Ampeg Serial Number Question

[Bassguitarbubba]

I have an Ampeg SVT-1540HE cabinet. According to the book "Ampeg- The Story Behind the Sound" the serial numbers after 1985 are ten digits long and each digit, or groups of digits, means something about the cabs manufacture. I was able to decipher all but one digit, and that was the fourth digit which is the one letter code for the country of manufacture. My cabinet has an "H" in this location, yet the book does not list an "H" at all. The back plate reads "Made in the U.S.A. by SLM Electronics" and most would say that would be enough. Normally I would agree, but I'm considering selling it and I don't want any discrepancies with the serial number. I contacted Ampeg and they referred me to the book mentioned earlier. Any idea what the "H" means? The book says that "D" means 'domestic US'. Or should I not worry about it...

 

[coreyfyfe]

Not sure what the H would be. For those codes it should be D for domestic, U for UK, Y for europe, or W for worldwide. Either way, it doesn't really matter. It was made in the US, ended up in the US. They stopped making those cabs before they moved production overseas, and since it's a cab wall voltage differences would have no impact on the cab.

 

[Bassguitarbubba]

They stopped making those cabs before they moved production overseas

That's good to know. This little bit of info makes a ton of difference. I agree, it doesn't matter since all of them were made in the US. Thanks!

 

[meldabass]

i purchased a used ampeg svt in 1978 serial #59588 still sounds great but to heavy to carry around ,does anybody know what it is worth and how old it could be ,Iam thinking it is from 72 to 78

 

[coreyfyfe]

Pictures would help for dating. Serial numbers from the 70s have little meaning. As far as value, your best bet is to check classifieds listings here or check completed auctions on ebay.

 

[JimmyM]

The only way to date it is to pull a speaker and read the codes. There should be a number either 67 or 137...67 is Eminence, 137 is CTS. After that a 2 digit code for year, and a second 2 digit code for week of the year. You could add a couple months leeway to that.

You can ballpark it into two eras, though...69-74 they made flatback cabs using CTS's, and 74-present, they made the more common towel bar cabs with Eminences, though some of the very earliest towel bar cabs still used CTS's.

 

[Guyom]

Example of Serial Number 810 cab. I guess around 1975...

 

[Guyom]

well indeed not 1975.. more 1969-70 according to the address and the serial number.

 

[JimmyM]

well indeed not 1975.. more 1969-70 according to the address and the serial number.

Never saw this thread when you posted the last time, but I saw it this time, and I'd say you're right about on target with the possible year, though I believe it's possible some went out in 71. No mention of Magnavox or Selmer, still in Linden...I forget what year Unimusic sold Ampeg to Selmer, I think it was 72, but I'd say it's before the sale.

 

[Guyom]

I guess that Ampeg was in Linden, NJ until 1970. They moved to the Selmer-Magnavox offices in Elkhart, Indiana in 1971. I saw a SVT810 Cab 1972 and it was labelled Elkhard, with a serial #200XXX. So i guess with a location in Lindey, with a low serial, that could be a 1969-70 cab.