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Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary Edtition

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#221
Jim C said:
That's going to be a hard sell considering that:
* According to polls here, players want light weight amps; in fact, 20 lbs. has been deemed too much by many
* The price of used SVT's has dropped like a rock
* There are more and more amps opting for shelf space and unlikely that I will see this particular amp in a GC
* It's not anything new
* The original SVT's are very robust and seem to be able to be repaired without much effort
* Reals fans already have SVT's (had my current SVT since the mid 80's) and the kids don't seem interested in them at all

Ampeg didn't due much in its' last year under Loud's ownership.
They did a decent job with their line of Class D amps but those features are kind of old by today's standards.
Yamaha bought the brand 14 months ago and hasn't said or released a thing
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I get the restructuring, design, and fabrication delays but 14 months?
Here's to hoping there really is a strong plan that will appear in the near future!
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I agree to a certain extent...nothing really new here with the H-SVT VR. I was hoping that they make some updates to the head, but I think that would take away from their "Heritage" marketing intentions.

Having said that, it will be Ampeg's flagship amp so I know its gonna sound good...but no too much different from the existing head.

Why not update a few things, like the following:
- making it compatible with 8 ohm cabs!
- 50-300 watt selector (like 50, 150, and 300) when you don't need 300w
- lighter weight (even 10-15 lbs would be an improvement)
- only a few people will know what 1969 vs 1975 EQ means....why not call it something else that markets towards a growing/younger marketing base vs a shrinking...

All in all, I understand what you are saying and while I think I understand Ampeg's position with this amp, however it doesn't make me want to buy one over the existing/less expensive VR (made over seas).

I think Ampeg wants to expand their US line with products that have some nostalgia for certain players. I just think they run the risk of losing potential (some existing) customers due to lack of true innovation. Ampeg, don't rest on your laurels! You move a head from China to US, change the EQ/tubes slightly, change the face of the amp even more slightly, and raise the price $500 (likely to compensate for US employee pay)...:thumbsdown:
 
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#222
JimmyM said:
LOL! This isn't an amp they're expecting to sell 2000 units a month. People said the same thing about the Heritage SVT-CL, and 9 years later, they're still on the market and selling. The Heritage line are what's known as "prestige pieces." It shows that Yamaha is serious about honoring the Ampeg legacy, it's an amp that lots of folks have wanted since the Heritage shop opened, and maybe it won't sell like the PF350, but it'll sell enough to be profitable. Easily.

Also, bear in mind what happened when LOUD rush-released Ampeg gear in 2007. You don't think Yamaha learned from that hard lesson? Yamaha knows what they're doing...they didn't get to where they are by being careless.
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I don't think Yamaha learned anything from Ampeg in 2007 as they were a much better company then.
Perhaps it was a reminder of what not to do.

I have a degree in business and have taught plenty of sales and marketing classes.
You don't build a company on a loss leader or "prestige piece" to use your words.
It does show good will and a willingness to support the technology that Ampeg designed (and perfected in my opinion).
The future of Ampeg will be based on new designs IMO.
 
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#223
Jim C said:
I don't think Yamaha learned anything from Ampeg in 2007 as they were a much better company then.
Perhaps it was a reminder of what not to do.

I have a degree in business and have taught plenty of sales and marketing classes.
You don't build a company on a loss leader or "prestige piece" to use your words.
It does show good will and a willingness to support the technology that Ampeg designed (and perfected in my opinion).
The future of Ampeg will be based on new designs IMO.
Click to expand...
Jim, I think you realize that Yamaha is pretty well built already :D
 
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#224
JimmyM said:
Jim, I think you realize that Yamaha is pretty well built already :D
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Agreed.
Although I think they will keep Ampeg as a separate brand and that's where the new products are important.

Yamaha sure hasn't been shy about bringing new innovations to the pro and semi pro audio world, and, in both commercial and consumer lines.
Those fellas have a really deep bench as far as audio hardware and software solutions.
 
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#231
Son of Wobble said:
Sacto nice to see you! I had a funny one this week, some hot roddin' teens who live across the street from me added "godawful garage
jam" to their list of sonic offenses, and I realized it was my moment to not call cops, but to deploy big iron.

I gave 'em 1200 watts back, and boy come to find out I sounded just as bad as they. I need to practice more while plugged in, if only because it will keep me in touch with my tuner. But there were other issues, too, ones of timing and even string control. Also, I realized how infrequently I practice standing up -- I was wrestling with my instrument. Plus, being in fist-shaking-codger mode, I realized I did not have the poise to play well when agitated...I had rattled myself. So many issues!
Next time I won't be so quick to draw on teens. I'll just jump to the shame spiral instead :roflmao::thumbsup:
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When I was a 19 year old kid in my first apartment, my upstairs neighbor used to bang on the floor whenever I played my bass, hey it was only a Dual Showman with two 15"s:laugh:, so one day I got PO'ed and laid the cab flat on the floor and turned it up and echoed his banging by whacking the strings with my hand, he didn't like that one bit. Anyway we met (even though I didn't want to) and he turned out to be a nice guy and I stopped vibrating his wife:roflmao:. We never had a problem after that.
 
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#233
This just in from Bass Gear Magazine:
It's Dino from Yamapeg telling you everything that has been covered in this thread.
When he says they will celebrate this 50 year anniversary amp for the year, is he talking for the next 4-5 months or 12 months from now?
Invalid Link Removed
 
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#234
slugger said:
I'm sure it will do well enough. I was more curious if they were going to limit it to 2019 only. 50th anniversary and all... Non of the info so far had implied any sort of a limited run though.
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Hodgy told me they plan on keeping it ongoing as long as it sells enough to make it worth it for Yamaha. A 2-channel SVT has been the most requested but never made Heritage amp since the Heritage shop opened. And Yamaha knows that this is a specialty item and they won't sell nearly as many of these as they sell black SVT-CL's, so they're not expecting to get filthy rich off it. But I agree that it'll certainly do well enough. I think they'll sell out the first run in very short order and then do steady business after that.

Jim C said:
This just in from Bass Gear Magazine:
It's Dino from Yamapeg telling you everything that has been covered in this thread.
When he says they will celebrate this 50 year anniversary amp for the year, is he talking for the next 4-5 months or 12 months from now?
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
Well this is the anniversary year, and it's supposed to be out by November.
 
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#237
Funky Flunky said:
Forgive me if this is posted elsewhere, but the Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT is up on the Ampeg website. It says "handmade in the U.S.A from durable top shelf components - it's as American as Rock & Roll." I'm in trouble!:hyper:
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Funky: FYI, you might be in "double trouble" :eek: as someone has created a second thread for this awesome amp:

US made Ampeg SVT Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT
 
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#238
SactoBass said:
Funky: FYI, you might be in "double trouble" :eek: as someone has created a second thread for this awesome amp:

US made Ampeg SVT Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT
Click to expand...


Threads, too, can reincarnate.

russelbrandBIG_468x528.jpg
 
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