Ampeg SVT-350H Bass Amplifier User Guide

Owner’s Guide
SVT-350H
Bass Amplifier

Made in the U.S.A.

Introduction

An introduction To Your New Ampeg SVT-350H Bass Amplifier
Thank you for making one of the best choices you will ever make for your musical career – choosing one of the finest bass amplifiers available, the Ampeg SVT-350H.
Your new SVT-350H bass amplifier provides many outstanding features. Three hundred and fifty watts of pure bass energy, total tone control and rugged construction make this a true performer’s bass amp.

Features

In the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg’s SVT amplifiers stand alone. In true Ampeg tradition, the SVT-350H offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass amplifier in its class. The outstanding features of your new amplifier, features which set it apart from the competition, are listed below.

• 9-BAND GRAPHIC EQ: Use as a “second channel” for bass solos, or to shape your sound to your own exacting standards.
• BALANCED LINE OUTPUT: XLR with independent level switch (20dB pad). Patch into house consoles, mixing boards, or external power amplifiers.
• EFFECTS LOOP: For increased intensity and quieter operation of external effects.
• POWER AMP IN and PREAMP OUT: Allows direct access into the power amp and a signal tap from the preamp section for even greater versatility.
• CLASSIC SVT SOUND AND PERFORMANCE!

Important Safeguards and Precautions

All Ampeg products are designed for continuous, safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself and others.

• The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord.
• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.
• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)
• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.
• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load.
• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and film.
• Don’t use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service center for inspection.
• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible!

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROPERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. The chart below shows the U.S. Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss.
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:

| “DANGEROUS VOLTAGE”
“DANGER HAUTE TENSION”
“GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG”
---|---
| “IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL”
“REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D’UTILISATION”
“UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN”

The Front Panel Controls and Their Use

1. 0dB (INPUT): The signal output from an instrument (active or passive) or a line level signal may be connected here by means of a shielded instrument cable.

2. PAD: This switch, when depressed, attenuates the input signal by 15dB. Attenuation allows the Gain control (#4) to be used in a more usable (higher) position. If clipping is indicated with the Gain control way down, attenuation is needed.

3. PEAK LED: This LED flashes when the signal level into the preamp (excluding the graphic EQ) approaches clipping. Adjust the Gain control (#4) until a strong signal from your instrument causes this LED to flicker.
   NOTE: If the LED flashes frequently with the gain at a low setting, use the Pad (#2) to attenuate the input signal and readjust the Gain.

4. GAIN: This serves as the input level control for the amplifier. For the best signalto-noise set this control so the Peak LED (#3) flashes when you strike a string fairly hard.

5. BASS: This is the primary low frequency control. It allows for a range of 8dB of cut or boost at 50Hz.

6. ULTRA-MID: The primary midrange control. Rotate the control to the left of center for a “contoured” sound (more distant, less midrange output) or to the right of center for a sound which really cuts through.

7. TREBLE: This is the primary high frequency control. It allows for a range of 12dB boost or 19dB of cut at 5kHz.

8. MASTER: Set the overall output level of the amplifier with this control. The Effects Loop and Balanced Out (#20-24) are not affected by the Master control.

9. LIMIT: The SVT-350H uses an internal Optocoupler Limiter to assist in keeping the power amplifier’s output “clean” at extreme volume levels. (All amplifiers may begin to clip their output signals as they approach maximum output levels, resulting in potentially damaging distortion.) To engage the Limiter, depress the Limit switch. The adjacent LED will illuminate whenever the limiter circuit is activated. This indicates that the amplifier is nearing full output and the limiter is keeping peak signals from clipping the output.
   NOTE: Playing at full power with the Limiter off will give you increased output power, but the sound may be distorted. Use discretion when playing without the Limiter.

10. EQ ON SWITCH: Depress this switch to activate the Graphic EQ. The adjacent LED will illuminate when the EQ is on.

11. GRAPHIC EQ: These sliders control the output of the frequencies indicated below each control. The center position of each control is flat (no boost or cut).

12. POWER ON LED: This LED indicator illuminates when the POWER switch (#15) is ON.

13. POWER SWITCH: This heavy-duty rocker switch applies the power to the amplifier. The amp is ON when the top of the switch is depressed, OFF when the bottom of the switch is depressed.

The Rear Panel

14. FAN: The temperature controlled, variable speed fan forces cool air into the amplifier, forcing heat out through the exhaust vents (also on the rear panel, between the speaker jacks and the power amp in jack). Never block the vent holes or the fan openings.
    NOTE: It is not uncommon for the fan to remain off when the amplifier is first powered up.

15. FUSE: This protects the unit from damage due to overload conditions or power line surges. If the fuse blows, replace it only with the same size and type.

16. AC LINE IN: Firmly insert the supplied AC power cord into this socket until it is fully seated. Plug the male end of the cord into a grounded AC outlet. DO NOT DEFEAT THE GROUND PRONG OF THE AC PLUG!

17. SPEAKER OUTPUTS: Use these jacks to connect the amplifier to your speaker(s) using cables terminated with 1/4” connectors. Always use high-quality speaker cables for these connections.
    NOTE: When connecting multiple speaker cabinets to the amplifier, keep the overall impedance at or above four ohms! The following chart shows the total impedance load when connecting speaker cabinets in parallel:

18. POWER AMP IN: This mono jack allows you to feed the preamp output of another amplifier to the input of the SVT350H’s internal power amp. This bypasses the preamp circuitry of the SVT350H.
19. PREAMP OUT: A post-EQ signal may be taken from this jack and sent to the house mixing board, recording console or external power amplifier.
20. EFFECTS RETURN: To use an external effects device, connect the OUTPUT of the device to the Return jack using a shielded cable. This feeds the processed signal into the Master section of the SVT-350H.
21. EFFECTS SEND: Connect the output from the Send jack to the INPUT of your effects using shielded cable. This sends a post-EQ signal to your effects.
22. -20dB SWITCH : This control adjusts the output level at the Balanced Line Output jack (#24). The control works independently from the front panel Master control. Depressing the switch activates the 20dB pad. The result is a signal that is more compatible with the microphone inputs on a mixer.
23. PRE/POST SWITCH: You can select either Pre or Post EQ for the signal at the Balanced Out jack (#24) with this switch. With the switch in the OUT position, the signal at the jacks will be Pre-EQ. This is a direct output not affected by any EQ or boost settings. With the switch depressed, the signal is Post-EQ and is controlled and modified by the tone controls, Graphic EQ, and Effects Loop.
24. BALANCED OUTPUT: This XLR-type connector supplies a balanced preamp output signal for connecting to a house mixing board, recording console or external amplifiers with balanced inputs. The signal can be set to Pre or Post EQ by the back panel Pre/Post switch (#23). The level can be adjusted for either mic or line type inputs using the -20dB switch (#22).

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CERTAIN EXPORT UNITS: In some areas 1/4” speaker jacks are not acceptable for use on amplifiers capable of high output power levels. For this reason the Speaker jacks on your amplifier may resemble the illustration to the right. Connect the amplifier to your speaker(s) using cables rated for very high output power, terminated with the appropriate connectors.

Some Suggested Settings

The setting of the Gain control depends on your particular instrument. The Master should be set to produce the appropriate output volume level. The Graphic EQ can be used to tailor the amplifier to your speaker cabinets, to compensate for room acoustics and to “fine tune” your sound.
ROCK:

JAZZ:

COUNTRY:

FUNK “POPPING:”

Troubleshooting

In the unlikely event that your SVT-350H should stop working properly (or just stop working), take a few minutes to troubleshoot it before you call for service. You can save yourself a lot of time and sometimes money by doing it yourself, and often the cure for the problem is something quite simple.

If the problem isn’t covered above, or if the steps lead you here, then contact your Ampeg dealer for service information. Also, you should refer your amp to an authorized service center for servicing if it gets dropped, has liquid spilled into it, or sustains damage to its power cord.

System Block Diagram

Technical Specifications

OUTPUT POWER RATING| 350 Watts RMS, 4 ohm load, 120VAC
200 Watts RMS, 8 ohm load, 120VAC
---|---
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Domestic:
Export:| 115VAC, 60Hz, 205VA
100/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 205VA
230VAC, 50/60Hz, 205VA
TONE CONTROL RANGE
Bass:
Ultra Mid: Treble:| ±8dB @ 50Hz
±8dB @ 500Hz
+12dB/-19dB @ 5kHz
GRAPHIC EQ RANGE
40Hz:
80Hz:
150Hz:
300Hz:
600Hz:
900Hz:
2kHz:
5kHz:
9kHz:| ±11dB
±8dB
±8dB
±8dB
±8dB
±8dB
±8dB
±9dB
±12dB
GAIN| 45dB typical, tones @ center
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO| 75dB typical
SIZE AND WEIGHT| 24”W x 11.5”H x 13”D, 44 lbs.

www.ampeg.com
Ampeg reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
Ampeg is proudly Made in America.
©1999 SLM Electronics, 1400 Ferguson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.
P/N 47-612-04 • 06/99

Documents / Resources

| Ampeg SVT-350H Bass Amplifier [pdf] User Guide
SVT-350H Bass Amplifier, SVT-350H, Bass Amplifier, Amplifier
---|---

References

• Ampeg

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