Ampeg SVT-3Pro

Have this amp for 5 months now and my rig is this head with an Ampeg BXT 410 HL 4 Cabinet. I play Death Metal and this amp is so great, I will never use another brand. I've been searching for a great amp and tested many "loud sounding" amps but the point is, how louders amps can go, the more articulation is getting lost. I've tested SWR, H&K, Peavey, Hartke, Behringer,Yorkville... and these amps are really loud. I admit, they were louder then the Ampeg but their sound are nothing compared with this baby! This Ampeg sounds like a hartbeat pumping like a train through the music and I feel the bass penetrating my body... amazing! The other brands were not bad but for example: Fret one on my B string sounded the same as fret 9 on the B string. So, that's wasn't anything for what I was searching for. This ampeg... Kills all competition.

The sound is brilliant. It has also a lot to do with my cab that I'm using. The BXT 410 cab has a more crystal sounding modern sound that the classic SVT cabs. I also play some bass solo's in a few of our songs and the BXT cab can take it all and I can hear every single note that I'm playing. With the SVT cab, it sounded more like mud and all the notes sounded the same. The Ampeg produces 300 watts output (450 watt's is the Preamp section wattage but the eventually output is 300 watt's) and that's more then enough to cope with my drummer. A gig's, I hook my rig to the P.A. system and it's really amazing to hear such a clear and fantastic sounding bassguitar!

Never had any problems so far. As far as transport, my rig is really roadworthy. This head can take a beating (is builed like a tank) but I always take good care of it. The only problem is that my cab weighs about 122 pounds, so it asks for a two men job to lift it. Further more, no problems.

Nice people to mail with, respond very quick and a very friendly service desk. Compared with H&K, Hartke and Yorkville (They've never heard of customer support) they rule!

This amp is simply brilliant. I don't understand the bad reputation this amp has (check Bgra.net, talkbass.com, ZZounds, music123,...). Many people complain that this amp isn't loud enough... I've never heard such a brutal amp. It's a piece of art and I hope that Ampeg will keep on producing these wonderfull amps in the future to come.

This like many others is a follow up review. I don't think the features need to be gone over because it has been listed. All I know is there is a lot more then I need on this amp. So I don't have a problem with the features. If any thing too much. I don't ever use the 9 band eq anymore.

Over the years I have grown to enjoy a set up that is nice and simple, well kind of. I have also been trying to shrink it a bit. I fell in love with p-basses like everyone else a few years ago and I don't see any turning back from that. When I was playing punk it didn't seem loud enough but now that I am playing more rock I feel like I can't turn it up to my ideal volume because it is too loud. I think it sounds best with the master turned up three quarters of the way. I don't have problems with distortion that is why you have a peak light and a gain. I do run a compressor and a BBE sonic maximizer with this amp, I find that a sonic maximizer is a must for any amp.

I have played this amp with all sorts of combinations. Ampeg svt 410hlf, Svt 810e, swr goliath II, Aguilar 210, and currently I am running an Ashdown ABM 210 and ABM 115. These cabs are small and light. I liked the 810 but they lose their appeal when you have to deal with them yourself. I'll get one if I ever have a roady untill then I am keeping it small. The other advantage with the 210 and 115 is that combined they have a 600 watt rating and the ampeg puts out 450 and so it is the closet I have ever ran to matching the ratings and it sounds real good.

This is really where this amp shines. I have been very hesitant to get rid of it because it has never given me a single problem in six years. I haven't even had to replace the preamp tubes. I just open it up every so often and clean the dust out. It's like a tank.

Don't know, there amps are so good that and reliable that I haven't had any questions.

I got an amazing deal on this amp. It was a demo model that was used for one weekend at a jazz festival. I paid 599 I think which is a great price for it new. I have bought a few different amps over the years to replace this amp with but they just don't stand up to it. This amp isn't for everyone. But you get a lot for a little in my opinion. The only other ampeg that I would buy above this is an SVT CL. I hate the hi fi sound and this amp isn't hi fi although you could probably get a hi fi sounds from it. This amp is so versitile that it will get you where you need to go for the most part. I don't really plan on upgrading unless I get lucky and play in a band that gets lots of money.

Have this amp for three years now. Still very happy with it. To find all features: please go to http://www.ampeg.com

I play death metal and use a SVT 610 HLF cab with this head. No problems whatsoever. My drummer is very fast and hits like a maniac and my guitarplayer uses a brutal Marshall JCM 2000 with a Vintage 1960 cabinet. I can keep up with my bandmates with no problems. My sound is shapeble from ultra low to sharp and crystal clear. Concerning about the volume. This head creates 300 watt's instead of the stated 450 watt's. The pre-amp delivers 450 watt but the outcome is 300 watt. This is the reason why many people find this amp to be so silent. But I'm extremely happy with it. At rehearsels, zero problems and at gigs, we hook our gear up at the P.A. (that's why it's there) and I can blast with no problems.

Five tubes, one blew on me a couple of months ago. Had to wait 4 days and a new tube was present at the musicstore where I go. Further more, no problems.

Haven't got in tough with them. I always go to my dealer.

This head is really great. When I read the other reviews (especially the negative ones) I wunderd what could be wrong with this great head. The sometimes farting sounds, which the SVT III Pro creates at very high volumes, I never dealth with it. I never turn my amp pass 5 or 6 because then my rig is getting to loud at the rehearsel space. I bury the drums and the guitars. If you want a great tube amp, go ampeg and get the SVT III Pro. If you use the 610 HLF, you have a very extreme setup at which only the loudest guitaramps can compete with. Think twice before buying it because the complaint can be from your bandmates that your amp is just to loud! You're warned! The price is extremely economic. Bought my complete rig for 2500 euro. 1350 for the head, 1150 for my cab!!!!!!

Bought it a few days ago. Is the tube verion of the solid state B2R but has more features and more power (louder!). For all the information, go to www.ampeg.com and check the products section. I'm very happy with this amp. Sold my hughes and Kettner Bassforce XXL combo to buy the ampeg SVT III PRo head with an Ampeg BXT 410HL4 cabinet (see other review). Wow! What a difference. The HK sounded like a toy compared with this monster of a rig.

The sound is simply brilliant. I've heard many people complain about the SVT III Pro that it isn't loud enough. I don't agree at all with them. With my rig, I can stand loud and proud against two marshall JCM 2000 halfstacks and a trigger loving drummer. The head can produce 450 watts, the cab is 600 watts. If that isn't loud enough... whatever! The sound is really thick, fat and you can shape it into a sharp sounding mayhem. Thanks to all the features of the amp, you can shape your sound into almost anything you want. Thanks to the BXT cab (which is one of best cabs around) the sound is crystal clear and it has a wunderfull articulation. The SVT cab's have tons of low end but the sounds were often very muddy. The BXT cab's are in my opionion way better then the SVT cabs (and are also a little bit more expensive). This is how a bassguitar should sound like. My Yamaha basses (BB5IIL and TRB1005L) love the ampeg rig. It's just a fantastic head.

The tube's (3 if I'm correct) sound like they mean buisiness. Haven't got any problems so far but I've got a really great dealer who is really devoted and he can get replacement tube's from Ampeg without any problems and for a really good price (not like mesa. They use russian tubes, which are worth 25 euro's and the put their logo on it and sell it for 110 euro's. Way to go mesa).

Well, haven't dealth with them yet.

Extremely great head. A think I will never have to buy a new amp for the next 20 or 30 years. This amp is without any doubt the best of the best. Loud, fat, punshy, clear, brutal, growling,... you name it. It can do it all for you!!! The price is a little bit high but the amp makes it really worth it. If it would be stolen... I would get the person who stole it and let him pay the total amount to me so that I can buy the same amp again.

Just an addition to previous: Use the low mid! (mid control 1st position) boost it 3 o'clock with the tubegain on O, bass 3, treble 10 o'clock (w/horn) all the rest off (except the eq for boosted parts, or the low/hi boosts when you slap) and then you will hear that tubes you are looking for (if you push the gain and master a little of course, because tube amps are not linear): I've got this head for 2years and a half (no probs), and found it too clean (trying to get a vintage sound with a "smiley curve" eq makes no sense) until I had the key: now I know I have a true Ampeg, with added versatility. It is a great improvement in heard power too (I used to find it weak for the 450w, I don't anymore). You have to know such an amp well before judging it (ahem)

Bought new. 4 tube pre-amp; 2 driver tubes; MOSFET power section; graphic eq.

I can't believe guys are saying that this amp won't distort, it won't saturate, but it won't clean up either, at least not with an active bass. It has one sound and one sound only, boomy, with little definition between notes, and an underlying distortion. I ran an SWR Interstellar Overdrive in front of it and it sounded much better. As for volume, for a 450 watt rating, it is not all that loud.

Ampeg has a good rep.

I called them and they seemed nice.

It's going back in exchange for an SWR 550x. It is good to get a distorted sound sometimes, but I want to be able to get a clean sound as well. This amp sounds dark without much definition and is probably perfect for metal. It sucked the high end right out of my Pedulla basses. It would appear to me that Ampeg is trying to "model" a classic SVT tone in a modern package. It unfortunately comes off sounding flat and one dimensional. Don't get me wrong, this is a nice well built amp, but for $800, the tone should be there and it isn't.

Ok feature wise.Wish it had an overdrive channel or at least can "crunch" more like an SVT Classic.You would think a hybrid that has five tubes in it would get a good crunchy drive sound but this amp is way too clean.The only way I could it to distort was to turn the "level" all the way up on the graphic EQ section and then it sounded like a bad distortion pedal.However,the clean bass sound is nice and tube-like and has a good presence.

Not bad.Not really good either.SVT III Pros sound great when atop an SVT 8x10 or an SVT 2x15 but when paired with a mediocre cabinet the sound is well,mediocre.In my case I had 2 FENDER/SUNN 4x10s and was quite underwhelmed.I think this maybe just proves that the key to the wonderful classic "SVT" sound is 50% the SVT Classic head and 50% the classic SVT 8x10 cab.I will state though that I have heard SVT classic heads make sub-par cabs sound really good.The SVT III Pro did not do much better than what my ASHDOWN MAG 400(solid-state)did for the same cabinets.Also,not as loud.

I didn't keep this head long enough to come to a conclusion.

I have dealt with AMPEG/SLM and they are great.

I love AMPEG.
The SVT III Pro is just not as good as most of their other amps.
Even with five tubes(4 12ax7s and 1 12au7)this head didn't sound as warm and friendly as the superb AMPEG B100R 100watt(solid-state) combo that I have and adore.I play hard rock and psychadelic blues with USA FENDER basses strung w/ flatwound strings.I now have an ACOUSTIC 220 with a TRAYNOR 1x18 Cerwin Vega semi folded horn and am getting the sounds I want.

SVT-3PRO made in August 2003 (bought in December 2004 as brand new in a factory sealed box from Guitar Center). Lots-o-features! Some highlights are tuner output, footswitchable EQ, mute, XLR and 1/4" balanced and unbalanced line out w/volume control and ground lift, effects loop, speak-on and 1/4" speaker jacks, etc. 450W @ 4 ohms, enough power for my band and recording uses, I may run thru the PA as well for large halls. I bought the ampeg 2 button footswitch for mute and EQ on/off for $46 (ouch!) from Musician's Friend. More features than I will ever use, and none that I need are missing. I use the footswitchable graphic EQ as a solo switch, it works great for those parts that you need to punch up a little. 2 ohm capability would have been nice for two 4 ohm cabs, but I am not complaining. My 4 ohm cab is working great!

Music Man Stingray 4 with stock pickups >> gtr cable >> SVT-3PRO >> speaker cable >> SVT-410HLF

This setup sounds great! I play modern rock music and this nails it! I think the cab has a lot to do with the great sound because I tried others and this cab kills everything except SVT-810E, and who wants to lug that beast around? I think the combination of a tube preamp and a MOSFET power amp is perfect for rock bass guitar. I can get the clangy picked modern rock tones and clean fingered dub sound w/great sustain!) and everything in between. I can get a huge variety of tone with just the Stingray's 3 band EQ, which is great for live performances. This is by no means a one trick pony, but the SVT tone is why you bought it and it is in there.

I am still getting to know this amp. I am looking forward to recording with it. I think the results will be excellent.

Haven't had it long enough to know. The cooling fan is a little noisy at startup and shutdown which makes me a little nervous. I will keep my Sansamp BDDI as a backup (straight into the PA).

5 year warranty (almost unheard of these days). I had a question about a low level on the balanced line out, the Ampeg tech was great! He had me straightened out in 5 minutes. I had the GAIN set too low. As soon as I turned down the MASTER a little and turned the GAIN up...problem solved.

I have been playing about 5 years and this is my first real bass amp. I was playing thru the Sansamp BDDI straight into the PA before and this amp is a huge improvement.

I extensively demoed the SVT3-PRO vs. SVT Classic for a month at GC. I went to Guitar Center fully intending to buy the SVT Classic. I tried them both one more time and decided to go with the SVT-3PRO mainly for the versatilty of sounds, 65 lbs. lighter, less cost, and much less expensive tube maintenance. Don't get me wrong, if I had unlimited funds and roadies to carry my crap, I would have gone with the SVT Classic and the SVT-810E. It sounded incredible (better than the SVT3), it was just too much amp (and not versatile enough) for me. I also tried a SWR rig and I was not impressed.

I have one small complaint - I wish it came with the $46 footswitch. I think a $900 amp should come with the damn footswitch.

Overall great amp! Seems powerful enough and versatile enough for gigging and recording.

it's only a few years old, I've had it for two years and I've submitted a review, but I wanted to update mine!

Preamp gain, Tube gain, Parametric and 9 band EQ, VERY FLEXIBLE!

Tons of juice to spare, I've never needed to crank it and I use it with the Ampeg SVT810E cab!

I use two G&L basses, both are passive instruments. I play all types of music, and I can get any tone I want. I rarely need to reset the EQ at different venues. I can make it distort, but I keep it clean. The distortion that I can get isn't the best, but it's not the worst, I just prefer to let the amp run clean. I might get a Preamp (Sansamp Bass Driver RBI) for some mixable distortion

NEVER had a problem yet. The fan got noisy once and the tubes have needed changed, but that's normal. I got contact cleaner with lube for the fan and it's been silent since! I might get another head someday just in case, you know... if a tube goes, a tube goes and having another head alreay there is much faster than changing tubes

STILL haven't needed them, but I trust they would be able to take care of me :)

I use the following gear:

Ampeg SVT810E
Samson Bass Airline Wireless
Alesis 3630 Compressor
MA Audio 2 space rack drawer
SKB rack(s)
Juice Goose Power Strip with pullout lights and surge protection
Korg DTR-1000 Tuner
Ernie Ball passive volume pedal
Boss Chorus
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Distortion
Boss Bass Synthesizer
DOD Envelope Filter
Morley ABY switch (to bypass wah)
Morley Power Wah Boost (you know... the old chrome one)

G&L 1998 SB-2 bass. Lake Placid Blue, alder body, bird's eye maple neck and fretboard, chrome hardware, factory electronics, one volume pot for each pickup and white pearloid pickguard. Strung with DR High Beams (45-105)

G&L 1991 SB-1 bass, black swamp ash body, maple neck and fretboard, black hardware and pickguard, factory pickup and one pot for volume the other for tone. Strung with DR Black Beauties (45-105)

Dunlop 1.0mm blue triangle tortez picks

Comfort Strapp extra long (ordered from Roger Sadowsky http://www.sadowsky.com )

I also use all Sovtek 12AX7 tubes (all 5 of them) I don't use the 12AU7, I replaced it with a 12AX7 tube.

Ampeg SVT III Pro, made in 1994. I play mainly heavy stuff and it simply rocks. Lots of power, handles 5 string bass tuned one step down at high volumes with no clipping. Can't complain, really.I don't play anything else, so can't say if it's versatile or not. Suits me fine, though.

I play Spector Rex2000/5 5 string with EMG HZ pickups. Amp: not noisy, hums a little; warm punchy sound, lots of power. Tried to go for some distortion, couldnt, but on the other hand - there's always pedals, isn't there?

Bought it over eBay. Came from overseas, not working (that's a separate story). Had it fixed, works great since. Previous users kicked it's ass, I guess. I take care of it, but on the other hand it's my main touring amp, so it takes a beating once in a while. I trust it completely though.

Bought used, don't know anything about customer support.

I play for almost 10 years. Played a couple of amps before, this one devours them all with a snap of its bassy jaws :) To make it curt: it's a rock/metal machine, punches, kicks, growls. If somebody stole it from me, I'd find the bastard and get medieval on him :)
One thing - this is one heavy bitch...