it with higher sensitivity speakers and you're set.
