Ampeg USA vs. Vietnam - Thoughts?

iandi.bass · #1 02-09-2011, 10:39 PM

What are peoples thoughts/opinions/experiences with USA model Ampegs and the 'newer' Vietnam made models?

Differences between the heads and the cabinets.
Comparison, quality, sound, etc. whatever, whatever

Just want to hear what other people think

**Lazarus.Bird** · #2 02-09-2011, 10:42 PM

Basically the same parts assembled in a different country. I own a Vietnamese SVT and it's been nothing but fantastic. I understand people wanting to "buy American" but when comparing the actual quality I don't really think there's much of a difference.

Selta · #3 02-09-2011, 10:44 PM

US vs non-US made Ampeg Amps & Cabs
Is Ampeg gone to the dogs.
My Chinese Ampeg / Loud Tech nightmare

Search gave me those results, and a lot more. This has been discussed quite a lot here...

TheDialog · #4 02-09-2011, 10:45 PM

I agree with Lazarus. I've owned a Vietnamese SVT VR (currently for sale), an American SVT AV, American SVT CL and a '78 SVT. All wonderful amps!

prd004 · #5 02-09-2011, 10:45 PM

A/B'd my SLM era SVT III-Pro with a Loud era III-Pro, and mine was MUCH better. But mines an oldie (94), I always thought it sounded better than the later SLM's too!

perfektspace6 · #6 02-09-2011, 10:49 PM

Let me guess. They didn't lower the price when they moved production? Oh well, that's business.

I wouldn't buy it on principle but that's not to the say the quality has suffered.

JimmyM · #7 02-09-2011, 10:50 PM

btw, they are no longer making anything in vietnam. they are now in south korea and china, and of course the heritage shop returned a usa presence. honestly, i've played tons of ampegs from old to new, and i think the stuff they make now is every bit as worthy as anything else ever made under the ampeg name.

Selta · #8 02-09-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

btw, they are no longer making anything in vietnam. they are now in south korea and china, and of course the heritage shop returned a usa presence. honestly, i've played tons of ampegs from old to new, and i think the stuff they make now is every bit as worthy as anything else ever made under the ampeg name.

Being, like Jimmy here, one of the few who own a '69 SVT, I feel like a person that "should" know, however, all Ampeg stuff I've owned has been USA made, so I can't comment on the imported stuff. From trying it in stores, the tone is certainly there. I just don't know about longevity and such.

SactoBass · #9 02-09-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

btw, they are no longer making anything in vietnam. they are now in south korea and china, and of course the heritage shop returned a usa presence. honestly, i've played tons of ampegs from old to new, and i think the stuff they make now is every bit as worthy as anything else ever made under the ampeg name.

Jimmy: if a bassist was interested in buying a brand new SVT-VR, and if that bassist was interested in one made in korea or china (not in Vietnam), how would that bassist ensure that he is getting what he wants? Is there a way to determine in which country it was made overseas? Does it say on the back panel?? Just curious.

JimmyM · #10 02-09-2011, 11:15 PM

yep, says on the back panel.

TheDialog · #11 02-09-2011, 11:19 PM

Vietnam v. Korea v. China doesn't make a difference. The tone is still there.

AlPBass · #12 02-09-2011, 11:27 PM

I think the quality is pretty much the same. When I bought my Precision, I tried it mostly through a Chinese B-200R at the store and it sounded just as good as my USA-made B-100R. The Micro-VR is also Chinese-made and gets alot of love here.

MetroBass · #13 02-09-2011, 11:33 PM

Vietnamese are master assemblers and they really don't change the tone when they build stuff to spec. Mine will stand up with the best of them. I really don't think it makes a big difference as long as the QC is consistent between the countries. SVT is the bomb.

seamonkey · #14 02-10-2011, 12:07 AM

They make them where they get can balance the lowest built price with the highest quality. It's not high tech. More labor than anything else. And being closest to the parts suppliers.

Tim1 · #15 02-10-2011, 01:13 AM

I owned and gigged for years an '88 or so SVT2 nonpro. For the past two years I have owned and gigged a Vietnam VR, it has been considerably more reliable than the 2 nonpro and my bandmates all consider its clean tone and power to be preferable to the nonpro. I recently purchased an Orange AD200, great amp, but the VR is still my go to head for any big gig.

Wes Whitmore · #16 02-10-2011, 05:39 AM

This is what I found with my 410HLF (Vietnam) compared to a SLM 410HLN (USA).

The Vietnam cabs are made with Baltic Birch, and it's .5". Very nice material. This makes it maybe 12 pounds lighter. Lots of US made cabs are .75" B grade 5 layer plywood, OSB chipboard, and partical board. That's heavier. You can tell a slight difference in appearable because the edge walls around the grill are thicker on the old ones.

The Vietnam speakers are made by eminence's chinese plant. Look the same, but have a sticker stating the fact.

Crossovers are old SLM crossovers. They must have shipped an old box over to Vietnam when LOUD took over.

Wes

username1 · #17 02-10-2011, 06:59 AM

I've been happy with my nam made svt. Had a bad tube in it when i got it but has worked flawlessly ever since. Funny thing when i changed the tube i noticed all circuit boards and parts were stamped st. louis music made in usa. I think the first run of nam ampegs used up the left over american parts anyways. I have owned american svt's in the past and dont find any difference except i thought fit and finish was better on the nam one.

Rickett Customs · #18 02-10-2011, 07:06 AM

I own a VietR, no issues here, use it with one of the SLM 810's, before moving. No thoughts on the subject of locale.

georgestrings · #19 02-10-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

This is what I found with my 410HLF (Vietnam) compared to a SLM 410HLN (USA).

The Vietnam cabs are made with Baltic Birch, and it's .5". Very nice material. This makes it maybe 12 pounds lighter. Lots of US made cabs are .75" B grade 5 layer plywood, OSB chipboard, and partical board. That's heavier. You can tell a slight difference in appearable because the edge walls around the grill are thicker on the old ones.

The Vietnam speakers are made by eminence's chinese plant. Look the same, but have a sticker stating the fact.

Crossovers are old SLM crossovers. They must have shipped an old box over to Vietnam when LOUD took over.

Wes

I had both a 'nampeg and a US made SVT-410HLF at the same time, and the above sounds right to me...

- georgestrings

Fred Mott · #20 02-12-2011, 02:26 PM

DO WE KNOW WHERE ANYTHING MADE ANYMORE, HELL MY FORD RANGER HAS A MAZDA ENGINE IN IT. AMERICA THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY, THE ONLY PLACE MOST FOLKS CANT AFFORD TO LIVE. NO JOBS. BUT I RATHER LIVE HERE THEN ANYWHERE ELSE.