Is it dumb? SVT content

[whitespike]

Is it dumb to buy the VR over the Classic for looks? Thinking about pulling the trigger on a new SVT. Wife thinks so, of course, but the VR looks like the one I regret selling as a teen! They'll both do the job tho.

[jmattbassplaya]

Both heads are similar enough that buying off of looks is (honestly) no big deal.

[AdamR]

Your cash, Buy what makes you happy.

[GBassNorth]

Personally I like the VR better also but both are killer amps. If you're buying new Guitar Center has factory restocks listed at $1500 that gets it much closer to the cost of a CL. Here's the link:
Ampeg SVT-VR Vintage Reissue 300 Watt SVT Amp Head and more Bass Amp Heads at GuitarCenter.com.
Otherwise consider buying the VR used from a TB member. These things are built like tanks and will last forever.

[someparts]

No, you should buy the VR because it sounds more like the head you sold in the first place.

[mbelue]

If electrical, and auditory features do not distinguish these two sufficiently; then appearance is no less valid. Should nostalgic appearance be equivalent to their cost differences dive in with both feet.
Nostalgia does not often scale linearly with monetary value.

[Gearhead17]

In this case, heck no! But, if you were buying a head that did not sound as good as another because of "looks", then "I" might have an issue.

It's your money and both heads should work well for you.

[oinkbanana]

Originally Posted by someparts

No, you should buy the VR because it sounds more like the head you sold in the first place.

this.

and the VR sounds better anyways.
so you'll do well.

[DiabolusInMusic]

I personally would never ever buy anything from Ampeg Viet Nam again, in fact I wouldn't even recommend them to people i don't really like. So if you have to get one new, the VR hands down, it's still American made I believe.

If you want a CL get a used American one. I'd sell you mine but I'm in Canada so the shipping cost would easily negate the sweet deal I could give you.

[Rawrrbass]

I had been playing thru a SVT Classic. Recently I came across a good deal here on TB for the SVT VR so I pulled the trigger. And I'm happy I did. I'd say the VR is worth the extra money your gonna spend on it.

[BogeyBass]

If I wanted something that looked like a 70's SVT

I would buy a 70's SVT

might need a little work up front.
but really its just a matter of time before they all need work.
vintage or classic

having owned both if I ever was going to deal with a SVT again,I would be looking at a vintage unit. And be willing to invest more to have it.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I personally would never ever buy anything from Ampeg Viet Nam again, in fact I wouldn't even recommend them to people i don't really like. So if you have to get one new, the VR hands down, it's still American made I believe.

I've seen you post this several times, and again, I will point out to you that Ampeg has not made anything in Vietnam since 2008. But even though I have played a couple problematic Vietnamese SVT-CL's in my day, most of the ones I get as rentals have been superb. Just got one two weeks ago and it rocked. Initially the LOUD buyout didn't go so well, but since they cleaned house in late 2008, LOUD has really gotten their stuff together. Totally different company now.

And I'm totally into the vintage Ampegs and have a couple myself, but the VR's sound every bit as good as my 69 Blue Line to my ears.

I'm actually having this looks dilemma as well. I love the Heritage SVT grillcloth and I'm considering getting the Heritage rig even though I prefer the VR slightly over the CL, and the Heritage SVT is a CL. Of course, my wife says, "You already have one. Why do you want another one?" Then I showed her how pretty they are. She gets it now

[oinkbanana]

just wait for the heritage VR... it'll happen.

[Tim1]

And I must join Jimmy and post yet again that there are many of us with Vietnam VRs who are very happy with them and have never had a single problem - myself and JohnK included. Yes there were some early issues but these seem to have been well and truly sorted and if it is going now I doubt that there is any more likelihood of problems arising. IIRC the issues were apparent almost instantly and the amps were taken away - a flawed system of QC but as I say, those I know who are using Nampegs are very happy with them. (And I prefer the VR to the CL on looks and tone).

[sedan_dad]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I've seen you post this several times, and again, I will point out to you that Ampeg has not made anything in Vietnam since 2008. But even though I have played a couple problematic Vietnamese SVT-CL's in my day, most of the ones I get as rentals have been superb. Just got one two weeks ago and it rocked. Initially the LOUD buyout didn't go so well, but since they cleaned house in late 2008, LOUD has really gotten their stuff together. Totally different company now.

And I'm totally into the vintage Ampegs and have a couple myself, but the VR's sound every bit as good as my 69 Blue Line to my ears.

I'm actually having this looks dilemma as well. I love the Heritage SVT grillcloth and I'm considering getting the Heritage rig even though I prefer the VR slightly over the CL, and the Heritage SVT is a CL. Of course, my wife says, "You already have one. Why do you want another one?" Then I showed her how pretty they are. She gets it now

2 SVT's? Oh dear! Then you'll need 2 roadies to carry the beasts.

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I'm actually having this looks dilemma as well. I love the Heritage SVT grillcloth and I'm considering getting the Heritage rig even though I prefer the VR slightly over the CL, and the Heritage SVT is a CL. Of course, my wife says, "You already have one. Why do you want another one?" Then I showed her how pretty they are. She gets it now

Jimmy, just send some pics of your 810 in to Loud and tell them this is what you sometimes use on stage. Then ask them to sell you some nice new Heritage cloth to recover the grilles.

[whitespike]

So, say I get the VR, can I get the same grill cloth to put on my V4 cab? Is it the same as the Fliptops vintage cloth or different?

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by whitespike

So, say I get the VR, can I get the same grill cloth to put on my V4 cab? Is it the same as the Fliptops vintage cloth or different?

The fliptops cloth is the same, or at least close enough, as the modern AV/VR cloth so it should be fine.

[kimmyt]

Amazon still has that SVTCL for $1199.00 if you were planning on buying new, can't beat this deal.

[whitespike]

Yeah, 1200 for an SVT-CL is Killer. I think 1500 for an SVT-VR might be even better!