Ampeg SVT-3Pro

Bought new a GC in November 2001. 1 Channel but with footswitchable EQ. Great features. Just about all the bells and whistles you could ask for. No headphone jack, but why would you want one on a 450 watts head ? Plenty o' power.

Used with G&L L-2000, and Musicman Stingray5. Pushing Hartke XL cabs. 1 4x10, and 1 2x10. This amp only has one downfall, and maybe it's not a downfall at all, if you like a "gritty" tone. Sounded wonderful at 8 ohms, but a 4 ohms, it just went to it's knees. Impossible to get a good clean tone. And also seems like the volume dropped running two cabs.

Only had it for 6 months. No problems, except that the cooling fan was starting to get a little noisey.

Never had to deal with Ampeg. I'll give it an 8, just based on the length of warranty.

Only been playing for a little over two years. Still have the G&L and Musicman basses. Traded the SVT-3Pro for a Gallien Krueger 1001RB. Still haven't had it long enough to review it, but so far, the tone is just what I was looking for. When you go shopping for an amp, remember, that what you hear in the music store, is NOT what you will get in a live situation. What sounds like a nice round, warm tone, could turn to mud and be lost in the mix.

I'm not sure when this particular amp was made, but I'm pretty certain that it's a new model due to the cool new Ampeg-look! If you want to know all the features, check out www.ampeg.com or see some of the other reviews.

Although this is a very nice amp it does miss some "crucial" features such as a compressor (which can be found on the SVT-4 PRO), but it doesn't bother me that much!

It has what most players would demand, including lots of power! I mainly use it in our (my band's) rehearsal room and at our gigs.

I use Warwick basses (Corvette and Streamer Standards) and a Peavey 8x10" speaker cabinet and it rocks the house! I play a form of progressive hard-rock and my bass manages to cut through two heavy guitars which I am delighted for.

As with most Ampegs (and other amps), it gets a bit noisy when you pump up the treble, but it's not hearable when you play so I don't really care about it! Besides, there are high voltage powercables and tubelights on the roof above my amp, so it's partially they're fault.

I haven't tweaked that much with the EQ since I found "my" sound almost instantly, but I'm positive that it can be used for different styles of music... just check out who uses and endorses Ampeg and you can see the versatility!

I almost have the volume knob on max and it doesn't even distort a bit! I love this damn amp!!!

I bought this amp in the US, but I live in Norway so I had to buy a transformer (from 220V to 110V) if I want to use it in Europe. The transformer is at 440watts and, honestly, I'm not sure if it's safe to use it on the Ampeg!
I would use it on a gig without a backup, but still I don't like the thought of my amp getting the wrong kind of power/voltage.

If anyone can help me with this problem please feel free to e-mail me...

Never dealt with them...

I've been playing for about five years and I also own a Warwick Streamer STD, a Warwick Corvette STD, an ESP/ltd b-105 and a Peavey 810TX cab (I've submitted reviews for all this, so you can check them out, too).

If this amp was stolen, I'd probably buy the SVT-4 PRO due to all the extra features, but it doesn't mean that the 3PRO is a bad amp!
It's much lighter and smaller, which makes it more portable, it has a killer rock tone and dishes out 450watts at 4 ohms.

I compared it to the 4 PRO and the SVP1500 + SVP-PRO and the tone was the same. The only difference was the amount of power, but since I was on a budget I "settled" for the SVT-3 PRO.
Don't get me wrong; it's totally awesome!

As I said before, I wish it had a compressor, but that's about it...

And again, if anyone can help me on the transformer problem don't hesitate to e-mail me!

I really like this amp I have had it for about 2 years. This is one of the newer ones, it has the new ampeg look which they have been using I think for about 3 years. I play in a punk band which I have been in for over 4 years. We play all original stuff and we play all over the state. I like the nine band eq because it gives me the ability to polish the sound once I have set the other stuff. The only other head I have owned is the B2r and this has many more features. I really like the tuner out and the mute option which lets me tune with the mute. I use a compressor with this amp also. I could get away just fine without but I just thought it would be nice to have on it. Also this amp has a tube preamp.

I play with a pick and usually just play clean. I own an early 90's fender americna jazz, an 83 american p-bass and a 2000 G&L L2000. This amp sounds great with each of these basses. I like to put a lot of treble and a lot of bass with a little bit of mid. The bass is clean live but when I recorded it was distorted and gave my recorded bass a distorted sound, which sounded pretty good. I will give the amp an 8 because sometimes I do get frustrated with the sound.

I have had this amp for 2 years and never ever had a problem. I have taken it all over and we gig at least 2 to 3 times a month. I have it in an 8 space rack. I have never had a back up and I have never needed on.

Never dealt with them but i love their products

This amp seems to give my basses rich and smooth sounds while providing plenty of power. It can play every thing I have every used it for. It's not too big or too heavy. I would recommend to everyone that they buy this. The only amp which I think is better is the SVT II but it also cost more then twice what I paid for this and ways at least twice as much.

1996 edition, old black-and-white layout. Everything needed, except maybe separate overdrive channel. You need to practice with this thing. But everything is possible. See www.ampeg.com Bought it used, 1500?, two svt-410he's included. Bargain!

Using it with pedulla fourstring. Playing everything: rock, blues, jazz, funk,... for over ten years now. Everything possible. Power tube gain is a very handy thing, and combined with all the toneshaping options, don't tell me you can't get your sound with this. It requires a lot of excercise though, and sound quality definately increases with increasing volume. Hell of an amp. I'm giving this one my ten. Every amp has something it excells at, and which one you choose, that's personal taste.

Hey, ampeg, uh?

Mailed once for a bad contact, got immediate answer, very kind. Repaired it myself. Around here (Belgium) it isn't ampeg themselves servicing, but the local dealers. So you depend on them. Since I know where to be...

The bargain of my last years. Owned a marshall, samick, peavey. This one (off course) is the best I had. If it would be stolen, maybe I would check out the new svt's (or buy a new III-pro, off course). The new V-pro looks good, with separate overdrive channel. But it doesn't have all the preamp tubes... and tube sound is certainly something I miss when playing another amp, warm, punchy,... As I said, look out,this piece of junk requires some excercising!

I'm quite sure all the features have been covered. Go to Ampegs site otherwise.

My 3pro is a '99, I bought for Hard/rock metal stuff. I have several other heads/an orig SVT (2), which are more maintenance than my ol lady, a Trace beater (yuk) and an SWR. I love the 3pro, I play Fender P-deluxes (w/humbuck) and a way cool Peavey RJIV. I always run the amp wide open, the amp doesn't crunch as good as pure tuber would, so I only use a Tech21 bass driver for my crunch. Why do some guys buy a head for grand then buy a piece of shit $79.00 ZOOM box to play thru ???? I had to ask that......This amp will do it all, when in doubt, set it totally flat, tweak to taste.....

I threw it down a flight of stairs in a drunken rage (IN AN SKB CASE).
IT WAS FINE !!! Hmmmmmmm a back up ? Never gave that any thought !!!
Naaaaaaah, I dont need no stinking backup !!!! And I am the KING OF AMP & BASS ABUSE !!! An Ampeg (any model) and a Fender Bass & I can RULE THE WORLD......

I called, discussed tubes, they were cool.....Never had any real issues....they been around a long time, I have faith in em.

Ive played for 600 hundred years, millions of gigs, if it were stolen, I'd buy another after I was released for killing the chicken shit that took it...I guess Eden is close, WT-800 is cool, too. t's light, LOUD, but a goooood loud, lots of fundamentals, if you can't make it work for you, you might wanna hang it up, it's in there !!!
Damn things bulletproof. What do I hate ??? The sniveling little whiners who go to the local music store, play an amp on 1 (maybe 2),
then go eeeeeeeew! that sucks, this sucks, you suck. When in reality, they suck, so they bash everything out there, and say "my crate sounds as good as that", which maybe true (in thier bedroom). HA! ok I'M done now !!!! Rock on!!!, Most places will rent ya the amp of yer dreams to try on a gig, thats the ONLY way to find your true fuckin voice...........

I'm quite sure all the features have been covered. Go to Ampegs site otherwise.

My 3pro is a '99, I bought for Hard/rock metal stuff. I have several other heads/an orig SVT (2), which are more maintenance than my ol lady, a Trace beater (yuk) and an SWR. I love the 3pro, I play Fender P-deluxes (w/humbuck) and a way cool Peavey RJIV. I always run the amp wide open, the amp doesn't crunch as good as pure tuber would, so I only use a Tech21 bass driver for my crunch. Why do some guys buy a head for grand then buy a piece of shit $79.00 ZOOM box to play thru ???? I had to ask that......This amp will do it all, when in doubt, set it totally flat, tweak to taste.....

I threw it down a flight of stairs in a drunken rage (IN AN SKB CASE).
IT WAS FINE !!! Hmmmmmmm a back up ? Never gave that any thought !!!
Naaaaaaah, I dont need no stinking backup !!!! And I am the KING OF AMP & BASS ABUSE !!! An Ampeg (any model) and a Fender Bass & I can RULE THE WORLD......

I called, discussed tubes, they were cool.....Never had any real issues....they been around a long time, I have faith in em.

Ive played for 600 hundred years, millions of gigs, if it were stolen, I'd buy another after I was released for killing the chicken shit that took it...I guess Eden is close, WT-800 is cool, too. t's light, LOUD, but a goooood loud, lots of fundamentals, if you can't make it work for you, you might wanna hang it up, it's in there !!!
Damn things bulletproof. What do I hate ??? The sniveling little whiners who go to the local music store, play an amp on 1 (maybe 2),
then go eeeeeeeew! that sucks, this sucks, you suck. When in reality, they suck, so they bash everything out there, and say "my crate sounds as good as that", which maybe true (in thier bedroom). HA! ok I'M done now !!!! Rock on!!!, Most places will rent ya the amp of yer dreams to try on a gig, thats the ONLY way to find your true fuckin voice...........

Quite a few. Check out www.ampeg.com.

I use a Fender Jazz Bass (two single coil) and a '78 Telecaster Bass (neck-mounted humbucker) through this head. My cabinet is a 15" Ampeg Classic. This may be true for many amps, but sometimes I'm completely thrilled with the sound, and other times, it's a lesson in frustration in getting something tight out of it. The amp has quite a bit of bite to it, and plenty of warmth. Range is definitely what this amp is good for - it takes the limitations of your guitar, and expands on them. My jazz can have a clean, bright slap tone, or get that classic jazz-bass growl - and my telecaster shakes the house with clean, tight bottom. This is, in large part, due to a defeatable 9-band EQ - the EQ, unfortunately, can cause quite a bit of hiss in the higher range. On stage is isn't as noticeable, but when practicing, it is a HUGE pain in the ass. Some distortion can happen at higher volumes, too - 10" speakers are more suited for this. Overall, it is definitely an adaptive amp.

This amp is definitely dependable - I haven't had it for the longest time, but it seems to be built like a brick shithouse. I'm certainly not worried.

You definitely need to know your stuff to get a nice sound out of this amp - the dizzying array of options can make it difficult to tell at times what parameter you need to change to make your sound work. Just take it one step at a time, and you'll find that it's the amp that keeps on giving.

between the tubes, hi & lo boost, eq & frequency selector, this amp has it all to make a bass player know what a bass should sound like.

I play loud modern metal. I play Ibanez sr-800, ESP c305 & b205. Those low A notes cut through like a mutha. Tone of this amp provides just the right frequencies to hear all notes & strings when bangin out chords.
I run through a BBE 462 sonic maximizer and DOD bass30 processor.
together you get some of the best bass sounds from super-sonic to ultra high slap&pop. dude...

never had a problem except for that damn scratch when I dropped it.

never had to deal...

I have been playing for over 15years. I was a guitar player for the first ten but who cares? I wish my rack had legs so it could carry itself 'cause it's so heavy to carry any amount of distance but then again, I don't have to carry it anyway.

Look at some of the other reviews for info or check out ampeg's site.

I use an Ibanez EDC700 with special designed SFR passive pickups. I didnt know that passive pickups required a battery though, but I dont know much about that stuff anyway. I play at high volumes, rock mostly, and there is a little noise, the standard noise you get from moist amps when up loud. It is drowned out by the guitarists noise anyway. I haven't noticed any distortion at any level when I play. I havent tried to go all the way up or anything like that, but I do play loud!!

I have heard from numerous players and soundmen of how awesome my sound is. I have been told is sounds better than alot of national acts. I haven't heard any local bass players with a sound this good either.

I have never had a problem with it. I dont even own a back-up let alone take one with me. I have to asmit I dont take care of the inside like I should but I still have never had a problem. Our guitarist actually cleaned it recently and I am going to get some new tubes. I am anxious to see if there will be a difference.

I haven't needed any support, because I haven't had any problems. I think the warranty is a 1 or 2 year. Since I haven't dealt with them I will have to give them an average rating, because I dont know.

I have been playing for about 7 years now. I have been playing with this head for 2 years. I would definitely buy it again. I love the versatility of it and the AWESOME SOUND i get from it combined with my ZOOM processor and Ibanez.

Not sure what year this one was made, but it was made before they redesigned the look of it, it's the same on the inside. Everyone else has listed the specs so I won't bother, it's the same as them. I use this amp to play punk rock, you really can't ask for anything better for that style unless you want an SVT CL, 2 Pro or 4 Pro but the price difference makes it not worth it. Besides, hook up a BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer in the effects loop and you've got an amp that sounds as good as a real SVT at a fraction of the cost, weight and maintenance.

I use all kinds of stuff: G&L L2000 with a maple fretboard and 2 humbucking pickups, Ibanez ATK300 with a maple fretboard and one massive humbucker, ESP 400 Series P-Bass with a maple fretboard, Fender Jazz Bass with a rosewood fretboard. This head suits any style of music, if it's good enough for Les Claypool then it's good enough for you. This is THE head to get if you play punk rock. Want a Matt Freeman (Rancid) tone? Plug in an Ibanez ATK300 flip to "Attack" on the bass, use ultra high and ultra low, boost the high mids and there it is. Want a Klaus Flouride (Dead Kennedys) tone? Plug in a Fender Jazz and dial in a bunch of bridge pickup, use ultra high and low, boost the low mids and play just above the bridge pickup aggressively with a heavy pick. Damn this head is awesome, I don't believe I'll ever need anything else. You can get some great tube overdrive with this head, but watch that you don't clip it too often.

You can always depend on an SVT. I can't afford a backup, but I wouldn't bother.

I used to play through a Peavey Combo 115, what a difference. This head is great, I really couldn't ask for anything better (SVT Classics are too much to maintain). I bought this knowing Ampeg's reputation and the reputation of the SVT name. I never tried one of these before I bought it, I knew it was what I was after. If you play punk rock don't hesitate to buy one of these (or any of the afforementioned basses), trust me I've done a lot of research when it comes to punk bass and the best equipment to play it on. This amp is awesome for any other style as well, just check the Ampeg website to see all of the people who use this thing.