Ampeg SVT 5 Pro

[adamafurious]

Hello Ampeg enthusiasts,
I have the chance to purchase one of these at a pretty decent price and was looking for some feedback.

Here's some notes on me:
I play a Gibson SG re-issue with black tapes.
This amp will be paired with an SWR Megoliath.
I play straight up rock n roll with a 50s walk now and then.
I use a pedal board with separate chorus, OD, compression, etc.

This amp definitely appeals to me because of the 2 channels & onboard effects....it'd be nice to clear some stuff off of the pedal board

Any general feedback is appreciated, however, I'm mostly interested in the quality of features.

Thanks!!!
-Adam

 

[JimmyM]

The 5 Pro is quite loved by folks who own them. I never tried one myself.

 

[Buster Brown]

I owned a 5 a few years back and it is a fine amp. I particularly enjoyed the dual channel thingy - one dry and the other distorted.

Never was really sure why Ampeg decided to quit carrying them but the 4 pro was a nice alternative!

 

[Gearhead17]

The clean channel is very limited, but it will sound pretty good. At some point, you might have to get an EQ involved to make adequate tone adjustments. The distortion channel is wonderful and combining it with the clean channel is a wonderful reason why you should use the 5 PRO. If you do not use distortion all the time, I suggest avoiding the 5 PRO.

 

[adamafurious]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the feedback!
I went ahead and bought the amp based on your comments and the overall positive reviews I've read. Also found a footswitch on ebay for it which should be here by tomorrow!!!

So far, in my research, it seems like the amp has a LOT of features, which people like, but not a lot of options within those features...maybe that's what people don't like/why they don't make this model anymore?

It certainly ISN'T lacking options of ways to hook it up to stuff...wholly crap are there a TON of holes on the back. Sound guys are gonna LOVE me

Gearhead17, I'm definitely interested in what you said about combining channels and an "always on distortion." It's not what I do right now, but I'm not opposed to it. Can you expound on this comment further?

 

[Gearhead17]

"Gearhead17, I'm definitely interested in what you said about combining channels and an "always on distortion." It's not what I do right now, but I'm not opposed to it. Can you expound on this comment further?"

There is a button called "Combine" on the head. It allows you to hear both the clean channel and the distortion channel. A beautifully combined tone coming out of the head. It works well and you can control how loud each channel is - subtle overdrive with a strong clean presence and so on........

 

[jlepre]

I've owned one a few years back, and only reason I don't STILL have it was because of the weight. I'm an older guy, and have switched to lighter gear.

The amp sounds GREAT clean, so don't be worried. I was running a 5 string Fender active bass through an SVT610, but transitioned to an SVT410HLF. Sound was huge, and I ran it FULL RANGE. I especially liked the octaver built in. Sounded HUGE.

 

[adamafurious]

Gearhead, nice! That's probably what I'll do...and then work some bass muff on top for extra distortion. I also like that the OD channel has a gate on it. Thanks!

jle, ok cool. Thanks for your comment. I'll definitely be running full range as well. I'm super-stoked about the octaver! My guitarist tunes to Eb (which I've never been down with...I play in multiple bands, most in standard tuning and it seems like a lot of hassle for one note) so having that low Eb will be nice.

Here's another ?:
Any benefit to running stereo vs. mono bridged?
I've got the Megoliath, so I could do OD channel to the top half (w/ tweeter), and the clean channel to the bottom half. then if i "combine", both halves should be pushing sound, right? or am I confused?

 

[FiveStringer1]

I've owned one a few years back, and only reason I don't STILL have it was because of the weight. I'm an older guy, and have switched to lighter gear.

The amp sounds GREAT clean, so don't be worried. I was running a 5 string Fender active bass through an SVT610, but transitioned to an SVT410HLF. Sound was huge, and I ran it FULL RANGE. I especially liked the octaver built in. Sounded HUGE.

I know this is an older post, but even for today... you could still have been using your 5 Pro by getting yourself an SKB or Pearson pull behind rack. That's what I'm doing and love it! My two favorite amps today are the 5 and 6 Pro's. Just purchased two 5 Pro's - got a second one for back up.

EDIT: Here's a nice rack and you wouldn't necessarily even need to lift it up onto your cab(s). You could leave at the side and run it.I know a guy that does this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-6-S...ack_Cases_Hard_Cases_Bags&hash=item19f03cabb9

Also, not to be a jerk... but I don't understand why guys have such an issue lifting a 40 pound amp when their speaker cabs weigh this or more? Yet they have to lift THOSE. No way they will ever come out with speaker cabs weighing 10 pounds or less! 8/

 

[jlepre]

Also, not to be a jerk... but I don't understand why guys have such an issue lifting a 40 pound amp when their speaker cabs weigh this or more? Yet they have to lift THOSE. No way they will ever come out with speaker cabs weighing 10 pounds or less! 8/

Wanna know why? I can put my gig bag with 2 basses over my back, and using a foldup hand cart put my cab with a small cord bag containing my 7 pound 900 watt Genz Benz STM-900, and make my load in with ONE TRIP hold my mic stand in my free hand. Now do you understand?

 

[FiveStringer1]

Wanna know why? I can put my gig bag with 2 basses over my back, and using a foldup hand cart put my cab with a small cord bag containing my 7 pound 900 watt Genz Benz STM-900, and make my load in with ONE TRIP hold my mic stand in my free hand. Now do you understand?

Great... I'm not that kind of guy. I'm old school. I'd rather not sacrifice my sound for convenience. Take Care.