Ampeg SVT350H Classic Bass Head (350 Watts)
Optocoupler limiter circuit. Reliable solid-state power in an SVT cosmetic.
Overall User Ratings (based on 13 ratings)
Submitted April 26, 2005 by a customer from aol.com
"Buy the best, forget the res, especialy Hartke."
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I have used Hartke, Gallen Kruger, Sunn, Peavey and just about all the bottom configurations out there. Ampeg has them all beat. I used it in the 70's and the 80' and I'm back with the brand again. I will always consider Ampeg to be the best amplifier out there.
Sound
I will compare this head to the Hartke 5500 that it replaced. If you want leds that look cool, buy the Hartke. If you want a head that is well built, sounds warm, is easy to use, has a transferable warrenty, is built in the USA, get the Ampeg. The Ampeg is rated at 350 watts as compared to the Hartke at 500 watts. The Hartke does play louder, however, it's like the bigmouth in the crowd that has to be loud to get noticed. It has nothing else going for it. The Ampeg speaks volumes in quality of sound over loudness of cheapness. The Hartke was sold to purchase the Ampeg. I lost money on the Hartke, (go fiqure) but it was worth it once the Ampeg was turned on. Warm, rich, low end sound. And lets face it, 350 watts of quality amplification compared to 500 watts of cheap amplification is a no brainer. The Ampeg has an eq as well as the Hartke. The Hartke has cool "LED's" the light up when you use the eq. That was the best feature of the Hartke. It looked pretty. Buy Ampeg, made in USA quality.
Features
Both amps came with good manuals. Both amps have good tonal controls. Both amps have good input/output/pre/post ability. There is just a difference of quality that can be heard as well as seen and felt between these two products. The Ampeg is just built better and has mor "heft" when lifted it seems.
Quality
The Hartke is made in China. Ampeg is made in the USA. Acording to Hartke, manufacturing in China is better than in the USA. Well, the two previous bottoms I received from Hartke, were defective, see my review on the VX 8-10 bottom. I have had personal experience with Hartke's lack of support and cheaply built products. The Ampeg has none of these issues. They are built to last and performe. My amp was delivered in perfect condition and sounds wounderful.
Value
Expensive, no doubt, when compared to the Hartke, but then the Hartke is cheap. The Ampeg is worth the extra money. Quality ALWAYS costs more.
Manufacturer Support
I have contacted the company about information on various bottom configurations. They are always friendly and helpful. Hartke's "lack of customer support team" was a nightmare. Contact me through my email and I will send email communications to you from them. What a joke.
The Wow Factor
Built very well. Ampeg badging says it all. History and quality hand in hand. Well laid out controls and features. Modern day electronics. Ample power, (350 watts RMS), not much more you could ask for.
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
progressive rock
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Submitted February 25, 2013 by Gio L
"Great amp!"
Amazingly well-built, worth every penny. It's a very versatile amp, works especially well with "louder" music like grunge/stoner rock but doesn't fail to impress when playing funk or jazz. Got that great Ampeg sound. It's always hard to compare a solid state amp to a tube amp but in this case I don't hate the fact that it's a solid state (I'm generally a tube guy). Good stuff!
Musical Background:
Loads of gigs and a lot of studio time with several bands.
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Submitted March 26, 2023 by Michael B in Mountain View, CA
"Excellent choice."
Like so many others, I have been thru many bass heads searching for a tone that is world class, with enough power to do the job. I have tried GK, Hartke, Peavey, Carvin, TcElectonics, Ashdown, fender, and Sunn. As a pro-level musician gigging at least twice a month, my tone is important to me, and reliability. With all the other brands , who each have their strong points, nothing could compare to my SVT350H, V all of it’s points are strong points, you can’t find a bad tone, and it is brutally loud… I love my amp and for me, there is no other. Ampeg.
Musical Background:
30 yr.s pro musician
Musical Style:
Heavy stoner metal/hard rock
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