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Ampeg SVT Pro-7...Quiet?

Z

ZachL

Dec 9, 2012
9
2
#1
Hey everybody,

Frequent lurker/infrequent poster here. I recently purchased an Ampeg SVT Pro-7 used from a fellow TB-er. This thing is advertised as a 1000 watt head, but I found the volume less than impressive. I was able to get a good sound and adequate volume for band practice, but I had to set the master at 3:00 to get there (with gain at 12:00). I was A/Bing it with my other head (Markbass Little Mark III), and the Little Mark was able to get similar volume with the master set at about 10:00. Now, I did have the -15 db switch engaged on the SVT, since my bass has 18V electronics and was clipping really badly without it on. Did I get a dud? Is this just a quiet head?
 
#3
And, take no notice of volume control settings. All amp's have differing tapers on the pots. Some, like the LMII/III will be pretty much fully on at 1 or 2 o'clock on the dial . .
Iirc, the 7 Pro will keep getting louder till past 3-4 o'clock

I'd disengage that padded input too, unless the bass is SO HOT that you kain't get a clean signal without it.
 
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#5
It reminds me of the 3 Pro I used to have. Both were underpowered for what they were rated at. I sold my 7 pro as I was unhappy with it. The transformer smoked in my 3 Pro. I have a PF800 which also seems to be way underpowered. My Sunn 1200s rackmount head eats them all alive.
 
#6
As per lokikallas, if the clip light flashes and the master is near noon, with an effecient cabinet it should be uber loud.
I was using a low output bass at the time and with a nearly flat EQ I don't recall being able to make the light blink (and the -15 switch was off); it was stupid loud
I did not like the tone, it had plenty of power (and I had 1 kW amps at the same time)
 
#7
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I will experiment with taking the buffer off, as well as playing through a different cab. I don't have high hopes, though: it was clipping really badly even with the gain almost completely off.
 
#8
It's also possible that the input control is damaged, and you are experiencing a defect rather than normal operation.
 
#10
Update: The head definitely has some serious issues. I tried disengaging the -15 db switch, and it kept cutting out over and over. Every so often it would make this giant blast of distorted sound for a second and then stop.

Since someone asked, I'm using a Carvin LB76.
 
#12
I have a Markbass TA 503 500w which is very powerful. I've always used it with gain at 12 o'clock and master at 10 o'clock without any peak light.

To get the same result with the SVT 7 PRO I have to put the gain at 14 o'clock and the master too with frequently peak light flash.
 

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