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Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary Edtition

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#341
SactoBass said:
^^^THIS, THIS, and more THIS^^^ :thumbsup:

I have seen a significant number of TB'ers talk about how the 100-watt version doesn't provide them with quite enough headroom and the 300-watt version is overkill. A 200-watt SVT/V4B would be the goldilocks version to fill that gap. Of course, there will be plenty of folks who will chime in (as they have done in the past) and provide reasons why a 200 watt SVT/V4B isn't necessary or doesn't make sense. Those comments certainly have merit, but even so, based on other comments that I have seen over the years, there is a desire for a 200 watt SVT/V4B.
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I'd like to see a 200 watt tube Ampeg bass amp. I had a 200 watt Marshall Major years ago and loved the thing, wish I still had it.
 
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#342
JimmyM said:
Having heard the prototype, the first channel isn't real different, but the second channel was always set up as more of a guitar channel, and this one's set up as a second bass channel. It's also new, shouldn't have any problems, and if it does, there's a 5-year warranty.
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I'd like to see a reissue SVT with two first channels. The second was never very useful to me, not enough variation in tone.
 
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#344
bobyoung53 said:
I'd like to see a 200 watt tube Ampeg bass amp. I had a 200 watt Marshall Major years ago and loved the thing, wish I still had it.
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+1 200 watts all tube Ampeg would be the sweet spot. I own a V4B reissue and it is not enough headroom in my book, and going back to an 80 pound SVT is not in my future. At the moment, my favorite is my Mesa D180, but it is from 1984 and I’m not going to gig something that old. I like new. I thought the V4B was the answer, but now realize it has its limitations.

I would definitely be on board with a 200 watt all tube Ampeg, just keep it under 50 pounds.
 
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#346
Frankie Fender said:
+1 200 watts all tube Ampeg would be the sweet spot. I own a V4B reissue and it is not enough headroom in my book, and going back to an 80 pound SVT is not in my future. At the moment, my favorite is my Mesa D180, but it is from 1984 and I’m not going to gig something that old. I like new. I thought the V4B was the answer, but now realize it has its limitations.

I would definitely be on board with a 200 watt all tube Ampeg, just keep it under 50 pounds.
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IMHO get the D180 serviced and it should be solid unless it has some major problems that cannot be resolved.
 
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#347
JimmyM said:
That's kind of the idea behind the 50th, although the second channel doesn't have the mid circuit.
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Funny thing. I actually prefer the basic sound and feel of the original Channel 2, but I find it's not flexible enough due to the lack of a mid control. So I am not all that interested the 50th AV.

An amp with a full featured Channel 2 would be cool, but that would require a major revision to the preamp. Channel 1 has three tubes and Channel 2 has only one. You also need one triode to blend the two channels, so we are talking 7 tubes total to build a preamp where both channels have the same signal path and functions as Channel 1.
 
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#350
SactoBass said:
^^^THIS, THIS, and more THIS^^^ :thumbsup:

I have seen a significant number of TB'ers talk about how the 100-watt version doesn't provide them with quite enough headroom and the 300-watt version is overkill. A 200-watt SVT/V4B would be the goldilocks version to fill that gap. Of course, there will be plenty of folks who will chime in (as they have done in the past) and provide reasons why a 200 watt SVT/V4B isn't necessary or doesn't make sense. Those comments certainly have merit, but even so, based on other comments that I have seen over the years, there is a desire for a 200 watt SVT/V4B.
Click to expand...
I think the svt micro was supposed to fill that.
How about an 8x 6550 400w svt with a half power switch...or a v4b with four kt88's.
 
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#351
JimmyM said:
That's kind of the idea behind the 50th, although the second channel doesn't have the mid circuit.
Click to expand...

That's what I like about the first channel although I usually keep it close to 12 o'clock, I will sometimes use the 220 Hz position for a little low mid boost though. Years ago I used the high mid position and it made playing with fingers with half-rounds sound just like a pick.
 
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#353
SactoBass said:
I'm always amazed to see how many TB'ers share that sentiment! :thumbsup:
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yeah I’m sure all 12 of them would make for great sales numbers :D

All jokes aside I have a V4 and SVT, and when I reach for a tube amp for a gig it’s usually my 200 watt science. It’s heavier than my V4, and not much weight savings versus the SVT, but the flexible OT tap options and modern features make me lean towards that one.

A 200 watt amp from Ampeg would represent a significant development cost which they’d doubtfully recoup in sales.
 
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#354
coreyfyfe said:
A 200 watt amp from Ampeg would represent a significant development cost which they’d doubtfully recoup in sales.
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How hard would it be to increase the V4B to 200 watts? I admit to know nothing about the specifics, Or if it is even possible, but that was my point, giving the V4 more power, not a request for *another* new Ampeg head - just a redesign.

Admittedly, it would be ridiculous if they offered a 100, 200 and 300 watt all tube head. But if the single channel 200 watter was significantly lighter than the SVT and less expensive, that might fill a void the V4B does not. If you just want lower wattage all tube go with the PF50T.
 
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#355
coreyfyfe said:
when I reach for a tube amp for a gig it’s usually my 200 watt science
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Hey Corey, please expound a little bit more. Is this a kit amp you put together and does it validate a 200 watt Ampeg tube amp?

Frankie Fender said:
How hard would it be to increase the V4B to 200 watts? I admit to know nothing about the specifics, Or if it is even possible, but that was my point, giving the V4 more power, not a request for *another* new Ampeg head - just a redesign.

Admittedly, it would be ridiculous if they offered a 100, 200 and 300 watt all tube head. But if the single channel 200 watter was significantly lighter than the SVT and less expensive, that might fill a void the V4B does not. If you just want lower wattage all tube go with the PF50T.
Click to expand...

...or could they update the V4 to a version that runs at 200 and 100 watts? Seems like some amp manufacturers have been adding power reduction options to extend tube life and to accommodate appropriate situations for less power.

I definitely think the PF20/50T's have their place and revamping the V4 could help.
 
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#356
Raw N Low said:
Hey Corey, please expound a little bit more. Is this a kit amp you put together and does it validate a 200 watt Ampeg tube amp?



...or could they update the V4 to a version that runs at 200 and 100 watts? Seems like some amp manufacturers have been adding power reduction options to extend tube life and to accommodate appropriate situations for less power.

I definitely think the PF20/50T's have their place and revamping the V4 could help.
Click to expand...
Science Amplification
 
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#359
Frankie Fender said:
How hard would it be to increase the V4B to 200 watts? I admit to know nothing about the specifics, Or if it is even possible, but that was my point, giving the V4 more power, not a request for *another* new Ampeg head - just a redesign.

Admittedly, it would be ridiculous if they offered a 100, 200 and 300 watt all tube head. But if the single channel 200 watter was significantly lighter than the SVT and less expensive, that might fill a void the V4B does not. If you just want lower wattage all tube go with the PF50T.
Click to expand...

It would require new power and output transformer designs, so essentially two of the most expensive parts of the amp. At that point it’s a substantially different product so it would require regulatory certification, manufacturing process, etc. Not to say they couldn’t do it, but it’s an issue of diminishing returns. A new 200 watt tube amp would (in my mind) be more likely to cut in to sales of the V4 and SVT than it would to open up new markets unless it was substantially different, maybe something incorporating the dummy load/XLR features of the PF tube series, light weight transformers, multiple output tap options, etc. Once you get in to adding all these features you’re probably approaching boutique costs.
 
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