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Ampeg SVT 210AV questions

pbassnut

pbassnut

Supporting Member
Sep 27, 2004
2,269
2,439
Falls Church, VA
#1
I recently got a chance to play through an Ampeg SVT 210AV 2x10 as an extension cabinet for my Carvin MB15 combo and loved it and am considering getting one. I've heard that the early ones had chronic problems with the tolex coming unglued and the one I played through had a revision designation listed on the speaker input/output back panel. Did that revision designation have anything to do with the tolex problem? If so, what should I look for to ensure that I get one that was made after the tolex problem solution was implemented?

Also, has anybody ever used their SVT 210AV with an Ampeg SVTIII Pro head? It puts out 275 watts into 8 ohms and the SVT 210AV can only take 200 watts max so I am concerned that it might not be able to handle the power safely. Also, how did it sound?

Thanks.
 
#2
I think if you buy new you are safe from the tolex issues, believe those were the first series. One of mine is about 5 years old and the other is about 2 years old. Neither have had any tolex issues. I dont know about the revisions, but can look when I get home.

Regarding the power levels, trust your ears. Play through it and if it starts farting out or sounding bad, you are probably too loud for the cab. I play mine with a Micro VR as well as an SVT 2 pro, SVT II non-pro or vintage V4B.
I believe JimmyM uses his with a PF800 also.

These cabs sound great alone and even better in pairs of two.
 
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#3
greengoblin said:
I think if you buy new you are safe from the tolex issues, believe those were the first series. One of mine is about 5 years old and the other is about 2 years old. Neither have had any tolex issues. I dont know about the revisions, but can look when I get home.

Regarding the power levels, trust your ears. Play through it and if it starts farting out or sounding bad, you are probably too loud for the cab. I play mine with a Micro VR as well as an SVT 2 pro, SVT II non-pro or vintage V4B.
I believe JimmyM uses his with a PF800 also.

These cabs sound great alone and even better in pairs of two.
Click to expand...
I have two and I've used them with everything from a Micro VR to an SVT :D Been using one with a Crate Powerblock for guitar as well, and it crushes as a guitar cab. But mostly, though, I use it with a PF350 or a PF-50T.
 
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#4
pbassnut said:
I recently got a chance to play through an Ampeg SVT 210AV 2x10 as an extension cabinet for my Carvin MB15 combo and loved it and am considering getting one. I've heard that the early ones had chronic problems with the tolex coming unglued and the one I played through had a revision designation listed on the speaker input/output back panel. Did that revision designation have anything to do with the tolex problem? If so, what should I look for to ensure that I get one that was made after the tolex problem solution was implemented?

Also, has anybody ever used their SVT 210AV with an Ampeg SVTIII Pro head? It puts out 275 watts into 8 ohms and the SVT 210AV can only take 200 watts max so I am concerned that it might not be able to handle the power safely. Also, how did it sound?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Regarding the tolex, if the used cab you are considering does not have any sign of the tolex coming unglued, then it almost certainly does not have a tolex problem. Right?

Players frequently listen closely to their cab when adjusting pedals for distortion or overdrive. The same attention is needed with respect to potentially driving a cob with too much power - if you hear distortion, clacking or other sounds that you did not intentionally add, then you are likely sending too much power to the cab and risking damage. So, just use the same listening skills that you use when adjusting distortion or overdrive to the tone. Listen. And consider that a 200w 210 cab is a relatively 'lightweight' cab. You can damage a 200w cab with a 275w head, especially if you turn up the bass. OTOH, you can safely use a 200w cab with a 275w head if you listen for signs of stress after setting the sound level, and turn down if you hear any.
 
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#6
I have 2 of the cabs, both purchased used. 1 had the tolex seams came up some on the back of one of them. I ran some black gaffers/duct tape across all the seams and went on with my life. I think Ampeg stuff with some wear and tear looks kinda cool to be honest... They are great cabs and have held up to many gigs and rehearsals with a MicroVR and a V-4B.
 
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#10
To help protect the tolex on these I highly recommend getting covers for them. I've had a pair for a year and a half that I got Tuki covers for almost immediately. I lug them around in the trunk of my sedan weekly for practice and they still look brand new.

Just for another data point, both of mine are B01 and 1 has a top seam on the back that comes away from the cabinet by about a 1/4" every now and again. I could deal with it permanently with some super glue, but I have just run my finger along it and it sticks down for another few weeks. (Guess I'm just lazy....)
 
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