Making an SVT CL head

[Morson93]

My dad said to me about making a bass head to go with his HiFi speakers, and that gave me an idea.

Would it be possible to achieve the same results as the SVT Classic head results at a lower cost? Where could i get parts for a project like this, could i even get parts like this?

Is there a good schematic for this head?

Thanks
Morson

[JimmyM]

if you haev to ask, it's not possible. start small and build something easier before you try to tackle the king daddy of bass amps.

[Matt Dean]

(LOL)

I have to agree.

[johnk_10]

+1
IMO, to build one would cost you at least double of what you could get a used one for, in mint condition.

[KramerBassFan]

Good luck finding 300w Transformers.

This is a quite poor and dangerous way to begin a career in amplification building.

Build a small tube amp - Champ sized or so on.

(Although, I did build a 100w Marshall, I also had full EE supervision)

Look here.

NONE of them have instructions or anything like that.

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits.htm

Heck, i even started a thread on it if your interested.

Oh the Joys of being young... 100w Tube Amp content.. not a V4 In sight!
Trust me... your first time around, that One hundred watt schematic seems VERY complex..... even if in retrospect, it was rather simple compared to say, a Trace Elliot V8 or something like that.

Start out small!

[One Drop]

Well, at least you'll end up with an amp that will last you for the rest of your life, even if you never finish building it...

[KarateKid25]

Buying a used one would be much cheaper and much easier.

[Bigjohn]

It's VERY doable (if you're skilled) but you will NOT save money.
The transformers cost a few hundred each (around $300 last time I checked, from a European company called Welter) and then there's the chassis (making a strong, comparable chassis one-off will be VERY expensive) and ALL the other components ... and the tubes.
You could copy the circuit. You can buy aftermarket exact copy replacement transformers but even if you do an excellent job, it will cost you at least 2X (minimum, probably 4X) what you could get a good used SVT for. But it won't look as good and of course, your copy will be worthless for resale.
Go for it!

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

+1
IMO, to build one would cost you at least double of what you could get a used one for, in mint condition.

Brother that's the understatement of the year!

Any of you guys remember the old "Heathkit" jobs???

[Grooveman1961]

Fire up the googler...

Search for Kevin oconner london power. He's got a book that's a how to guide to build a tube amp with svt performance. Specs, parts the whole enchilada.

Don't fret the transformers, there's lots of them.

[Morson93]

my dad has built power amps for his hifi, and also done speakers etc. He's been an electrician for over 35 years. where can i get a cheap used one then? ebay have nothing.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by Morson93

my dad has built power amps for his hifi, and also done speakers etc. He's been an electrician for over 35 years. where can i get a cheap used one then? ebay have nothing.

really?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-SVT-CL-All...item3caef59dac

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-SVT-CL-All...item4cf072b0fe

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-SVT-CL-All...item5ada86e072

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-SVT-CL-300...item3a5b5ee3c4

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ampeg-SVT-Classi...item4aa2d8fc41

[poorbassist15]

Get a Bugera BVV3000.










They look cool, and if you want a cheap SVT clone, this is it. If you want quality, this is not it.

I'm waiting for them to sell for $300 used. It might take a while, but I'll get one, eventually.

[sanfordandsonny]

before launching into a costly project
try out a few different amps first
what if you end up building an svt only to realize you like
the Orange, Traynor YBA-3, YBA-1, YBA-1a, Ampeg V4, Marshall super bass or Sunn

i would say build the preamp of your desired amp first
the voltages are a little lower (safer) and you will learn things that will help you with the amp section later. and until you build the amp section you can run it into a solid state amp while you make your modifications.


ALSO my first SVT was running on only 4 tubes when i brought it in to be retubed
once it was on all six tubes I didn't get as much grunt at a lower volume.
you might find that 100 200 300 400 watts are what you need

the mid controls on an SVT can be a tricky build but it's worth it

For many years I didn't get an SVT because I was told a lot of techs were not interested in messing with SVTs due to the high voltages. I heard a few grizzly electrocution stories
and one guy when probing an amp with a chopstick ALWAYS has his other hand in his back pocket because as he said if he completes a circuit using both hands that voltage runs right across his heart.

Be Safe
Be Loud
Be Awesome

Good luck