• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg SVT 7 Pro - Cutting out ???

#141
This thread has been most informative as I just had one come into my shop. My customer's would start cutting out after about a minute warm up with a very low signal output-say about 25-30 watts. It would cut out every 5 seconds-even w/o a signal! I pulled the pre amp tube and it stopped cutting out. Leaving the tube out, I injected a signal in the back at the power amp in jack. Ran it up to about 200 watts o/p for a minute or so. No cut outs. It's been burning in for about 20 minutes now. Although I can't say exactly where, I AM prepared to say the problem is in the pre amp pcb and NOT the amp pcb. And my guess is the pre is a lot cheaper to replace! I'll keep you all informed.
 
Last edited:
#142
Spoke with Ampeg support about my theory today. They found a defective chip in the power amp pcb that was causing the amp to behave like it was overheating. They feel they've solved the problem with revision H.
 
#152
I liked the sound of my 7 Pro but had too much trouble with it and sent it back. Which head would you guys recommend instead? (I'm not willing to do another round with a 7 - I need reliability, not more experiments.) I want the Ampeg sound and don't need much else, although the ability to dial in a little Fender sound would be a bonus. I'm not going back to tubes, so the 4 is not an option. What about the PF-500s? What is the story on their reliability? Other makes that can give me the Ampeg sound? (I'm thinking about the Tech 21 VT route.) I play through one or two 15 cabs and occasionally a 410. Thanks.
 
#154
I've had two SVT-7's, one had problems (rev C), and the other I just felt I couldn't trust.
They sound good, but not THAT good.

Can you deal with tubes? [edit, just saw you cant... Sorry!]

I recently got a 1989 SVT-II, and if you can deal with the weight, that is the Ampeg sound. To my ear, the 7 doesn't even come close.

I also have a FenderSuper Bassman 300 which is somewhat lighter and can do a great Ampeg sound, plus other tones.
 
#156
Faraday said:
I liked the sound of my 7 Pro but had too much trouble with it and sent it back. Which head would you guys recommend instead? (I'm not willing to do another round with a 7 - I need reliability, not more experiments.) I want the Ampeg sound and don't need much else, although the ability to dial in a little Fender sound would be a bonus. I'm not going back to tubes, so the 4 is not an option. What about the PF-500s? What is the story on their reliability? Other makes that can give me the Ampeg sound? (I'm thinking about the Tech 21 VT route.) I play through one or two 15 cabs and occasionally a 410. Thanks.
Click to expand...
PF800 and 500 are closest to it. PF500's nice, but the extra headroom of the 800 gives it a little more oomph if you ask me.
 
#157
Thanks, guys. I'll check out the PF800 (headroom and oomph is good), the ToneHammer (a friend will lend me one for a day or two), the Rumble (every store within 100 miles me seems to have them), and, just for the heck of it, a SuperBassman 300. If it can sound Ampeg-like and Fender I will be tempted, although in the end, I think no tubes (or one pre-amp tube) is more practical for me - the weight, the maintenance and the reliability.

I appreciate the suggestions.
 
#158
Faraday said:
Thanks, guys. I'll check out the PF800 (headroom and oomph is good), the ToneHammer (a friend will lend me one for a day or two), the Rumble (every store within 100 miles me seems to have them), and, just for the heck of it, a SuperBassman 300. If it can sound Ampeg-like and Fender I will be tempted, although in the end, I think no tubes (or one pre-amp tube) is more practical for me - the weight, the maintenance and the reliability.

I appreciate the suggestions.
Click to expand...

You might want to add the Bassman 500 to that mix. It's the same front end as the SB300, with the 500-watt solid state output section from the Rumble 500.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back