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Ampeg SVT 7 Pro Club

#1,521
bassguppy said:
Here's my original critique of the cabs from 3 years ago....

NCD: Ampeg PN-115HLF NEO Cabs x 2 | TalkBass.com


Currently, I'm still very satisfied with the cabs. From my original mini-review of the cabs the only issue that's a non-issue was a vibration developed after 2 years of use. I grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the grill then gave a very slight turn to each screw on the basket, replaced the grill and I'm good to go. Rattle and vibrations are gone.

After 3+ years durability has been satisfactory, it can be relatively easy to get a mark or scratch these cabs but it's also easy to mask with a black marker.

I picked up a wireless last year and have been able venture out during sound checks to give a listen. From 50-75 feet the cabs sit nice. My preference is a "bass" heavy tone but the cabs are pretty neutral and will take what you give them. Not by choice but I've also have had the need to crank up the volume a few times because of loud guitar players and an oversized stage and I've never heard a "fart" out of these cabs.


I also found a pic from when I first purchased these cabs. I still have the IIPRO as well.


View attachment 656346
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The amp that I am thinking of marrying these cabs to is a DB750, I have been thinking about them for a while now.. these or a pair of used HT115's. The MB Fusion that I just bought probably is going to get married to a Mesa PH610, I am thinking a hard on that.. it sounded just so dang good!

I want to thank you for your feedback on these cabs.. I think that I would prefer the 115's over a pair of 410's..

aproud1 said:
I think GK always seems louder than their rating. At least IME.

I had a MB800 when they were first released and it was just stupid loud. Sounded pretty good to me. Just not great and didn't care for the feel of the pots.

The Th500 is very well built but I just couldn't get a tone I loved out of it and it felt a little underpowered.
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Yes, there is no doubt about it.. the GK produces sound.. of course the TH500 was used.. but it just so lacked everywhere compared to the GK..
 
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#1,522
aproud1 said:
How do the two amps compare?
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99Z3 said:
I think that the GK is way more flexible with tone than the Ampeg.. plus I feel that the GK is truer in it's power rating.. I was playing a Spector 5 string through the GK into a Mesa PH610 and it was massive! I had the gain at 9 o'clock and the master at 7:30.. and it was too loud for the store at that setting! I mean .. it was massive, the Ampeg was not close.. I played it first so that I would have a reference.. I also tried the MB500 and the Aggie TH 500.. the GK won out..
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I just totally went the opposite direction, lol! Sold my much loved MBF 800, bought a SVT-7 Pro, and I couldn't be happier! It seems like I have almost everything I loved about the GK, except the weight savings, but with a bit more girth, which is what I wanted. While I think the GK had a bit more harmonic content(which it probably should with two more preamp tubes), it was also a bit more mid-present which, at times, had to really be dialed back to be mix-friendly. Part of that could probably be attributed to the GK cabs(Neo 212s), but I haven't had that issue since the Ampegs showed up. Neither amp lacks in the volume dept, but I feel like the my Ampegs play nicer with the pre's in my basses, especially my Forte 5, which has the US 18v pre.

Don't get me wrong, I still have my 700RB and my Neo cabs. I love GK, I just love Ampeg a lil more now...:D
 
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#1,524
B-string said:
"Dial back the mids to be mix friendly"? You mean drop OUT of the mix? That is what mids do is keep you in the mix, cut them and you're undefined mud. Unless that is your sound to hide in the mud.
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Normally, I completely agree with you, but you can have too much of a good thing. With a bass that's not lacking in mids, cabs that seem to accentuate that range, and an amp that's a beast like the MBF, yeah, it can be too much, at least for me.

I have no problems being present in the mix with my Ampegs, and I have some booty that wasn't as noticeable before. The Fusion is a fantastic amp. So are the 4-Pro and the 7-Pro. :thumbsup:
 
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#1,525
pbass6811 said:
I just totally went the opposite direction, lol! Sold my much loved MBF 800, bought a SVT-7 Pro, and I couldn't be happier! It seems like I have almost everything I loved about the GK, except the weight savings, but with a bit more girth, which is what I wanted. While I think the GK had a bit more harmonic content(which it probably should with two more preamp tubes), it was also a bit more mid-present which, at times, had to really be dialed back to be mix-friendly. Part of that could probably be attributed to the GK cabs(Neo 212s), but I haven't had that issue since the Ampegs showed up. Neither amp lacks in the volume dept, but I feel like the my Ampegs play nicer with the pre's in my basses, especially my Forte 5, which has the US 18v pre.

Don't get me wrong, I still have my 700RB and my Neo cabs. I love GK, I just love Ampeg a lil more now...:D
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it's great that we have so many choices! I love the GK 700 and really like the other RB series amps. The mb just didn't do it for me. How does the SVT7 compare to the GK700?

Had my eye on the SVT 7 since they were first released. Played one when they were first released and really liked it. Have been waiting out some revisions in the hopes that Ampeg would work out any bugs.

Now I'm looking for another powerful great sounding head to mainly use with my Bag End 2 X 12. The SVT 7 is climbing up my list.
 
#1,526
aproud1 said:
it's great that we have so many choices! I love the GK 700 and really like the other RB series amps. The mb just didn't do it for me. How does the SVT7 compare to the GK700?

Had my eye on the SVT 7 since they were first released. Played one when they were first released and really liked it. Have been waiting out some revisions in the hopes that Ampeg would work out any bugs.

Now I'm looking for another powerful great sounding head to mainly use with my Bag End 2 X 12. The SVT 7 is climbing up my list.
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Hey. I absolutely love the GK's horn management. If you have an RB head, GK cabs, and the proprietary GK speaker cable, you can control the horn from the front of the amp. That is just a killer feature! Plus, I like having the DI and the effects loop all on the front. The 700RB is a great sounding amp, but I'm a huge fan of lot's of CLEAN headroom, and that is where the 7 Pro kills! Although the 700RB is plenty loud, I felt like it runs out of clean volume before I need it to. That's part of the reason I went to the Fusion 800. The 7 Pro has no problem with lots of clean headroom. It not exactly a copy of the 4 Pro, but it's close enough for government work...

If you love the GK "rails" sound, the 700RB is the ticket! You can get that sound without getting ridiculous volume. I'm not a fan of pushing my amps to break up or distortion, I have pedals for that. I'll keep my 700RB, but the Ampegs are gonna do the heavy lifting. :thumbsup:
 
#1,527
Still having the same issue with the ampeg service portal. Top of the screen is missing so that I cant put in a username and therefore can register. This is both on my phone and home pc. Whats up?

Ive got to assume the svt7-pro preamp is the same as the svt4 but, using opamps instead of tubes for the eq stages. It would be nice to have the schematic though.
 
#1,528
kringle77 said:
Still having the same issue with the ampeg service portal. Top of the screen is missing so that I cant put in a username and therefore can register. This is both on my phone and home pc. Whats up?

Ive got to assume the svt7-pro preamp is the same as the svt4 but, using opamps instead of tubes for the eq stages. It would be nice to have the schematic though.
Click to expand...
Works fine for me.
PM me your email and I'll send it to you.
 
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#1,529
kringle77 said:
Still having the same issue with the ampeg service portal. Top of the screen is missing so that I cant put in a username and therefore can register. This is both on my phone and home pc. Whats up?

Ive got to assume the svt7-pro preamp is the same as the svt4 but, using opamps instead of tubes for the eq stages. It would be nice to have the schematic though.
Click to expand...

I wonder if it would help to key "ctrl" "-" a couple times on your keyboard. It is possible that the screen image needs to be smaller to see everything.
 
#1,530
Local Guitar Center only has one 7Pro, the display model:( Asked if I could get a better price on it and they said 800 out the door was what they could do. I guess meaning no tax? Local Sam Ash only has one unit (display) and they told me I could take that one home and order a new one and when it comes in I could exchange mine for a new in box unit. Might ask GC if they can do this since they are just right down the street and much more convenient. What do you all think about buying a floor model that's been played (hopefully not abused) in the store?
 
#1,533
Is this normal? Is there any negative issues with this?

I'm finding it too overdriven so I'm using the -db on the front which seems to be giving me a gorgeous warm clean tone. I'm using a deluxe sansamp BDDI (with a fairly clean Tom to start with) and assumed I was sending a really hot signal to the amp but tried it today and it's still a bit spikey. So this is what I'm doing it, is there anything wrong with this or the unit itself? Cheers
 
#1,534
Iheartreverb said:
Is this normal? Is there any negative issues with this?

I'm finding it too overdriven so I'm using the -db on the front which seems to be giving me a gorgeous warm clean tone. I'm using a deluxe sansamp BDDI (with a fairly clean Tom to start with) and assumed I was sending a really hot signal to the amp but tried it today and it's still a bit spikey. So this is what I'm doing it, is there anything wrong with this or the unit itself? Cheers
Click to expand...
Get your gain to unity (same relative volume) out of your bddi before going to the amp.
 
#1,536
Iheartreverb said:
Do you mean match the volume with and without effect? The "lazy pot" on the pedal really makes this difficult I find. Another thing is even if I use the amp without the pedal, still find it a bit gain-y
Click to expand...
yes, that is what I mean. If it's not possible then the pad is there for a reason. I would crank the master up pretty high and use the gain as your master volume then. This will give you maximum volume before breakup. I personally go the other way.
 
#1,538
Hello, I'm new here an my 7-pro arrived yesterday!
It sounds great with my Heritage 810E - even better than my 3-pro I had before.
I think the 810 was a bit underpowered with the 3-pro.
But after reading the hole thread I'm slightly concerned about the issues und cut outs!
My 7-pro is Rev: C00 and the Board is Rev: G
Greetings from germany to all ampeg guys!
 

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