School me on the Ampeg SVT-III Pro

[Wasnex]

Nah, I don't think anyone would claim that a SVT-3-Pro gets as loud as an all tube SVT. The SVT will at least always FEEL louder, except if you play a lot in the lower range.

Except some people actually do say the 3-Pro is louder.

Honestly I have never understood the claims about the SVT's (legendary) volume capabilities. I have owned three all-tube SVTs and never felt any of them were massively loud. Too loud perhaps, but not loud enough to bury a 100W Marshall, as is frequently claimed. For the record I own two vintage 100W Marshall heads and 1960AX/BX cabs. IMHO the Marshalls are massively loud (with guitar), but they are not necessarily my loudest 100W tube amps.

I still own a 69 and an 87 SVT. While I have never played through a 3-Pro, I do own about 10 bass amps with solid state output sections. My GK 2000RB is rated for 350W at 4 ohms and my GK 700RB is rated for 380W at 4 ohms. I have AB'ed my SVTs with this two amps. By the time the GK's are pushed into their clean volume limit, my all-tube SVTs are fairly deep into saturation. So in my estimation the GKs seem louder.

I have also compared some of my more powerful solid state amps to my SVTs, and some of them seem louder by a wide margin.

If you want to compare only all-tube, my Ashdown CTM300, and Ashdown 427, Reeves 400, Trace Elliot V6, and Trace Elliot V8 are all louder than my SVTs. The CTM300 is the only other 300W amp in this list. The rest are 400W or more. My SVTs are louder than all of my amps that are rated for 200W or less though.

Ultimately it does not matter as long as the amp is loud enough for your specific needs. I am usually good with about 150W and a relatively efficient cab. So IMHO an SVT is usually plenty, but YMMV.

That's why I was thinking if someone could test them side by side with same cab. That gives pretty good estimation.

IMHO test them yourself and form your on conclusions. It's doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. What matters is which amp suits your needs best. The consensus of which amp sounds best tends to be more universal; most prefer the all-tube SVT...but not all.

 

[drumvsbass]

#1 thing to know about the SVT-3Pro: (Ignore the PEAK light.)

^^^Came to say just this.^^^
he peak light is nonsense on this amp, and is the usual culprit in people thinking this amp is underpowered.
Although not as powerful as an SVT, it will drive any gig just fine as long as you don't mind a little grit on your tone.

 

[rickdog]

I think they labeled that light "PEAK" because "AMPEG GOODNESS" didn't fit in the space available

I loaned my 3Pro as backline at a small local music festival (in the before times, sigh). One bass player in particular was getting a really good sound - I went up close to see how he had it set, and he had just dimed the gain, and that light was on solid while he played.

 

[pbassnut]

^^^Came to say just this.^^^
he peak light is nonsense on this amp, and is the usual culprit in people thinking this amp is underpowered.
Although not as powerful as an SVT, it will drive any gig just fine as long as you don't mind a little grit on your tone.

Agreed. On the other hand, if you are seeking a clean SVT III Pro sound, you can dime the Master Volume and bump up the Level control several dB on the Graphic EQ. This will enable you to achieve a cleaner sound with the Gain control set as low as possible.

 

[paskisti]

IMHO test them yourself and form your on conclusions. It's doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. What matters is which amp suits your needs best. The consensus of which amp sounds best tends to be more universal; most prefer the all-tube SVT...but not all.

I was just curious for topic, not intended to get new amp. I had never opportunity to test 3 Pro either while they are not very popular here, but wanted to know if they really lack power like often said.

Anyway, your post that I did not quote, were very helpful and actually answered to my question. Thank you.

 

[TheSpinDoctor]

When buying a used Ampeg SVT-3 Pro, be aware that some amps have a problem with the power transistors bias potentiometer. It is adjusted to provide the bias voltage for all eight output MOSFETs. This potentiometer can be VERY sensitive to small changes. Even moving the amp change cause a change for some. When the bias voltage was off in my SVT-3 Pro, the sound was distorted no matter what the volume, gain or tube gain settings were. If you a comfortable with working inside of electronics, get a good multimeter and adjust the bias potentiometer. If you are unfamiliar with the inside of electronics, then stay away as the voltages can be very high and hazardous. If the latter is true and the amp you are considering shows signs of needing a bias voltage adjustment, then add the cost of having an amp tech checking the amp to the purchase price.

 

[Bassjas]

I’m able to buy a used svt3 pro. And I have a question. I read that you need to dime the volume and gain to get that classic ampeg tube growl. Is this true? If so, should I just run it through an attenuator for home practice?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I’m able to buy a used svt3 pro. And I have a question. I read that you need to dime the volume and gain to get that classic ampeg tube growl. Is this true? If so, should I just run it through an attenuator for home practice?

No attenuator can that handle that much power (off-the-shelf ones, anyway).

 

[Bassjas]

Welp, that’s true. Any recommendations on how to get the break up at bedroom levels?

 

[JoeyFab]

Played an SVT3-PRO through a PR-410HLF cab for YEARS, and it most definitely ROCKED! However, the PR-410HLF cab was 4 Ohms, so it could really use ALL of the SVT3-PRO (450 Watts). I would imagine it might feel a bit weak if you're only using one 8 Ohm cab with it.