Jonesy64

Thanks for the extra info' on increasing volume levels with the master dimed and through the EQ. I'm not long back from an afternoon gig and as is the norm' my Terror Bass didn't get above 9 o'clock on the master volume and gain controls....the 3 Pro is surely going to be loud enough for my needs :-) I am expecting delivery of it this Wednesday!!

Thanks for the input guys, MoonBass' description is exactly what I hope to get from it and I think my 4x10 should be a good match up I had to make a decision earlier before I had read JapanAxe's comments and I have bought a heavily discounted 3Pro (last one in stock and running down their Ampeg line) I can return it within 14 days if I'm not satisfied with it so pretty happy with that especially if it does turn out to be what I was hoping for. Thanks also for the heads up on the Mosfets bias drifting. If this doesn't work out I'll def look into the GB Streamliners, they have a lot of satisfied owners!! Can a Streamliner do the Ampeg tone?

Hey guys, I was close to pulling the trigger on a 7 Pro this week but the nagging doubts about its reliability record has stopped me from doing so. It hasn't helped that my nearest shop with one in its inventory so far seems incapable of getting one transferred from another branch...although after coming off the phone to them again this afternoon it now appears to have disappeared altogether! I am now seriously looking at the 3 Pro but the one consistent complaint appears to be that it is underpowered. I play in a 77-80's punk band doing the usual pubs/clubs along with the very occasional outdoor local festival. Cab is a Schroeder 410BMF. Rated at 1200 watts RMS @ 4 ohms. Is the 3 Pro really that underpowered? Another question I have related to volume is how soon does it get dirty? I don't want totally clean but at pub gig volume levels I would only want a small amount of edge to my clean tone. I am trying to get to try one out but work and the possibility of the local shop actually getting one in means this could be another week or two away. Really interested to hear any 3 Pro users thoughts on how it performs. Cheers.....

Schroeder 4x10 user here. Not much experience with different bass cabs but I can certainly vouch for Schroeder quality. ....and the one linked above is in your neck of the woods :-)

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1397383509' post='2423334'] Replace the valve in the VT1 with a 12AU7 and it's more of a valve pre than an overdrive as you've got a whole lot less drive on tap... [/quote] I have the VT Mk3 and actually struggle to get any overdrive out of it. I put a Sovtek AX7 in but that didn't do any better. Only way I can get any drive from it is by diming the I/pad knob. All of that is irrelevant to you though acidbass as it will still do the job that you want :-)

A couple of alternatives to the VT1,,,, There is the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes which I liked but I can't see why the price tag is so high. The newest kid on the block is the Solidgold FX Beta. Very bassy and does fatten things up.

I am really hankering for a SVT.... I've been reading as much as I can find out about the 7 Pro issues and the latest build does appear to be a much more stable platform than previous revisions. The majority of complaints over at Talkbass are 2010-2012. That said, there are a few reports from newer owners experiencing problems with it shutting down. I am hoping to try one out next week at PMT in Birmingham when I will also be checking their returns policy :-) Ironically, the other head that interests me is a 3 Pro!! I'm looking forward to seeing what recommendations you get.....

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1396875956' post='2418208'] I had a SVT7-Pro, for a while, too, and I thought it kinda fell in between two stools: on the one hand, it does a good impression of a 'real' SVT (but it's only an impression, and there are smaller, more practical amps (and pedals like the Sansamp) which can do it just as well IMHO).....[/quote] Fair point that Muzz.

Used it at last weeks gig Paul, cracking pedal but...again, only my ears and my opinion, the combination of it and the TB didn't do it for me. Went back to the VT bass for last nights gig and that's what I want out of a head.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1396787167' post='2417264'] but going back to the OP ... It seems that wanting a new rig is a rather bizarre response to playing a gig where your tone is amazing. [/quote] I don't think I described it as amazing but I was really happy with it :-) I don't want a new rig....I would like an Ampeg head to replace an underwhelming TB being pushed by a VT pedal to sound like an Ampeg....bizarre indeed :-)

Thanks guys, yeah I see what you mean about the issues with the 7 and the PF500. Doesn't help that no-one appears to be 100% sure what causes them to shut down. Still appears to be happening with newer builds too. I'll widen my search to the rest of the SVT Pro range. Is there a particular SVT Pro that really cuts the mustard?

I'm just back from my gig and still buzzing from it. The band was well received and just as importantly I had managed to dial in a tone I was really happy with!! :-) Bassy, bright, gritty, driving..it was all there! American std Jazz, Orange Terror Bass, Schroeder 410BMF and a VT Bass out front....playing 77-80 punk and new wave...bloody brill. It has really got me wanting the real thing...an Ampeg that is. I'm not keen on the the TB by itself anyway and have experimented with a few different OD's but yet again tonight I went back to the VT and this time I had it nailed. Major difference to previous outings was setting the TB flat (bass and treble off, mids full). I realise I could save myself more than a few hundred quid by being happy with tonight's rig but I really don't want a pedal doing all the work. I'm looking at the SVT-7 Pro cos it has the tube pre-amp and it's relatively compact and lightweight design...but is a 1000 watt head ever going to be able to get the on the edge of tube break up dirt at pub/club volume levels? I am thinking it will have way too much headroom before the pre-amp tube even gets warmed up. I guess there is the PF500 and 800 to consider but at the moment it's the SVT that has my attention! I'd really appreciate hearing my fellow BCers thoughts and opinions on all of this and help me decide the way forward. Thanks in advance!

I've had a fair few delays during my guitar playing days and when I moved over to Bass I still had a MIJ DD2, a DD7 and a Mad Proffessor Deep Blue. I tried out all three on bass and found the DD2 to be outstanding. It had really clear, bright repeats that as much as I tried, I couldn't dial into the DD7. Maybe a result of the mystical chips that Boss used in the 80's Japanese builds, who knows!! The Mad Prof Deep Blue had similar characteristics to the Carbon Copy described in the above post. DD3's and DD7's are probably the easiest to get hold of and mess about with.

I use a Schroeder 410BMF with my Terror Bass. It is a very bright cab that offsets the overly bassy TB. A 410 as already mentioned is probably the way to go although the VT Bass recommendation is a very good first option to explore.