The Ampeg Family Reunion - Official Club Thread Part 4 - Page 12

CDHawkins · #**221** 11-20-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloydianAnimal

930 CDHawkins

Thanks!

rpmcmurphy · #**222** 11-20-2012, 01:23 PM

May I join?

CDHawkins · #**223** 11-20-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmcmurphy

May I join?

Is that a '75 head? Cab looks newer. If cab is vintage it's primo!

rpmcmurphy · #**224** 11-20-2012, 06:23 PM

All vintage. I'm about to pull its speakers to date it. Apparently it's been in a road case, in storage from a closed studio for the last 15 years. Pulled one, its a square backed that couldn't make out the date. It has the four pin connector, that I'm about to convert to 1/4". I just ordered a few parts from Fliptop to do this week. The head has all original magnavox tubes. The condition is awesome. Sounds amazing!

CDHawkins · #**225** 11-20-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmcmurphy

All vintage. I'm about to pull its speakers to date it. Apparently it's been in a road case, in storage from a closed studio for the last 15 years. Pulled one, its a square backed that couldn't make out the date. It has the four pin connector, that I'm about to convert to 1/4". I just ordered a few parts from Fliptop to do this week. The head has all original magnavox tubes. The condition is awesome. Sounds amazing!

Sounds like alnicos, which would be right making it vintage. I've got the magnavox tubes also. Absolutely love the sound. Hate gigging with it, going to give me a hernia, but I can't beat or duplicate the sound. One of the cleanest vintage cabs I've seen in a long time.

rpmcmurphy · #**226** 11-20-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDHawkins

Sounds like alnicos, which would be right making it vintage. I've got the magnavox tubes also. Absolutely love the sound. Hate gigging with it, going to give me a hernia, but I can't beat or duplicate the sound. One of the cleanest vintage cabs I've seen in a long time.

Thanks CD,
I'm in bassist heaven now. I am not sure how long I'd should go before I recap/retube. The way it sounds with my Fender Fullerton is just perfect to my ears. I feel like I scored big time!

JimmyM · #**227** 11-20-2012, 07:27 PM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's my rule of thumb.

CDHawkins · #**228** 11-20-2012, 07:43 PM

I concur. If you have to retube and recap, don't use jap caps or new tubes. Spend the money on the old stock. It's well worth it.

When I got my SVT I was and still am in heaven. It's the holy grail of bass rigs.

rpmcmurphy · #**229** 11-20-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's my rule of thumb.

That's what I'm feeling Jimmy. I haven't played as many late 70's SVT's as you but I know what I have heard and played and this rig sounds as good if not better that I have come across (IMHO). It just goes against every tube amp tech rule not to recap/retube at it's age. I was told it's a 74 but I'm thinking later because of the great condition. It came with the original schematics. We will see.

JvN · #**230** 11-20-2012, 09:27 PM

Great condition does not necessarily mean newer. If it was bought in '74 by a guy who (strangely enough) only used it at home or put it in storage after a few years, you can be amazed about the looks of a sixties or seventies amp Fortunately, it doesn't say anything about the sound either ;-).

beans-on-toast · #**231** 11-20-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmcmurphy

It just goes against every tube amp tech rule not to recap/retube at it's age.

Nice amp.

No reason to change the tubes if they are working well.

It might have been re-cap'ed and you just don't know it.

rpmcmurphy · #**232** 11-20-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

Nice amp.

No reason to change the tubes if they are working well.

It might have been re-cap'ed and you just don't know it.

Thanks Beans!
It was checked out buy a local guy here in Atlanta that works for Andrew's amp lab and Northeast speakers and was told that the amp was all original and in good shape when got it two weeks ago. It has really convinced me on the "SVT RIG". I'm sold . So happy with the sound.

CDHawkins · #**233** 11-21-2012, 01:16 AM

'74 looks and sounds about right. Sounds to me like you got a winner. I've seen tube amps well older with original caps still working flawlessly. I recently worked on a '64 Bassman that had all it's original sprague caps. Like I and so many others agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You may loose the sound you love soooooo much.

On another note, I've tried the new "Vintage" or "Heritage" amps and cabs. They just don't compare to the real deal. I even took my head and cab in and tried my head with new cab, my cab with new head. It just doesn't sound the same.

nouroog · #**234** 11-21-2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDHawkins

'74 looks and sounds about right. Sounds to me like you got a winner.

A winner indeed, awesome rig!
But from the design of the front plate I'd say '76-79 period.
I think a '74 would have squared corners black lining and no middle separation. The white rocker switches call for later than 74 too.
Congrats!

JimmyM · #**235** 11-21-2012, 02:22 AM

Actually, I'm pretty sure that faceplate design started in 74.

I have to say, though, that I like the newer ones just as much as the old ones. I use new and old ones all the time on the road, and for me it's very hard to tell the difference.

CDHawkins · #**236** 11-21-2012, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nouroog

A winner indeed, awesome rig!
But from the design of the front plate I'd say '76-79 period.
I think a '74 would have squared corners black lining and no middle separation. The white rocker switches call for later than 74 too.
Congrats!

Yes I concur 76-79. White switches dead giveaway. Got confused for a sec. No front mounted polarity switch and a white rocker/pilot light makes it post '77. But nevertheless a fine example and a great rig! Cudos!

CDHawkins · #**237** 11-21-2012, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Actually, I'm pretty sure that faceplate design started in 74.

I have to say, though, that I like the newer ones just as much as the old ones. I use new and old ones all the time on the road, and for me it's very hard to tell the difference.

Was split in half in '76, the '72-'75 design is similar, but not split horizontally. I would have to try some vintage ax7s in a new one and try it out. Maybe even try some GE or Mag 6550s too. Interesting.

CDHawkins · #**238** 11-21-2012, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmcmurphy

That's what I'm feeling Jimmy. I haven't played as many late 70's SVT's as you but I know what I have heard and played and this rig sounds as good if not better that I have come across (IMHO). It just goes against every tube amp tech rule not to recap/retube at it's age. I was told it's a 74 but I'm thinking later because of the great condition. It came with the original schematics. We will see.

Two things..... 1-Check the fan inside the head for a date stamp. That will give you a clue.

2 - The cab is definitely post '77. Does it have a paper serial number on the back? If not, check behind the grill cloth at the bottom. Does it have the "towel bar" or are there spring loaded handles?

rpmcmurphy · #**239** 11-21-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDHawkins

Two things..... 1-Check the fan inside the head for a date stamp. That will give you a clue.

2 - The cab is definitely post '77. Does it have a paper serial number on the back? If not, check behind the grill cloth at the bottom. Does it have the "towel bar" or are there spring loaded handles?

I. I will get a pic of the fan date code today.
2. The cabs paper serial number behind the grill cloth was smudged bad and fell off when I first went out to check it out. It has the towel bar and no spring loaded handles. It has the 4 pin connector and a svt metal badge on the back. I will also try to get some pics of the speaker date code today.

FloydianAnimal · #**240** 11-21-2012, 11:33 AM

931 rpmcmurphy