Need an opnion

[fishman35]

I have a 70's or 80's Ampeg SVT 300 watt all tube head. It sounds awesome, but every now and then, there is some crackling and popping coming from the amp. I checked with a local amp guru here in Nashville named Kye Kennedy and he stated he will not work on them because "they die, the PC board foil traces peel from the board, and anyone stating they can fix them is looking to take your money". I have returbed the amp and it is better, but ther crackling is still there.

There is an amp shop here also that works on them: http://www.amprepair.com/ampeg.htm As you can see, they even say it is expensive. My question is if I spend big money to get it fixed, will it just go to pot? Some say that once these amps start to go, they are pretty much gone.

Here is what my amp looks like:


Any advice would be appreciated.

[anderbass]

I pretty sure you got yourself an 86-87 Skunkworks model there.

I don't have any Idea whats wrong with yours but the shop you linked seems like they'd be competent to fix whatever it needs. I haven't seen many guys here on this forum stating their SVT's had problems that a competent SVT tech couldn't fix. My amp tech went through my old 72 blueline SVT a couple years ago and I haven't had any problems at all since.

[fishman35]

I love the way the amps sound. It would be a shame if what amp techs have been telling me. To me, Ampeg is the top dog. I have had SWR, Trace Elliot, Hartke, Eden, Randall, and currently own a Gallien Kruger 700W RB2 hybrid head. I have used the pre-amp\pwr amp setup. I have played Mark Bass, Genz Benz, Ashdown, Line 6, and Boogie. For overall tone, warmth, and power, none can touch this amp in my opinion. Of course, opnions are like you know what.

Yeah, it is heavy, (I call it "The Herniator"), and tubes are expensive and can be tough to find. But it is so worth it in my eyes.

[BenjaminDF]

I'm an amp tech myself. If the PCB traces 'peel' then you jumper the broken traces with good quality wire. It's entirely possible to point-to-point wire this thing so there is no PCB at all. That would be the most road worthy way of doing things.

Occasional crackling and popping is dirty contacts somewhere, maybe a preamp tube socket, but I would clean all the sockets and contacts and check for loose or cold solder joints throughout.

Thing is , do not even attempt to work on this amp unless you are extremely careful to discharge all filter caps, as 650 volts @ 200 mfd is more than enough to throw you across the room and leave you a crispy smelling dead person.

I also have the GK 700 RB II head and love it. It may be solid state but it sure sounds good.

And yeah, there is no better head ever made than the SVT.

[mpdd]

if our 200 watt solid state svt head could be completely and totally rewired and resoldered for 400 bucks, i am sure fixing your head is possible, it may be expensive but it is possible in my optimistic opinion, don't lose faith

[hasbeen]

Kye might not to work on it....SVT's aren't easy but, that doesn't mean it can't be or shouldn't be fixed.

Again they're not a simple circuit and design but maybe Jerold Tiers can recommend an SVT repairman.

[B-string]

BS.....that's all I have to say to this "Tech". If it was a $200 Beh.....I can type it....anyway it may be beyond his expertise. Thats fine, not every tech is obviously good at every amp. Heck the wife ran over the son's stereo face once, the display was ok but the pcb was broken in half. Some epoxy and wire wrap wire and it worked for the next 4 years till he hit a deer and insurance totaled the car!
Yes JT knows the best place in the nation. Even dirty pots can cause occational crackles.

Hasbeen weren't you with Genz Benz? Job change or do I not remember correctly (brain cells die every day at our age).

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by B-string

BS.....that's all I have to say to this "Tech". If it was a $200 Beh.....I can type it....anyway it may be beyond his expertise. Thats fine, not every tech is obviously good at every amp. Heck the wife ran over the son's stereo face once, the display was ok but the pcb was broken in half. Some epoxy and wire wrap wire and it worked for the next 4 years till he hit a deer and insurance totaled the car!
Yes JT knows the best place in the nation. Even dirty pots can cause occational crackles.

Hasbeen weren't you with Genz Benz? Job change or do I not remember correctly (brain cells die every day at our age).

Yes...I still am. I manage a division though....of which Genz Benz is a segment.

[B-string]

Ok then! I thought GB sounded like a good gig. Thanks for the reply (the grey matter ain't all gone yet ).

[JimmyM]

this amp tech is feeding you a line because HE doesn't want to work on it. find someone who does and get it fixed. well worth it.