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Ampeg Serial Number Date Code

#181
JimmyM said:
A very good question. Since the date designation letter often moves with LOUD serial numbers, and there are several letters that could stand for the date code in that serial number, I couldn't tell you. Sorry.
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Thank you very much anyway for your reply. The first picture gives me the impression it's post "Dark Era".
The second picture on the other hand, well... I cannot tell if it is the "Dark Era" wood that's mentioned in many threads.
$_86.jpg


$_86.jpg
 
#182
It is most definitely post dark era with actual plywood Construction. The serial number indicates that it was made by Loud somewhere between 2008 and now. I hope when Yamaha takes over Ampeg Manufacturing that they make dating by serial numbers easier... LOL
 
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#184
Hello to you all.

I am again playing my Ampeg 810e cabinet.
Heavy, but man, it sounds soooooo goooooood!

I see there is a serial number on it, and I sort of know when it was made, but still some digits have question to me.

Here it is - I 8 1 E F B 0 0 2 1

I see this as a 1993, but country? Sure it is USA, however.

Any input appreciated, and thank you, Bruce
 
#186
Thank you JimmyM. I was hoping that you might chime in on this one.

When I saw this- and my Digit 4 being an "E", I got a bit XXXX.
Digit 4 = Country Code where:
U = U.K.
D = domestic U.S.
W = worldwide
Y = Europe
JimmyM, the important thing is that I now know the year made and that is USA built.
 
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#187
A little history on my Ampeg 810e cabinet is that I bought from the xgirlfriend of a bass player. He abandoned her, but left this 810e behind. After three years she decided to sell it.
I made a two hour drive to look at it, as she wanted $300 for it.
It was covered with green outdoor carpet and had a chicken wire grill- YUCK!
I took a 12 volt car jumper box and a short phone plug cable to "tickle" the cabinet and found that the two top 10" speakers had locked up voice coils/cones.
I offered her $250 as is and she accepted it, so the beast was mine.
When I got it home I removed the two top speakers and found that on both of them the magnet structure had become partially pulled/broken off. Guessing this was because this cabinet had sustained a fall over onto its back, and inertia had partially pulled off the magnets, locking the voice coils.
Well, I replaced the two top 10's with new, exact model 32 ohm speakers, and all is good.
Interesting was that I was able to dissect the two damaged speakers, and viewed their voice coils. I was very pleased to see there was absolutely no signs of "heat" or discoloring. That gave me faith that the other 6 speakers should be healthy. A DC resistance test also verified this.
Love the sound and headroom that an 810e gives. Yeah, its heavy, but looks and sounds serious. Bye for now, Bruce
 
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#188
Belated Happy New Year all.

I have taken a punt on a BA300 210. Its got a 9 digit serial no. 21AKQ1755 and there is another sticker next to it titled REVISION with the code OM15812. It is not in line with the reference system. I think its a 2008 model made in China?. Cheers.
 
#189
Juan Farang said:
Belated Happy New Year all.

I have taken a punt on a BA300 210. Its got a 9 digit serial no. 21AKQ1755 and there is another sticker next to it titled REVISION with the code OM15812. It is not in line with the reference system. I think its a 2008 model made in China?. Cheers.
Click to expand...
I think it's 2004. Q =2004.
 
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#191
Anyone have thoughts on an 8x10e with a serial#1515205, no neutrik, small rectangular plate with 2 1/4 inch inputs, and very very heavy... it was labeled SWR at the store I scooped it from, but has ampeg hardware, and grill cloth and matches construction with other ampeg cabinets that I own. It has rat fur. Home slice at the store said that wasn't original. I'm at a loss, but the price was right.
 
#193
JimmyM said:
That D is a country code and stands for "domestic." Got a pic of the label? I don't recall ever seeing an SLM label where the 5th digit wasn't a letter. Honestly, I think you are, indeed, seeing an S where you think you see an 8. And that would make it 2006.
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Jimmy I need a date on an 810E and if it's an SLM. Code BQWDO90058 If it is chip board/SLM do you recommend staying away? Thank. Larry B
 
#195
JimmyM said:
Hi Larry, 9th month of 2002. Chipboard + "dark era" speakers. If it's an insane deal, the darkness can be EQ'd out, but otherwise for myself, I'd pass.
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cab exterior is without any vinyl cover but grill face looks good. What exactly do you mean by " dark era speakers?" unit could be roller coated with truck bed liner paint to look newer. Price is $380. Does the price change your feeling on passing? Larry B
 
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#196
Larry Baldock said:
cab exterior is without any vinyl cover but grill face looks good. What exactly do you mean by " dark era speakers?" unit could be roller coated with truck bed liner paint to look newer. Price is $380. Does the price change your feeling on passing? Larry B
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Totally! With no tolex, I don't think I could deal. Bed liner is cool on those old cabs, but there's a lot of sanding you'll have to do to get the glue off so it sticks.

As for the dark era speakers, from 2000-06, Eminence changed cone suppliers because they weren't happy with the cones their previous supplier made. As a result, the speakers have less treble and more bottom. This all got rectified eventually but it took a few years. Like I said, they can be EQ'd to sound brighter, but I prefer the cabs that don't need it, which would include any made by LOUD Techniologies and SLM cabs made earlier than 2000.
 
#198
lstelie said:
Hello,

What would be the year for this SVt410HE please, the 5th digit is an.. R
View attachment 3529092


In fact the real question is that I read in another thread @JimmyM explaining that the SLM cabs have been modified at some point of time becasue Eminence had a technical issue, and that starting from this time they are not that good.
So I'd like to know if this is a good or a bad SLM cab....

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
2005. Good or bad depends on your perspective, but it comes with the modified speakers that don't have as much treble.
 

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