Recent content by Dr Weirdbeard

Yes, now that some good folks have taken the effort to explain what the original faceplate looks like, it appears most likely that while the faceplate is original, the finish is not. Certainly if Ampeg had done it, they would have replaced the 'SVT 2 Pro' designation before finishing. The...

And thanks to the others, as well... I had not known the originals were curved, it doesn't show up in most pics. Can anyone make sense of the serial #?

I won't argue that it's impossible, just highly unlikely. Has anyone ever taken the faceplate off one of these? Looks to me like you'd have to pretty much dismantle the whole amp to get at some of the fasteners. And then there's the serial number... doesn't seem to follow any of the protocols...

Or a boom truck, for that matter... already wrecked my back once with the SVT. Now, any questions? I can give more detail if needed, I'd be interested if SVT 2 Pro owners can tell me anything else about how this amp differs from theirs.

Sorry about the double... really, I'm good with 70's era tech. Last one: Be afraid, very afraid, as I was going to build an SVT preamp for the Hammer - with preamp out on the SVT, that's no longer a concern. I just don't know where I'll get enough speakers piled up...

This one's for Jimmy, if you can share it with your Ampeg contact?

Now, one of the inset logo, and different gain knob - that matches the first pic in the thread, as does the freq. knob. No reason why - the pots have the standard plastic D shaft, same as the others. Might just be field-expedient repairs, but if so, it almost proves we're talking about the same...

Here's one that shows the curves, against a straight edge... very uniform. Almost impossible, and highly unlikely, to have been sanded.

Not sure how that wound up inverted... sorry, I'm new here. Here's a shot that shows the curves, and the fact that the handle, rack mount pads, and allen bolts are all machined into the faceplate. Not backyard work.

OK, here's what it is... and if it helps any, I'm 52, I've done a fair amount of metalworking, I'm an industrial electrician, and I've scratchbuilt more (tube) amps than many people have owned. Not to brag, just... I've got a clue, ok?

Thanks for your input. The finish is original, and didn't stand up well. It's a heavy clearcoat, possibly powdercoat. As I mentioned above, the logo is inset... hardly the kind of detail you'd see if it was just a quick job, and definitely not if it was 'just sanded'. And sanding could not have...

Super, thanks! Meanwhile I'll get out my camera and get some pics of it, and the back panel info.

I'd like to know, obviously, but 'seems like I heard' is pretty thin. Another factor is that the stage lights wouldn't likely have been a problem, as the front is actually wavy in profile, from top to bottom - a flat shiny surface could be an issue in strong lights, and I suspect that's why it...

Sorry if I'm resurrecting a dead thread, but I have this amp now, in Nova Scotia. It hasn't been sanded, it was made this way, with a Cad-machined, polished and clearcoated aluminum faceplate. It's tired - one blown power tube, others are beat and mostly original. I got it from a guy who played...