Ampeg SVT 3PRO

The 3 pros are great heads. Keep in mind that its not gonna sound like a heritage svt head. But still cant go wrong with it

 

I'd go for a NEW 7 pro myself

 

I have one running through an Eden 210xst. Sounds good, and has enough juice to power what you have. Played that set up at a gig a couple, the venues back line was a pro 3 through Ampeg 810.

But if you want to spend a couple extra hundred bucks go for a new Fender Super Bassman. Sounds incredible and is tube deliciousness.

The Fender SB I got was through a great deal at Musicians Friend. Email [email protected], say you're from TB and ask them for a deal on whatever you decide. Check out the hot deals section here for more details.

 

Wow never knew talkbass members could get deals through musiciansfriend

 

I bought an SVT 3 PRO for my 810 and returned it. Seemed underpowered and didn't love the tone. Bought an SVT CL and love it. Expensive so maybe a 7 PRO? I'm thinking of downsizing my gear and aim to try the 7. Try side by side if you can.

 

I'd personally steer away from the 3PRO. Mine seemed really underpowered and I wished I had bought the SVT4 instead.

YMMV though

 

And I depends on if you want basically another speaker cab to carry around...tube amps are heavy and big.

The 3 pro is a little heavy but pretty compact and you can get some good sounds out of it. Just depends on what you're looking for, from weight, to solid state vs tubes, etc.

Never tried one but heard good things about Aguilar tone hammers. I've seen them pop up in here used quite a bit, keep an eye out.

And maybe I'll sell you my head if you're interested haha!

 

3 pros can be had for a great price used, but I would go 7 pro.

 

The 3 pro can get nice and warm tones when cranked with that all tube preamp.

 

I love my 3 Pro, sounds great and I've never had any problems with it.
Some people prefer the tone of the 7 Pro, I haven't played one so I couldn't tell you how it sounds. The extra wattage would definitely be handy too.

 

You have to turn the gain up in the 3 Pro and ignore the input light since it's not a clip light. That's where all the underpowered business comes from. But it hits its numbers...you just need more gain. Ignore the light and turn it up till you hear distortion, then back off slightly for a clean sound.

 

This was my experience as well. My only problem with it was that the line out was all kinds of noisy. And several of my friends had the same problem with them over the years. Of course, this was 15 years ago so they may have fixed the problem in the newer ones.

 

Ya, by now you'd think.

 

I like the idea of the 7(if you're looking to Ampeg) it is simple and has some power. Onboard eq is a distraction for me-I'm always tweakin'. Simple lets me find my tone fast. Also, the price is ok.

 

The SVT 3 Pro is underpowered. I've owned most of the SVT Pro amps and I ended up with the Grandpappy SVT 300 watt tube amp. There is a reason that amp and the 810 are a legend. Every note is dipped in honey and it gets loud.

I also highly recommend the Aguilar Tonehammer 500. Sounds more like 700 watts and weighs 4 pounds. It's an incredible product.

 

I own several Ampegs with the 3Pro being the one I use the most. I couple it to a 410he and its good to go. If I need a bigger hammer I go SVT and a 810.

 

To get more power you can use the EQ level control to get it very loud (you can leave the eq flat)
I've had one for years and played one yesterday on a big stage with an Ampeg 1540 cab, plenty of power (gain at noon, master at noon, eq level all the way up) and great tone!

 

The 3 pro is not under powered IMO. If you really need to use the EQ slider to add volume you are either deaf or you're doing something wrong. The EQ slider isn't the best place for volume. It is one of the cheaper, noisier circuits in the gain chain. Just follow Jimmy's advice. Alternately, some people max the main volume and use the gain knob as volume for a super clean tone. Or get a 4,5,6 or tube head if weight isn't an issue. I still think a 3 is the best deal used.

 

Yup, I have one and this works. I get some nice retro tubey sounds out of it.

Also, for maximum volume turn up that "tube gain" knob too (last one on the right, next to the Master). That controls the plate voltage to the tube driver stage of the power amp. Below about 10:00 I find it kind of mushy and not real loud.

And if there's a constant faint buzzy fuzz sound in the background of every note, especially at low volume levels, the MOSFET bias probably needs to be adjusted. WARNING: this is an experienced tech task, the control is very touchy, and you can instantly fry the MOSFETs with a careless tweak. I have the skills and tools, and adjusted mine - it really brought out the beef in this amp, especially in the lows.