AMPEG SVT question

[tjoepatjoep]

Hello everyone,

I'm a fairly new guy here and someone redirected me to this forum. I'm interested in an Ampeg SVT head. Anybody who's got an idea of what this is? I thought it was a SVT V9, but the V9's I saw look a bit different. I'm a real Ampeg-noob, so who can help me?

Kind regards from the Netherlands,
Tjoepatjoep

[Alex1984]

It looks similar enough to a V9 (see here: http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51...r/balls027.jpg).

Looks like it's been modded. Switchs aren't original, foodswitch jack replaced with XLR. The front grill normally has openings to help with cooling.

How does it sound?

[tjoepatjoep]

I don't know, I haven't bought it yet.

What about the frontplate? Was it custom made or...?

[MuzikMan]

I am by no means an Ampeg expert but the whole case looks home-made to me. Am I crazy?

[spaz21387]

i think its the original case its just missing the black corner covers

[tjoepatjoep]

Originally Posted by spaz21387

i think its the original case its just missing the black corner covers

I thought they were chrome?

[spaz21387]

they are chrome in my sleep deprived state i thought of the little black corners that swr puts on their cabs im not really sure why.

[tjoepatjoep]

Originally Posted by spaz21387

i think its the original case its just missing the black corner covers

But that's what i thought too, but it is missing the corner covers, the side handles and i'm not sure about the frontplate. Is that a real Ampeg lay-out? It looks different from other V9's.

[Alex1984]

The control layout looks similar, though I've never seen faceplate graphics like that, looks a bit sketchy. Normally on the Magnavox mid to late 70s heads, the graphics had rounded corners, but the boxes would always be split in the middle vertically. See my original post for that picture link.

[tjoepatjoep]

I never saw this actually...

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

I am by no means an Ampeg expert but the whole case looks home-made to me. Am I crazy?

Definitely home made. It doesn't have the angled front, doesn't quite fit...

This is a late 70s V9, it looks like the amp in question is a cross between the early 70s blackline and this style:

http://images.canadianlisted.com/nla...-9_5164984.jpg

Maybe a prototype? Or a homebrew copy? Those wide switches weren't used until the 80s, and by that point they had switched to black face plates, though if it was original this has been fairly modified so those may have been changed as well. Not really sure what you've got there...

[tjoepatjoep]

I found a picture from the back of the amp...

[username1]

If you were to get it i would highly recomend cutting a vent hole in the front board, you could cover it in grill cloth after. I would think it would have overheating problems without it. SVt's and V4's both have vent holes in the front board.

[metron]

It looks like a highly modified V9. They always had a square box instead of the angled front like the SVT.

Definitely try it first. Personally I would pass unless its very cheap.

[JimmyM]

that is not an official ampeg logo from that era on the front plate. might be an actual v9, but the plate is fake. not feeling this one so much.

[tjoepatjoep]

It would cost me about 650 euro's including a Hartke 215XL module... how 'bout that?

[JimmyM]

feeling it slightly more under those circumstances, but i've still got a slight case of the willies over it.

[anderbass]

I'd try to find a good amp tech that is very experienced with vintage SVT's, and pay him to go look at that amp with you.

I think it started out as a genuine Ampeg V9, but I also think its been heavily modded. I'd want an amp tech to at least pop the front/back covers off and take a quick peak inside before taking a risk on buying it...

[RickenBoogie]

+1 to having it "looked over". In fact, when buying a used tube amp, I'd consider a trip to a tech as part of the purchase price. Always pays to play it safe.

[tjoepatjoep]

I sent pictures to an expert, hoping he's looking at it!