Ampeg SVT that *isn't* Ampeg....

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by Mook

turrets/tags/eyelets are just fine.......I just want something that is *not* PC board(s).....

Mook

Actually, just occurred to me, from this semi expanded acronym; have you learnt what you think you know about amp construction from Planetoftheamps.com? Where the guy doesn't know the difference between 'printed circuit' and 'personal computer'?

[Mook]

Originally Posted by christw

As far as wanting "hand wired" ...why?

For me, I just think they sound better and are more maintainable. Other might say "hogwash", but that's my experience. I've had a few PCB amps (guitar, bass, and PA) that have gone out on me. I've never had a P2P amp (turret board, eyelet board, which ever) fail......ever.

I'm not trying to dance with terminology, here. Over on the guitar boards, if you mention hand/hard wired, it's assumed it's either turret board or eyelet construction. Seems things are different, here.

Please don't think I'm a neophyte. I've actually been building amps since '98 -- tube amps, that is, not FET. Mostly guitar amps, but I have built from the ground up a 100 watt Bassman, that I still have to this day. I've built about 15 amps, total, all with VERY good success, and very complicated circuits, too: Soldano SLO clones, various Fender clones, a Dumble clone. I've even worked with a well known amp builder to design an amp from the ground up. That amp is still offered as standard fare on his web page and sells for almost $3K. But, again, these are mostly guitar tube amps.

I'm well versed on the advantages/disadvantages of PCB. And, as you know, there are varying levels of PCB: fully automated construction to hand placement of components and hand soldering.

Still, I'm not a fan of PCB. I have my reasons. Other choose PCB and that's FINE for THEM. I like non-PCB.

Now, I did mention I have 2 SVTs. One is a early 2000s Ampeg CL that says "Made in USA" on it. Not the current Asian afair of today. The other is actually a full turret board , hand wired amp - no PCBs. I use both amps. I enjoy both amps. My band manager suggested I get one more amp for the "road". That's why I was wondering if there are any non-PCB, hand-wired/hard wired SVTs being offered today. Seems there isn't.

Why not build one myself? Well.....as many others have said it's QUITE an undertaking. And, I don't have the time right now. Plus, as a player, I like to use and study other amps. So, even though I enjoy playing and buying amps, I also build. I do have parts to start building a new amp, but it's a guitar amp, single ended about 10 watts, duet of 6L6s.


However, in chasing down the SVT, I saw mentioned the Reeves amp. After some sound clips and research, seems like it's the amp for me, as I mentioned that when I play my SVTs, I use a very trebbly sound.

Mook

[Selta]

Uhm... every SVT ever has PCBs (having owned/rebuilt a 1969 SVT [authenticated as 1969] and a 2007 SVT-CL, I have hands on experience with pretty much all eras of SVTs). But, as you wish. If you think moving discreet components from a PCB to turrets changes tone, go for it or have someone else build it for ya. Good luck.

[Mook]

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Actually, just occurred to me, from this semi expanded acronym; have you learnt what you think you know about amp construction from Planetoftheamps.com? Where the guy doesn't know the difference between 'printed circuit' and 'personal computer'?

Ok, man. Thanks for the thoughts
You knew what I meant.




Mook

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Uhm... every SVT ever has PCBs (having owned/rebuilt a 1969 SVT [authenticated as 1969] and a 2007 SVT-CL, I have hands on experience with pretty much all eras of SVTs). But, as you wish. If you think moving discreet components from a PCB to turrets changes tone, go for it or have someone else build it for ya. Good luck.

Plus until recently, those PCB were wired by hand.

I think 'hardwired' is supposed to mean wiring using solid core wire, so you can get those nice Hiwatt style right angles on everything, as opposed to stranded wire that goes into soft curves. Its another term corrupted by misuse on the internet.

[Mook]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Uhm... every SVT ever has PCBs (having owned/rebuilt a 1969 SVT [authenticated as 1969] and a 2007 SVT-CL, I have hands on experience with pretty much all eras of SVTs). But, as you wish. If you think moving discreet components from a PCB to turrets changes tone, go for it or have someone else build it for ya. Good luck.

I know Ampeg doesn't offer a non-PCB amp. THat's why the title of the thread says "that *isn't* Ampeg" and I ask for an amp that is "like" an SVT and that is an "Ampeg-type" of SVT.


Look, next time I post on this Forum, I'll make sure I use the EXACT nomenclature, reference material, perfect spelling and grammar, and everything else that would make the thread perfectly clear and understandable. Otherwise, the worms come out of the woodwork and like to heckle and bully.

Mook

[jackcheez]

I had in my posession for a short time in '96 or '97 exactly what you are talking about. It was a prototype (6 were made) of the Fender Rumblebass head. A 300 watt all tube SVT type head. It was all hand wired and one of the best sounding amps I ever played. When the production models came out they probably had PCB's, and I know there were some problems with them. About 300 were made before they went out of production.

[JimmyM]

It's just an odd request that you don't see much in this day and age, especially since most folks have long gotten used to PCB's. But if you want to go boutique and pay the prices, nothing wrong with that if you have the cash. Me, I like SVT's being $1600-2300

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by jackcheez

I had in my posession for a short time in '96 or '97 exactly what you are talking about. It was a prototype (6 were made) of the Fender Rumblebass head. A 300 watt all tube SVT type head. It was all hand wired and one of the best sounding amps I ever played. When the production models came out they probably had PCB's, and I know there were some problems with them. About 300 were made before they went out of production.

There is a pretty rare Marshall SVT style thing too, 400w, massive iron, not the well known 400w Marshall. Just looked it up, Marshall Model 2001: y'all wanna buy my amps - hiwatt / marshall / selmer / carlsbro all valve - Basschat

[Randall]

There are some gut shots of SVT"s around. Can you imagine how big the head case would have to be if Ampeg did NOT use printed circuit boards . I think this is the point the guys are trying to make.

[LiquidMidnight]

Me likey!

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by Randall

There are some gut shots of SVT"s around. Can you imagine how big the head case would have to be if Ampeg did NOT use printed circuit boards . I think this is the point the guys are trying to make.

I reckon it would be doable on turrets/tags, my burman's dual preamps have to be about as complex as the SVT one (since that is sort of two preamps). There is a lot of space in an SVT sized box:



I think there aren't many of the small boutique players doing it because its easier to put a massively simpler tweaked Fender style pre in and call it good. The above amp retailed at 4 or 5 times the price of equivalent Marshall.

[Randall]

Interesting. I thought pcb's were used to save space.

[Mr. Foxen]

There are tons of advantages to PCB. Main one in practice being ease of manufacture on a large scale, not much skill required in assembly. Size probably doesn't rank high for valve amp purposes because of necessary large space (for valves and transformers) and relatively simple circuit, unlike a laptop say.

[christw]

Mook, I didn't mean for my why to be an attack on your viewpoint. I was hoping you'd expand upon your view and you did, although I didn't mean to solicit it like I did. I think that helps people understand your perspective further. I've watched two Fender Bassman Ten fail (filter caps / OT), my own Marshall JTM-60 (output tube), my own Elk Miyuki Custom 30 (overheated output tubes melted the high voltage tap on the PT / later the power cable separated), and my PF500 (??) die. I think that's a normal mix and match of amp failures of each category.

As far as ease of repair, I agree. Do I think they sound different enough for me to forgive the huge difference in cost? No. Is it a huge deal to me? No. If it is to you, no worries! We all have what we want and good luck in your search for a huge tube amp. I'm thinking I'll be looking at an 400+ w RMS tube amp eventually. Why? Cause that's what I like!

[droskobass]

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Matamp use PCB with turrets, which is basically best of all worlds.

+1

[droskobass]

Cograts on getting the Reeves. I've heard many Matamps, and old ampegs, as well as Divided by 13 guitar amps, but never a Reeves nor the TBL200 Divided By 13 Amplification - Amplifiers - TBL 200

I'll probably pull the trigger on either a GT200 or a Reeves or the Divided by thirteen after NAMM where hopefully I'll get to try them. I'm guessing I'll like the divided...but who knows.

[SactoBass]

Mook,

Here is another amp that might interest you:

Granger SBVA-300

[UrsaMinor]

Reeves or Meatsmoke are the only two amps I am looking into right now. I can totally understand what all this debating was for

::sigh::