Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary Edtition

[bigbottomend]

I have two late 70's heads and no matter which passive bass I've plugged into them, usually either a P bass or a Ric 4001/4003 I've also set the volume at about 10-11 o'clock, Gibson maybe even between 9 and 10. I always set my bass pickups fairly close to the strings so they're hot, even string choice can have an effect on volume, but two o'clock seems like your gain is down compared to most.

Yeah i've read a few posts now on here saying that 10-11 o'clock is about right for max volume before going into distortion. If anyone has a quick answer out there to why the gain would be low on my amp ? I'll be stripping it down next week and going over every part to measure values.

 

[Wasnex]

Yeah i've read a few posts now on here saying that 10-11 o'clock is about right for max volume before going into distortion. If anyone has a quick answer out there to why the gain would be low on my amp ? I'll be stripping it down next week and going over every part to measure values.

It there any chance the amp has been converted to run 12AX7s, but is running 12DW7s?

Check the values of R6, R7, and R25.

Here's the mod to convert to 12AX7:

Original values:
R6, 47K
R7, 100K
R25, 1.5K

 

[JimmyM]

Yeah i've read a few posts now on here saying that 10-11 o'clock is about right for max volume before going into distortion. If anyone has a quick answer out there to why the gain would be low on my amp ? I'll be stripping it down next week and going over every part to measure values.

A weak tube somewhere (usually V1 in the pre) is often a culprit.

 

[beans-on-toast]

A 12DW7 is a dual triode, half 12AX7, half 12AU7. An AU is not capable of the gain of an AX but it can provide more current. A DW is useful where you need a gain stage followed by a driver. It can be done with a single tube. Later revisions of the SVT removed the DW and substituted AX’s and AU’s. Resistors were changed to optimize performance of the tubes but the character wasn’t changed. Same goes for a 12BH7 drivers used in some amps, a 12AU7 is a better choice today.

There’s good reason not to use a DW in the 50th anniversary. The other tubes are much easier to find in any music store.

 

[bigbottomend]

@Waznex @JimmyM Cheers guys will check it asap, and it did have new 12dw7's with a full set of tubes when it was last re capped.

 

[uncle woody]

All due apologies for the topic hijack.

Will there be a heritage 810AV along with the release of this head?
Ampeg seems to promote one here (link).

I am interested in buying a heritage 810 but dislike the grill mismatch with my V4B RI.
Anyone got info on this? Will they release with the SVT?

Cheers

 

[Lovep]

All due apologies for the topic hijack.

Will there be a heritage 810AV along with the release of this head?
Ampeg seems to promote one here (link).

I am interested in buying a heritage 810 but dislike the grill mismatch with my V4B RI.
Anyone got info on this? Will they release with the SVT?

Cheers

Yes, it’s already for sale on Sweetwater’s website.

 

[RoketRdr]

All due apologies for the topic hijack.

Will there be a heritage 810AV along with the release of this head?
Ampeg seems to promote one here (link).

I am interested in buying a heritage 810 but dislike the grill mismatch with my V4B RI.
Anyone got info on this? Will they release with the SVT?

Cheers

Yes, it’s already for sale on Sweetwater’s website.

Like Lovep said there are several outlets that already have them and are selling them. The head...well...I don't think we'll EVER see that unicorn.

 

[anderbass]

Yeah i've read a few posts now on here saying that 10-11 o'clock is about right for max volume before going into distortion. If anyone has a quick answer out there to why the gain would be low on my amp ? I'll be stripping it down next week and going over every part to measure values.

Wondering if maybe someone might have installed a slower taper volume pot, or perhaps the marker-line on your volume knob was simply manufactured/clocked to the wrong (inaccurate) position...

 

[bigbottomend]

Wondering if maybe someone might have installed a slower taper volume pot, or perhaps the marker-line on your volume knob was simply manufactured/clocked to the wrong (inaccurate) position...

Thanks anderbass a good point, i had wondered if the pot maybe at fault but not thought beyond that. I have contacted a tech for a full overhaul once all this virus crazyness has passed so have noted this among many other points to check on, once i find out what it is i'll do a post on it. It's not stopped the amp working though and many have commented how great it sounds, it's just my self paraniod state knowing that its not firing on a full tank.

 

[anderbass]

Thanks anderbass a good point, i had wondered if the pot maybe at fault but not thought beyond that. I have contacted a tech for a full overhaul once all this virus crazyness has passed so have noted this among many other points to check on, once i find out what it is i'll do a post on it. It's not stopped the amp working though and many have commented how great it sounds, it's just my self paraniod state knowing that its not firing on a full tank.

Easy way to tell is: The fast-taper of a stock volume pot very suddenly goes from not loud enough, to way too loud with just a very-very slight turn. If your amps volume level transitions in a smoother more linear fashion, that'd probably be a good clue you might just have a slower taper volume pot and this is most likely nothing to worry about. I'd actually consider that a huge improvement.

 

[Son of Wobble]

this is kinda how it used to go when I missed my wedding anniversary, but promised the wife we'd make up for it "soon"

 

[Robal]

Has Ampeg abandoned the release of the SVT 50th Anniversary Head? It's been almost 1 1/2 years since it was announced at 2019 NAMM.

 

[JimmyM]

Has Ampeg abandoned the release of the SVT 50th Anniversary Head? It's been almost 1 1/2 years since it was announced at 2019 NAMM.

No they haven't. Yamaha doesn't like to release stuff unless they feel it's a 100% solid design, and they held it up to tweak a few things. And then the covid-19 broke out and held up the launch.

 

[HOOLIGAN]

I have one on order direct from Ampeg through my guy at Guitar Center. The Guitar Center site had the release date as early June, until recently, the site now states “new item” where the shipping date was.
I suspect the release has been held up by the shutdown madness, on top of whatever issues Ampeg has had readying it for release over the past year.

The Government needs to know this is an essential item and let Ampeg get back to work!

 

[Jim C]

Or maybe the marketing guys at Yamaha don't think there is enough demand or profit to warrant the build at the current street price.
And I have to disagree on the SVT and solid design. It had to have been the most reliable amp in their current model inventory.
Perhaps it's the redesign of this particular anniversary head that has them concerned.

I would think that Yamaha also had to accept the warranty liability of the amps built before they bought the company. Certainly the PF 500, 800, 7 Pro, and PF 50 hum issue was a potential liability unless Ampeg really did institute a long term fix on remaining inventory before the sale.
Curious if they have made any changes across any of the model line since the purchase.
Can't wait to see what new ideas they have moving forward!

 

[JimmyM]

Or maybe the marketing guys at Yamaha don't think there is enough demand or profit to warrant the build at the current street price.
And I have to disagree on the SVT and solid design. It had to have been the most reliable amp in their current model inventory.
Perhaps it's the redesign of this particular anniversary head that has them concerned.

I would think that Yamaha also had to accept the warranty liability of the amps built before they bought the company. Certainly the PF 500, 800, 7 Pro, and PF 50 hum issue was a potential liability unless Ampeg really did institute a long term fix on remaining inventory before the sale.
Curious if they have made any changes across any of the model line since the purchase.
Can't wait to see what new ideas they have moving forward!

I don't know enough about electronics to debate anyone on the merits or lack thereof in the design. I am not privy to specifics, only vague generalities. I can only tell you what I've been told, and that was the reason given. It is certainly not because Yamaha doesn't think there's enough demand or profit from the only bass amp on the market that's been in constant production since 1969 and still sells very well to this day.

I also seriously doubt that Yamaha is expecting this SVT to be the thing that "saves the company from financial ruin"...LOL! This is most clearly a statement of intent, black SVT-CL's will continue to be the biggest seller in the all-tube line, and nobody's expecting it to sell like $100 combos and $400 micros.

 

[JimmyM]

I have one on order direct from Ampeg through my guy at Guitar Center. The Guitar Center site had the release date as early June, until recently, the site now states “new item” where the shipping date was.
I suspect the release has been held up by the shutdown madness, on top of whatever issues Ampeg has had readying it for release over the past year.

The Government needs to know this is an essential item and let Ampeg get back to work!

You suspect correctly. The shutdown definitely pushed back the launch of Yamaha/Ampeg.

 

[Bigbri]

Thanks anderbass a good point, i had wondered if the pot maybe at fault but not thought beyond that. I have contacted a tech for a full overhaul once all this virus crazyness has passed so have noted this among many other points to check on, once i find out what it is i'll do a post on it. It's not stopped the amp working though and many have commented how great it sounds, it's just my self paraniod state knowing that its not firing on a full tank.

where do i get one of those svt's??

 

[Bigbri]

where do i get one of those svt's??

The little model..