My new Ampeg SVT4Pro says: K O R E A ! ! ! !

[64jb]

OK. 'Why' do they price their U.S.A. made ones higher. Does it have anything to do with them being rated as higher quality than those "non-U.S.A." made ones, or does quality of the instrument have nothing to do with it.

USA uses more expensive wood than mexican. but as far as built quality? they are the same

 

[Buster Brown]

i often wondered why they did not engineer the svt4 to cool out the front or rear of the amp.. instead of the side.. for cooling reasons... There is a boutique amp builder that says that you dont have to vent it just as long as air is stirring around in the head box... for some reason i dont feel secure with that line.

Second i always liked the way the 4 Pro sounded but to me it never seemed like a very loud 1600 watts.... it always left me expecting more... that said.. i think the amp is a modern day classic.....

I have been running a 4Pro for about 4 years now and have always felt a little "uncomfortable" with the cooling situation, as well. I grabbed one of those small "clip on" fans (most hardware stores have 'em) - hooked it up to the road case and viola!! Plenty of air moving around the amp.

As to the question of 1600 watts....like you, I call shenanagins! If that is 1600 watts, it is the tamest 1600 watts in recorded history! In another post, we were discussing the old Acoustic 370 and 360 amps of yesteryear...I have one (370) and I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that the 300 watts in the Acoustic, will break windows...while the 1600 watts in the 4Pro (might) rattle them... I dunno...blame it on modern day UL standards, I guess....

 

[Jerrold Tiers]

As to the question of 1600 watts....like you, I call shenanagins! If that is 1600 watts, it is the tamest 1600 watts in recorded history!

The watts are there...... that is provable.

Take off the limiter... using that "limit defeat" switch conveniently located on the front panel.

The limiter is somewhat over-active on some units, but the problem is easily cured with the switch.

if you string pop a lot, or the like, you will get into the limiter and it will hold everything back at a way lower power. The limiter will try to keep the pops or whatever from clipping, which is about impossible, and so it holds way back on everything.

try it with the limiter off, and it may really open up for you. That's why the switch is there... because styles vary and the limiter isn't always appropriate.

 

[DanRJBrasil]

my 4 pro shake a building, last studio that I recorded shake like a earthquake by the power of the 4 pro , maybe is not 1600 w but is a hell of loud amp, how one can find it weak is beyond me.

 

[B-string]

So whoever is putting them together, we can stand by the fact that in the end, the component elements used to build the instruments in those MIM's is less quality, so in fact, the MIM models are of inferior quality to those MIA. Or at least the chances are better that those MIM's are going to be of inferior quality.

I have a MIM Jazz 5 string the truss rod loosens to often, the original pups were junk, the bridge is not even flat or smooth on the bottom, the wiring job was sloppy, I replaced the jack after two years. I still love the stick after a lot of work but.....I should have bought a MIJ, after "repair" costs I did buy a MIA.

 

[Buster Brown]

The watts are there...... that is provable.

Take off the limiter... using that "limit defeat" switch conveniently located on the front panel.

The limiter is somewhat over-active on some units, but the problem is easily cured with the switch.

if you string pop a lot, or the like, you will get into the limiter and it will hold everything back at a way lower power. The limiter will try to keep the pops or whatever from clipping, which is about impossible, and so it holds way back on everything.

try it with the limiter off, and it may really open up for you. That's why the switch is there... because styles vary and the limiter isn't always appropriate.

Believe me...I understand that there is 1600 Watts coming out of the 4Pro. I have used it for years - carted it across the country several times and, until recently have been very pleased. I guess that what I'm asserting is that the 300 watts coming out of the 370 literally blows the "1600" that the 4Pro is putting out - out of the water.

I tend to believe that this is the direct result of, say, the 69 SVT and it's 300 watts....I may be wrong, but I can't help but believe that Acoustic, in an attempt to compete with Ampeg, may have, in some way (hell I can't 'splain it!) "boosted" their amps for a higher output. Then, along came UL and put the kabash on the whole "wattage" thing...

But in case there are those who doubt - check it out for yourselves! Find someone who owns a 360 or a 370 and do your own side by side comparison. I promise, you'll be as blown away as I was/am. I ran both my 4Pro and the 370 through a 6X10 - followed by a 8X10 then both together (the 6X10 and the 8X10)...the 4Pro was loud...no doubt....But with the Acoustic (especially when using both cabs) it was like unleashing thunder from the skies....literally made my ears hurt...

Will I get rid of my 4Pro? Of course not!! I love the big bastard! However, I am inclined to agree with those who assert that the 4Pros power is a bit "overrated"....but again, just one man's opinion and...to be sure....YMMV

 

[ChasFL]

Well I just converted from an SVT4 PRO which I used for about the last 6 years to an SVT Classic. Yes I know, tubes vs. MOS FET, but it still feels hard to believe that the 4 PRO was 1600 watts also. I did everything that was told, the proper Speakon +1 +2 cable, mono bridge, etc. that the manual said to release the full potential of the amp, but I have to agree with those who question its portrayal of power.

It may just be that what you gain in versatility with the 4 PRO, you lose in just a full blown solid warm strength and tone that gives the 4 PRO the impression that it is weaker than advertised. I think the cleanlieness of its tone takes away the sense of overall power that the Classic gives. Either way, I did get rid of my 4 PRO for the Classic, matching the Classic with an Ampeg 810e cab, and I am finally in the place I want to be.

 

[Jerrold Tiers]

Tube VS solid state is a no-win ..... takes many times the power of SS to "not quite" get there apparent-volume-wise.

There is some of the explanation in the common "boom box'....... When cranked, nothing seems louder than that half-watt boom box.......because of distortion..... which is BAD distortion in the B-B.

The "harmonic enhancement" of the tube amp in part "tells your ears it's loud", in a way that even 5 kW of SS just won't do...... Most SS power is too clean, and then distorts in a bad way.

I have some ideas, but never got to do them before, probably won't any time soon, I'm too busy for now with wind power, wave power, trash-to-energy etc......

 

[wallybill]

Tube watts are 6.4 time louder than solid state watts.
I hope that clears everything up.