• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary head

Admiral Thrawn

Admiral Thrawn

Trying to find the elusive Brown Note
Jul 29, 2017
622
1,122
Virginia
#1
I know it was just shown at Summer NAMM, but has anyone gotten a change to try out the SVT 50th Anniversary amp?

I like the idea of having two vintage tone channels, and will be able to try one out later this year when a music store I go to gets one in stock.

Just wondering if anyone had a chance to try it at NAMM or elsewhere.
 
#2
Hi Tyler :)

We are all waiting!

cookie_monster_waiting.gif


have a good read!

Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary Edtition

greetrings

Wise(b)ass
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chickenwheels, DJ Bebop, SactoBass and 2 others
#3
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass
#5
JimmyM said:
Didn't get to try it, but I heard the prototype at WInter NAMM and it was badass! Then again, all SVT's are badass so there you go :D
Click to expand...

Gotta be honest, I was hoping you'd have had a chance to demo it.

Hearing it demoed is about as good--so it seems to be worth the price of admission?

I'm on the fence about the SVT-VR or the SVT- 50th Anniversary. I know there's still time to decide, but I'd like to lock it down so I can pre-order the SVT 50th if that's the better way to go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and JimmyM
#6
Admiral Thrawn said:
Gotta be honest, I was hoping you'd have had a chance to demo it.

Hearing it demoed is about as good--so it seems to be worth the price of admission?

I'm on the fence about the SVT-VR or the SVT- 50th Anniversary. I know there's still time to decide, but I'd like to lock it down so I can pre-order the SVT 50th if that's the better way to go.
Click to expand...
A very good question. There's a lot to like about both. I think it boils down to whether you want two channels that are usable for bass or whether you want one that's a bit brighter and rolled off for guitar or for blending a brighter sound with the bass channel. I have used only the second channel for bass in my 69 and a VR before, and it works if you crank the bass up, but the 50th 2nd channel is specifically made for bass. I think either way you'll be extremely happy, though. Your wallet will be a little less light with the VR but the 50th is a killer!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, Border, Arthur U. Poon and 2 others
#7
JimmyM said:
A very good question. There's a lot to like about both. I think it boils down to whether you want two channels that are usable for bass or whether you want one that's a bit brighter and rolled off for guitar or for blending a brighter sound with the bass channel. I have used only the second channel for bass in my 69 and a VR before, and it works if you crank the bass up, but the 50th 2nd channel is specifically made for bass. I think either way you'll be extremely happy, though. Your wallet will be a little less light with the VR but the 50th is a killer!
Click to expand...

My wallet was already going to be light--I've been pining for and SVT since 1999-2000!

I like how the 50th has the two different voiced channels, using the 69 and 75 SVT sounds. A vid I saw of the two channels blended had absolute killer tone.

Think I'll pull the trigger on the 50th. As you mentioned, having the channel specifically for bass, that should give me the low rumble I want to hit the elusive Brown Note!:roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass, DJ Bebop, Arthur U. Poon and 1 other person
#8
Admiral Thrawn said:
My wallet was already going to be light--I've been pining for and SVT since 1999-2000!

I like how the 50th has the two different voiced channels, using the 69 and 75 SVT sounds. A vid I saw of the two channels blended had absolute killer tone.

Think I'll pull the trigger on the 50th. As you mentioned, having the channel specifically for bass, that should give me the low rumble I want to hit the elusive Brown Note!:roflmao:
Click to expand...
Hand out adult diapers at the door unless you want to get sued :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass, DJ Bebop, Arthur U. Poon and 1 other person
#10
All I can say is that I want one BAD!

Listening to the sound clips with high quality headphones, the '69 channel sounds incredible, and so does the '75 channel. I also like that it's assembled in the US.

I have played through a new SVT-VR at my local music store, and it's completely badass. I keep going back and forth, because the SVT-VR is a priced lower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TylerJ, Wisebass, DJ Bebop and 3 others
#11
Arthur U. Poon said:
All I can say is that I want one BAD!

Listening to the sound clips with high quality headphones, the '69 channel sounds incredible, and so does the '75 channel. I also like that it's assembled in the US.

I have played through a new SVT-VR at my local music store, and it's completely badass. I keep going back and forth, because the SVT-VR is a priced lower.
Click to expand...
Ya, it's a tough decision when all of them are great choices no matter what you get. I'll tell you, though...I'd have loved it if they used the black sparkle cloth for it. The blue/silver sparkle is terrific too, but that black sparkle is crazy! Unfortunately, my SVT buying days are over, but at least I have one with black sparkle :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: TylerJ, DJ Bebop, SactoBass and 1 other person
#12
JimmyM said:
Ya, it's a tough decision when all of them are great choices no matter what you get. I'll tell you, though...I'd have loved it if they used the black sparkle cloth for it. The blue/silver sparkle is terrific too, but that black sparkle is crazy! Unfortunately, my SVT buying days are over, but at least I have one with black sparkle :D
Click to expand...

A Heritage SVT-CL stack like yours is also under consideration. The Black Sparkle is very kick ass!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TylerJ, DJ Bebop, SactoBass and 1 other person
#13
Arthur U. Poon said:
A Heritage SVT-CL stack like yours is also under consideration. The Black Sparkle is very kick ass!
Click to expand...
Well I know that they're going to start making the H810e with black or blue/silver grills because of the 50th, but I don't know if you can get the 50th with either. I'll bet you probably could. I just can't say for sure.

After careful consideration, though, I get why they're doing blue/silver on the 50th and it could very well be a 50th anniversary vibe killer to get it in black sparkle. So of course, the answer is to get one of each no matter what you choose :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oddly, Arthur U. Poon, Wisebass and 3 others
#17
Arthur U. Poon said:
All I can say is that I want one BAD!

Listening to the sound clips with high quality headphones, the '69 channel sounds incredible, and so does the '75 channel. I also like that it's assembled in the US.

I have played through a new SVT-VR at my local music store, and it's completely badass. I keep going back and forth, because the SVT-VR is a priced lower.
Click to expand...

The other concern after price is if the 50th SVT will be a limited run, or will it be a new product in the Heritage line for the foreseeable future.

If it's a limited run, that will move up my purchase and changes my decision between the SVT-VR and the 50th SVT.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
#18
Admiral Thrawn said:
The other concern after price is if the 50th SVT will be a limited run...
Click to expand...
Sounds like you want the 50th, with the SVT-VR being a distant second. So if you buy the VR, you might end up being a little disappointed, no matter how good it is.
I own two SVT's, one being a Viet-made VR. It's very good. I like it a lot.
My advice would be;
Either buy the 50th, or buy a 2nd hand VR. If you don't like the VR, you should be able to sell it for what you bought it for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TylerJ
#19
smo said:
Sounds like you want the 50th, with the SVT-VR being a distant second. So if you buy the VR, you might end up being a little disappointed, no matter how good it is.
I own two SVT's, one being a Viet-made VR. It's very good. I like it a lot.
My advice would be;
Either buy the 50th, or buy a 2nd hand VR. If you don't like the VR, you should be able to sell it for what you bought it for.
Click to expand...

I probably will go with the 50th SVT, not just because of the whole FOMO thing, but because it is a serious tone monster.

I love the SVT-VR, and wouldn't balk at the opportunity to get one and fire it up. If the 50th SVT turns out to be a limited edition amp, and I miss getting one, then I will gladly drop the cash for a SVT-VR.

Here's hoping I can score a 50th on the first go!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon
#20
Admiral Thrawn said:
The other concern after price is if the 50th SVT will be a limited run, or will it be a new product in the Heritage line for the foreseeable future.

If it's a limited run, that will move up my purchase and changes my decision between the SVT-VR and the 50th SVT.
Click to expand...
Here's what I know about that...it's a limited number of 50th Anniversary heads in this run, and a decision about keeping it ongoing won't be made until it hits market and the dust clears. They would like it to be ongoing, but it's too early to tell.

Now I don't know what Yamaha plans to do, but when LOUD owned Ampeg, they always distinguished the first run from others. Heritage SVT-CL and 810e had numbered plates (BTW, I might have said elsewhere the 50th will too, but I believe I was wrong about that), second batch of Heritage B-15's had a different clear turret board and used unleaded solder so they could sell it worldwide, Heritage B-15N had PCB and dropped the NOS 6SL7's and used new 12ax7's to lower the price, etc. So you never know what's going to happen with any newer batches if they happen. So I'd suggest if you want one, get in line ASAP. Only a month and a half before they're supposed to hit the market.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon and TylerJ

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back