Played through an Ampeg SVT IV today...

[Rob Martinez]

and it was AMAZING!!!

I am jamming with a group and took my Waterstone 12 string bass, they had another guy's rig there. It was the Ampeg SVT IV PRO, I think, and an Ampeg 4X10 cab, with a Carvin 1X15 cab.

My 12ver sounded so HUGE and AMAZING!!!

I thought I was finished buying amps, and am VERY happy with my B100R and B200R, but I may have to invest in something like this.

Any one else have a similar experience with this bass amp?

 

[Ryan L.]

Yes. That is why I'm on my second one.

 

[JonathanD]

Really? I have an SVT4 for 2 years and honestly its the most unimpressive amp I have ever tried. But thats just me,
Jonathan

 

[Rob Martinez]

Hmmm...who knows? One guy's trash is another guy's treasure.

I am going to explore ths SVT some more, but am also interested in the Mesa Boogie 400+, though I know those are discontinued.

 

[Ryan L.]

Really? I have an SVT4 for 2 years and honestly its the most unimpressive amp I have ever tried. But thats just me,
Jonathan

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

 

[Diabolical Funk]

I use the SVt 4 Pro, is that a different model than the SVT IV? And i pretty much have the same set up, ampeg4x10 HLF and an ampeg 1x15. Kicks ass when biamped or just in dual mono. Disturbing amounts of power.

 

[fishtx]

Tone wise, I think the SVT 4-PRO sounds great...I think the power is overrated..but still love the tone.

 

[K-Funk]

yeah Ampegs are usually quieter than the RMS rating......... I debated between the 4 Pro and 6 Pro heavily before landing on the 6. Extra tubes, extra EQ, and more percieved volume sold it to me. I can use the parametric EQ on the 6 Pro to dial into basically any situation and be heard.

But yeah, the 4 Pro is also a great head. I really like most of the Ampeg line except for the 3-Pro. same good tone, but the power is just obscenely low for the rating. It seriously sounds like 200 watts, tops. no joke!

 

[alfredpunkjazz]

What about the SVT8 PRO?

Has anybody played it?????

Actually... has anybody seen it????

I think Jerrold T. had some work on that unit.

 

[JohnH2H]

I've been playing a 4 Pro for a couple years now w/an RBI Sansamp out of an Ampeg 8x10 and I always get compliments from sound guys and other musicians.

I agree w/the statement on it's overrated power, though. I play in a really loud and heavy band so I'm thinkin about trying the Mesa 400+ as well.

I have had to send it in to get it repaired but it's under warrantee - which wasn't as bad a hassle as I thought it'd be.

But as of a couple weeks ago I'm getting this obnoxious hum from the amp. It's driving me nuts. Any ideas what it could be?

 

[thellon0]

I actually bought an svt IV pro back a few months ago; it was a b-stock from an online retailer. I didn't get a manual or a power cord, just the amp (I don't think that's usually how b-stocks are sold) It had a good sound, but DID seem to be way underpowered. I ran it into a carvin 4x10 and always had trouble getting as much as I wanted out of it.

Anyway, After about 25 days I was playing on it at a gig and the amp started smoking. It literally became a fog machine (I had it rackmounted) It was still within the returnable period, so I sent it back for a full refund.

What I come to find out some weeks later is that the bridged switch isn't enough to bridge the signal. You have to have a bridged speakon cable as well. Apparently, this is spelled out in the manual, but as I never received one, and was too lazy to find on online, I never understood this, and consequently, never got what I wanted out of this amp.

Most of you may already know this information, but after the headache I'm going through finding another amp I like the sound of, I wanted to make sure everyone was aware::::

YOU HAVE TO BRIDGE YOUR SVT-IV AND YOUR CONNECTING SPEAKON CABLE FOR THE AMP TO PUT OUT AT FULL CAPABILITY!!!!