Ampeg SVT-3Pro

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...

This is overall a very good bass amp.Solid and beefy but pretty much no frills.It does have a graphic eq but no bi-amp/crossover.I use this head to power a 1x15 and a 2x10 cabs by Avatar.Also,it doesn't have an overdrive channel like on the Ampeg B5 but if pushed right it can get pretty furry sounding.

Sounds really great.Very warm and punchy like a classic tube amp but with the graphic eq I can get clean and crisp modern tones as well.I play a G&L SB-1 fretless and an 80s Japanese Fender P-Bass.The SVT-III Pro replaces a SWR 4004 I had originally aquired when I got the Avatar cabs and the Ampeg is a giant improvement.I also borrowed a Gallien Krueger 800RB for a short time and though I grew to like the bi-amp feature I must say the SVT-III pro has alot more character and a much deeper textured sound than either the GK or SWR.

I got this head used last year and so far so good.

N/A

I think that this amp is a fantastic value.If the day comes when I get a record contract and a hefty advance then I would play a SVT Classic or maybe even an Aguilar but in the mean time this is about as good an amp as can be had reasonably.I am certain that the Ampeg SVT-III Pro is by far the best bass head for under $1000.

it is quite versatile, I wish it has more power (450W ??? let's say 300 or 350 under 4 ohm)it's enough for me, and I have a 4 ohm cab, but I don't recommend it for those who need a very powerful amp.
Tube drive and vintage tones aren't easy to get, but in the end I've found: get the tube gain control on 0, don't EQ, don't ultra lo, and obviously nor high: bass 3 o'clock, mid 12, treble 10-11 (2/3 on my stingray 4), and it sounds like tubes if you push it a little (push the master to 3'clock mini, that's the way ampeg built it).
wish it came down to 2 ohm, could add a cab or not push it to the limit

cool, needs acknowledgement
not hi-fi, but can sound modern and bright

blew fuses, but it's OK

cool

good amp

Its a late nineties model, basically different colour casing then the new ones but with the same guts. The usual stuff on it, Bass, Treble, Mid (but it has a selectable mid center point for the mid frequency which is nice), Gain, Master. Extra features are Tube Gain (which I love), a 10 band EQ, mute, HI boost, Lo, Boost, -15 dB for active basses, bright switch, balanced and unbalanced DI output, tuner out, and an effects loop.

This amp is sweet, within two days of getting it I found the sound I was looking for. I play an Ibanez bass ( not that good of one) into it with a ampeg 8x8 cab, and it sounds incredible. It has that signature Ampeg tone that everyone that owns an Ampeg loves. I brought it in the studio and recorded with it and it sounded great.

This thing is heavy for such a small unit, seems strong though. I m prolly gonna buy a rack case for it, the more gigging I do, the more abuse its gonna take, but so far so good.

Never had to deal with them, all the info i needed was easliy accessable on theyre website and the Bboards there.

I've been playing for 4 years, and play rock music. This amp suites my style to the T. Its loud enough for small to medium gigs. Could use a bit more power, but its fine for right now, no trouble running my cab with it. If you do get, one make sure you get a 4 ohm cab cause the power just isnt there at 8ohms. But all in all, I love it, and wouldnt give it up, unless it was for a better Ampeg.

My SVT-3Pro was made in 1999 and has been on the road for the last 4 years. I like the mute button, but would like 2 inputs for active or passive basses.

I can get great tone from this amp with my Fender Jazz, G&L ASAT and my upright bass.
My G&L is the bomb when I run thru my 2 15" Bagend cabinets.I get tons of tone when I play funk/slap bass.
I get great tone with my upright bass, I just adjust down the bass tone knob.

I've never had to have it repaired, not even tube replacement in 4 years. I did play in a crappy club a couple of weeks ago and I blew my first fuse. I've played an average of 250 dates a year and never used a back up!

They have been very good in the past.

I replaced my Hartke 3500 head with the SVT-3Pro head. What a difference! The Ampeg makes the Hartke sound like a toy.
I would probably go for the Ashdown 500 when I decide to trade.
The Ampeg is a great value and a good road amp!

i've already reviewed here but then I discovered the amp, with an IBZ ATK405: now I know it better and I also play with a stingray 4
the features hasn't change: not the multiple options/effects of new (fashion) amps but a wicked tube preamp that cannot be find somewhere else. I would have appreciated a 2 ohm load with, hum... 600 watts... but that's all. I have a bse 410 hlf cab

well many people compare different brands such as swr to ampeg: I think there's a bit of nonsense except if you want to bi-amp with a swr for crystal highs (wich may be a good idea): it's like comparing a shovel with a tea spoon: maybe (sure) ampeg is less subtle, but I love feeling like my basses has an engine now. it took me a little time to find the sound with the stingray (bass 12'and boost middle 0 treble 12'clock with boost only for slapping tube gain max eq on "hollow mid"/ bass everything to max). BIG GROWL you can feel the pressure and yet have tubey clarity!

If it was stolen (it won't)maybe I would try a svt 4 or svt 2, but this is a bestseller for good reasons, even if I don't find it's "plug and play" at all (with all flat I hate the sound). I think you have everything you really need with that. about power, It's not the loudest amp you can get but I think that if you ain't absolutely mad of watts you can go with it and rock hard (there's a line out anyway)

Mine is the 2002 made version. I play mostly hard rock through it, but I've found that it's good for other styles as well. the pre-amp is tube and has 4x12ax7 and 1x12au7. the power amp is 450watt at 4ohm or 275 at 8 ohm. that's more than loub enough for my uses. if you have a two button switch for it, you can turn the mute on and off and the eq on and off. it has a tube driver control to give more of a tube sound which doesnt make much difference to me. for a better look at the specs go to www.ampeg.com

the bass i preimarily run through it is an ibanez srx-700. it sounds great. a couple of my friends have played their basses through it, a fender a warwick and an ernie ball and they all sounded great as well. i play with it pretty much cranked all the way and it doesnt distort at all (it is a solid state power amp). depending on what kind of cabinet you play it through you can get anything from punchy sounds to very low end bass. love it

i havent has it that long but it hasnt given me the slightest bit of trouble. i suppose ill have to replace the tubes eventually but other that i keep in a nice rack case so it doesnt get banged around. i feel confident playing anything ampeg at a gig without a backup

havent dealt with them yet

it has everything i was looking for. if it got stolen or lost (God forbid i lose it) id just go out and buy another one. ive played all ampeg heads and probably the only other amp i may consider is the svt-5pro only because it has a distortion channel which sounds better than pedal distortion.

This is the older black with red and blue graphics model. It has enough bells and whistles for most applications. The only thing missing is a limiter for the power amp since it is solid state and would improve reliability and high volume tone.The power is there but doesn't seem as loud as other amps of the same wattage.

I've owned and played through many ampeg models and would allways use a real SVT if my back could handle it. I only bought the ProIII to save weight. It has all of the usual Ampeg tone shaping circuits but doen't quite live up to the original all tube SVT.The low end is a bit muddy and the EQ frequencies are a bit too narrow and not centered in the most usefull points. Seems to like 4ohm better than 8 and the actual power output is lower than the manufacturers rating. It's supposed to be 275W @ 8ohms and it's actually about 225W. I am an amp tech when not playing bass so this is fact, not opinion. Ampeg used to be conservatively rated when it came to power but now SLM exagerates a bit.

The amp has been reliable for the past 2 years. I did have to replace a couple of noisy pre-amp tubes but that's just normal maintenance. I allways use it without backup.

I allways service my own equipment.

Ive been playing for 20 yrs and have owned and played many brands and models. I'm not a fan of most "modern" sounding amps. I think todays bass players are becoming addicted to treble frequencies to the point of excess. This amp won't do SWR "broken glass" tones but it has enough high frequencies for any "useful" bass tone. I play a variety of musical styles including blues, r&b, rock, punk, and experimental. This amp will fit most any situation and it does give some tube warmth but lacks the punch depth of a "real" SVT.

Well it's been well described in here, so I won't bother doing it. I'll just say that it suits me fine. I only think it could come out with a mute footswitch, but that's not really worrying.

I have primarily a Ibanez Soundgear 800 and a 400. Both active. I also use a Fender Standard Jazz and a Deluxe P-Bass Special. I play mostly punk-rock so this amp has the rock thing going. It's very versatile and with a wide range of sounds to choose from. Play it trough a Trace Elliot 4x10 cab, but i think i'll buy a 1x15 extension for smaller gigs. It's my first real amp, because the others that i had before (Crate, Fender) were just big versions of practice amps! It behaves very well with both the Ibanez and the Fenders, altough with the P-Bass it tends to naturally distort more than i would like, but that's probably due to the compressor settings (an old ibanez unit). I will never part with this amp! EVER!

Only broke once in a gig, due to a fuse blown up. Replaced, since then not a single flaw! Perfect!

Never needed them

It's one of the ultimate amps that you can buy! Great for both live and studio which makes it one of the best amps out there!! Hey..it's an Ampeg..what would you expect?

Made in 2001. Works for every style I've ever tried, from country to metal to praise and worship. It's got low, mid, and hi controls with a 5 way mid selector, 9 band footswitchable EQ, hi and low boosts (they work great for small venues) -15 db attenuator (get great sounds at low volume) a bright switch, and a mute. I guess i could have more stuff (actually it does, i didn't describe the rear panel becuase i never really use it). But it does all I need and more. 450 watts of solid state power can keep up with a good 2x12 combo, a drummer, and a PA (I don't run through it). The tube preamp is just wonderful. It's mostly why I bought the amp. It gives you that extra little zing and life that solid state just doesn't seem to have. So I guess some tech-freak could ask for more stuff, but it has just what I need.

Sounds like a dream. I run my my Fender Mexican P-Bass Special into it and can get all sorts of tones ranging from slap to overdriven grunge. I use it primarily for country and classic rock, and it does the job masterfully. It has a variable speed fan so it doesn't get loud unless you do.

Can I depend on it???? Well, let's just say it's been through the mill and hasn't lost a beat. From being rained on at outside shows, to being hauled around in sub-zero temperatures, to surviving a multiple rollover (end over end actually) car wreck while sitting loose in the trunk and not in a rack case, it's still sounding just as good as the day I bought it. Just becuase I'm paranoid, no I wouldn't gig without a backup, but if i had to i would.

I've been playing for three years and sold all of my other gear to by this head and an Ampeg 4x10 cab. If it were stolen I would go into a deep depression and then start saving for another Ampeg. Overall, I just love this head, it's not too heavy, it does all I need, and it looks good doing it.

new one, I come from a swr st220, under 4 ohms it's twice as powerful, I use it with a BSE 410 enclosure. it has all that's really useful and it is very versatile

I use an 5 strings Ibanez ATK 405 bass, wich is really a good bass for the price (I previously had a MM Sterling, and I am not frustrated at all by the IBZ). With the SVT it sounds huge! It is good for all styles I love from electro-afro-jazz to death metal.

no idea

5 years warranty!

I've owned or tried countless amps and basses for twelve years (just like they say at ampeg's), this amp has something more: it's warm, loud, tubelike feel, it has a lot of quiet/nice silky transparency...the only thing I regret is it doesn't really look like the little monster it is: I know it's not very important, but I'd like my eyes to feel the same as my ears do.

I picked up my SVT 3 Pro a few weeks ago used for $400. It not only has massive power output, it has the fattest clean sound no matter the volume level. I never get any unwanted noise, it rack mounts, and it is very user friendly. I run two Carvin cabs off of it. One is a single 18" and the other a pair of 12" drivers. I will definitely be picking myself up an Ampeg 8x10, because the Carvins are awesome, but they certainly aren't doing the SVT 3 Pro justice. If you want a no nonsense, strong (Physically, and tonally) bass amp... Ampeg is the way to go.

I have a 1996 Tobias Growler with a Bartolini stack pickup that runs off of an 18 volt preamp. No matter how high I crank the Ampeg head, it doesn't distort or get too noisy. I get the slightest bit of noise once the MASTER knob gets past about 80-85% of its fullest rotation. The tone always kicks ass. I also run a distortion pedal with a Morley wah for the Burton/Newsted feel.

I dont have a backup for this amp... but If I did, it would be another SVT 3 Pro. Hell, I'd just have two and a bunch of 8x10 cabs.

I got the remainder of the 5 year warranty when I got it used. Im sure that I won't be having any difficulty with this amp, and if I do... it's covered, man!!!

Playing guitar since September 1999, jumped over to bass March 2002. I'd definitely replace the head with the same one if something happened to this one. I hate nothing about it and love all of its kick ass features.

This amp cost me $850 at Guitar Center brand new. It has a Ultra High and Low boost which is great, a 5 frequency selector, a band EQ which u can turn on or off, bass, midrange, and treble. ON the back it has 3 main inputs. 1 for 8 ohms, which runs at about 275 watts, 1 at 4 ohms which runs 475 watts, and a main speakon input which runs all the ohms and watts into a cab that can support it. I use this cuz of course i am playing it with a brand new Svt Classic 8x10E. The 2 tubes in it really give it a nice sound, oh and it has its own tube gain control. this amp is fucking powerful.

I am using an EDB605 Ibanez Ergodyne bass. With my active pickups i can press the -15db button which reduces too much noise from the pickups but it makes it kind of low so i have to mes with my bass eq. i did not hear any noise until about 8 on the master out of 10, and when i did i turned up the transformer balance and that was gone. I could not be happier use areal bass and run it through nothing less than an 8x10, and none of this hartke or gallen kruger crap, use ampegs 8x10.

I had a problem with this but it was because of guitar center. They gave me some jacked up one and it broke the first day i got it, the next day they gave me a wrong speakon cable and it blew a fuse. By this point i was pist guitar center is 1 hour from my house so i went back got a new set of strings and 21 ft. monster cable for free and a new fuse that they put in went to my drummers house turned it on, and it only sounded like 5 watts where coming out. Now im really pist, yesturday morning I set it up in my garage this time using asurge protector so whatta u know it works. Now that this is taking care of as long as u got the right stuff it will last. so if u dont get bad service with a bu ch of fucking idiots its a freakin TANK! with or without a rack case i guarantee get this amp and get it with an 8x10 u will not be sorry

30 days with guitar center but a5 year warranty with ampeg both SVT3 PRO and SVT 8x10E CLassic are 2002 brand new out of the box. But guitar center sucks so i gotta give this one a little low, but im sure Ampeg's customer service is great.

i have been playing bass for 3 years now. My biggest influnces are Slayer, Rage Against The Machine, System Of A Down, Otep, and Cryptopsy. SO a variaty. Anything from the funk of Rage-to Death metal Like Cannibal Corpse. Cmon people. LES CLAYPOOL FROM PRIMUS USES THIS HEAD HOW CAN IT NOT BE GOOD?

2002 Ampeg SVT-IIIPro. It has a lot of very useful features and some that are just gimmicks. Personally, I would like a headphone jack as well. It has 3x12AX7 tubes in it at least and their website says that it has 2X12AU7 tubes in it, but an Ampeg brochure I picked up said it had only has the 12AX7's in it...go figure? I believe that every bass amplifier should come with a fan just to keep things running smooth.

I play a Fender Jazz and a Washburn 5-string into a distortion, chorus, and flanger pedals straight into the input. It's great for rock, blues, and metal even though the overdrive isn't close to what an all-tube (like the SVT-II's) is like. Cleans up nicely by turning down the gain. One thing I did notice is this amp responds better to FX pedals. With my solid-state amp, my distortion sounds harsh and very metallic, but with this head it's heavier and fuller and sounds so much better.

I bought this amp because of the reputation of solid-states for being reliable but it also has one (not both) of the testicles that a tube amp has. Pre-amp tubes last longer than power amp tubes and it should be a while before I have to replace them, and cheaper too. Has an internal fan which should come standard on every bass amp.

This is by far the most expensive piece of equipment I own and is the last piece I plan on buying. Now I know why musicians are always so poor unless they have a company paying for their equipment. There's only one feature that I wish it had (the headphone jack) but other than that everything is excellent.

I love the mute button. IF you are reading this you should already know what features it has. If not, read the rest of the posts.

Ok here we go. Im sick of all these people saying it has a lot of hiss. I almost guarentee if you buy yourself a NICE BASS (READ: fender jazz mexican or peavey etc are NOT NICE BASSES) then you will not hear hiss. I have a musicman stingray 4 string, and this thing is so much quieter than any other tube type amp you can buy. also read: there are 5 effing tubes in this thing. preamp tubes albiet, but tubes none-the-less. you will not get this thing as quiet as a all solidstate amp simply because of the tubes.

I've been gigging this thing for 6 months without a single incident. Rock solid.

Dunno. never had a problem with it.

This thing will get you whatever tone you want. Rock-punk-jazz-blues-irish celtic hymns-whatever. if you are a tone freak (like myself) you will really appreciate this amp. (hint: use the eq, the input gain where you hit red, and the tube gain all the way up). i am buying a 8x10 fridge soon, and i can't wait to hear how it performs with that. currently using a svt-410pro (discontinued 600watt model) can't speak highly enough of this thing.

12ax7 tube preamp, 450 watts @ 4 Ohms. Ultra-Hi, Ultra-Low boost, bass, treble, and midrange tone knobs, midrange style selector, tube and power amp gain, 9-band boostable and switchable EQ, effects loop, line in/out. For a complete list, check on http://www.ampeg.com

I play on this amp with an Ibanez EDB600. There is almost no buzzing, just pure, fat tube-driven tone. My bass has on-board active EQ, so I can play anything from the lightest, speed punk, to the fattest, grinding death-metal tones. Because of my active bass, when the gain is higher than 50%, the low E string causes distortion, using the -15db pad helps, but lowers my volume by too much, so I fine tune the bass level settings to bypass this problem.

I just got it, but its built like a tank and in its case, it will stand up to plenty of thrashing. I'd gig it without a backup. The 12ax7 preamp tubes supposedly last very long because such low current is transferred through them.

I've never dealt with them.

I got this amp at a steal. I have been eyeing the Pro line of amps for a while, and jumped at this right when I saw it. If it were stolen or lost, I would probably buy the same, because of its availability and pure kick-ass-ness.

Mine is a few years old: it has the blue/white graphics instead of the newer gray/white. As far as I can tell it works the same except for having only 1/4" and binding post speaker outs (no Speakons). Check out www.ampeg.com for the details.

The EQ is very usable: I leave the graphic bypassed and just use the knobs. My only niggle is that the mute switch should be next to the input, but a lot of amps don't even have one so I won't complain much. More amps should have the switchable/sweepable mids Ampegs have: I wouldn't mind if it were continuously variable instead of a 5-position switch, but it sounds very usable and musical.

No compressor or other foofery, but it's rackmount, so it's easy to add them if you want.

Overall it's darn close to perfection: they've had a long time to figure out what bassists need.

I use a bass with two J pickups, direct into the amp: no effects. I usually play 100% neck pickup. I turn the "tube drive" up all the way and give it just enough gain to light the clip LED on the peaks.

This, my friends, is the sound of rock and roll. Big and punchy, with just enough grit to sound huge. I can hang with a 100W half stack no problem. Back off the gain and things clean up nicely.

A lot of people think the "Tube Drive" doesn't do anything. It does, but only if you're driving the input into distortion (i.e. the light comes on). It's subtle, but it's what makes the difference for me between this and any other random bass head.

If I were a slap and pop wanker I might want more power to stay clean at high volumes, but then I'd probably own a Trace or GK or something else with scooped mids.

Also it's total overkill for home use. Unless you're gigging or practicing with a guitar half-stack you should get something smaller. For home recording I just use a Bass POD: no need for the neighbors to call the police.

Never had a problem, but I've never dropped or abused it either.

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I've tried other heads but they usually only sound good when played totally clean (GK, Fender, Peavey). I like just a little dirt, and the Ampeg delivers.

I've played bass for about ten years off and on. If lost I'd buy it again because it sounds exactly like what I want. Heavy rock players should strongly consider this amp.