andy67 Posted May 23, 2020 Posted May 23, 2020 Hi guys, For all of you who know me a bit, Yamaha Attitudes and Ampeg SVT-3pro are my thing but not specialism So, bought a new Ampeg SVT-3pro form Thomman a few weeks ago. When I unboxed it and set it up it was fine. However, it has sat unused for a further few weeks because I'm enjoying my Hotone Thunder Bass and my Burgera Veyron so much. I decided to set the Ampeg up and it sounds awful some mid mush and artifacts like distortion and or phasing is coming through quite clearly when playing notes, harmonics and worst offender chords. I set master volume tube to full, eq on almost flat line and work lightly on the gain. This combination has always worked for me. Never had this problem before with a 3 pro so, did the usual, opened the hood, ensured the valves were sitting properly and checked to see they were heating up properly. All seemed ok on that level but tone remained same. It is a Chinese Ampeg - please forgive me - I know they have issues but surely not as bad as this for a pro amp? All advice, help, hints, tips welcome Stay safe and well folks, Andy Quote
chris_b Posted May 23, 2020 Posted May 23, 2020 The only thing I can think of is you've got a bad valve, but not really sure what could be wrong. I hope you're still in Thomanns return window. This probably won't help, but here is how I used to set up my SVT3PRO. All buttons out and the graphic off. 1 Quote
andy67 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) I might still be in the window, have emailed them now. Cheers fro the tip will check it out now Made it worse but definitely got more microphonic sounds now! Getting there. Andy Edited May 23, 2020 by andy67 Quote
Pow_22 Posted May 24, 2020 Posted May 24, 2020 The bias is known to drift on these. Theres a tiny trim pot inside (to the right of the back two valves as you look at it from the front). Its EXTREMELY senstive tho so unless you have a very steady hand drop it in to a pro. You need to measure along one of the 6 resistors next to it. There is a youtube vid explaining far better than i can but the 3pro is known for this drifting issue 1 Quote
andy67 Posted May 24, 2020 Author Posted May 24, 2020 Just bought a multimeter and will follow the Youtube dude's helpful information. 1 Quote
Pow_22 Posted May 24, 2020 Posted May 24, 2020 I did my old USA one a while back, when i say sensitive i mean it, barely a slightest of turns makes a huge difference. I turned mine what seemed like a hairs width and it was almost too much. That vid is a very good guide though 1 Quote
andy67 Posted May 27, 2020 Author Posted May 27, 2020 Lost output last night so, off it went back to Thomann today. Bias was set at 33.1mv got it to bang on 25mv, worked a treat, turned it off and back on again - no sound. Quote
andy67 Posted July 1, 2020 Author Posted July 1, 2020 Amp returned yesterday, fully functional and sounding great. Appears the tech has serviced the fan as is much quieter. Credit to Thomann for resolving so quickly 😎👏🍻 1 Quote
andy67 Posted July 2, 2020 Author Posted July 2, 2020 Spoke too soon. Turned on earlier, nothing but a buzz. Quote
Bankai Posted July 4, 2020 Posted July 4, 2020 On 02/07/2020 at 10:30, andy67 said: Spoke too soon. Turned on earlier, nothing but a buzz. Reading this makes me clutch my 1997 USA made pro much harder Quote
andy67 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Posted July 4, 2020 5 hours ago, Bankai said: Reading this makes me clutch my 1997 USA made pro much harder You lucky man! I’ve had five previous 3pros, 3 US and 2 Korean. Each was perfect. I’ve read horror stories with the Chinese version and now I’m living it. Quote
Lozz196 Posted July 4, 2020 Posted July 4, 2020 Sad that this is happening on such a well known brand. Quote
chris_b Posted July 4, 2020 Posted July 4, 2020 11 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Sad that this is happening on such a well known brand. Ampeg, Eden, Fender, Gibson, PPI, LIBOR, toxic mortgages etc etc happens when management believe that making money is more important than their products and services. When they only see £ signs not customers. 1 Quote
andy67 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Posted July 4, 2020 I also own a PF50T - Chinese made - its faultless so, why it seems to be 3 pro s with major issues, is beyond me. My Bugera BV1001t is a far superior amp at less than 1/3 of the price of an 3 pro. Quote
Nebadon2000 Posted July 4, 2020 Posted July 4, 2020 2 hours ago, chris_b said: Ampeg, Eden, Fender, Gibson, PPI, LIBOR, toxic mortgages etc etc happens when management believe that making money is more important than their products and services. When they only see £ signs not customers. I may be an Idealist but if you prioritize Customers the Money will follow. Doesn't take much effort to allow your talent within company to produce products that would meet their own expectations. Initial profits may be lower but will be more consistent and long lived. 1 Quote
andy67 Posted August 17, 2020 Author Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) On 04/07/2020 at 12:46, Nebadon2000 said: I may be an Idealist but if you prioritize Customers the Money will follow. Doesn't take much effort to allow your talent within company to produce products that would meet their own expectations. Initial profits may be lower but will be more consistent and long lived. That’s how I see it! Got it back today and still not convinced. It sounds ok but there is still artefacts/phasing/distortion when playing. I have a practice soon so, will give it a good thrashing there to make sure it’s not my room, electricity or small TC cab. Edited August 17, 2020 by andy67 Quote
stevie Posted August 17, 2020 Posted August 17, 2020 On 04/07/2020 at 09:56, andy67 said: I’ve had five previous 3pros, 3 US and 2 Korean. So this is your sixth? One can't help wondering what happened to the previous five.....😊 Quote
andy67 Posted August 17, 2020 Author Posted August 17, 2020 1 hour ago, stevie said: So this is your sixth? One can't help wondering what happened to the previous five.....😊 Probably living fab lives with new owners 😁 I make regular mistakes with bass gear and there is 5 of them. All made in an attempt to find bass amp Nirvana. Quote
andy67 Posted August 17, 2020 Author Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) Just blew a fuse therefore, it’s going back for full refund. Unbelievable! Folks, steer clear of Chinese made SVT 3 pro. Edited August 17, 2020 by andy67 2 Quote
ahpook Posted August 17, 2020 Posted August 17, 2020 You gave it your best shot. Still, very disappointing. 1 Quote
andy67 Posted August 18, 2020 Author Posted August 18, 2020 11 hours ago, ahpook said: You gave it your best shot. Still, very disappointing. Really, really disappointed. I guess, given time, I’ll look out for a used US version. Quote
andy67 Posted August 25, 2020 Author Posted August 25, 2020 Well, on its way back to Thomann who say that I can’t have a refund nor shop credit because it’s out with their 30 day warranty. So, they are attempting to get it ‘fixed’ under warranty by their experts for the third time! I am fighting this. Quote
Reggaebass Posted August 25, 2020 Posted August 25, 2020 6 minutes ago, andy67 said: Thomann who say that I can’t have a refund nor shop credit because it’s out with their 30 day warranty. That’s really bad , considering it hasn’t worked properly since you bought it Quote
andy67 Posted August 26, 2020 Author Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Reggaebass said: That’s really bad , considering it hasn’t worked properly since you bought it Yep bought 6 months ago, failed within a six week period and has been in the failed/return loop since. Pretty poor by Thomann. Edited August 26, 2020 by andy67 1 Quote
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