SVT amp for my Ricks

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:00 pm

Hi,
I am looking for a 70's Ampeg SVT amp + a matching 8x10 cab.

I have a few questions though:

1. I read somewhere on this forum that these amps can work with 220V/50Hz as well without the need for a transformer, is that true? how do you do that?

2. Any estimation on the realistic price of this amp? There is a guy on ebay who tries to sell them both for $3.5, he didn't get any bid and he relisted the set for the same price... I saw these units go at around $2-$2.5K, is that the realistic price for them?

3. How do you identify the exact manufacturing year of a '70 SVT?

Thanks!

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:52 am

1. Supposedly the late 70's heads had 220V primary taps, but all of my heads are early 70's so I can't verify this. Switching to 220V would require disassembly of the amp and swapping the primaries.

2. Price is dependant on condition and luck (right place at the right time). The cost of a head and cab would anywhere from 'free' to 'really really expensive'. $2K wouldn't be that out of line for a decent condition working rig.

3. Dating requires reading the EIA codes on the pots, caps and transformers. This is the only accurate way to date an old Ampeg.

koobler · Post by **koobler** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:05 am

I managed to land my vintage 8x10/SVT (it's a '71ish early Blackline, but with the old Blueline-style lettering plate before Magnavox changed to the mid-70's style) for ridiculously cheap in great working order, about $1400. the 8x10 needs a lot of work (and replacement speakers) so I guess that estimate is kind of low. but if you look closely, stuff does pop up. I actually found both pieces local. keep your eyes peeled!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:57 pm

Ted Weber at Webervst is doing or will be doing a lcone of the old alnico CTS speakers that came in those SVT cabinets so you may want to keep your eyes peeled to his site for info. You could also have him fix yours too. www.tedweber.com

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:13 pm

70's Ampegs can work either on 120 or 220. I bought one in Lima, Peru and had to rewire it for 110 when I got it back here (on a plane believe it or not), it's a real pain, so if you're not comfortable inside amps with 700 volts in them have a pro do it. I believe all of them had dual primary taps for either voltage. They run a little easier on 220 also than the 120+ we have here. You should be able to get a good set up for 2500 tops. 3.5K would be for a mint collectors item which I wouldn't take out of the house. I know a guy who sold a mint 1969 6146B head with two original cabs for about 4 grand so that seller is being a bit optimistic. The cabs are usually cheap because they can't be shipped, I bought a late 70's towel rack cab with all original speakers for 200 bucks, looks like hell but sounds great. The heads are up around 1200-1500 or more sometimes depending on the vintage. I've owned a 1970, now own a 76 and a 77 and owned a 87 and they all sounded the same to me except for the 87. So in other words I'd get a late 70's because 1. they're cheaper, 2. they sound the same, 3. they're newer, 4. they already have a grounded cord, 5. they have plastic over the lettering which never wears off like some of the earlier ones.
You can expect to have it recapped if it hasn't had it done yet unless you are lucky.
Old SVT speakers come up on ebay once in a while also.
The best way to ID the year is from the filter caps under the chassis. The latest 70's heads had white rocker switches, the middle 70's black, early ones had blue graphics, real early ones had blue graphics etched into the face plate, those are nice they never wear out, they were originally supposed to glow (some earlier Ampegs did) but they never hooked it up in SVT's
If you want someone to ask the right questions for you, I'll help you out, I've used them now for over 30 years and am a half a tech (went to school but never worked at it). Find an ad and send me the link.
It would cost you a fortune to ship it to Israel you know, but would be worth it if you got the bucks, two cabs sounds even better.

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:47 am

Thanks for the replies guys!

I am going to use a freight company (Like Fritz companies)to send it over, not a courier (UPS/DHL/Fedex) and it should be around $500 for a head + 810 cab.

I missed a mint time capsule late 70's 810 cabinet a few days ago, it went for $1050...
Currently there is a no reserve 70's SVT head on the bay and there is this $3.5K head+cab...

I will try to convince the ebay seller that re-list his set for $3.5 over and over again to sell it for $2.5K

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:21 am

What do you guys think about this item? -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190153735355

1. Can you estimate the manufacturing year or at least tell me if this indeed looks like a 70's SVT? (judging from the pics of course)
2. Can the size specs he gave be true? how come the cabinet is only 40" tall while having 4 10" speakers in a line with space between each speaker?
3. The seller asked me to give him an offer, what do you think would be a fair offer?
4. What questions should I ask him about this unit?

Thanks.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:24 am

I'd send an email to Bob Young. He's very knowledgeable about the early Ampeg SVT's.

It looks like an early 70's SVT to me, but I'm no Ampeg guru.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:30 pm

I would say that's a 73-75, somewhere around there, looks to be in nice shape, they are about 50" tall, he must have made a mistake or his ruler is defective. I would offer 2500.00 first then 3000.00. 3000.00 is a little high but this one is nice. In fact you don't usually see a whole SVT being sold together. You won't likely see another one as nice as this for a long time on ebay especially a matching pair like that.
If it hasn't been recapped you can expect to spend maybe 200.00-300.00 to have it recapped and rewired by a tech.
Would you like me to send you some questions to ask him?

koobler · Post by **koobler** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:25 pm

it appears to be around what Bob Young said. it looks like the earlier blackline lettering on the front, but the slightly darker grill and Ampeg logo attached. that could be as early as a '71 though, by my knowledge, if someone added the Ampeg logo on the front aftermarket. I've seen that happen on a couple occasions.

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:03 pm

Thanks again guys!
Bob: by all means - yes. Please tell me what to ask

Gil.

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:24 am

Bob: When you say recapped and rewired - you mean to make it work on 220V?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:15 am

Recapped because of age.

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:25 am

Oh, thanks...

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:37 am

That one looks like it's been recapped already - the multisection cans in every SVT I've ever seen are silver ones.