Ampeg SVT PRO-4. PROS AND CONS.

[Clean sound 80]

I'm looking to by another Bass head, what would be the best investment to make as far as never having to buy another Bass head ever again. At lot have said the Ampeg SVT Pro4. I do have one of these but while being a great amp, it's a non stop cooling problem, even with rack fans. Any ideas would be awesome.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Are you actually having a problem with the SVT-4 shutting down from heat issues?

The most comparable amps to the SVT-4, perhaps not in terms of tone but in target market, would be the GK 2001rb and Eden WT-800.

 

[Clean sound 80]

Not shutting down, just really runs hot. I also have a HARTKE kilo 1000, it has no heating problems at all, don't really like the sound of it. Thank you for the info. I'll check them out

 

[JimmyM]

The 4 Pro is a design that's proven pretty solid for 20 years. I wouldn't worry too much about it running hot. Keep it reasonably well ventilated and a little heat shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Clean sound 80]

Ok sounds good, thank you, now if I can just get rid of the HARTKE kilo 1000, I'll be a happy man lol. Thanks again

 

[BassmanPaul]

[QUOTE="Clean sound 80, post: 20128176, member: 309823”]never having to buy another Bass head ever again..[/QUOTE]

Ho ho ho, lol, ha ha ha! Just ain’t gonna happen.

 

[bass12]

I gigged an SVT 4 Pro for quite a few years and I never had any issues with it, heating-wise or otherwise. The only thing I didn't like about the amp was the weight.

 

[punky]

When mine was working, it was great. I got mine in approximately 2001, used it occasionally for 5 years, then began using it more in 2006. After about a year, it would begin shutting off off after roughly 45 minutes or so. I remember taking it to three different techs and two said they had no clue. Drove to official dealer in Dallas and they told me it needed normal maintenance. I don't recall exactly what they did but it was $150 worth.
Brought it back and first gig out it did great. Then after that night it began doing the exact same thing. I ended up being frustrated enough to just begin buying new equipment again. I still have the IV Pro and hopefully will get it in the hands of of the "right guy" one day to fix it once and for all. I really did love that amp, especially once I realized what it did to the sound when I mono bridged it.
I would still highly recommend it.

 

[JimmyM]

When mine was working, it was great. I got mine in approximately 2001, used it occasionally for 5 years, then began using it more in 2006. After about a year, it would begin shutting off off after roughly 45 minutes or so. I remember taking it to three different techs and two said they had no clue. Drove to official dealer in Dallas and they told me it needed normal maintenance. I don't recall exactly what they did but it was $150 worth.
Brought it back and first gig out it did great. Then after that night it began doing the exact same thing. I ended up being frustrated enough to just begin buying new equipment again. I still have the IV Pro and hopefully will get it in the hands of of the "right guy" one day to fix it once and for all. I really did love that amp, especially once I realized what it did to the sound when I mono bridged it.
I would still highly recommend it.

Try contacting Hodgy at Ampeg CS. He might be able to hook you up. You'll have to ship it to Washington state, but he knows a lot about 4 Pros.

 

[punky]

Thanks Jimmy.

 

[baxter_x]

I wouldn't worry too much about it running hot. Keep it reasonably well ventilated and a little heat shouldn't be a problem

True. I just had to rill holes on both sides of my 6U SKB rack an it was fine. I would also add that the SVT 4 Pro has a very clever overheating protection. Instead of brutally shutdown like most other amps, it just slowly reduces it's power to prevent any overheating. This happened to me once. Since then I drilled those wholes on both sides, and no more issues.
I'm sold mine after 7 years of use a several months ago. I'm still kicking my ass and currently looking for another one. I own a Mesa Titan V12 and that thing failed on stage two months ago, and failed again last week despite 320 buck of repair.

To me the SVT 4 pro is one of the best gigging amp you can find. It's reliable, sounds awesome, has all the features any serious bass player wants. Also, I compared it against an SVT-CL Heritage and an SVT 2 pro and I can't convince myself to switch to those super heavy all tub amps. Yes, these all tube amps had a little something the SVT 4 didn't have, but the SVT 4 was so close that it was 90% the same IMO. Excite the SVT 4 with it's onboard EQ or a SansAmp and I'm sure you can get close up to 99%

One con is the waste of power due to the extreme massive low end that amp produces. It sucks a loooot of power. That's the main reason why it has this reputation of lack of power. Ampeg should add an HPF. That would be the most perfect amp ever.
Yes I'm an SVT 4 Pro lover and want one back!

One thing I still can't understand is why is it so much bashed?!

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

what would be the best investment to make as far as never having to buy another Bass head ever again.

Where have I heard this before? Famous last words?

 

[floridagatorfan]

I love the 4 pros. I own two of them now. I bought a second one to keep at our rehearsal place and I use the other at home and to gig with. The first one I bought was an older model and it would shut off after playing for a while like yours . I took it to a tech and he said it had some soldering issues on the board. He fixed them and it has been perfect ever since. My second one which is a newer one has never had any problems. They both get hot but have never over heated and shutoff. I keep them ventilated and use a fan on them just to help out. They are great Amps don't give up on them .

 

[baxter_x]

a tech and he said it had some soldering issues on the board

Same happened to me! The power amp B failed because of this very reason. However the amp was still usable as there a two power amps. I got it fixed easily too.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I briefly had a SVT-4Pro, but I just wasn't able to get the massive volume/headroom out of it in mono bridge mode, into a 4ohm 6- 10", and using the supplied speakon cable. I've since read threads about this, and I think it was user error on my part. I will say, I absolutely LOVED it's tone. The 4-Pro's preamp is, IMHO the best sounding preamp I've heard. If I could figure out how to get the big volume out of one, I'd buy it.

 

[baxter_x]

I've since read threads about this, and I think it was user error on my part

Every time I see someone saying the SVT 4 Pro is underpowered is a user error IMO.
But it's not an easy amp to use, I admit.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Every time I see someone saying the SVT 4 Pro is underpowered is a user error IMO.
But it's not an easy amp to use, I admit.

It's got a killer sound. And compared to the Crest CA9/Demeter HBP-1 that I use, it's lightweight!

I'll definitely give one another try in the future.

 

[baxter_x]

It's got a killer sound. And compared to the Crest CA9/Demeter HBP-1 that I use, it's lightweight!

Really?? The SVT 4 Pro is not the lightest amp I've owned!

I'll definitely give one another try in the future.

Indeed! Use the "special" cable provided with the amp, use it mono bridged and don't crank too much lows.

 

[BasturdBlaster]

I haven't used mine in a while as I'm into pre/power amp thing at the moment. Mine would get hot so I cut a hole for cooling fan outlet as well I "opened" up the handle on the other side of the case, no problems since. Here's an old pic (the bbe is long gone,hehe). After reading this thread, I may have to dig it out for rehearsal tonight, hehehe........

 

[punky]

I love the 4 pros. I own two of them now. I bought a second one to keep at our rehearsal place and I use the other at home and to gig with. The first one I bought was an older model and it would shut off after playing for a while like yours . I took it to a tech and he said it had some soldering issues on the board. He fixed them and it has been perfect ever since. My second one which is a newer one has never had any problems. They both get hot but have never over heated and shutoff. I keep them ventilated and use a fan on them just to help out. They are great Amps don't give up on them .

Thanks for your reply. I will mention that when I finally get it to "the guy". I will more than likely take Jimmy's advice and contact Hodgy and see if i can ship it to him...I've got good backup for the wait. ..but reading some of these replies makes me want to start gigging with the IV Pro again that's for sure.