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Guess what my SVT-7PRO is doing...

nhaze

nhaze

Mar 4, 2014
11
1
Baltimore, MD
#1
Hey, look at me...first (real) thread here!

OK, that out of the way, guess what my SVT-7PRO is doing?

.


.


.


You guessed it, cutting out!

I hate to pile on this amp - I think that there are hundreds of threads about this issue with this amp - but I wanted to be privy to any insight all you TB'ers might be able to give me.

I bought the amp in February. It's been cutting out at practice since probably early April. I wanted to give it plenty of time to make sure it wasn't a one time thing. I run my signal through an older Aphex punch factory on my board, and usually have the gain at 1-2 o'clock and the master at 1-2 o'clock. As I've gone along, I've eliminated things from my signal chain each week, now I'm down to just the amp and my bass.

The most annoying thing is I can't recreate the problem when I try, no matter what I do. It just happens into the second or third song when we practice full volume, but not every time we practice.

I've also noticed that the master volume pot is scratchy/tight between noon and three.

So today I called Ampeg. They wanted me to check a few more things, like is the fan working, is the amp getting hot, etc. Now they want me to take it to the local Ampeg service center, which I will hopefully get to tomorrow. Hopefully they'll be able to figure out the problem, and if they do I will post it. If nothing else I'm going to get that volume pot cleaned or replaced.

It's sad because I like this amp, and it sounds great for the metal we play. I imagine I'll have to get something else to use while I figure out my svt situation.
 
#4
I have a solution also. Get it fixed, unload it on ebay and buy something made here in the USA. Ampeg's USA made stuff is still available online, in places like the classifieds, ebay or craigslist for example.

I even hear that Carvin is making some good sounding amps.

I'm getting up in age myself and would love to get a good micro bass amp, but I'm going to wait for another 2-3 years for the companies to work out the bugs in the micro series of amps. I'm not slamming anything made in China or anywhere overseas. IMHO it seems like alot of the problem amps have been made elsewhere and are being shipped here.....
 
#5
I agree to a point. It seems to me that this is an engineering issue as much or more than a QC issue, though I have definitely heard some QC/component issues. But it sounds like there is a design flaw with the preamp section. I should be able to crank an amp to 11 into the proper load without fear of blowing it. Not that I need to, but if I can't then I think there's something wrong with the design.
 
#6
Update: Dropped the 7PRO off at the local service center this morning. Crossing my fingers it gets fixed. Also ordered a Carvin BX500 today at lunch, hoping it gets to me before rehearsal on friday night. Anyone have experience with Carvin's shipping speed?
 
#9
@OP, was your Ampeg purchased new or used? I just got off the phone with Ampeg Tech support about my recently purchased, blem model PF800. It was running like a champ thru about 5-6 gigs since I got it first week of July. This was with either a single, 4 ohm TB153 or GB NX 212 cab. No PA support, outdoor gigs, so I put it thru its paces. It performed like a beast. Nat at Ampeg was very helpful and patient with me as he walked me thru my options of repair, return or replacing this unit. Even with blemmed/B-stock units the 90 day warranty at Ampeg was nice. But I only got to use it for about 24 days. Stores' 45 day return policy is great to have now.

This past weekend used it first time with my two, TC-E RS210 cabs, 8 ohms each. I had two gigs, med sized club and a outdoor gig but this time with full PA support. Then, first song first nite, it shut down. I quickly connected my Shuttle 9.2 and did the entire nite with it. Next day, it ran awesome all day long on this hot, humid Sunday outdoor gig. Last song of last set...no sound.
Both times the "purple" light above the knobs stayed on, never saw any other light, yellow, red, etc light up. So this amp is going back and I may consider a brand new PF800 with full warranty in the near future. Though I hope I never see this happen again, esp with a brand new unit. Good luck.
 
#10
awilkie84 said:
YBA-300! KILLER head! Just got one last weekend and it's amazing!
Click to expand...

Wilkie, what kind of cab are you running? I'm looking for something punchy, fat, and round but I can't find any Traynor stocking dealers in my area to give it a listen.

ErnieD said:
@OP, was your Ampeg purchased new or used? I just got off the phone with Ampeg Tech support about my recently purchased, blem model PF800. It was running like a champ thru about 5-6 gigs since I got it first week of July. This was with either a single, 4 ohm TB153 or GB NX 212 cab. No PA support, outdoor gigs, so I put it thru its paces. It performed like a beast. Nat at Ampeg was very helpful and patient with me as he walked me thru my options of repair, return or replacing this unit. Even with blemmed/B-stock units the 90 day warranty at Ampeg was nice. But I only got to use it for about 24 days. Stores' 45 day return policy is great to have now.

This past weekend used it first time with my two, TC-E RS210 cabs, 8 ohms each. I had two gigs, med sized club and a outdoor gig but this time with full PA support. Then, first song first nite, it shut down. I quickly connected my Shuttle 9.2 and did the entire nite with it. Next day, it ran awesome all day long on this hot, humid Sunday outdoor gig. Last song of last set...no sound.
Both times the "purple" light above the knobs stayed on, never saw any other light, yellow, red, etc light up. So this amp is going back and I may consider a brand new PF800 with full warranty in the near future. Though I hope I never see this happen again, esp with a brand new unit. Good luck.
Click to expand...

The amp was purchased brand spanking new this past Feb. It's being either repaired or replaced under warranty...It's funny though, when I called Ampeg they didn't seem to want to suggest replacing it, however the service center I took it to said if they can't repair it, Ampeg will replace it. So, that's reassuring.
 
#14
nhaze said:
Hey, look at me...first (real) thread here!

OK, that out of the way, guess what my SVT-7PRO is doing?

You guessed it, cutting out!

I hate to pile on this amp - I think that there are hundreds of threads about this issue with this amp - but I wanted to be privy to any insight all you TB'ers might be able to give me.

I bought the amp in February. It's been cutting out at practice since probably early April. I wanted to give it plenty of time to make sure it wasn't a one time thing. I run my signal through an older Aphex punch factory on my board, and usually have the gain at 1-2 o'clock and the master at 1-2 o'clock. As I've gone along, I've eliminated things from my signal chain each week, now I'm down to just the amp and my bass.

The most annoying thing is I can't recreate the problem when I try, no matter what I do. It just happens into the second or third song when we practice full volume, but not every time we practice.

I've also noticed that the master volume pot is scratchy/tight between noon and three.

So today I called Ampeg. They wanted me to check a few more things, like is the fan working, is the amp getting hot, etc. Now they want me to take it to the local Ampeg service center, which I will hopefully get to tomorrow. Hopefully they'll be able to figure out the problem, and if they do I will post it. If nothing else I'm going to get that volume pot cleaned or replaced.

It's sad because I like this amp, and it sounds great for the metal we play. I imagine I'll have to get something else to use while I figure out my svt situation.
Click to expand...

My 123 program
The Ampeg SVT 7Pro is a great head. I really do not understand why people have trouble other than misuse. First I would check the preamplifier tubes. Second, call Ampeg. If anyone knows, it will be them. They are the best. Third, if you have bad feelings about Ampeg, you can pick up, like I did, the Mesa Boogie Recto Tube Preamplifier with a Crown Power Amplifier and there will be no stopping you. These two pieces are superior performers. I am 100% confident. You get what you pay for does apply here.
 
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#15
Sal Z. said:
I really do not understand why people have trouble other than misuse.
Click to expand...

Because there is truly an engineering design flaw with at least the first two revisions of the amp (A00 and B00). I had 3 of the third revision (C00) blow up on me from no more than regular gigging. I will say that Loud Technologies replaced them with new units shipped to my door each time no questions asked, but that is because there was/is a known issue with the power section.
 
#16
To be clear the "replace" option was to just buy a new PF800 that comes with the 2 yr warranty. Ampeg was more than willing to look it over for repair if I decided to keep it. Strange, closest auth repair center to me is in Lake Charles, LA, based on my zip code. No repair center in 4th largest city Houston, surprised by that.

Nat suggested what I was thinking was if store would offer me some type of $$ refund to keep this head then send it to Ampeg for warranty repair, I should keep the PF800. Store was not down with that, so returning the amp to them for full refund, with ship on their dime is best scenario. Though, I'm thinking if Ampeg could not repair my amp, maybe they'd have sent me a new unit, who knows. But with the clock ticking on my 45 day return to store and with me owning several amps I can gig with, I'm not married to this blemed model.
Just my experience here. Ampeg and Zzounds were great to deal with that I'd be confident to deal with either in the future. And with my G.A.S.......I'm sure I will. Peace, e.
 
#17
Sal Z. said:
My 123 program
The Ampeg SVT 7Pro is a great head. I really do not understand why people have trouble other than misuse. First I would check the preamplifier tubes. Second, call Ampeg. If anyone knows, it will be them. They are the best. Third, if you have bad feelings about Ampeg, you can pick up, like I did, the Mesa Boogie Recto Tube Preamplifier with a Crown Power Amplifier and there will be no stopping you. These two pieces are superior performers. I am 100% confident. You get what you pay for does apply here.
Click to expand...

I'm not making it up, and I don't misuse my gear. Compared to the guitards in the band I treat my equipment with kid gloves. I have spoken to Ampeg, but there is only so much they can do over the phone, hence the amplifier being at the repair shop. I don't have any bad feelings about Ampeg, but I don't trust the SVT 7Pro anymore. I've had a POS Behringer 120 watt combo for 10 years (God, has it been that long) and it has never cut out on me, as much as I've run it hard and banged it around. I wish I'd gone with a 4Pro, I probably never would have had a problem.

coughingskunk said:
Because there is truly an engineering design flaw with at least the first two revisions of the amp (A00 and B00). I had 3 of the third revision (C00) blow up on me from no more than regular gigging. I will say that Loud Technologies replaced them with new units shipped to my door each time no questions asked, but that is because there was/is a known issue with the power section.
Click to expand...

Agreed. This seems like it's happened to a LOT of people. I wonder what the true ratio of 7's repaired or replaced vs sold new is. And mine is a Rev C fwiw.
 
#18
ErnieD said:
Ampeg and Zzounds were great to deal with that I'd be confident to deal with either in the future. And with my G.A.S.......I'm sure I will. Peace, e.
Click to expand...

Haha, I hear you. I own about 14 different bass stacks and combos, if only in my mind. And to your other point, I have no complaints with Ampeg CS so far, I think I talked to the same guy as you at Ampeg and he was nice and as helpful as he could be short of sending me a replacement no questions asked.
 
#19
coughingskunk said:
Because there is truly an engineering design flaw with at least the first two revisions of the amp (A00 and B00). I had 3 of the third revision (C00) blow up on me from no more than regular gigging. I will say that Loud Technologies replaced them with new units shipped to my door each time no questions asked, but that is because there was/is a known issue with the power section.
Click to expand...

Ampeg is a smooth company to deal with for they act immediately on design or other issues. I own the SVT 4Pro and never had any difficulty.
It has a great tube preamplifier section.
 

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