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Ampeg V4B vs SVT3pro

#81
cheechi said:
For 2/3 the price of an SVT-CL its the most pricy 'non-SVT' SVT. It's not class D like the 7 Pro so it's 'heavy' by today's standards. It's $100 less than a new V4-B. It has the most tubes (unless I am mistaken) of any of the 'non-SVT' SVT's, but would you say it sounds the most like an SVT among them? It definitely doesn't sound bad (to me) but ultimately it wasn't what I was looking for. I'm not bitter about it, but I can only speak for myself.

Also, everyone has had one or played one, its a very popular head. At what you might call the height of its popularity, Class D was introduced. And arguably the non Pro version of the 3 was a better sounding. Some of each of the 3 and 3 Pro had power issues and that probably also put a bad taste in people's mouth.
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The SVT-4PRO is the big one and the most expensive, that's the one i would grab if I were going SS. It's got three preamp tubes which it makes it the highest tube count of the SS SVT heads.

https://ampeg.com/products/pro/svt4pro/
 
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#83
cheechi said:
Good point. I always forget the 4 isn't all tube amp.
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Not cheap though, I'm trying to justify buying one for out here in S America, I get around in taxis out here and the SVT head gets a little heavy to lug back and forth to gigs but the 4PRO is no light weight either but I don't trust Class D and want 2 ohm capability so I'll probably keep lugging:laugh:.
 
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#84
That’s rub. An SVT-CL is 100% the all tube Ampeg sound. The 3/4/7pro are not... maybe they are 95%? Who knows it’s arbitrary and kind of silly.

But, is 5% worth the money? The extra weight? Possibly underpowered? I don’t know.

Ultimately, I just want to sound good. I want to buy an amp that will be reliable. Preferably, I want to play this 410 cab and head for the next 10 years.
 
#85
GreggBummer said:
What makes it mediocre? (No offense here).

For me, all tubes would be great. But with the V4B being likely underpowered, I would rather just go with an SVT-CL. However, it’s not in my price range and I don’t want to pair with an 810 (which is most appropriate.

So I’m back to the 3pro or 7pro.
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I just found the tone to be bland and boring - I definitely liked the 7Pro more. But again, I think there are much better heads produced by other brands nowadays. I find the SVT and V4B amazing (and love Ampeg cabs) but have been underwhelmed by their SS and Hybrid options.
 
#87
Alexander said:
I just found the tone to be bland and boring - I definitely liked the 7Pro more. But again, I think there are much better heads produced by other brands nowadays. I find the SVT and V4B amazing (and love Ampeg cabs) but have been underwhelmed by their SS and Hybrid options.
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I was messing around with an SVT over the weekend at the local store... I wouldn't want to schlep it up multiple flights of stairs, but I purposefully moved it from the floor to the top of an 810 and it wasn't as heavy lifting it up as I thought it would be. Honestly I feel like an SVT is still in my future, even though I have a V4B already.
 
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#88
GreggBummer said:
I recently purchased an Ampeg SVT410HLF enclosure, which is 450 watts at 4 ohms. I am searching for an Ampeg head to match with it. I’m curious about your experiences.

I play in several bands. The average venue is a small to medium sized bar or club. I play music that runs from The Stones, Grateful Dead all the way to Black Sabbath. The bands run in size from loud four piece rampaging metal to 7-10 member band with keys, loud guitars and horn. I play active and passive four string basses. I need both a clean and dirty tone. I have PA support on about half my gigs. I have another amp for smaller/quieter gigs, so that is covered.

The first option is the Ampeg V4B. At 100 watts through the 410HLF, will I have enough volume? I’m concerned about gigs where there is no PA to do the heavy lifting. Is the amp one dimensional? It seems to do the dirty OD rock and roll bass thing very well.

The second option is the SVT3pro. At 450 watts, I am still somewhat concerned about horsepower, but not as much. I understand that the 3pro does clean and overdriven tones well. With a solid state power amp, it seems like it would be easier to maintain.

I guess another option might be the SVT7PRO. I understand that it has only one tube in the preamp and does not overdrive as well as the above amps. However, it has a 1000w solid state power amp (I think?). I guess I could get the overdrive from a pedal, but is 1000w “too much” for the cab? I have Hartke LH1000 with a similar layout and it has served me well... but I don’t think the 7pro is much different than the Hartke.

So, your thoughts? Yes, cost is always a factor... but I will wait until I have saved the money to get what I want.

An SVT-CL or other traditional SVT all tube head was ruled out due to cost and the extreme weight. I feel like I would need an 810 to full utilize those heads. I dont need that much amp. If I needed one for a one off gig, I’d just rent it.

Thanks in advance.
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I've owned both. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges. Full tube vs hybrid and vastly different power ratings. The V4B has the tone. But not a whole lot of power. It's heavy and you are maintaining a full tube amp. If these things don't scare you off and you're running DI into the system in the rooms you're playing, then the V4B is a great choice. My SVT3PRO was an early model and was a 'hangar queen': spent more time idle and in the shop while my GK 400RB 'backup' head got used.
 
#89
96Brigadier said:
I was messing around with an SVT over the weekend at the local store... I wouldn't want to schlep it up multiple flights of stairs, but I purposefully moved it from the floor to the top of an 810 and it wasn't as heavy lifting it up as I thought it would be. Honestly I feel like an SVT is still in my future, even though I have a V4B already.
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Yeah - it’s a beast to move, no doubt. But, I make do - I usually have to carry it a really short distance with no stairs for our gig. I’ve got great band mates and we always help each other schlep gear. When I get home at 2AM, it stays in the truck until the next morning. But man is it commanding on stage!
 
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#90
My point of view is that I like a lot of Ampeg stuff (and Aguilar) but to me the V4B RI sounds better and gives me more of a sound where I feel I can hear myself. So even though the SVT and some others have more watts it’s even more important what you put into the amp and what kind of speaker cabinet you’re using. My different basses gives me a totally different outcome through the same bass amp.
P-bass+SVT Classic+810 = industry standard. V4B RI+ 212AV = not as loud but loud enough for many gigs and a nicer sound to my ears. And so on...
 
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#91
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#93
So I ended up with the SVT-3Pro.

Honestly, I don't know why I was so worried about power. This thing has all that I will ever need for the bands that play with. So far, I'm happy.

It doesn't break up like the V-4B or CL does. I didn't expect it to. However, it does sound pretty darn good when you push it a little. I have to experiment with it to find a good tone. The wife and kids are home, so, I can't crank up til tomorrow. I will gig it this week. Then I'll know for sure... but seems like a keeper to me.

Thanks for your help everyone.

G
 
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