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Ampeg SVT 7 Pro Club

#1,282
Here's my gig rig! Furman conditioner, Korg tuner. Samson wireless, SVT-7 Pro head and I stuck an Ampeg metal badge on a single spac
IMG_0812.jpg
e rack vent over a 2 space blank to clean up the appearance.
 
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#1,283
So, I was looking for a new head to pair with my new (to me) LDS 15/6/1 - rated at 600 watts at 8 ohms
So I read through this entire thread and I was convinced this would be a perfect match for my cab and tone goals (thanks for the GAS)
I currently have the PF800 which I have found to be very good - but not great - usually running a VTBass as an always on pre-amp to thicken the tone
So, luckily I found an SVT 7 locally for rent and tried it out over the weekend
I put it head-to-head against the PF800, same room, same cab - for a 2 hour practice session then a 3 hour jam (different room) with a new loud hard rock band I have been playing with
The SVT 7 was warmer, thicker, louder and clearer - not cleaner - but clearer
Pushing the Gain on SVT 7 vs the PF800 was a night and day experience - I realized how much I hated the SS overdrive of the PF800 when compared to the tube of the SVT 7
I also found I really didn't need the VTBass as much - except when I wanted some grit for heavier material - so really just using it sparingly vs always on with the PF800
The fan on the SVT 7 was a lot louder than the PF800 - though of course you don't notice this when playing
The rental was a Rev C00 - I opened it up and it was RevC on the board as well
I heard a tape of the session today - exactly the tone I was looking/hoping for - and I immediately placed my order for a new SVT 7 Pro
Unfortunately they're back ordered and I won't get it till the end of March
PF800 is going up for sale soon
 
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#1,287
Went into GC today seeing what they had in stock for 6 strings.... plugged into an SVT 7 Pro that was hooked into a GK 4x10 cab (idk which one)!

But OMG! the TONE was freakin stellar..
So I read up some of the reviews, looked at some utube demos, etc. - read about the cutouts, etc. reliability, yada, yada, yada.
Would love to pair that tone into my 2x10 upright.. and stow the 6-string for a while.

The thread here (I've not read it all, BTW) seems back and forth...
Trying to decided whether I should go for it, or be cautious and go with a PF800 (also a little cheaper!!) ??

I'm looking for the tone.. not the wattage.. as I'm IEM and only need stage volume for the guitar player next to me :)

Thanks
 
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#1,291
VincentGrim said:
Just ordered a 7-pro. Based on sound clips and youtube reviews with some nice headphones, it just sounds too good.
Fingers crossed that I get a reliable one, I can't believe that a few revisions later the failure rate is terribly high and I'm getting a really nice deal. Between that, a 45 day return policy and a warranty, it seemed like I had to at least give it a shot.
:bassist:
Click to expand...
Well, I did the same, having played one a couple of times, really loving the tone.
Ordered Sunday, arrived yesterday (Wed). Power it up after connecting to my 2x12 cab and played for about 45 mins.. nice tone. LOVED that Ampeg tone!!

Came tearing in from work (about an hour ago), powered up.. NO OUTPUT !!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

*** ??? Apparently, no input either!!!! Turning up the gain to max showed no lights (it did yesterday) at all. I ran the same bass/cable into my Markbass... plenty volume, all good.

So... it's going back... may try the PF800 instead, but really??? Not even an HOUR's use from it before it died ???

No, it wasn't left plugged in, or powered up overnight... I disconnect ALL power cables each night.
FWIW - it's a C00 rev too.

Was really hoping this would work... :thumbsdown::thumbsdown: :mad::mad:
 
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#1,292
i so much wanted to get one of the svt7s too.. i was waiting for a period of time where i saw all positive reviews and no failures... ughhhh i was an"A" ampeg endorser for almost 20 years late 80s to early '00 ... LOVE their stuff.. i only hope they get this "7" sorted out.. it is alot of what i am looking for.. when it stays on and keeps working
 
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#1,293
svtb15 said:
i so much wanted to get one of the svt7s too.. i was waiting for a period of time where i saw all positive reviews and no failures... ughhhh i was an"A" ampeg endorser for almost 20 years late 80s to early '00 ... LOVE their stuff.. i only hope they get this "7" sorted out.. it is alot of what i am looking for.. when it stays on and keeps working
Click to expand...
My decision now is to either go with another new SVT7Pro or opt for the PF800. I prefer the "tube" feel in the the 7, but have absolutely no need for 1000w power, so the PF800 would be fine.
Decisions, decisions...
 
#1,295
s0c9 said:
So... it's going back... may try the PF800 instead, but really??? Not even an HOUR's use from it before it died ???

No, it wasn't left plugged in, or powered up overnight... I disconnect ALL power cables each night.
FWIW - it's a C00 rev too.
Click to expand...
dmk said:
Would you be willing to pull the top cover, look inside at the power board, and tell us that revision number? It would be extremely helpful to know if the new "G" boards are failing.
Click to expand...

+1
 
#1,296
dmk said:
Would you be willing to pull the top cover, look inside at the power board, and tell us that revision number? It would be extremely helpful to know if the new "G" boards are failing.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm not against doing that. I already packed it back in the shipping carton to return, so I can yank it out and take a look. It DOES have C00 on the top cover label.
I'm not sure the power supply is the issue.. but it sure has absolutely no output. I'm wondering if it might have some connectors that came loose during shipping, 'cus other than playing it for 45 mins, all I did was turn it over/around to install the rack ears. That MAY have loosed any connector..

It will be Sat am before I can do that as I have a gig tonight (not with the 7.. obviously!)
 
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#1,297
s0c9 said:
Yeah, I'm not against doing that. I already packed it back in the shipping carton to return, so I can yank it out and take a look. It DOES have C00 on the top cover label.
I'm not sure the power supply is the issue.. but it sure has absolutely no output. I'm wondering if it might have some connectors that came loose during shipping, 'cus other than playing it for 45 mins, all I did was turn it over/around to install the rack ears. That MAY have loosed any connector..

It will be Sat before I can do that as I have a gig tonight (not with the 7.. obviously!)
Click to expand...

Thanks - very interested in this as I just ordered one and it is back ordered till March. Love the tone, size, wattage of these amps - perfect for my needs. I am willing to ride that 5 year warranty until they get it right. Just sucks that you have to think about a backup - never had to do that with any other amp. Come on Ampeg! We love you but man its getting harder with this going on for so many years.
 
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#1,298
SickAura said:
Thanks - very interested in this as I just ordered one and it is back ordered till March. Love the tone, size, wattage of these amps - perfect for my needs. I am willing to ride that 5 year warranty until they get it right. Just sucks that you have to think about a backup - never had to do that with any other amp. Come on Ampeg! We love you but man its getting harder with this going on for so many years.
Click to expand...
I'm leaning toward ordering another unit, on the hope that it's a "good" one, but undecided as yet. Will report back here once I've opened it up.

PS: The PF800 isn't rack mountable, so that becomes a "con" for my use.
 
#1,299
s0c9 said:
I'm leaning toward ordering another unit, on the hope that it's a "good" one, but undecided as yet. Will report back here once I've opened it up.

PS: The PF800 isn't rack mountable, so that becomes a "con" for my use.
Click to expand...

I have the PF800 and it is very good - but like others here I do like 7-Pro better - I am trying to work a single cab solution at 8ohms so the extra headroom is a plus - and it is noticeable when put head-to-head.
 
#1,300
SickAura said:
I have the PF800 and it is very good - but like others here I do like 7-Pro better - I am trying to work a single cab solution at 8ohms so the extra headroom is a plus - and it is noticeable when put head-to-head.
Click to expand...
I'm Direct Out to PA - ours or house - and IEM. Wireless in & out.
I only need output going to my 2x12 cab, so my guitar player can hear it - as he's still on a wedge (went back to it from IEM's). Other than that, the only stage noise is acoustic drums.
MY current Markbass amp works fine for that, but the tone on the 7 is awesome.. so went for the tone change :)
 
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