Ampeg SVP-PRO REVIEW

Alrighty so breaking up the pedal monotony (which is always fun, I admit), I thought I’d shake things up and introduce a review of this preamp. 

This preamp is basically the same circuit that is in Ampeg’s famed SVT PRO series heads (like the 2-Pro and 4-Pro specifically) with a few modern, and professional features.  

The controls on the front are pretty straight forward, but the EQ is powerful and versatile.  There is the now standard PAD control to buffer the input stage from hot active pickups and the proprietary MUTE switch (which mutes the every outgoing signal except for the “TUNER OUT” jack in the back for connecting the preamp to an auxiliary tuner (rack or otherwise).  

The GAIN and DRIVE controls work together to control the amount of preamp gain and overdrive that this preamp can deliver.  Trust me when I tell you that heavy overdriven tones are there a plenty. 

The front panel also boasts ULTRA LO, ULTRA HI, and BRIGHT switches that help boost their respective frequency ranges.  I am particularly partial to the BRIGHT switch on this preamp as it gives you that modern edge to the sound that I just love.  Next in line are the BASS, MIDRANGE (with a five position FREQUENCY knob) and the TREBLE knob.  Pretty standard stuff here.  Also for your tone shaping pleasure is the foot swtich selectable 9-Band graphic EQ, that has it’s own level control.  This is neat because you can either have it set to a subtle EQ change with a boost for soloing or whatever, or you can go really crazy and change your EQ drastically for different basses or styles of music.

One thing to note about this preamp is that it is not whisper quiet.  For one reason or another noise is just inherent in the design of this circuit.  I’m not sure why, but most people have commented on this at one point or another.  I have found, however, that if you put a lower gain tube in the V5 position (such as a 12AT7 or 12AU7) that the noise (which is similar to 60-cycle hum or white noise) is reduced to usable levels.  

Another way you can reduce the hum is to set the preamp to lower gain and drive levels and crank the master volume.  This also will give you an extraordinarily fat sound (a thick old school tone....awesome) that is just killer.  I think when the volume knob is past noon it really engages the tubes that are in the V4 and V5 positions that normally don’t add as much tube-y goodness to the signal.  Unfortunately, when I was using this preamp, I was paring it with my QSC PLX 1602 (highly recommended) and with that much power, close to 1600 watts at 4 ohms, having the master volume set that high on the preamp was just WAY TOO LOUD.  Like metal band loud.  Maybe if you had a bunch of cabinets or just a lower powered power amp it would be more of an option to crank the master like that.

It’s important to note that this hum and noise is only noticeable when you are not playing (or when no one else is playing).  As soon as you start playing, and the guitars and drums kick in, no one will ever be the wiser.  I gigged this way for close to three years like this and had zero issues.

Unfortunately, Ampeg stopped production on these preamps a few years ago (along with the SVP-CL, which I would love to have).  You can generally find these preamps in good condition on the used market for less than $450.

Peace,

-Colin