kizanski Posted July 29, 2012 Posted July 29, 2012 I know nothing about amps and even less about bass amps, so I'm going to poll the audience, Regis... I need to know the approximate value of my brother's Ampeg SVT head for insurance purposes. I'd also like to know when it dates to (he bought it around 1983 - I have the receipt somewhere). Click on the link for pix. The serial number is 334294. I haven't fired it up, but I have no doubt that it works.
murkat Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I have no clue,But,For Bass,Thats the shit right there Pally.Nice.
tbonesullivan Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 holy crap! What kinda cardboard box is that that it wasn't crushed by an SVT???
crunchee Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I'm naturally curious, so I did a bit of digging. Saw this on the Wikipedia page, the details it mentions makes me think that your Ampeg was Japanese-built:'In the early 80s, Ampeg was bought by MTI in Japan, and the SVT resumed production there. Functionally identical, its primary cosmetic differences consisting of: white lettering on a black faceplate, black grill cloth, "elephant hide" or rougher textured tolex, and rack case-style spring-loaded handles, updated from the previous(and painful) rubber covered metal strap handles. Other notable differences of this era of SVT are found on the back panel, including a toggle switch for 2 or 4 ohm speaker impedance loads and a longer and thicker gauge 3-prong power cable. Apparently the transformers used are also of Japanese origin as opposed to the previous manufacturer in Chicago.'Here's the rest of the article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampeg_SVTSupposedly THE MAN regards Ampeg is Gregg Hopkins, he co-authored a book on Ampeg. You could try him for more info. Here's his business website:http://www.vintage-amp.com/
kizanski Posted July 30, 2012 Author Posted July 30, 2012 Thats the shit right there Pally.Yeah. My brother didn't buy crap.holy crap! What kinda cardboard box is that that it wasn't crushed by an SVT???A GOOD one.Truth is, it was full of CD's.I'm naturally curious, so I did a bit of digging. Saw this on the Wikipedia page, the details it mentions makes me think that your Ampeg was Japanese-built:'In the early 80s, Ampeg was bought by MTI in Japan, and the SVT resumed production there. Functionally identical, its primary cosmetic differences consisting of: white lettering on a black faceplate, black grill cloth, "elephant hide" or rougher textured tolex, and rack case-style spring-loaded handles, updated from the previous(and painful) rubber covered metal strap handles. Other notable differences of this era of SVT are found on the back panel, including a toggle switch for 2 or 4 ohm speaker impedance loads and a longer and thicker gauge 3-prong power cable. Apparently the transformers used are also of Japanese origin as opposed to the previous manufacturer in Chicago.'Here's the rest of the article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampeg_SVTSupposedly THE MAN regards Ampeg is Gregg Hopkins, he co-authored a book on Ampeg. You could try him for more info. Here's his business website:http://www.vintage-amp.com/I was hoping the serial number would tell for sure.There IS the conspicuous absence of the words "Made in ____" on the amplifier, though, so you could be right.The French text in the bottom left of this picture threw me off as well.
The Shark Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I'm pretty sure it's the Japanese model. Music City in Orlando had them. The knobs are what I remember. I'd insure at an inflated value. How many of those in that condition do you see? Fewer are for sale.
cmatthes Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Wait...how was that cardboard box full of CDs not crushed by that SVT head?My back hurts just looking at that, but those ARE the sound of RAWK.
Turdus Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 For insurance purposes, why not use the cost of a new SVT reissue, etc? They are around $2,000 +I agree with those who are thinking "Japanese" Ampeg. Does not really matter to me. I owned an old one.... never again.... and I was a young man when I owned it. No road crew = no SVT. I'll also state that I believe the SVT magic lies in the 8x10 cabinet... or maybe 2 of them. You want real SVT tone? get the mathing cabinet.
kizanski Posted July 30, 2012 Author Posted July 30, 2012 You want real SVT tone? get the mathing cabinet.No matching cabinet. It was actually paired with an Acoustic cab with 2 15" JBL speakers.Whatever speakers were originally in it didn't last the first gig.
Turdus Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 You want real SVT tone? get the mathing cabinet.No matching cabinet. It was actually paired with an Acoustic cab with 2 15" JBL speakers.Whatever speakers were originally in it didn't last the first gig.Yep.... I used (2) 4x10 cabinets with mine, and it just did not have it. There's something magical about that 8x10 beast. Your's has a 2/4 ohm switch... somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the originals delivered all that 300+ watts of greatness into a 2 ohm load which I believe would have been (2) 8x10 cabinets.
Ethan Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I think those usually go for $900-$1400...vague I know. Maybe check out talkbass and do some searches there. Japanese or not I'd take one of those over any of the newer Ampeg stuff.
Steve Haynie Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I bought and sold one about six years ago in the $900+ range. It was not a totally beat head, but there had been some road wear.
unfun75 Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 $1,000 or, its weight multiplied by $10, whichever is higher.
crunchee Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Also, check out your tubes. If the power tubes are 6550s (as they should be) and all from the same batch, that's a plus. If they're USA made, that's a BIG plus. 6550s that aren't Russian or Chinese made and that are in good shape are usually worth BIG bucks.
kizanski Posted July 31, 2012 Author Posted July 31, 2012 Also, check out your tubes. If the power tubes are 6550s (as they should be) and all from the same batch, that's a plus. If they're USA made, that's a BIG plus. 6550s that aren't Russian or Chinese made and that are in good shape are usually worth BIG bucks.Gonna need someone to look at it that knows a 6550 from a 6120 or a 2112, 'cause I don't.Otherwise, thanks all for your input.I guess I'll insure it for about $1750...and the cab for $500? I don't expect either to get stolen, but water damage is always a possibility (especially for the cab).
Ethanw Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 I'm a gear dealer, I agree that's it's an 80's model. I would think it would say on the back somewhere where it is made, may well be Japanese. I would guess the head alone would bring $1500 retail tops.
blackfbiv Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 You want real SVT tone? get the mathing cabinet.No matching cabinet. It was actually paired with an Acoustic cab with 2 15" JBL speakers.Whatever speakers were originally in it didn't last the first gig.Yep.... I used (2) 4x10 cabinets with mine, and it just did not have it. There's something magical about that 8x10 beast. Your's has a 2/4 ohm switch... somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the originals delivered all that 300+ watts of greatness into a 2 ohm load which I believe would have been (2) 8x10 cabinets.I agree... 4 sealed compartments each with 2 10"'s in them. I think 'infinite baffle is the term they use. IIRC, the early SVT's (Blue Line) gave you 300 watts into 4 ohms (The 8x10)... hitching another 8x10 bumped you 50 watts.Ampeg marketed them as a 3 piece originally. Head and 2 8x10 cabs.I had a blue line head and an early 80's 8x10... sounded incredible... I added an Ampeg V6 cab (vented 2x15) and the sound was sublime.It's a vertebral nightmare to move but boy I would like to have that rig back
Turdus Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Kiz - isn't this the same one as yours?http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=330789240970&nma=true&rt=nc&si=PRMwccQ%252BHlHveozsSGWiR%252BHLbJk%253D&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc$765.. I should have bought it, and hired a couple kids to haul it around to the gigs.
kizanski Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 Kiz - isn't this the same one as yours?http://cgi.ebay.com/...cvip=true&rt=nc$765.. I should have bought it, and hired a couple kids to haul it around to the gigs.Yeah, that sure looks like its twin.Somehow I was the kid who had to haul it around to the gigs - lol. Ah, what are little brothers for, right?
Question
kizanski
I know nothing about amps and even less about bass amps, so I'm going to poll the audience, Regis...
I need to know the approximate value of my brother's Ampeg SVT head for insurance purposes.
I'd also like to know when it dates to (he bought it around 1983 - I have the receipt somewhere).
Click on the link for pix.
The serial number is 334294.
I haven't fired it up, but I have no doubt that it works.
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