Undertone

Good information. Thanks.

Yes that was for you peteb - thanks for the response. That would have been my approach but for some reason couldn't get it to work. Perhaps it will now that I better understand the amp.

Flat beer??? Certainly not, master! Yeah, flat's just a starting point. And yes, I had it at cut, expecting a centre detent to indicate flat (perhaps I'm spoilt...) Re manual - it doesn't say it in the manual but it's in the suggested settings pictures... Was odd for me too as I'm used to gain stage optimising the pre-amp first, then moving to the power amp (master (different master...)). When you say that's not how you use it, where do you have Gain and Master for live performance?

I took the afternoon off work, went home and played around with the amp given all the above information. It all works as exactly as you describe - phew - damn thing made a fool out of me. Anyway, all good now - thanks so much all. Despite being a Trace devotee for so long, I really like the tone of this amp - and now I can keep it.

OK. Thanks folks. I guess it must be in there somewhere and I'll have to work more on finding it. Thanks.

By the way, anyone know a good bass amp tech in London who really knows what they're doing please (with an SVT-3 Pro)? (In case the biasing needs adjustment in future) Otherwise it's off to Milton Keynes.

Yep. Thanks. Aside from that, driving the volume hard is going to make the sound more overdriven I presume (even with Valve knob fully clockwise)? I'm after a cleaner rather than dirtier sound (but with a little girth). Do we feel the SVT-3 Pro does that? Perhaps this amp was a wrong choice on my part? I do have a SVP-CL pre-amp too, perhaps I should use that, routed to the power section of the SVT-3 Pro? But I think the drive in the SVT-3 comes from the power section anyway, no? Have patience with the Ampeg newbie...

Yeah - I really like the tone. Odd that a prestigious name like Ampeg produces and underpowered amp for 450W. I looked at the SVT-6 but it's 750W at even 8 Ohms, which is overkill for some stuff I do (or is it?...) and 6kg heavier. Doesn't seem right that a quality name amp should require the EQ boosted to produce adequate volume... Back to learning what I can get out of it - but I'm fighting the feeling that it's eventually going to have to be sold.. Very disappointing as I was excited by the prospect of trying Ampeg and its several tubes after so many years... But as others have said, I'll put the effort it for a while & see how it goes. Ta.

Where in the manual does it say that (other than pictures of some suggested settings)? I see 12. Master "Use to control the overall output level.Use it wisely and turn it down when making connections or trying something new." That doesn't sound like 'keep it maxed out'. For Gain, I see 5. Gain - "This varies the amount of signal driving the preamplifier. If a small clockwise rotation from minimum leads to overloading and the Peak LED [4] illuminating, try engaging the –15 dB Pad.[3] This will provide more usable range with the Gain control." I absolutely understand I need to learn the new product. That's fine and what I'm trying to do. Thanks all.

Thanks. It seems contrary to the text of the manual where they say use the Master for volume attenuation but I do see the suggesting settings - I see the same on TaslkBass. There I also see that it's possible it might need rebiasing (I bought used) although the unit is only 3 years old. Setting the Bass/Mid/Trebble to 12 noon and the Valve drive fully clockwise has had some effect but I'm still surprised at the lack of volume at 'normal' gain/master levels. Where the Trace has loads of headroom, it seems the Ampeg does not. Acknowledging BassmanPaul's comment - yes I guess so, I'm used to Trace type gain staging, optimising the preamp before adjusting power section. Reading online it seems this is not the case with Ampeg. But nowhere in Ampeg's doucmentaiton does it really say that - would have been kinda useful (to me). Thanks for the guidance.

Thanks. It seems contrary to the text of the manual where they say use the Master for volume attenuation but I see the suggesting settings, so thanks for the guidance - I see the same on TaslkBass. There I also see that it's possible it might need rebiasing (I bought used) although the unit is only 3 years old. Setting the Bass/Mid/Trebble to 12 noon and the Valve drive fully clockwise has had some effect but I'm still surprised at the lack of volume at 'normal' gain/master levels. Where the Trace has loads of headroom, it seems the Ampeg does not.

Where did you hear Ampeg advises the Master to be on full please? I don't see it in the manual. Thanks again

Didn't know about the Master - thanks. Will try all the above first. Should have read the manual...

After 35 years playing mainly Trace Elliot and Eden amps, I recently decided to try an Ampeg I can carry. I bought an SVT-3 Pro. Here's the thing, it doesn't seem to have much volume at moderate controls settings. I've read that they're "underpowered" but with the EQ disengaged, Bass/Mid/Treble flat (all the way anticlockwise - there's no pot detent so I'm guessing this is 'flat', not 'cut'), Input gain and Master at 12 o'clock, the volume into a Hartke 8Ohm HL210, is less than bedroom-sufficient! Inputs sockets (incl. '74 Jazz bass) and leads all checked & good quality / low capacitance / short length. All Hi/Low/Mute switches disengaged of course. I'd have thought it'd at least be loud at these settings. Can anyone suggest what might be going on? Underpowered or not, 450W (or 275W at 8 Ohms) ought to give reasonable volume with gain & master settings at midday I'd have thought. With a 280W (200W into 8 Ohms) Trace Elliot, I'm used to barely being able to get past 9 o'clock before it's deafening. With the Ampeg at midday it should at least be..."a bit loud"...no? The sound is firm, steady & clean so it's not the tubes I don't think (do correct me). Is it that the SVT-3 Pro characteristically develops it's volume 'late' when the pots are way past 12noon? I'd have though it'd be loud and overdriving by then, rather than just "loudish". To obtain anything approaching usable in a group rehearsal situation, I need both Input gain and Master to be at 3 o'clock (and the band's not 'loud' nor playing particularly heavy music), even going into 4 Ohms. Anyone with extensive SVT-3 Pro experience have any tips or useful comments please? Many thanks.