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Ampeg SVT 7 Pro Club
- Thread starter Verminaard
- Start date
Never improved the sound of a pedal to go in through the loop unless it's specifically designed for it, none of the ones I use currently are designed for it, and it often makes it worse. YMMV, but I never liked loops.
i agree with 90% of my amps but the effects loop on the 7 lets you blend it in which is a very nice feature.....,
Are you sure it's a Rev. A01? The sticker on the amp top may SAY Rev. A01 but does the board say the same?
Just asking, as you weren't too clear. I didn't take my sticker off the top, but maybe I should.
Mines a Rev. H01, btw.
Just asking, as you weren't too clear. I didn't take my sticker off the top, but maybe I should.
Mines a Rev. H01, btw.
Ah, I just assumed the sticker on top meant something. Why would they put different stickers on the top and the board?
Well, if you bought it used and it already blew up for the previous owner, and previous owner got it fixed with a new rev no. board, and didn't bother to take the sticker off (like me).
Oh, now I get it! It’s the same when it leaves the factory, but things may change along the way.
Sorry, I’m a bit thick at times...
Sorry, I’m a bit thick at times...
I'm really tempted by a SVT 7. However, I freak out a little because of those reliability issues. Is it still the case today or has it been completely fixed?
In case I buy one used, should I replace the ICE module with the latest one?
In case I buy one used, should I replace the ICE module with the latest one?
It seems the current SVT-7 is reliable. I sold my first one when the warranty ran out for fear of it failing - but I recently purchased a used one because I think they sound great and a new main board has been made available for $235. The board is easy to install and basically the amp would be refurbished with the current revision afterwards.
The first thing I did when I received my recent SVT-7 purchase was open it up - and based on the information in this thread, I found that I have the latest revision main board and the current IC chip -and at just under $400.00 delivered - I am very happy with the deal I got. Even if it does fail, I can get a new board and have about $635 into a refurbished unit - not bad. Personally, I always carry a spare amp to gigs - no matter what the reputation of the amp I am using is.
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(please forgive ensuing posting clumsinesses - my browser settings are pretty locked down and it makes quoting and inserting a difficult adventure....)
Just to make sure we are using the same terminology - the part that has caused the 'notorious' failure is an IC chip, not an ICE module.
When a TBer - a tech in Australia - first reported the root of the problem, he stated that some of the chips in question were rated for 1 ampere and some were rated for 2 amperes. Some of the 1 ampere chips were catastrophically burning up, taking the entire board down. See post #65 in this thread: Ampeg SVT-7 Pro - Reliability?
Reports here on TB seem to be that once Ampeg got the 2 ampere chip installed, related failures have abated or ceased.
TB icon @johnk_10 had problems with his 7Pro and elected to replace the chip himself. I think he also used first installed a chip socket on the board and set the replacement chip on the socket. Then he adhered an aluminum semiconductor heat sink to the top of the chip. He reported this in post #1003 in this thread: Ampeg SVT 7 Pro - Cutting out ???
As far as I know, he had not reported further problems with his 7Pro.
The chip ID number is printed on the chip so you can open up the box and look for yourself. I had to hold a flashlight just right to read the number. Mine was a 265. Just for safeties sake, I also added a heat sink to my chip, and have not had any problems. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a den/garage player and don't push the 7Pro hard for a long time.
When the chip fails, the damage is spectacular and ruins the board - theres no reparing it. So if you have one of the 'suspect' chips and you are handy with soldering integrated circuits you might want change it out. If you or any other TBer want a heat sink with a 3M conductive adhesive strip, PM me and I will send you one - or three....
I like the amp better than any other amp I own (Ampegs, GKs and T21VT500) so I am willing to live with some trepidation......
Just to make sure we are using the same terminology - the part that has caused the 'notorious' failure is an IC chip, not an ICE module.
When a TBer - a tech in Australia - first reported the root of the problem, he stated that some of the chips in question were rated for 1 ampere and some were rated for 2 amperes. Some of the 1 ampere chips were catastrophically burning up, taking the entire board down. See post #65 in this thread: Ampeg SVT-7 Pro - Reliability?
Reports here on TB seem to be that once Ampeg got the 2 ampere chip installed, related failures have abated or ceased.
TB icon @johnk_10 had problems with his 7Pro and elected to replace the chip himself. I think he also used first installed a chip socket on the board and set the replacement chip on the socket. Then he adhered an aluminum semiconductor heat sink to the top of the chip. He reported this in post #1003 in this thread: Ampeg SVT 7 Pro - Cutting out ???
As far as I know, he had not reported further problems with his 7Pro.
The chip ID number is printed on the chip so you can open up the box and look for yourself. I had to hold a flashlight just right to read the number. Mine was a 265. Just for safeties sake, I also added a heat sink to my chip, and have not had any problems. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a den/garage player and don't push the 7Pro hard for a long time.
When the chip fails, the damage is spectacular and ruins the board - theres no reparing it. So if you have one of the 'suspect' chips and you are handy with soldering integrated circuits you might want change it out. If you or any other TBer want a heat sink with a 3M conductive adhesive strip, PM me and I will send you one - or three....
I like the amp better than any other amp I own (Ampegs, GKs and T21VT500) so I am willing to live with some trepidation......
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So according to you it's just a matter of chip. For instance, if I decide to buy one new, I should check its number. And if it's a ICE2A256 I'm fine. If it's a ICE2A156 I should consider replacing it?
Thanks a lot for your proposition! But I'm in EU, so I guess it should be easier for me to find one here
The chip seems to be the problem/solution.
An image of an unhappy chip follows:
The failure damages nearby components as well.
Based on my reading here, there are 165 chips performing well under load, but I deduce that most/all of the failed chips are 165s.
It looks like 265 chips have made things much better - but that does not explain why it took rev H to get here.
I dont have the skills to switch out the chip, but my amp tech does.... Probably, if I had to do it, I would look for the socket to raise the chip off the board a little.
Equally - and I realize its not so easy for you in the EU - @Bass 45 has pointed out its about $235 to buy a new board and he reports they are easy to switch out.
I got my heat sinks from ebay and I think they came from China. I think I had to buy about 25 and they cost me $8.00 with shipping.
An image of an unhappy chip follows:
The failure damages nearby components as well.
Based on my reading here, there are 165 chips performing well under load, but I deduce that most/all of the failed chips are 165s.
It looks like 265 chips have made things much better - but that does not explain why it took rev H to get here.
I dont have the skills to switch out the chip, but my amp tech does.... Probably, if I had to do it, I would look for the socket to raise the chip off the board a little.
Equally - and I realize its not so easy for you in the EU - @Bass 45 has pointed out its about $235 to buy a new board and he reports they are easy to switch out.
I got my heat sinks from ebay and I think they came from China. I think I had to buy about 25 and they cost me $8.00 with shipping.
... and, how's it performing? ?did you notice a change/improvement?
Curious - did he use a socket on yours?
Curious - did he use a socket on yours?
