Reviewer Craig
Experience 6
Review date November 04 2002
Manufacturer AMPEG
Model SVT 4 Pro
Price $1600.00 Retail
Item owned for 1-2 years

Dimensions Standard Rack mount 4 space
Weight heavy
Power 1600 Watts
EQ 9
Other It sucks.

I'm a weekend warrior, playing alternative and jamband music (I gig 6-10 times a month). I like the Bi-amp capability of this amp, and the tone I get by splitting to 2 different cabinets. However, this amp has blown on me 3 times in the last year-and-a-half! My sound tech says that I'm not doing anything wrong (checked my impedence and load), so I know I'm not overdriving it.

The Lab tech that repairs it says he sees the SVT 4 Pro in the shop all the time. He even over orders parts cause he knows that he will be repairing these things in the future! There is a 5 year warranty, but what good is it when you have to wait weeks at a time to get it back?!?!? I bought a high dollar amp thinking it would be durable and able to handle the rigors of weekly gigging. My old Crate Head is still more reliable than this (yikes! same company STL Music). Nothing is more frustrating/embarrassing/aggravating than performing in front of a few hundred people and have your amp go out.


Construction 0%
(Any amp that blows this easy, isn't worth performing with.)
Clarity 95%
(When it works, it sounds great.)
Versatility 0%
(Can't rely upon it, I always bring my backup.)
Volume 75%
(I've never had to crank it.)
Customer Service 50%
(Ampeg did send me an email of condolence, but that was it.)
Value 25%
(Blown 3 times, whilst performing on stage.)
Overall 25%
(If you are a serious performer, don't get this amp.)

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