Ampeg SVT-CL 2007, worth it?

altamont · #1 01-07-2013, 08:02 AM

Hey there,
I'm looking to upgrade my SS head for an all tube head.
I've got a Yorkville B400H combined to a SansAmp RPM. Pretty good sounding rig if you ask me, since all of the tone is coming from the SansAmp and you can emulate pretty much any tube sounding head with some tweaking. I know it's not like having the real thing, so don't bother telling me so.

So, I came across a 2007 SVT-CL head on my local listings at fairly good price (I think). I'm just not sure yet if it's an american made or not. I read that 2007 is the year they stopped making them in the US. If it's not USA made, are the SVT worth it at all?
The guy says that it's been recently re-tubed and that everything is in working order, great shape, etc.
Would this be a great improvement over my current rig?

What's a fair asking price to you guys?
What would you pay?

I've seen them go from 680$ to 1300$ used on ebay in completed listings. That's before the shipping quotes and brokerage fees (I'm in Canada). Why such a huge margin between the high and low prices?

Any help would be appreciated.

Figjam · #2 01-07-2013, 08:23 AM

A recently serviced tube amp can be sold for much higher on the used market, because the buyer knows what he/she is getting into. Retubing is an expensive endeavor.

JimmyM · #3 01-07-2013, 11:16 AM

Speaking as an Ampeg fan and not an endorser here

2007 IS the year they stopped making them in the US, but I hear zero difference between a CL made overseas and a CL made in the US. Don't know what they're asking for it, but I would certainly pay a reasonable price for one.

Mastermold · #4 01-07-2013, 11:44 AM

A good SVT is a good SVT whereever it was made. What are they asking for it?

altamont · #5 01-07-2013, 11:56 AM

The guy was asking 900$. I talked him down to 700-750$.
I'm running low on dough these days because of the Holidays so I'm looking with him if we can do partial trades. I'm still waiting on an answer.

KrisHayes · #6 01-07-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altamont

The guy was asking 900$. I talked him down to 700-750$

That's a good price, man! I'd go for that.

michael_atw · #7 01-07-2013, 12:09 PM

Right now I think the soft market has a used CL going for $800-$1000 regardless of retubing/service. I can't see why a 5-year old amp needed retubing/servicing anyways. But what do I know?

I would presume the owner just wanted different tubes. Doesn't increase the value any. Wasted money for the guy who is selling.

You can have a CL for easily around $1000 shipped to Canada. You shouldn't have to pay any more and should pretty easily get something for less.

I'm not sure what was going for $1300 but they may be the AV or VR series heads. Those go in that price range. The AV around $1200 and the VR around $1400.

Mastermold · #8 01-07-2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altamont

The guy was asking 900$. I talked him down to 700-750$.
I'm running low on dough these days because of the Holidays so I'm looking with him if we can do partial trades. I'm still waiting on an answer.

Great price especially if recently re-tubed, depending on the brand a full set of tubes is around $300. A good SVT is an amp you'll keep forever so if it's in good shape I'd grab it.

michael_atw · #9 01-07-2013, 12:11 PM

You can't go wrong at $750. No way. Just make sure it works fine and all is on par.

christw · #10 01-07-2013, 12:18 PM

That's a price that would convince me so long as the tubes aren't dying.

Randyt · #11 01-07-2013, 12:22 PM

im selling my SVT 2007 CL that was retubed 6 months ago for $1250.00
my head is in decent shape...few nicks in the tolex...plays,sounds great!!

Honkycat · #12 01-07-2013, 03:01 PM

I recently sold a CL made in Vietnam for $850...and I'd just had three new tubes installed.I would also agree that there is zero difference in sound from a US model to an Asian one.
They are great sounding amps but not a slam dunk sale that they used to be..especially with the trend for smaller lighter gear.

stiles72 · #13 01-07-2013, 03:29 PM

OP - what kind of cab you will be running the SVT on? SVT's operate at either a 2 or 4 ohm load. If your cab is 8 ohm, I wouldn't recommend it. Doesn't mean you couldn't pick up another 8 ohm cab to go with - but be aware of the minimum load ratings on that head.

altamont · #14 01-07-2013, 05:14 PM

I'm running everything through an Ampeg 810EN, which I think has a 2 ohms minimal load. Or maybe is it 4? Anyways I'll need to double check but I think they were made for each other. Perfect match.

DaZombieWoof · #15 01-07-2013, 05:20 PM

All Ampeg 810's I know of have a way to get a 4 ohm load on them. I think one does split things so you can run two 8 ohm 4-10s or together at 4 ohm.

JimmyM · #16 01-07-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altamont

I'm running everything through an Ampeg 810EN, which I think has a 2 ohms minimal load. Or maybe is it 4? Anyways I'll need to double check but I think they were made for each other. Perfect match.

The 810e operates at 4 ohms. The SVT tube heads will accept a 4 or 2 ohm cab total load. You're good.

AgressivePassiv · #17 01-07-2013, 08:15 PM

I have an 07 cl. I love mine. Go for it.

altamont · #18 01-14-2013, 08:18 AM

Got it yesterday. It's a made in Vietnam one. Wow, it really does sound incredible.

JimmyM · #19 01-14-2013, 12:18 PM

Nice!

Mastermold · #20 01-14-2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altamont

Got it yesterday. It's a made in Vietnam one. Wow, it really does sound incredible.

Congrats!

Now you just need to find a good deal on an 810!