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Ampeg SVT-15T worth repairing?

W

WorksInTheory

Jan 2, 2022
19
4
#1
Hi,

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a good holiday.

I am sort of an old man now but used to play in bands for fun. Now I have 4 kids and slowly trying to get them all into it. Guitar, keyboard, even just got one kid a set of drums this Christmas - check! Now trying to get someone to learn to play my bass guitar. Got the old Ampeg SVT-15T combo out to show them bass guitar and waah wahhh - no sound. Diagnosed and isolated it down to the speaker where there is no continuity when testing the two connection tabs. Didn't want to go further as that requires getting into the coil.

I guess first question is whether it's worth fixing the coil or just buy a replacement 15" 4ohm 300W speaker. At first I thought, eh just buy a new amplifier when I was quickly checking prices but then I checked this model and I guess there's a used market for it as the used value still seems to command just under $400 - so worth fixing it one way or another? And is that fix to get someone to fix the voice coil continuity issue or to just get a 15" replacement

If the answer is replacement - then what is recommended to get close to original (or even better sound) on this rig - searching some old forum posts, however not about this exact model but another 15" ampeg - seems to commonly refer to CTS and Eminence Beta. I think I see I can get a Eminence Beta for about $100 bucks from some parts site though not sure if that same one. The markings on the original have the following details:

  • EV - ElectroVoice - not sure if this is necessary for the sound or this is just marketing.
  • 4ohms, 100W/300W - I know some of these replacement speakers say 8ohms instead - my electronics knowledge is iffy.
I know since I opened with the fact I am trying to get my kids into it that I am sure there is an answer that is "just get something and get them playing" but I might get back into this also (esp seems I am the only one to play bass) and then I would have a higher benchmark on what the fix needs to be if that makes sense.


Thanks for all your advice!
Robert
 
#2
Most EV drivers can be reconed by a qualified service tech, If this happens to be a Force series 15, it's a better driver than any of the replacements you mentioned. The factory driver will be 8 ohms, since there is an extension speaker output and the power amp is rated to drive 4 ohms minimum.

There should be a number stamped on the basket or magnet, XXX-XXXX or XXXX-XXXX. I can look this up in my EV database to see what it's likely to be.

I don't recall if Ampeg offered an EV option in those combos, but it's possible. I just looked and in the SLM days, EV was in fact an option. The prefix will probably be either 815 or 1815. If it's what I think it is, its certainly worth reconing. It was a solid design, not a budget combo by any means.
 
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#3
agedhorse, thanks for the reply. Learning something already. I should have taken a pic of the magnet before putting it back in the cabinet. Will take apart again and do that but it does have EV right on the cone. Just as comparison what will it run to get it reconed? I reached out to a local repair place by email so will also report on what they say.
 
#5
Well update - tried 2 different places, had to use their contact forms from their websites... and no response still after days. Might have to be a replace unless someone can recommend a good repair place in the Greater Seattle area that will actually respond. Will take the speaker out later and take a pic and upload as well.
 
#8
WorksInTheory said:
Well update - tried 2 different places, had to use their contact forms from their websites... and no response still after days. Might have to be a replace unless someone can recommend a good repair place in the Greater Seattle area that will actually respond. Will take the speaker out later and take a pic and upload as well.
Click to expand...

Try this guy, he used to recone at Kennelly Keys back when I worked there a zillion years ago: https://www.fenderrhodes.com/v2/service/99/Garytronix+Stanwood+WA+Wa.+US.html
 
#9
Hi sorry for the delay - just hadn't had time to open up the amp again until now.

As you can see from the pics - at least from surface glance everything looks fine and in great shape. But if I test at the terminals there is no continuity. I know it's the speaker because testing back from this including output from preamp into another amp, I have sound.

The serial is a bit hard to make out as it's smudged but best I can make out it is - 1815 0780 9046... and then there's that big # 2 - not sure what that is.

AMPEG SVT-15T.jpg
AMPEG SVT-15T Terminals.jpg
AMPEG SVT-15T Serial.jpg
AMPEG SVT-15T Back.jpg
 
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#10
Ok, that's an EVI-15, 4 ohm version. All EVI's that I show use the same recone kit, but there were both 4 and 8 ohm versions of the kit. The factory part number for the kit is 89567XX, the XX represents the nominal impedance and any other factors (usually cosmetic) that may be present.

The EVI series was primarily (or exclusively) an OEM product, but I believe that the Force 15 kit will fit and the TS parameters for the Force 15 are available to double-check the tuning of the box.

It's also possible the the EVM-15L kit will also fit, but the TS parameters will be different from both the original and the EVM-15L drivers. This is where a recone shop having experience with these driver lines will be helpful.

Certainly worth getting reconed, it's a great sounding driver for this application.
 
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#11
Thanks @agedhorse - Unfortunately that went way over my head. What does 'TS' stand for?

If I give it a try - looks like I need a 15" 4ohm and the Force kit might be a match (may the Force be with me). However sounds like if it were you, you would get it reconed instead as it was a good sounding setup and worth preserving. Also sounds like the cost is about the same. So the key is finding a good person to do it.

What do you think causes the speakers to not have continuity - is it a blown voice coil or maybe just disconnected wiring? I hardly have abused this thing, it has been serviced once for something I can't remember but I have had it as the original owner since I saved my money as a high school kid and bought it few decades ago. More for fun, band with friends, etc - no gigging bars or abuse really. It lived a posh life ;-)

When I go to the Ampeg site to find a service center - looks like the two nearest me are in Seattle - Condor Electronics and EFEX Electronics - anyone have experience with them?

@Passinwind - I looked at your guy but he's quite far from me. Thank you though.
 
#12
Any quailed recone shop should be able to do the work. I don't know if there are any factory parts still available, but that driver was originally equipped with an edge wound aluminum voice coil (IIRC) which is part of why it works so well.
 
#13
Latest update - Heard back from Ampeg to see if there were more shops nearby that were authorized - only one. I did contact them and they were the only of several to get back to me. However, they said they don't do reconing but could fit me with a new Eminence and get me up and running. Was hoping to take agedhorse advice and get it repaired instead. I don't want to drive 90 mi for an option either so not sure what I will do yet.
 
#14
WorksInTheory said:
Latest update - Heard back from Ampeg to see if there were more shops nearby that were authorized - only one. I did contact them and they were the only of several to get back to me. However, they said they don't do reconing but could fit me with a new Eminence and get me up and running. Was hoping to take agedhorse advice and get it repaired instead. I don't want to drive 90 mi for an option either so not sure what I will do yet.
Click to expand...

Try calling the first two recone shops. I have found many gear repair and car repair shops are notorious for not answering emails or getting around to checking the online contact form.

Harder to ignore the phone LOL.

I agree with the Aged one, that is a very good driver for a basic combo amp and worth reconing if you can find a place to do the work with the right kit.

If you don't want to drive, mailing it is a possible option, maybe check with some local gear places (or even car stereo shops that like to do subs) to see if they have a box around for a 15" speaker.

The closest repair shop for anything for me is a 130 mile round trip, but I kinda live in hillbilly land. Seems like there should be a local joint that can do the work.

Also a lot of people have had good luck with US Speaker, I know Orange County Speaker used to do recones but stopped. This place had been doing most of their work and still seems to do recones.

Services

Analogeezer
 
#15
Speaker Repair Pros is fully qualified to repair this driver. I know the family that started Orange County Speakers and this is the successor with (IIRC) a couple of the younger original family members still involved. Shipping speakers to get good quality wok is not uncommon.
 
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#16
Well unfortunate Update. I didn't want to ship it away or drive far. I tried a few more places but none of them do recone. I heard back from a referred place but they are "temporarily paused for Covid" so not doing service. That being said they were nice to email back and forth and he had me go push on the cone gently to see if it moves or grinds. Well I didn't hear grinding - I think it moves but I also thought I was being gentle and then... yes I tore the paper cone. Ugh! So I guess I am in for replacing anyways now right?
 
#17
@agedhorse - any recommendations on replacement? reading old forums suggest Eminence or Force. I don't think I can find another EV or not guaranteed that use EV won't crap out also (seems like common problem?)

I did find a Force (think you mentioned) and a Eminence Beta that is mentioned a lot as well but both say 8Ohms and my speaker says 4Ohm so need to find a 4Ohm right?
 
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#18
WorksInTheory said:
Well unfortunate Update. I didn't want to ship it away or drive far. I tried a few more places but none of them do recone. I heard back from a referred place but they are "temporarily paused for Covid" so not doing service. That being said they were nice to email back and forth and he had me go push on the cone gently to see if it moves or grinds. Well I didn't hear grinding - I think it moves but I also thought I was being gentle and then... yes I tore the paper cone. Ugh! So I guess I am in for replacing anyways now right?
Click to expand...

That's weird, sounds like maybe it was dry rotted?

I don't think they have made the EV Force series for a good 20 years FWIW.

Analogeezer
 
#20
You are going to have to shop the speaker to get it repaired. Speaker Repair Pros is who I recommend.

You don't have to recone as 4 ohms. In fact, I would recommend 8 ohms because of a slight increase in sensitivity will minimize any difference in the amp's rated power between 4 and 8 ohms.

As a replacement speaker, the Delta 15A is fine, so is the Beta 15A more or less,, but I think the Force is a better speaker.
 
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