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Ampeg SVT III NON-pro, info & opinions?

OldSchool50

OldSchool50

OldSchool50
Supporting Member
Mar 15, 2013
1,753
1,200
Connecticut
#1
I'm looking at an Ampeg SVT III but the non-PRO versions. Man, it's hard to find anything about these or I'm not looking in the right place. Anyone have experience with these? Dependable?

I think it has a tube pre-amp but not quite sure. Any info would be appreciated, including what one is worth in good condition.

Thanks.
 
#3
Thanks. The Vintage Guitar Price guide lists them separately SVT-III (91-94) and the SVT-3 Pro (93-present). The face plate on the the later says "PRo" on photos I've seen, where the other does not. I'll wait to hear from others and keep researching.
 
#4
Here's what the one I"m looking at looks like.

ampeg svt.jpg
 
#6
If it wont let you see it:

3
350 watts @ 4 ohms
1 volume
6 band eq
1/4 outs and binding posts
Jack on back to use as input
Footswitch jack on front

3 Pro 450 watts @ 4 ohms
Input volume & master volume
9 band eq
tube gain/plate voltage control for 2 amp driver tubes
Input on front only
Footswitch jack on back
 
#7
The 3 Pro has more power but sounds NOTHING like the 3 Non pro in my opinion.. I was a "A" endorser of ampeg for 20+ years and owned almost all of their gear and I still do..
I had both the SVT 3 Pro and Non Pro.. Ran them back to back. yes the PRO is louder.. BUT the SVT 3 non pro sounded way closer to my non pro SVT2 and old SVT..
The EQ points in the mids although in spec are listed as the same had different taper and the Ultra Hi and Ultra LO had a different affect when engaged.
The Pro version has 5 tubes,, 3 in the preamp and 2 in the mosfet driver stages... I think that is where they screwed it up.. It just doesnt sound the same .. I was hoping for a louder svt 3 when i got the pro but that did not happen.
Also the Non Pro is bipolar transistors and the SVT Pro version uses Mosfets in the output.
The Pro has a Toroidal Transformer while the non pro had a typical big iron looking thing..
Two very different sounding amplifiers.

Needless to say I Sold my SVT 3 pro and Kept my older original SVT3 Non pro..
Dino from Ampeg helped me with some parts last year in order to recondition it.. Sounds great
I dont ever see selling it.. Its a 350 watt at 4 ohms and sounds real good..
 
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#8
Man, what a great review. KInd of what I picked up here and there but this really draws a line between the two.
I'm trying a non-pro tomorrow. Any suggestions about things to look or listen for that might hint at problems or big repair bills? I'll have time to get it checked, as I will have two weeks to return it, but still would be useful to keep an eye out for red flags. Obviously sound and full function will be checked.
 
#11
The only thing my SVT3 non pro needs is a cap job in the power supply. Mine is one of the first ones off teh line from IIRC the early 90s... So it is due..
Mine now has developed a low level hum without any instruments plugged in and VOL tuned off. .Barely noticeable but Im sure it is the old CAPS... I did my SVT last year,, ,same sound with that mild HUM,, recapped it and its gone. Same with my 1977 Alembic Preamp.. I just recapped it last week..And only did it because there was a mild hum at the output... The recap solved that problem.
Im saying that the SVT you are looking at may have a hum... ( and it is a certain type of hum) but if it did m then it may need to recap...
Otherwise the amp is pretty much bullet proof...
 
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#12
Thanks so much for the explanation. Tone stack is one concern looking at options recently. This is very similar to the discussion about differences in similar pro and non pro models over on the Fender 300pro, Sun 300T, Super Bassman, 100T threads.
Nice to see there are noted differences in the Ampeg camp.
This also reinforces maintenance is inevitable, go tubes and keep a budget ready to rotate parts. My feeling is that’s an attribute not a hindrance. I'd rather be rebuilding tube heads than chucking popped class D / Hybrids in the recycle bin because it's parts unobtainium.
 
#14
Rack Case?

Can someone tell me which size rack case this head will fit. I know there must be an SKB that fits and possible Gator. Any others.

Head update: Took me a while to find my prefered tone ranges with this. Early settings produced a good deal of muddiness in the E fretted, but I"m getting closer. I've not had many Ampeg so looking for suggestions about EQ settings. The muddiness is easy to eliminate if I bypass the active switch on the EQ and just use the tone knobs, but I would think the 6 band would offer more options.

THanks>
 
#15
NEVER EVER use the active switch, even if you have an active bass. And it's been my experience on Ampegs that the more you can do with the tone knobs, the better, and you just use the graphic for any slight sweetening that you might want to do. And I'm a big fan of the middle position on the mid selector. It's usually set at 800hz, which is a great spot for adding definition to your sound.

As for rack cases, any 2-space or bigger rack will work.
 
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#17
JimmyM said:
NEVER EVER use the active switch, even if you have an active bass. And it's been my experience on Ampegs that the more you can do with the tone knobs, the better, and you just use the graphic for any slight sweetening that you might want to do. And I'm a big fan of the middle position on the mid selector. It's usually set at 800hz, which is a great spot for adding definition to your sound.

As for rack cases, any 2-space or bigger rack will work.
Click to expand...

Have had mine nearly 25 years and totally agree. Albeit it stayed stored for nearly 15.
 
#20
Hey,

I'm the OP and wonder if anyone has experienced distinct E-string muddiness through their SVT III non pro. I"ve worked with the midrange and frequency controls and managed to improve on it, but at the cost of really deep tones Ampeg is known for. I"m told there's not much to tweak on these and the tubes are virtally new, and it passed a bench test with flying colors. DIno at Ampeg suggested there's a slight chance it's in the tubes. I've tried it with several different cabs and basses, including ampeg svt 2x10 but the E string just sounds muddy or flabby, just a bit shaky, not punchy and clear. There's a hint of it also on some higher G string notes. The midrange tweaking did help lots but I'm still not happy with the deeper bass tones.

Anyone experience this. Any ideas?
 
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