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73 SVT Blueline or Blackline?
- Thread starter slap5string
- Start date
Most of the SVTs from Ampeg's heyday were built by Magnavox - let's ballpark it at everything from '71-'80. No worries there. My '72 still has the Magnavox-labeled TungSol 6550s in it.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
IMO, all of the vintage SVT's are great amps, but the blueline and blackline ones with the black rocker switches are the most desirable (and valuable/collectible), with the bluelines being the most.
Thanks for all the great insight guys! I actually was able to call the tech who did all the work on this amp (Dane Beamish - Beamish Electronics) as the guy selling it showed me the receipt. He said it was a $360 tune-up and was the cleanest SVT for its age he's ever worked on and gave it a clean bill of health. I dont think I would forgive myself if I didnt drop the funds for this vintage pc of bass history 
Jon, I've recently had some absolutely great experiences with a couple different rented MTI heads. Don't know what happened to the ones you might have played through but the ones I played through ruled. MTI didn't change the design of the SVT until 12DW7's were pulled off the market, and when they did, it was a lateral move given the makeup of the 12DW7.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i agree. i used to use two MTI's in the 80's (one was a backup but never needed to use it), with two 810 cabs and they sounded just as good as any other vintage SVT that i've owned (and that's all 15 of them).
All I can say guys is I experienced build and quality control troubles with MTI. Maybe it was just an authorized service center problem?
Or maybe the ones I played were fixed already 
MTI definitely was in over their heads when it came to innovation and engineering, I'll give you that. And they did discontinue everything except the SVT, which was stupid. But somehow or another they managed to build a sweet sounding SVT.
MTI definitely was in over their heads when it came to innovation and engineering, I'll give you that. And they did discontinue everything except the SVT, which was stupid. But somehow or another they managed to build a sweet sounding SVT.
I've worked on 3 MTI's, owned 2 of them. Of the 3, 2 of them were not wired correctly @ the mid frequency switch and the tone circuit didn't work correctly until it was fixed.
I actually prefer the wiring and capacitor layout of MTI's to other SVT's. It is just done a bit cleaner.
I actually prefer the wiring and capacitor layout of MTI's to other SVT's. It is just done a bit cleaner.
Oh,and I personally would pick a blue line if the choice was there just because they are more rare and older. Especially if it has 6146's.
timv said:
The Blueline I looked at needed work - the tubes werent original and it had some noise issues? It had more wear and tear and rust and but still very tempting. Oh ... and if he decided to sell it would be looking for $2500 for it. I dont plan on buying the blackline and putting it in the closet - it will be my everyday amp so I need something that doesnt need any work and is ready to rock!
These vintage SVT's require a single 4ohm load correct? I cant use (2) 8ohm cabs unless they are chained together - which means I can't use my GK SBX cabs 
