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Ampeg SVT-4PRO

#4
Ayliffe said:
edit: Or the SVT-3PRO i played one in store.. and it was maxed and not as loud as id expect from a 450 watt amp.. any idea why?
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The slider on the far right adds a lot of volume. Engage the EQ button and push it up. If push the gain harder it can get crazy loud. I find that it has enough volume (for me) against a Fender Deluxe Reverb and a loud drummer... but I will want to upgrade if we get bigger gear.
 
#5
I've found that the SVT-4Pro goes much louder than the 3 with minimal distortion. I think the 3-Pro tries to emulate the tube drive of a vintage SVT while the 4-Pro presents more of a clean, solid-state sound with some tube warming in the preamp stage. That said, go with what sound you prefer to have.

The 3-Pro never impressed me all that much. I found the distortion to be harsh and the headroom to be pretty low. In all fairness, though, I only tried it through a 410 and not an 810.

I owned a 4-Pro for about a year before selling it to fund an SVT-CL. For a tube fan like myself, I'm surprised that I liked the 4's clean sound so much. Still, for the price of the 4 Pro I'm sure that other companies make high quality hybrid or solid state amps that might also interest you. Ashdown's EVO series are the perfect blend of vintage and modern sound, IMO. They grind amazingly with the gain up.
 
#6
I have a SVT pro 4 that I bought used about 5 years ago and never had a problem with it. The most important thing I can think of is if you get a rack for it get one with a lot of room on the sides because thats where the fan is.
 
#7
I have a Svt-4 Pro. You can get pretty much any tone you want out of it and you'll have enough headroom for a stadium or at least a couple thousand person venue. The Svt-3 Pro i have tried also it definatley has great tone like the 4 pro it just lacks about 800 watts and will probably only be able to handle a medium-large night club which will probably get the job done[ i know for me it would i just like having the big gun]. I run mine with an Svt-410Hlf and i know it will handle any club ill be playing at. The 4 pro also has many more features such as multiple line outs, 2 effects loops, 2 tuner outs etc. The only con i can think of is the money part it cost alot thats why i buy used.
 
#9
Ryan L. said:
There have been a hell of a lot more threads on those bass heads than just the recent ones regarding the Asian manufacturing of them now.
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+1...This head is extremely popular and used by many. You will find a ton of info on it if you do a search.

Having said that...the SVT-4PRO is a great head, and I used it for years before getting the Genz Benz 1200. Just run it in mono-bridge mode and don't use the "Ultra low/high" boosts, and you'll be happy...
 
#10
i just got this head on tuesday, i haven't got the chance to use it that much or play it at a show but i'm looking forward to that. i'm playing through an ampeg svt410hlf. the tone is great but for some reason it's not as loud as i thought it would be. i want to add something to it, maybe a 15 inch speaker but i'm not sure it would sound right with the different ohms ratings. and upgrading to an 8x10 is out of the question cause it wouldn't fit in my car
 
#15
IME the SVT3 has a better sound but doesnt have the volume I like/need to play live. The SVT4 is a little less tubey IMO and is not as powerful as those power ratings suggest. I know I'm gonna get bashed but I've owned and playing numeroues SVT2s,3s and 4s and found all of them to be underpowered for what the wattage ratings suggest.

If you get one, never push in the -15 pad or your volume will disappear. Play active and passive basses the same w/o that pad.

I think they're good amps but have always left me wanting more. Thats why i dont use them anymore. I've also read that Ampegs pre-amp signal in their amps is a little low and hence it sounding less powerful as they should.

Start the bashing!:hiding:
 
#17
xrobx said:
no, i haven't tried it in mono bridge mode yet because i wasn't sure if the svt4-10hlf could handle the wattage... would it be safe?
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I mono-bridged a 4 Pro into that same cab for many years, when I went to using just one cab with it (had two 410HLF's for awhile, but that was just too much).

Like was mentioned, just don't go crazy with the EQ, and don't try to run the volume on 10. It should be plenty loud--mine was.
 
#19
so im getting a bit more into the svt 3.. but again the volume. could anyone explain to me what i can do to make sure its loud.. like c'mon 450 watts should be pretty ****in loud.

im thinking about running it through an an ampeg stack.. not sure of the combination yet.. any ideas?
 

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