Ampeg SVT-IV Pro

I presently own two 4-Pro's. I have owned several 70's SVT's including a '69 an '70 "Blueline", 3-Pro's, SVT-II's and countless other tube and hybrid amps. I am not going to go into all of the 4-Pro spec's as I am sure they have been covered to death in the other reviews.

Suffice to say I have some experience gigging and recording using Ampeg products over the past 38 years. I cannot say enough about the 4-Pro. I have sold all of my other amps and retain just two 4-Pro's. They do it all and they do it well. I have read numerous reviews that bash the 4-Pro for all kinds of issues from overheating to not having enough power. In my opinion the problem was not with the amp but with the user or a prior user if the amp was bought used. This amp has many different ways of operating. It can run from 8 down to 2 ohms on each power amp in dual or single mono but many people I am sure run it at 2 ohms using the mono-bridge which is not a recommended option and then complain when it overheats. I also read forums where users are complaining about the lack of volume and then you read on and find out they don't have a clue as to how to properly connect it to the cabinets. The amp has numerous speaker options and sorry, but you actually need to read the manual.

If you are thinking of getting a 4-Pro and some of the other reviews scare you, remember that some folks are writing after they switched teams and Ampeg is no longer their team so according to them, their new amp rocks and Ampegs don't. Others used it improperly and when it shut down to protect itself they were outraged!! lol. Some bought theirs sight unseen and used on eBay and the previous owner already hurt it. The amp is a solid performer. Don't be afraid...

The tone on this is second to none. You either like the Ampeg sound or you don't. Many brands of amps have their characteristic sound. Eden, EBS, Mesa and other good amps have a fundamental sound that seems to always be a part of the tone regardless of the settings. I like the Ampeg tone. I can dial in the piano bright tone with plenty of punch or get it Motown bassy. It has tons of headroom...when you use it correctly. The graphic EQ and parametric EQ work well together. The compressor is very basic but useful. Again, you'll hear that others find the compressor useless. It's a compressor...not an effects pedal.

So far... no problems. I have mine racked. I have no extra air holes in the sides of the rack but the Road Ready rack I use provides about an inch and a half clearance between the amp and the rack walls. Of course if you stick yours in a rack that is right up against the amp vent holes ...duh! Mine gets only warm to the touch. I normally run it in dual mono at 8 ohms per side. I have run it at 4 ohms per side with similar results...it only gets warm but then ALL amps get warm to the touch...especially if there are some tubes involved.

Ampeg is excellent on the phone when you have a question. The rare times I need repair work I bring it to my local tech. It's faster and the local shop is very good.

I am playing 38 years. I am using Classic SVT cabinets. I have two SVT410HE cabs and two SVT15E cabs. I usually use one of each for local bars. My rack has a Furman power conditioner/strip, BBE Sonic Maximizer, Sabine tuner and one 4-Pro. The other 4-Pro is in a 4 space rack alone with a vent grill over the extra rack space (the 4-Pro uses only 3 spaces). I use an Alembic Essence and a Warwick Corvette Double Buck... both short scale 4 strings. I also have a new Fender Mustang hot-rodded with an Alembic P-J setup.

The 4-Pro gives me the tone, clean volume, headroom and the flexibility for mono or bi-amp all in one package. Don't be afraid to get one. Just make sure the previous owner didn't hurt it and READ THE MANUAL!

This two channel amp offers a lot of tone shaping and connection options. Very flexible. It also boasts 1200 watts of power @ 4ohms (900 @ 8) when bridged via a small switch in the back.

It sounds like an Ampeg. You either like it or hate it. It also goes up louder than a Classic without break up (it's SS after all)

Don't know yet. It is a very well put together amp. It should last. it also has a 5 yr warranty.

No idea.

I got a good deal on this amp. It has enough power to really wake up my SWR Goliath III. I love it.

Amazing headroom power(I have been reprimanded by band mates that I'm too loud - can you imagine that?!)
Multiple tone shaping features
Built in compressor
-15 db switch great for ACTIVE and PASSIVE basses
On-board direct using XLR input/output
THIS IS NOT A ONE TRICK AMP!!

I play active and passiver Fender P and J basses using the SVT 4 PRO and the PR410HLF(Ampegs BEST kept secret)
Just as I stated, this amp has many tone shaping features that allows me to dial in any tone for any style music, all while using a PORTED cabinet. I truly don't understand the negative comments toward this head. I play in a VARIETY band covering SANATRA,ALICIA KEYS, VAH HALEN and THE KILLERS. I also play in a CLASSIC ROCK band. This head and amp combo is absoluteyl VERSATILE AND FLEXIBLE. I can punch in the classic tone and the modern tone. In fact, 3 different soundmen that I've worked with stated the tone is very warm and deep.

Simply put, I've had this amp for 3 years and have not experienced ONE problem!! That is the VERY TRUTH of the matter.

I don't know, I've never had to service it yet

Sorry you Negative Nellies. I LOVE THIS AMP! I am tremendously impressed with the versatile tone shaping ability, the POWER, and the reliability of this amp. The folks at AMPEG did their homework and built a winner!
I am giving it a 9+ because I have had not yet dealt with the service department. I hear horror stories, but I hear the opposite as well. As in life, there is never a 100% solution to anything is there.

Made in early 00's
Versatile - Yes
Styles...psh
Don't wish for features, just reliability
Enough power - Yes, use it on tour, studio, etc.

Ernie Ball 2000 StingRay 3 band EQ with fingers
Sounds great

Amps purchased new out of the box are supposed to work, mine sure did not. I picked this up at a popular local music store, got home, read the user?s manual, and hooked the thing up. The excitement was almost unbearable?waiting for the LED lights to appear?I was on my way to...being aggravated and annoyed. I could not get this amp to make a sound other than an annoying squelchy little whine that a Polaroid camera makes coming from inside the amp; that even eventually died out as well. I took it back and the duder that sold it to me had no better luck than I. Said duder got one out of the back, in the box of course, and we commenced trying it out in the store; it sounded okay but, sure enough, I got it back home only to find that power amp B did not work. This amp has been nothing but a frustration and a hassle; sure, they sound like God, but this is a mute point given that they barely work. Two versions of the exact same amp is a heck of a coincidence. HELLO...quality control!?

Customer Support referred me to lots of people in my area who would not fix it under warranty: ?There?s no money in it?.

Played for 15 years, also own SWR 350 head from mid 90's NEVER had a problem with it. If the SVT was stolen I would invest my money in a reliable amp even if I doesn't sound as good. Love the sound of it, hate the frustration of it.

Had this amp for 4 years and still running like a champ!

This amp has pretty much all the bells and whistles to tailor any sound you want!

A nice little feature is the built it compressor...simple, but does the job.

This amp has 1600 watts but that's only when you can use a cab that handles 1200 watts. This amp is loud but you do have to crank it a bit. Like most Ampeg solid state amps.

It has 3 12ax7 preamp tubes to warm up the sound. I changed them to a JJecc83, Sovtek LPS, and a Chinise. The sound has certainly become more livelier and has sweeter sound.

Like I said it can get any sound you want out of this amp. The EQ is extremely flexible to dial in your jones for tones! The amp is very quiet but, will get a bit of noise because of the tubes.

Unfortunately it seems like a hit or miss with this amp with reliablity issues from the other reviewers. I haven't had any problems with mine. It's been a workhorse!

If the SVT 4pro was that bad of an amp. Ampeg would certainly have discontinue it. I've had the SVT 3 and it sounds just as good as the SVT 4 except that it's not as loud. Both have been extremely reliable. I've tried out other amps and by far ampeg has won my vote!

got lots of different features get ost any tone you need

I've use with a classic 8/10 cabinet, a swr goliath III, Hartke 4/10 and every time I was please with the tone .you need to take time and let some one adjust the knobs and you'll have the tone you need.Plenty of power.I don't understand with these people are doing wrong saying it doesn't have enough.

i never had a problem except one time and it was my error.

?????? no clue

it's a great head ....I've am glad I bought it. I got it when Mars was going out of business

this head actually has too many features for me. i had absolutely no use for a biamp, but i couldn't turn down the offer i got on the head. i find bi-amps very confusing. i ran it mono, as i had only one 8x10 cabinet. i do like the tuner out and mute button so you can tune or switch instruments silently. the tube preamp rules. you can get a nice rich tone.

i own 2 fender '57 reissues (made in usa of course), and they sounded great with the amp. i play classic and modern punk, and this amp was suitable. i did however have a problem with power, as many others have. i was running everything right, in fact an ampeg rep. set up the amp for me! the tone is good, but you really have to push it to get good volume. i was very unimpressed. i really had it cranked, and it tends to pop a little at the volumes i played it at. i owned an svt classic for a while, and i LOVED that amp, but it broke down on me too many times so i had to cut it loose. i thought this amp would compare, but i was wrong. it had way less balls. don't be fooled by the supposed 1600 watts. i did use the direct out for the house pa in most clubs and that sounds incredible. i ended up cranking monitors for my stage sound instead of relying on the amp at all. a good sounding amp, but just didn't cut through.

never broke down on me. i did replace it with a more powerful amp, but she was good to me, solid as a rock. toured extensively with it without a backup. i will eventually get another svt classic, and hopefully i will get lucky this time...

i've dealt with ampeg and they are awesome. my svt classic was a nightmare because i bought it at guitar center and they insisted that it go to THEIR repair man instead of back to ampeg, and it came back not functioning twice, so i insisted that they give me my money back. try to contact ampeg directly if you have a problem.

i've been playing for 15 years and have heard just about every bass tone. the ampeg svt classic is my favorite. my fender through an svt classic and 8x10 cabinet is my dream sound. after all the problems with my svt classic i was forced to buy something more reliable, as i was touring constantly, so i picked up the svt4. due to the lack of balls i sold her off and recently picked up a tech 21 landmark 600 head and have been totally blown away by it (see my review of it). i would say if you don't need a biamp, don't get one. if you need lots of headroom, don't get this amp. i will get another classic now that i'm not touring as much, but i will always carry a backup. the svt 4 is reliable and has a good tone, but the lack of power was really a problem for me.

This amp actually has more features than I need. I have used it in dual mono mode with two D410XLT cabs, but I'm only play clubs these days, so I only use one side or mono bridged with one cab. Speakons are a nice touch, but the only one that actually works is the mono bridge jack. The compressor is a nice option, but overdone. What good are features if the amp is in the shop?

I use vintage p-basses and an early 90's Stingray. The amp is loud but I can't get the real-deal SVT sound of it. I've used it with the Ampeg 810 cab and it still falls short. I'm going for a vintage 60's/70's tone and this amp doesn't pull it off. I can get richer, well rounded bass tones of my old Traynor that cost me $250.

This amp has let me down on a gig too many times. It's going. Ampeg has really gone downhill since the 70's. During the warranty period, it worked fine, but it has been burning up on gigs for the past year. I opened the case to switch out the 12AX7's because it was making too much noise while it warmed up, only to find that the insides looked like a wreck. The transformer is dented and some of the metal brackets are bent. I'm pretty sure that this amp was reconditioned and sold to me as new without my knowledge. What a heap of junk. I paid top dollar for this jalopy.

Ampeg was hard to get on the phone, and then would not engage in a conversation about using reconditioned transformers in "new" amps.

I've been playing over 20 years, currently use old amps with modern cabs because modern amps are built like compact north-american cars... disposable. If this amp were stolen I'd find the guy who took it and buy him a Digitech BP-8 and mexican Fender to go with it. Then he'd have a perfectly matched heap of overhyped, overpriced, underperforming junk.

Bass Player Magazine hyped this amp like it was the best thing since sliced Beatles. The person who wrote that review must have been doubling as the advertising sales manager.

My model is a few years old, i use it for heavy rock and jazz and it performs exceptionally for this. The EQ is a great feature, i like to find a "sweet spot" between styles on the EQ and let my instrument controls do the rest...the 4PRO lets me do this. i run mono bridge dry out to an SVT 810 Classic for big houses and a GK Backline for the smaller places. i run no other rack effects, a couple of pedals (bass wah and bass comp.). power? heh heh....does ANYONE out there have a complaint about that?? the clip LED is a good feature as well. its seems to be more about power and tone than about bells and whistles...suits me fine.

So far ive used only EMG pickups with this head, this thing is a monster! Ive owned many amps over 25 years, for rock, i wont use anything other than Ampeg. for jazz, its great but i think its more suited to rock and pop. for the power that it has its very quiet...and we have flourescents at the studio too...the shielding in there is great. the natural distortion is sweet....this catagory gets high ratings from me.

I have never had a problem with this amp, i have used it for several years live and on record and its just as gritty and warm as day one. truth be told, i have been lazy about changing the tubes...i havent done it yet, the amp has forgiven me tenfold for this sin.

never needed to call them....thats a good thing, right? it only had one previous owner and i know he never needed to call them.

If someone ganked my 4PRO, me and a few jars of fire ants would go try to get it back...if not, then i would buy the exact same model. I love my 4PRO, you just cant mess with 1600 watts, the tone, the looks...its a great amp. only complaint i have is its a backbreaker to move, i had to buy one of those SKB rolling racks to move it...but, if you want the power, its going to be heavy. overall, its a great system and i would recommend it to anyone who plays rock or pop.

Great features! I dont even use half of them but its nice to know that they are there. I have updated my setup and reconfigured it several times and no matter what I wanna do the 4 pro can handle it. Effects loop works great. EQ is awesome! Very usefull when playing many different clubs so you can tailor your sound to the room. The only reason I dont give it a 10 is because for my sound I run a dual mono type setup and another channel would have really helped....o well thats what my BSP is for.

I cant say enough about the sound. I can get just about any sound out of this useing the EQ. Ive played in a metal band and in a rock band, this works great in bolth. Blues, funk and even when I jam some classical music, it all sounds great!

Again, the only reason for an unperfect score is that in my constant search for better tone I use another preamp alongside this one... just for some extra freedom of sound.

It actually did break down on me.....my fault completely. Well first off I had it in a little car I had at the time and my cab somehow smacked it and broke a knob.... no biggie... still works, easy fix. The only real problem I have had is that after about a year of haveing it the mute switch went bad. Again, most likely my fault as I didnt have it in a rack or anything untill recently. It has taken much abuse and has held up well. Still I give it an 8 because it sucked for that one gig it was broken.

N/A

Ive been playing for about 4 years now. I run this with a dean bass [soon to be a Warrior bass :)] in a dual mono setup with the ampeg BSP an alesis 3630 compressor and two Ampeg 410HE cabs. When I run the full stack, you better bolt down your seat cause this thing will blow you away!!

I love the versitility of the head...and ampeg in general. I can play a nice acoustic show or a rip-your-face-off metal show and everything in between and still sound good.