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Svt 1000

jbravo

jbravo

Supporting Member
Jun 1, 2009
970
304
South Dakota
#1
I just recently got this, and really like the sound with either my jazz or my precision deluxe. The problem is this: (and keep in mind I'm not too technical-oriented)

When I use the amp with my 8ohm 4x10 The sound is good, and never bumps up against the limiter. However when I used my 8ohm single 15" cab with the 4x10, the limiter light is on almost constantly, and I actually could hear it distort (which I thought the limiter should prevent).

For the places I play, the 4x10 is plenty, but I have intended to buy an 8x10 cab eventually. Since the 8x10 would be 4ohm, is this likely to cause limiter issues? And, would it be more likely that the problem in in the head or cabinet?

I should mention that I've been using both cabinets with a Peavy tour 450 prior to getting the ampeg, and didn't have any issues. They are both Peavy cabs,which I bought used. I believe the jack on th 15" cab is not original,by the way.

Bear in mind that I like the sound of this amp, so I don't want to get rid of it- (just in case someone was about to suggest it!)
Thanks alot in advance for any suggestions-
Steve
 
#2
is the svt a mono block bass head or does it have two seperate power amps? I have very little experience with it but the first thing I would check is your gain against your master volume.

also, I would double check to make sure the 15" cab hasn't been rewired to run at 4 ohms, if its not an original jack, the previous owner may have messed about and is caused your head to run a heavier load than it's meant for.

also, are you using an active bass?
 
#3
I don't know on the mono block question-how would I find out? The manual doesn't say.However, there are no instructions for stereo use, etc. Both my basses are active, but I've tried both the active and passive inputs with similar results. I do have a meter, but am embarrased to admit I don't know how to use it. How would I check the 15 cab to see what the ohms are?
Thanks-
Steve
 
#6
Hey man, I agree with above make sure that cab is not 4 ohms, but the two 8 ohm cabs should make a perfectly fine 4 ohm load, another to do, which I've read some topics on, is instead of using the master volume as the volume control, turn the master volume all the way up, and use the gain as your volume control, I did that with my SS ampeg head and it never clipped! and I was getting better tones than I was before! Give it a whirl, it worked great for me!
 
#7
I wanted one of these so bad to run with my SVT-410HLF (4 ohms) that I could use as my main rig.

I owned it only for a couple days. I determined it was just too much power at 1000-1350 watts into my 500 watt cab. It sounded distorted no matter what Master or Gain volumes I used.

I sent it back to Bass Central and they told me it had a defect, but didn't go into detail of what it was. I ended up getting credit back for it instead of getting another one and now wonder if it would have run with my cab or not --- it may work better with a 610 or 810 with that much power.....
 
#9
Sounds like the EQ settings on your SVT1000 are suitable for your 410 and possibly not suitable for your 15. Along with that, it sounds like the 15 cannot handle what you are putting into it wattage wise/tone wise.

I reccommend not using the 15 and 410 together at shows. You are better off going the (1 or 2) 410 route or the 810route. A 15 and a 410 running together will create a phasing issue as each speaker is putting the same tone in different ways. In the end, you will have a rig that sounds quite terrible together, but much better by themselves.
 
#10
jbravo said:
Rbonner- I am in Aberdeen.
svt$$- I will try your suggestion on our gig this saturday.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest you haul it over and put our heads together and mess with it. Can hook it to all sorts of 4 ohm cabinetry and try and shake it out. Aberdeen - Sioux Falls is not like driving across town.

BTW the SVT1000 is two amplifier channels permanently in a MONO-Block situation wired inside the amp. They can't be split.

BOB

OH hey Steve, when you get strange distortion with an active bass always change the batteries first.. But I'm sure you have already done that.
 
#11
jbravo said:
I don't know on the mono block question-how would I find out? The manual doesn't say.However, there are no instructions for stereo use, etc. Both my basses are active, but I've tried both the active and passive inputs with similar results. I do have a meter, but am embarrased to admit I don't know how to use it. How would I check the 15 cab to see what the ohms are?
Thanks-
Steve
Click to expand...
you could take a peek at the back of the speaker....often ohms are noted there
 
#12
Thanks for all replies!
The batteries in both basses were changed when I saw this happening. I will follow through with all suggestions on Sat. when we set up. It sounds like most think it's likely that there is a problem with the 15 cab. I'll post when a solution is found-still happy to hear any other thoughts...
Thanks to All-
Steve
 
#13
Hmm... I never saw the limiter come on one single time in the year that I owned the head, and I ran it through a 410HLF... I definitely wouldn't run it through the single 15, unless it's rated for high power, but if it's a standard Ampeg, it's just too weak for that head. Of course, you must consider that the 410HLF is a 4 ohm cab, but it seems that would make it more likely to clip.

Any way it goes, I never saw the limiter led light come on once, And I ran the gain at the level the manual specifies, and ran the master as high as 3 O'clock, but i Always EQ'd it flat with the tube emulation on unless i was using my VT Bass pedal, then I turned the tube emulation off. I'd say the 410HLF was a little weak for handling this head though, same goes for either of the cab's your using if they're Ampeg cabs... I just picked up an 810 to run my SVT-CL through and it slays. Consider another 410 and this head will blow people away!
 
#14
For those who replied, I just thought I would update. I opened up the 15 cab, and surprize-a 4ohm speaker!
The weird thing is I bought both these cabs with a Peavey mk7 (?), and used it quite a while, then used them with my tour 450, and never had a problem. I always assumed that they were both 8ohm.
Oh well... I guess I'll just use the 410 alone until I can afford to treat the ampeg to an 810.

Thanks again to all-:bassist:
Steve
 

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