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NAD. Ampeg SVT 3 Pro.

ScottDownSouth

ScottDownSouth

Mar 10, 2025
20
175
#1
Hi folks,
I just picked this one up. I was running a Hartke HA3500 into my Ampeg 4x10 cab but saw this pop up at a local shop and grabbed it.
Did some research on the head prior to picking it up and found out about its preferences for having the master volume dimed and using the gain as a volume. Its quiet loud that way, I doubt I'd ever need to run it up that loud anyway.

It came in a road case, which I removed as it'll most likely never be moved from where it's sitting now

Sounds great!

Cheers, Scott.

IMG_3574.jpeg

IMG_3573.jpeg
 
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#3
ScottDownSouth said:
Did some research on the head prior to picking it up and found out about its preferences for having the master volume dimed and using the gain as a volume.
Click to expand...
That's the recipe for getting the most volume with a clean sound.

I prefer what happens when the preamp in mine is pushed hard. Like the "peak" light comes on a lot. It doesn't get really distorted, but it thickens up and gets some crunch on the attacks, and compresses a little. I turn the gain up almost all the way, then regulate volume with the master.

One more nice thing about this is if I'm using the DI out (set to Post, naturally), the tone I've dialed in goes to the PA, but I can adjust my stage volume without upsetting the FOH mix because the DI output is taken before the master volume.

Anyway, congratulations on a nice amp!
 
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#5
For some reasons this amp is bashed a lot. I do think it's a great amp. I have owned 4 pro and currently own the 2 and 7 pro but I might consider the 3 someday. Almost the same weight as the 7 with more options.
Yes, less powerful but still very powerful amp. Dime the master and use the gain as master volume and that amp will crush.

Nice acquisition, your amp looks like brand new!
 
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#6
BaltBass5 said:
One of my favorite heads of all time but seriously underpowered.
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I think part of the problem is it actually “only” makes 275 watts with an 8 ohm load. I’d be interested to hear it with a 4 ohm cab at the full 450 watts.
That coupled with the master and gain working opposite to what you would normally think, there’s also a volume slider on the end of the EQ bank…. It’s certainly got its idiosyncrasies…. But sounds great.

Cheers, Scott.
 
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#7
ScottDownSouth said:
I think part of the problem is it actually "only" makes 275 watts with an 8 ohm load. I'd be interested to hear it with a 4 ohm cab at the full 450 watts.
That coupled with the master and gain working opposite to what you would normally think, there's also a volume slider on the end of the EQ bank…. It's certainly got its idiosyncrasies…. But sounds great.

Cheers, Scott.
Click to expand...

I paired mine with the 4 ohm VB88 cab and it sounds great and is plenty loud.
 
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#12
FRoss6788 said:
Nice amp!

I see you've got the graphic figured out as well, right slider all the way up, even if the EQ is set flat. That's an important part of getting maximum volume out of that amp.
Click to expand...

I use mine as a boost. Kick up that right fader, add a tiny bit of mids and use the footswitch to boost.
 
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#13
Parzival said:
I use mine as a boost. Kick up that right fader, add a tiny bit of mids and use the footswitch to boost.
Click to expand...
Yep.

In past threads when folks were complaining about lack of volume with the 3 Pro, many were leaving the graphic EQ switch off and not understanding that they're losing significant volume that way.
 
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#14
The other thing that will cause the 3Pro not to perform to its full potential is if the power amp bias is set too cold (too little idle current). Yes, some solid state amps have a bias adjustment. The one on the 3Pro (and Ampegs with similar power amps) is very touchy, and not to be twiddled casually! https://www.talkbass.com/threads/svt3pro-bias-setting.437406/
 
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#15
FRoss6788 said:
Yep.

In past threads when folks were complaining about lack of volume with the 3 Pro, many were leaving the graphic EQ switch off and not understanding that they're losing significant volume that way.
Click to expand...
Yep. When I first plugged it in the EQ was off. Pushed the little activate button and there it was. Much more power. Bought a little smile to my face…..
 
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#16
If you look at the block diagram for it I think there's a lot of interesting design choices that make it extra flexible. E.g., the power amp input is after the master volume but before the tubes and mosfets, or like having the send/return before the master but then the preamp out after. I'm mostly just playing/recording direct right now and having multiple options like that from the same amp is great. The preamp just sounds amazing, even on guitar. Love it, enjoy!
 
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#19
ScottDownSouth said:
I think part of the problem is it actually "only" makes 275 watts with an 8 ohm load. I'd be interested to hear it with a 4 ohm cab at the full 450 watts.
That coupled with the master and gain working opposite to what you would normally think, there's also a volume slider on the end of the EQ bank…. It's certainly got its idiosyncrasies…. But sounds great.

Cheers, Scott.
Click to expand...
Yeah...I was using mine with a 4 ohm Ampeg 610 back in the day and it still had a hard time keeping up. Having said that, it was always GREAT in the studio and now that I have been on IEM's for the past few years I'm sure it would be great!
 
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