SVT guys - case or no case?

coreyfyfe · #1 07-26-2010, 08:49 PM

As I've been getting used to (or I guess readjusted to) carrying the weight of a vintage SVT I've been trying to find good ways to take it out of the car and shut the door/lock the doors without having to put the amp down and pick it up again. Which has got me thinking about getting a road case again. I never had one for my SVT-CL, but I had one for my V4. I liked the protection, and didn't mind the extra 15-20 lbs, but the extra weight on a 70 lb amp is different than the extra weight on a 90 lb amp. A friend has a 69 in a road case with wheels, rolls into gigs, pops the amp up on the cab, rolls back out.

How do you transport your amp? Would you want to protect your investment?

MIJ-VI · #2 07-26-2010, 08:55 PM

How big is your car?

alembicguy · #3 07-26-2010, 08:56 PM

SVT case is the one on the bottom in front and its 50 pounds without the head in it but it helps me sleep better knowing its protected!

dukeisdog · #4 07-26-2010, 08:59 PM

I don't own a SVT, but if I had one, I'd have a road case for it. How bad would it suck for you to accidentally drop it and have it break on you?

It's an expensive piece of gear, keep it protected, IMO.

johnk_10 · #5 07-26-2010, 09:12 PM

i got a lightweight ATA case for my VR. i use it mostly to protect it when loading in/out of the car. IIRC mine only weighs about 15-16 lbs. i also have a D2F padded cover on it while it's inside the case since the case is only lightly padded.
a padded cover with 1/2' padding might be anoher way to go.

southshoreconor · #6 07-26-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alembicguy

SVT case is the one on the bottom in front and its 50 pounds without the head in it but it helps me sleep better knowing its protected!

i'd go with a road case like that. hell, you can throw a pair of Marshall 4x12s on top and roll the whole thing into the club.

waleross · #7 07-26-2010, 10:24 PM

Just got a Gator case today for my CL. I would get a road case if I was touring but what I have will be enough for me.

zachoff · #8 07-26-2010, 10:28 PM

Wouldn't one be more apt to drop something that's 130lbs as opposed to $80lbs? I don't have a case for mine, but I'm just starting to gig again fairly regularly (monthly through Sept). Never even crossed my mind to get a case for it.

TakePride · #9 07-26-2010, 10:32 PM

Back in my "punk" rock days we use to head down to home depot and get refrigerator boxes and a few rolls of duct tape. With a little work you can make a decent slip on cover to protect the tolex on the cab. Haha, looking back it seems pretty funny but it sure was a cheap alterantive!

nysbob · #10 07-26-2010, 10:48 PM

I only case mine if I'm going on the road and monkeys will be handling it.

I gig in and out of a windstar and I move all my gear, so I don't case it. I load it with the knobs facing a plastic sidewall so nothing ever comes in contact with them, and I've had zero problems. The padded cover idea is great - I'd use one if I had one.

If strangers are moving it, you absolutely need a case.

JimmyM · #11 07-26-2010, 11:13 PM

i figure the damage has already been done to my svt and there's nothing worse i can do to it, so i don't bother. however, i take it in a van. If I were taking it in a trailer, I'd at least buy a padded cover.

coreyfyfe · #12 07-27-2010, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

How big is your car?

My car is big enough. For anything other than local we have a bus, so again not an issue for space. I guess I'm just mulling over if I want to drop the bread on the real deal or go with something lightweight. Hadn't thought about the padded covers, I'm not really a fan of those. Do they offer much protection?

jg919 · #13 07-27-2010, 05:13 AM

Hi coreyffe!

If you must have an SVT, definitely get a case. Amps like that will need a case for gigging, especially with tubes, as they can rattle loose without dampenind or shock-mounting.
However, I would reccommend Gallien-Krueger amplifiers if you don't ABSOLUTELY NEED to have Ampeg. I ran Ampeg for a few tours, and it sounded good - but I don't think the tradeoff of weight-to-tone was worth it, nor the fuss. (Ampeg is made in China now, too - not USA anymore).
Gallien-Krueger amps (and cabs) are light, compact and beyond reliable. I have used GK since the switch from Ampeg and have not looked back.
Having Ampeg, playing the 'classic' can look and sound great, but you (as ALL PLAYERS) need to consider the most suitable gear for your own application.

I think unless there is a myriad of protection for your tube amp, keep it for the studio and travel with something that will last on the road - unless you NEED the Ampeg. Ultimately it's your choice though!

All the best with your music!

JOHN.

coreyfyfe · #14 07-27-2010, 06:38 AM

John,

While I appreciate your input, taking the 5 seconds to read my post would have been to your benefit, and would have saved you the time it took to type out a response. Considering that I referenced having previous experience gigging two other tube heads, I found your concerns about the fragility of tubes unnecessary. In addition, while I do believe the thinly veiled stab at current production ampeg is your opinion and one you're welcome to have, I did also mention that my amp is a vintage SVT, so the comment was irrelevant.

Please, in the future, save your time trying to sell me on your favorite amp and stick to the question at hand.

snowblinder · #15 07-27-2010, 06:43 AM

My SVT came with a road case when I purchased it on eBay. I have to say, I love the case. For a while, we were touring with a trailer, and I never worried about my amp, knowing it was well protected. When the gear is just sitting around at venues, I never worry about someone spilling a drink onto it, accidentally kicking it, or anything like that. As mentioned above, it also comes in handy when loading in to venues. We just stack a ton of gear (I'm talking HEAVY gear like an Ampeg VT-22, a Vox 4x12, Traynor YBA-1, Fender Bassman head, etc.) on the road case and roll the whole thing in at once.

Of course, now that I'm switching to a GK 800RB/VT Bass setup for touring, I suppose we'll have to carry those aforementioned items in on our own, haha. My back hurts just thinking about it.

UncleFluffy · #16 07-27-2010, 06:45 AM

Road case + small dolly here.

JimmyM · #17 07-27-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

John,

While I appreciate your input, taking the 5 seconds to read my post would have been to your benefit, and would have saved you the time it took to type out a response. Considering that I referenced having previous experience gigging two other tube heads, I found your concerns about the fragility of tubes unnecessary. In addition, while I do believe the thinly veiled stab at current production ampeg is your opinion and one you're welcome to have, I did also mention that my amp is a vintage SVT, so the comment was irrelevant.

Please, in the future, save your time trying to sell me on your favorite amp and stick to the question at hand.

well at least he was nice about it. there are a lot of guys on here who would say, "ampeg sucks. use gk."

however, i do agree...there's too much selling of people's favorite brands on here, and too much tube mythology from folks who don't use tube amps. played tube amps for 20 years, and only owned one amp without at least one tube, and now i'm back on the all-tubes again. number of times i had one come unseated: 0.

rmkesler · #18 07-27-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

Road case + small dolly here.

+1 Same here.

beebassdude · #19 07-27-2010, 08:08 AM

im actually looking for a used road case for an SVT-VR. if anyone has one, please PM me. im looking for one for a V4 as well. thanks

TheDialog · #20 07-27-2010, 08:11 AM

AV/CL

'78

Have to protect them. Especially if you're putting it in a trailer.