Ampeg SVT Blueline Club, 68 to early 70's.

[Seans]

Fun day today, fitting a NOS fan that was a lucky find.

There is nothing wrong with the original that can't be fixed though, part of it's life was run without oil and this unfortunately had worn the bushing making operation quite loud too. I will machine a new bush and re install it soon, for now it can live with a new one.

[beans-on-toast]

Nice find! Amazing how you can still come across NOS parts for a 44 year old amp.

[BlueLine1]

I've never had an SVT apart before, but I need to to verify some date codes. Do you just pull the power tubes, disconnect the preamp harness, and unbolt it from the bottom of the case? Is there more valuable info in the preamp section? Thanks for your help,
Alan

[Seans]

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

Nice find! Amazing how you can still come across NOS parts for a 44 year old amp.

I suppose it's all out there, just had the old one apart and the post looks unharmed, should be plain sailing now.

[Seans]

Originally Posted by BlueLine1

I've never had an SVT apart before, but I need to to verify some date codes. Do you just pull the power tubes, disconnect the preamp harness, and unbolt it from the bottom of the case? Is there more valuable info in the preamp section? Thanks for your help,
Alan

Very easy to view the underside of the power amp, look at the Bias pot rears, they will read 137-xxxx and the date is there, year then week.

The pre is a pain to remove and won't reveal any more info really.

[Mescal]

Ok, so this is my first post. So don't know if I should have posted in a "introduce yourself" thread or something But it's google who brought me to this particular thread.

I bought an Ampeg blue line over the weekend here in Belgium. Apparently they are very hard to come by around these parts. It wasn't cheap, so not really a find or anything, but I paid a reasonable price for it. After reading this thread I think I can date this amp as week 36 (not shure, might be 34, the amp is in my rehearsal space) in 1969. The serial numer is something like 886xxx.

I have a few questions. The seller said it was completely original (except maybe new tubes) It has the black square switches, but it has different knobs than the ones I can see on the pics in this thread. They are completely black, and a bit more roundish. Difficult to explain, but I'll post some pics when I rehearse next time. The knobs are attached very well, I mean, I couldn't just pull them off. At a closer inspection I noticed they were attached like a door handle, meanding with a very small imbus screw. Could this be original?

Another thing I was wondering. If what I read is correct, 1969 was the first year of production. My serial nr is 88600 (or something). Did ampeg build +- 100.000 SVT amps in its first year of production. Seems a lot for a starting company? They must have cost quite a bit at that time, so I don't think there were too many bass players who could pay for that amp. Also, they were only sold in northern America, so, were there even 100.000 bass players in America in 1969?

[beans-on-toast]

Welcome to TB and congratulations on the new amp. The 69 is a rare model anywhere.

Ampeg used a serial numbering system but it didn't reflect how many units were built. Often they didn't want the competition to know how many amps they produced so they didn't start at serial number 1.

Yes, post detailed images when you have a chance. I've not seen knobs on an SVT like what you described. Fortunately, you can buy a replacement set from fliptops.net in the US.

[Mescal]

The knobs work just fine, so I'm not looking te replace them

The new ones won't be any more original than the ones I have now

So, how many of these blue lines were produced? Anyone has any idea on that.

The guy I bought the amp from has been into music and into vintage amps since the late 60's (well, they weren't vintage then ) He had some fliptops for sale, some Vox, ... so he had some **** lying around. He said I was the only one in Belgium with that sort of amp and that I made the buy of the year, even though the year has just begun Can't wait to try it out with the band!

He made me play some vintage basses with the amp, so now I'm starting to look for a good vintage bass Even though my bass hasn't ever let me down (Music Man 3 bands, from the 90's). But he let me play a vintage MM and I must say it sounded incredible. I think maybe Ampeg Blueline isn't a perfect match with an active bass.

Anyways, will post some pics very soon. Even though I'm not a gear/vintage nerd :^)

[Seans]

Welcome, looking forward to see some pic's. The serial looks quite early at 88600, we have a Feb 69 here at 86700 and chances are this is one of the very first.

[BlueLine1]

Mine is 094762, but haven't pulled apart to look at pot codes. I play actives with mine and love it. No compression in this baby, all touch, and very sensitive. Hope you love your new beast or please sell it to me!!!!!!
Alan

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by cripula

I have a '76 as well as the '72 I posted. One is no better than the other - they both rock. Eyes closed volume up I couldn't tell the difference.

Very nice, Two Blueline SVT's and a 2x15 and 6x10 NV Cabs.
It don't get much better than this.

[Mescal]

So, anybody knows how many of these amps were built?

How many did they assemble per week for instance?

[Seans]

We don't know, but there are 2000 units between yours and a Feb 69, whether that's 2000 SVT's or 2000 Ampegs who knows, but if you get some pic's up and some date codes we can only guess closer.

[Mescal]

[Mescal]

[JvN]

Looks great! How did It sound at your rehearsal?

[Mescal]

[Mescal]

[Mescal]

[Mescal]