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Ampeg SVT-3PRO Issues

Bartho

Bartho

Mar 23, 2007
10
0
Madison
www.luberocks.com
#1
In an attempt at downsizing my rig I traded my Mesa M-Pulse 600 and 2x10 & 2x15 cabs for an Ampeg SVT-3PRO and an Ampeg 410HLF. I love the cabinet, but am underwhelmed by the head. I have two major issues:

1. Noise through the direct out. Tried 4 different basses, all different cords, wireless/direct, straight to power tap/through rack rig, etc...same result. There is enough noise that it can be heard through the PA during breaks in the set. I've heard through the grapevine that Ampeg's are noisy. True? Is there a problem with the direct out?

2. The level for the direct out is affected by the gain control on the front of the amp. The Mesa was the opposite...set the output level and it remained the same regardless of what I did to the settings. GC says that all Ampegs are this way and find it to be an attribute. I disagree...it's hard to maintain a consistent signal given the adjustments that I periodically make. Are all Ampegs this way? Does anyone like this feature?

Thought about getting the Mesa head back but I didn't like it as well through the Ampeg cab. Thinking about a solid-state GK, had one years ago and really liked it. Is my SVT-3PRO a lemon or am I simply disappointed by it?

Appreciate any imput you may have!

Bartho
www.luberocks.com
 
#2
I never used my 3PRO direct out, so I'm not sure what to tell you there. I hate to say this because I still like Ampeg. The only reason I sold the 3PRO was not enough umph for me, but, I've been told by more than one Ampeg salesman that ever since LOUD took over, they have had a lot of amps back for warranty work. SLM Ampegs, they seldom saw after they left the store. Have you tried another one, or seen if it could be fixed. They ARE great sounding amps, especially well mated with the SVT and PR 410HLFs.
 
#3
I use the SVT4-PRO head and have never liked the direct out on this head, because I find it to be noisy as well..Many of the FOH guys I have worked with have told me they don't like the direct out on Ampeg heads for this very reason. I have a Sansamp BDDI on my board that I use...and when I play small gigs (without my pedal board), I carry a Radial Bass Bone with me to use...
 
#4
I had a 3pro & had NO probs with the Direct line out-in fact all the engineers I worked with said it sounded great out front. I only got rid of mine to go back to an ALL TUBE amp... if I could've afforded it, I would'a kept it. I thought it had a great range of tones, & using the graphic EQ's volume in combination with the tube voltage knob & gain -I got some nice Overdrives goin on. Re-the gain & direct out.... I used to just adjust the gain to where I wanted it & use the master for volume adjustments/or the EQ volume- I can't remember but isn't there a pre/post EQ switch for the D.I. out-or does the gain keep affecting it in both modes?
 
#6
1-The anpeg Pro series DI works so greatly that they sell it as a separate unit. Not noisy at all. If yours is then there is a problem in your sound chain, in or out or the amp.
2-If you don't want gain to affect the DI you must set the DI switch to pre rather than post preamp. There is also a level knob in the back to adjust the output level of the DI.
 
#10
Jazz Ad said:
1-The anpeg Pro series DI works so greatly that they sell it as a separate unit. Not noisy at all. If yours is then there is a problem in your sound chain, in or out or the amp.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. I used to have an Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp (essentially the SVT-3 Pro, but as a single-rack space unit and no power amp), and it had a lot of noise issues. Consulting the Talkbass archive, I found that this is a common issue with the SVP-Pro due to the tube configuration used. If you do get one, switch out the four 12AX7s for 12AU7s (so you have five of them, instead of 4x 12AX7s and 1x 12AU7). I recommend Telefunken or Mullards. I had a BUNCH of vintage ones that I just sold, but you can still find them on eBay or just google it.

Dave
 
#12
Dave Muscato said:
I respectfully disagree. I used to have an Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp (essentially the SVT-3 Pro, but as a single-rack space unit and no power amp), and it had a lot of noise issues. Consulting the Talkbass archive, I found that this is a common issue with the SVP-Pro due to the tube configuration used. If you do get one, switch out the four 12AX7s for 12AU7s (so you have five of them, instead of 4x 12AX7s and 1x 12AU7). I recommend Telefunken or Mullards. I had a BUNCH of vintage ones that I just sold, but you can still find them on eBay or just google it.

Dave
Click to expand...

Hey Dave,

I don't know much about changing tubes, but if you do what you say (replace all the 12ax7's with 12au7's), do you adjust the bias?
 

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