'69 Ampeg SVT

Darylt · #1 12-28-2010, 06:10 PM

First post here - yay
So, seen a local ad for a '69 Ampeg SVT for sale. Assuming it's in decent shape and functioning - haven't checked it out yet - does anyone know what a fair price for this would be?

lkngro · #2 12-28-2010, 06:11 PM

Your soul.

kosmicwizard · #3 12-28-2010, 06:54 PM

An arm and a leg, no wait, 2 legs ... bargain with the seller to be able to keep both arms if at all possible as you will most likely play better. Hope you have roadies, moving that thing without legs is going to be a b@*ch, but the tone will make up for it. Cheers.

fu22ba55 · #4 12-28-2010, 07:23 PM

I think forum rules state you must be a supporting member to ask "what's it worth" in threads... even though you're not selling in this case, I think the rule still applies.

What's the seller asking?

Anything under $2500 is a deal.

Anything under 2K is a great deal.

Anything under $1500 is an insane, beat-your-neighbors-to-death-with-a-croquet-mallet deal.

(I'm assuming we're just talking about the head here, correct? No cab?)

Rockmusician · #5 12-28-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darylt

First post here - yay
So, seen a local ad for a '69 Ampeg SVT for sale. Assuming it's in decent shape and functioning - haven't checked it out yet - does anyone know what a fair price for this would be?

$1,500 to $2,000

By the way, in 1982, I bought a 1970 for $250! I wish I had kept it.

zachoff · #6 12-28-2010, 07:43 PM

Be careful to make sure it's really a '69 too.

christw · #7 12-28-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

Be careful to make sure it's really a '69 too.

+1

Every one seems to claim they have a late '60's SVT. Just be smart and don't impulse buy. Get all your facts and check 'em.

gbazinet · #8 12-28-2010, 08:03 PM

I paid $1050 for mine a few months back. The seller was asking something like $2000 when he originally posted it with a straight back and a v9 cabs. It sat on the market for a while before i made an offer that i thought would be refused. Lucky for me he accepted and now i own it. Might help that the market has dropped a little on vintage gear... Look for threads on talk bass that will tell you what to look for when dating it. Also if you buy it we will need photos!

LHbassist · #9 12-28-2010, 08:09 PM

I had a 1969 SVT once, with a screw-on dolly original cabinet.... used it for about 5 years, and sold it just too damn heavy. It really was a great amp. Mine had the original 6550's, and the hard wired Canon speaker plug. Does the one you're looking at? I know some were made with 6v6's.
By then, circa 1978, there were much lighter amps suitable for my many gigs around New York City....I bought a Sunn Coliseum, and a 200s cab with JBL's. I really dug the tone..like Entwistle did.

JimmyM · #10 12-28-2010, 08:17 PM

sorry lh, but all 69 svt's originally came with 6146b transmitter tubes. if it had 6550's, it was converted. me, i love mine and it won't ever get sold until my estate sale.

okcrum · #11 12-28-2010, 08:19 PM

Yep, 6550s came around mid-1970.

JimmyM · #12 12-28-2010, 08:34 PM

mid 71 is the official changeover according to the ampeg book.

fu22ba55 · #13 12-28-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i love mine and it won't ever get sold until my estate sale.

Sold?

Tsk... tsk... Jimmy. You better have some offspring or friendly neighbor's kid who walks your dog that you can leave that thing to in your will, Jimmy.

If I don't have anyone to leave mine to, they're gonna have to bury me with my V9.

okcrum · #14 12-28-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

mid 71 is the official changeover according to the ampeg book.

Dang it, that's the last time I'll believe the word on the street.

Thanks, Jimmy.

Seans · #15 12-29-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

Dang it, that's the last time I'll believe the word on the street.

Thanks, Jimmy.

No you were right, early 70, I think perhaps 71 was the official change.

JimmyM · #16 12-29-2010, 01:24 AM

sorry, was mistaken because i was going off memory. it was mid 70 when they started making them with 6550's and early 72 when they issued the retrofit bulletin. just looked it up.

calypsocoral302 · #17 12-29-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

Sold?

Tsk... tsk... Jimmy. You better have some offspring or friendly neighbor's kid who walks your dog that you can leave that thing to in your will, Jimmy.

Or, at the very least, some southeast Asian teenager who helps you out with your house work to avoid being initiated into a local gang...

(Pausing to see if anyone gets the reference)

Seans · #18 12-29-2010, 03:35 AM

Try a search on here for lots of info, Blueline club has some nice pic's and facts.
As has been mentioned, a 69 is always the amp someone has until you dig deeper, usually to find it's not, quickest way is has it got a silver chassis, if not then its later, if it has it still could be a 70.
But if it was made in the 70's anyway, its going to be an awesome sound.

Darylt · #19 12-29-2010, 08:36 AM

thanks all for the replies and information. I mailed the guy with some questions and got some pics. turns out he was mistaken and it's a 70's head - it's got the original connected cord, beige rocker switches, looks like newish tubes ...

anderbass · #20 12-29-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calypsocoral302

Or, at the very least, some southeast Asian teenager who helps you out with your house work to avoid being initiated into a local gang...

(Pausing to see if anyone gets the reference)

I hear ye

grand torino