I was wondering if anyone had experience with this amp? I have an opportunity to pick a used one up for a good price. I just started posting on here the other day as I am a Guitar player getting into bass for recording purposes mainly. I am using universal audio Ampeg plug-ins right now but would like the opportunity to have an actual amp for recording. I’ve heard Cliff Williams and some others used them live at least. Is it close to an SVT classic? Thoughts?
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Ampeg SVT-4 Pro
- Thread starter A6stringthing
- Start date
It is an absolutely wonderful sounding amp for not having a tube power section. You can definitely tell that the same company makes them, although being a SS power section, the 4 Pro is tighter at higher volumes and has the usual sonic differences between a trad SS power section and tubes/transformer power. If you don't mind the schlep, it's a great head.
Thank you for the reply. Do you think it would be good for recording?
Wattage-wise it's gross overkill for recording, but you can record with it at low volumes and without a cab, too. I've never tried to record with it, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't be really good for it.
I used one through an 810 for many years as my main large gig rig. They can be great sounding, versatile amps as long as you let them vent properly.
Do you think it’s too much power for recording. My guitar amps like to be loud to get the right tone. So the tubes are being pushed. Is the solid state power amp in the Ampeg different?
This is hard to answer; you're really the only one that can answer that. Studio tone is very subjective. Personally, I wouldn't worry about power in a recording situation, as long as you have a proper studio environment to support it.
These amps do not sound the same distorted as the SS power amp does not distort like tubes.
OTOH, you could use any amp including a guitar amp to add some distortion if that's your thing.
You may not even like distorted bass in the studio.
Buy that amp for live use and borrow something smaller for the studio.
I probably would not use it for the purposes of recording. Recording bass is not like recording guitar where you are cranking the amps to get your tone. I think it would be overkill for that purpose.
It depends on what method of recording you plan on using. If you're planning on running everything through an interface, the sound through the DI probably won't vary too much than what you're hearing with the UA plug-in.
The forte of the SVT-4 Pro is that of a pro-level performance amp. If you like the sound of the plug-in in the studio, you will more than likely find the sound of 4 Pro to be acceptable in a live situation. There are two DI's on the 4 Pro that can take advantage of the cross over control, or the incorporation of an effects processor to blend through the house PA. I've found that the better engineer(s)/PA - the better the amp is going to sound in the mix.
Given the prices of used 4 Pro's these days, it might not be a bad idea to have one on hand, only if the tone suits your style of music. As I state in all 4 Pro threads -- it's not a plug-and-play amp. It's crucial to read the manual to find a setup that will accommodate the user's needs.
Thank you all so much for the replies. I actually like the sound of the DI into the interface. I got the amp in mint condition for $400 so it was hard not to pass up.
definitely has more deep low end than the plugin. But the plugin sounds real good. It also sounds better than my PF500 recorded with the same settings.
definitely has more deep low end than the plugin. But the plugin sounds real good. It also sounds better than my PF500 recorded with the same settings.
These are great Amps, I been using a pro 4 and a Ampeg 8/10 cab for many years, I swayed from Ampeg once, and I shall never sway again. So many different things can be done with this amp. They do however need to breath. I only put mine in a Gator case while transporting, when i play, I remove it from the case, and set on top of my 8/10 cab. You can leave it in a road case, but you need to drill fan holes in the side of the case. These amps need to breath.
Not exactly accurate., I’ve been running mine (old USA pre buy out ) in a road case for years with no issue.
But I do agree that there must be enough space on the sides for the fan to cool the amp and let the air flow.
(Fan on the side is indeed a design flaw IMO)
Adding a clip on fan is more than enough, no need to drill holes in a killer road case.
Awesome road tank, love mine. Gigged hard for years with zero issues.
My 2 cents.
