New Ampeg SVT Classic for new GK 1001rbII trade deal?

hotsnake · #1 04-01-2011, 12:32 AM

So i've got a guy that is offering me his 7 month old Ampeg SVT Classic 300 watt all tube bass head for my 7 month old Gallien Krueger 1001RBII bass head. Both are in essentially brand new condition with very low hours. The deal is he wants an extra 400 on top so the final deal would be my GK and 400 for his SVT. I bought the GK from the original owner for 400 and have the opportunity to sell it to a friend for 400, but i'm really tempted to pick up the SVT Classic with flipping it in mind. I guess my question is: How are the newer SVT's? I take it they are not american made anymore, right? My gut feeling is to sell the GK to my buddy and call it a day, but before i do this I wanted to ask yins about it. What should I do?!?

cataract · #2 04-01-2011, 12:37 AM

I'd do it. I paid $1200 for my old SVT CL back in '00.
Worth every penny. I sold it to pay bills. What a crappy day that was.
But I'll most likely buy another new one someday.
If anything, you can easily sell it if you don't like it.
SVT's hold their value, they are like Hondas, in a sense.

hotsnake · #3 04-01-2011, 12:39 AM

My only issue is that it's a newer model with possibly less resale value as it is not American made? Then again it is obviously much newer and therefore likely in better condition than an older American made one. Hmmmmm.

JimmyM · #4 04-01-2011, 12:40 AM

the newer svt-cl's sound exactly like the older ones. i get supplied svt-cl's on a lot of my road gigs, and the heads are every bit as good now as when they were made in the usa.

cataract · #5 04-01-2011, 12:42 AM

I don't think the fact that it is a newer model will effect the value in a bad way.
It is an officially official Ampeg SVT Classic bass head.
Just make sure that it works okay, getting the tubes replaced can be quite costly.
You wouldn't want to have to do that the day after you bought it.

dukeorock · #6 04-01-2011, 12:46 AM

If it's just a money thing, the trade sounds like it's in your favor...both great amps

hotsnake · #7 04-01-2011, 01:03 AM

totally just a money thing. quick profit on ebay is the name of the game!

JimmyM · #8 04-01-2011, 01:12 AM

you don't buy an svt looking to turn a quick profit. you buy an svt because you're looking for love that you can't find anywhere else on this earth.

however, it never hurts to have it work out in your favor financially, and i'd say that trade certainly would.

blastjv · #9 04-01-2011, 07:46 AM

If you're just looking to flip the SVT, then it may not be the best deal from a money making standpoint. SVT-CL's go for about $800 (bargain) to maybe $1100 used on Craigslist/Ebay, etc...but when you factor in eBay fees, Paypal fees, shipping costs (on a VERY heavy item), etc...you may not make a profit at all...

Also, my SVT-VR is made in Vietnam and I absolutely love it, so I agree with Jimmy, but the fact is, many, probably MOST Americans consider the 'Made in the USA' thing a significant selling point (perhaps not so much in cars...), and you wouldn't have this extra point in your favor selling this one, though it probably sounds every bit as good as a USA one.

As a side note - I have a Boss Octaver pedal made in the first year or two of production in Japan when they were called "Octaver" not "Octave". I got a great deal on it and paid less than what many people would pay for a used made in Taiwan version. The concensus is that there is virtually no difference in sound over the years and different places of manufacture on the OC-2's, but I did specifically look for an Octaver version for resale value if I didn't love it (I do and don't plan to sell it ever), and I like the extra history and 'mojo' that comes with it, though functionally it's probably no better than a million other MIT ones... If I ever do sell it, you better believe I'll be pimping it's uniqueness!!!

-JV