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AMPEG SVT I.D. HELP PLEASE
- Thread starter jarrod cunningham
- Start date
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My guess is like that which you suspicion. It's an SLM-built pre-"Skunkworks" SVT utilizing some leftover MTI era parts (like the headbox).
That may make it a "prototype" (test run) Skunkworks. Like #000 for example.
I think I remember a thread from 2 years ago mentioning these and was confused myself.
Anyway, if my guess is correct it's definitely a rare bird.
That may make it a "prototype" (test run) Skunkworks. Like #000 for example.
I think I remember a thread from 2 years ago mentioning these and was confused myself.
Anyway, if my guess is correct it's definitely a rare bird.
My Skunkworks has different looking transformers.
They are coated or painted somehow. No rust on it. Maybe its just a matter of storage of the amp. I dunno.
Anyway. The only difference beetween skunk and mti should be the transformers and maybe some capacitors are made in japan not usa.
I guess the sound difference is only marginal. Aint it?
As a collectors piece of history your amp is a rare animal.
I would love to have those NOS Sylvania 6550
They are coated or painted somehow. No rust on it. Maybe its just a matter of storage of the amp. I dunno.
Anyway. The only difference beetween skunk and mti should be the transformers and maybe some capacitors are made in japan not usa.
I guess the sound difference is only marginal. Aint it?
As a collectors piece of history your amp is a rare animal.
I would love to have those NOS Sylvania 6550
that pic looks kinda funny , its not rust , its like a gel coating . they may be left over japan transformers , but they dont look like to mti transformers ive seen either . they are about the same size as the ones in my 76 . so from what you guys have helped me with so far , we all believe its a pre skunk with some left over parts .... right ???
oh yea , as for sound , the newer one really has more useable volume and seems to be a little cleaner sounding . more mid and high , but with definately enough lows . both of them rock runnin through my square back 810 cab ....
where can i find out what it is based on the serial number ? also , the only number i have found is printed on a paper like sticker which is stuck on the pwoer amp section in the front . any where else i should look ???? thanks guys . you are definately helping me figure this out .....
That's a US made MTI. Those are Japanese transformers and the black capacitors are Elna's. My guess is that it was SLM using up MTI parts stock.
thanks , so was this something they produced for a year or so or is this one fairly common ?? also , do you know if its pre or post skunk production ??? thanks alot guys
Yep, that has to be a pre-production "made from spares" unit, now that I see the pic.
There weren't very many made, but it really doesn't matter, since that really IS an MTI. So while the label may be rare, the unit really isn't.
There are some 100W units like that also, except that they have a new faceplate, I believe.
There weren't very many made, but it really doesn't matter, since that really IS an MTI. So while the label may be rare, the unit really isn't.
There are some 100W units like that also, except that they have a new faceplate, I believe.
Jerrold, for the sake of clarity/posterity are you saying that even though his SVT has SLM printed on the rear panel (see post #1) that it's still an MTI?
I know it seems like splitting hairs but...
And as far as the 100watt versions, I assume they have just one pair of 6550?
hey jerald and hoss , i understand that you are saying its a mti because of whats inside it , but in my opinion thats like saying a skunkworks is a 76 svt or that the early mti's are a 76svt because of whats on the inside . im sure that even if/though it was assembled in the usa all the way or partially , that it had to be wired some what better or maybe even with some better parts . i would assume that slm didnt get every part for these left overs from japan . it dont seem fesible that mti shipped slm a bunch of resistors and caps and so on . i would just think it would have been the major parts or something to the likes . anyway , do you guys think that to a collector it would be more desireable ? no , im not posting that its for sale or anything , but i do want to know if im in it monitarily where i need to be .... in other words , do you guys feel like its worth more cause it was assembled or made in the usa ???? and if so , what do you guys think it would be worth ???? thanks jerald and hoss and everyone else who has looked and posted some helping posts .... keep it coming , cuz this one just gets more interesting everyday ..... thanks to all
The insides ARE the difference! Aside from cosmetics, the only difference between an MTI SVT and a Skunkworks is the components used to make it. The biggest electrical difference is the transformers; yours has the same Japanese made transformers as the MTI. It puts out slightly less power and overdrives easier than a Skunkworks or an old SVT because of that. The Skunkworks has the same circuit as the MTI, but has the same US made transformers of the older models.
The stories of MTI parts quality being low are outright lies concerning the SVT. The Elna Cerafine caps are highly sought after and much more expensive than the Mallory caps used in the US models. It also has extremely high quality resistors with ceramic heat standoff collars and much better quality components in general. The transformers are NOT lesser quality; the power transformer just doesn't put out as high an operating voltage as the older US made ones did. To put it another way; the build and parts quality of my MTI is FAR superior to my 70 SVT except for the headcase: MTI's used particleboard. Old SVT's used plywood.
The caps in yours are the same. I can see them in the picture.
It depends. Yes, yours is a rare transistion model, but for all intents and purposes, it IS an MTI. That does make it more valuable to collectors, BUT the SVT has never been a very collectible amp. It is generally priced based on player desirability. MTI's are unfairly frowned on thanks to LOTS of misinformation and BS, internet and otherwise. With the the recent VR production and Ampeg's future uncertain, old SVT values have skyrocketed, so you never know, but as a tech and player, your amp is equal in value to any other MTI SVT.
No, and bluntly, I would value it less. MTI build quality was excellent. SLM's, IME, not so much.
The market value of SVT's is fluctuating rapidly, but I'd say $800-1000 is fair, but you could probably get more if the current buyer frenzy continues.
BTW, on the plus side, your amp has Philips ECG 6550A's, VERY good tubes and superior to the GE 6550A's, IMO.
Psycho Bass Guy, you just made me smile ear to ear about my MTI SVT. It has the 12DW7 circuit that is original and not a mod but the transformers are marked as manufactured in japan. For some reason people seem to want to start flame wars about SVT heritage but I just find the different stages of transition interesting. Just from a looks standpoint I love my SVT. Do I have to say MTI before SVT so people know it isn't as cool? To the original poster, since you have it already and won't have to shell out more cash for a "real" SVT, love it and play it. Maybe we could start an MTI SVT club?
well , thats great info , and yes all svts are on the rise . like i said in another post , i got 1800 plus shipping for one of my 76 svts 2 months ago . regret it , not really cuz i bought the head and cab for 1300 and still have the cab ...... i have another 76 thats going to be overhauled and then back on the road . i think ill put this mti in the practice house until i find out what someone would give for it . i have 1100.00 trade value in it , so im fine with that cuz it sounds amazing ... really seems just as loud and definately clearer sounding than my old 76 . so as far as the japan vs usa thing , i dont have any problem with my mti at all ... actually if i had the chance of buying another one i would . and furthermore , i would buy a mti for 1000 before i paid 1800 or more for a vr or real 70s svt . also , this mti looks brand new !!! not a scratch on any of the tolex or controls or anything .... this baby is ready to go to the club and rock out all night long ..... so as much as i love my old 70's svts , this one definately holds its own ... And is a much better unit than the newer classics ....
More-or-less true.... The SOURCE of every component in the "skunkworks" or "500 run" units is different from the MTI, and wherever possible was the same source as the SVT... Particularly the transformers which have been sourced from the original company (despite name changes) throughout until very recent times.
The MTI are fine... they DID have a considerably higher failure rate back in the day.... but that is almost certainly due to the fact that the maker in Japan didn't really know how to test them, and MTI did little or no QC here.
When they work they are fine.
As far as being same as.....I haven't looked in one for a while but I think they are different in details from "original" and from the "500 run" of SVT HD.
