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Ampeg SVT III vs. SVT 3 PRO differences?

K

kosmicwizard

Nov 18, 2008
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Victoria, B.C., Canada
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#1
Hi, as the title implies, I am trying to figure out the differences between the older SVT III non pro and newer 3 PRO versions of this head. I did a search, nothing came up. Also, are the black and white III PRO, red white and blue III PRO and modern grey white and black 3 PRO all the same or are they all different from each other as well?

What I know (or think I do): III was 350 watts at 4 Ohms. Had the SVT-IIP preamp. 6 band graphic EQ.

3 PRO is 450 watts at 4 Ohms (is this marketing or legit)? What pre is in it (SVP-PRO, like the 4 PRO)? 9 band graphic.

Also, the older III PRO models had a master volume knob in addition to a gain knob and beside that a knob to adjust "plate voltage" the new 3 PROs call a similar knob "Tube Gain" is it the exact same thing or slightly different?

The most modern version has speakon in addition to 1/4 inch jacks. Did all previous incarnations have banana plugs and 1/4 inch jacks?

Did the types (or amounts) of tubes change in any of the different PRO models? Thanks! and Cheers. :)
 
#2
Not sure about the III but I have owned and gigged a 3Pro through an 8x10 (4 ohm) and 4x10 (8ohm) and for the last 10 years gigged a 4Pro.
I don't claim to be an expert but I don't think the preamps are the same from the 3 to the 4 pro although they both contain three or four tubes. The 3 pro preamp due to the plate voltage knob (can't remember proper term) I thought gave a little more tube grind to the tone. And through the 8x10 the 3 pro really sounds sweet.
On the other hand the 4Pro definitely sounds Ampeg tube driven and with 1200 watts @ 4 ohms there is headroom aplenty.
If you like Ampeg then you can't go wrong either way. If your planning on playing in a moderate to high volume rock outfit I'd definitely favor the horsepower of the 4Pro.
 
#5
Plate voltage is the same as tube gain.
I'm using a 3 Pro at rehearsals nowadays and I really dig the sound.
I don't use the EQ, only the bass, miss en treble knobs, easy to dial in a tone.
But it's there if you want it.
With a 4x10 cab you'll get more than plenty volume for gigging, IMHO.
I have no experience with the 4 Pro, unfortunately.

Are you thinking about buying one?
 
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#6
I have a ll non-pro, it is really heavy but sounds divine. everyone says the ll non-pro is better than the later 2 PRO heads. I am trying to get a lll non-pro as I assume that it can get close to the ll and probably is better than the 3 PROs that came along after it. Just trying to see if anyone who really knows this stuff (like Jerrold Tiers for example) would pop up and tell me what I need to know. I am also tempted by the MESA walkabout or buster, but that won't match the Ampeg svr215 cab I have.
 
#7
kosmicwizard said:
I have a ll non-pro, it is really heavy but sounds divine. everyone says the ll non-pro is better than the later 2 PRO heads. I am trying to get a lll non-pro as I assume that it can get close to the ll and probably is better than the 3 PROs that came along after it. Just trying to see if anyone who really knows this stuff (like Jerrold Tiers for example) would pop up and tell me what I need to know. I am also tempted by the MESA walkabout or buster, but that won't match the Ampeg svr215 cab I have.
Click to expand...
Well, if it's (just) the weight, I would recommend the Ampeg V-4B.
100 watts all tube amp, sounds amazing.
Weighs 41 pounds.
could this be an option for you?
 
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#8
I toured with a III-PRO for a number of years. With my Eden D410XLT (4 ohm) it got LOUD. I never needed any more grunt.

Mine was the black & white version with 5 tubes and the 1/4" & banana plugs. I had my Plate Voltage set around 2:00 most of the time and used my graphic sparingly. It was a rock-solid amp that gave most of the Ampeg sound without the SVT weight. Just keep an eye on the toroidal transformer mounting bolt to make sure it's tight. They are really good amps.
 
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#9
I have an SVT-III (non-Pro); I was told there is little in common between the two. It has three 12AX7 preamp tubes. And it's mounted in an SVR-215 cab. I can't put my hands on it because it's sitting in a shop in Westerly, Rhode Island on consignment. I might be able to find a 1992 Ampeg catalog around here tomorrow that would have the specs, otherwise the manual and sales lit I have is all with the amp.
 
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#10
I can't find a lll non-pro to put in my svr215 cab. That is part of the reason why I am looking at the lll PRO versions. I wish I could buy your head, but you are at the opposite side of the continent and likely won't separate from the cab! I would really appreciate any info from the 92 catalog. What amp and cab are you playing now, if I may ask? Thanks! :)
farace said:
I have an SVT-III (non-Pro); I was told there is little in common between the two. It has three 12AX7 preamp tubes. And it's mounted in an SVR-215 cab. I can't put my hands on it because it's sitting in a shop in Westerly, Rhode Island on consignment. I might be able to find a 1992 Ampeg catalog around here tomorrow that would have the specs, otherwise the manual and sales lit I have is all with the amp.
Click to expand...
 
#11
kosmicwizard said:
I can't find a lll non-pro to put in my svr215 cab. That is part of the reason why I am looking at the lll PRO versions. I wish I could buy your head, but you are at the opposite side of the continent and likely won't separate from the cab! I would really appreciate any info from the 92 catalog. What amp and cab are you playing now, if I may ask? Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

I'll see if I can find the catalog; I have an idea of where to look and I'll check later.

The SVR-215 with the SVT-III head mounted in the rack section weighs in at 135 pounds. My aging spine requested something lighter. I am now using a GK MB212--41 pounds, and 150 more watts. I wasn't unhappy with the Ampeg (and still have a couple of Portaflexes), but I needed something easier to move by myself.
 
#12
I hear you. With my ll non-pro in it it is over 200. Also my ll is in the shop with an over heating problem. My son forgot to turn it off one night and in the morning it was humming and distorting at any volume level. The ll sucks air from the side (plywood) the lll sucks from the back where there is an open back. :(
farace said:
I'll see if I can find the catalog; I have an idea of where to look and I'll check later.

The SVR-215 with the SVT-III head mounted in the rack section weighs in at 135 pounds. My aging spine requested something lighter. I am now using a GK MB212--41 pounds, and 150 more watts. I wasn't unhappy with the Ampeg (and still have a couple of Portaflexes), but I needed something easier to move by myself.
Click to expand...
 
#13
Wish it was rack mountable. The svr215 is some cab. Half the height of a 810, has a front firing 15 a piezo tweeter and a rear mounted 15 that is crossed over to only play notes below 150 Hz. 100 lbs. 4U rack space mounted on top. :)
High Camp said:
Well, if it's (just) the weight, I would recommend the Ampeg V-4B.
100 watts all tube amp, sounds amazing.
Weighs 41 pounds.
could this be an option for you?
Click to expand...
 
#19
Okay, I dug out both 1993 and 1994 (which seems to be when the graphics changed). Differences I see are the loss of the "bright" input, addition of Bright and Pad switches, addition of Master and Plate Voltage knobs, two more tubes (a 12AX7 and 12AU7), tube-driven MOSFETS, and nine-band graphic EQ instead of six.

I'll note that for the 1994 catalog at first I thought they had totally rearranged the internal layout, but when I looked at the location of the knobs, I realized they had flopped the photo and it's just a mirror image of what's really in there.
 

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