Ampeg SVT 50th Anniversary head

[Admiral Thrawn]

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.

Good call.

I'll be placing my pre-order shortly, when I'm done with work.

Thanks JimmyM, and everyone else chiming in!

Now to hope that my pre-order is one of the ones that gets filled when shipping happens!

 

[JimmyM]

I’ve been looking at a 30th anniversary SVT Classic. I’m waaay behind...

Ain't nothing wrong with an SVT-CL, bro. I love my Heritage.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I'd be really happy if Yamaha decides to continue making the 50th Anniversary model beyond this year. I know I can't buy one right now, and when I can, I'd like it to be a brand spanking new one.

I'm thinking this decision will be based on sales.

Because I'm into the assembled in the USA thing, I'll happily buy a new Heritage SVT-CL if the 50th Anniversary model is a "One and Done" thing.

I'll definitely be buying a new SVT, and I have to admit that I'm still apprehensive about the SVT-VR and the SVT-CL because they're built in China. Although saving the money by buying a new SVT-CL would make it an easier purchase to get my better half to approve.

@JimmyM : I'm guessing you've played through many Chinese made SVT-CLs as provided backine(?) If you could only afford the SVT-CL, would you feel safe buying a new one?

I know you've said many times that you're quite happy with the different SVT models, and even though there might be slight tonal variations, they're all more similar sounding than different.

 

[JimmyM]

@JimmyM : I'm guessing you've played through many Chinese made SVT-CLs as provided backine(?) If you could only afford the SVT-CL, would you feel safe buying a new one?

I know you've said many times that you're quite happy with the different SVT models, and even though there might be slight tonal variations, they're all more similar sounding than different.

Only reason I didn't get a Chinese CL is because I wanted the black sparkle grillcloth

 

[smo]

.... would you feel safe buying a (chinese made) one?

From what I've read, Ampeg assembles the amps in China, Vietnam etc. Most of the components are manufactured in Asia.
The USA ones are assembled in USA, but the components are all basically the same as the Viet or Chinese ones.
I've read a lot of misinformation about this sorta stuff....but this was the facts of what I found.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

From what I've read, Ampeg assembles the amps in China, Vietnam etc. Most of the components are manufactured in Asia.
The USA ones are assembled in USA, but the components are all basically the same as the Viet or Chinese ones.
I've read a lot of misinformation about this sorta stuff....but this was the facts of what I found.

For me it's all about tone and reliability.

Just because something is "Made in America" doesn't inherently mean "higher quality."

While the 50th "Assembled in America" is a nice draw, and something I'd like to support, it's not a deal breaker if the SVT I get is made, assembled, cobbled together with Asian parts, so long as the tone is there and the amp is reliable.

I want the 50th SVT for the tonal options more than because some dude in California is putting it together.

 

[JimmyM]

From what I've read, Ampeg assembles the amps in China, Vietnam etc. Most of the components are manufactured in Asia.
The USA ones are assembled in USA, but the components are all basically the same as the Viet or Chinese ones.
I've read a lot of misinformation about this sorta stuff....but this was the facts of what I found.

It's basically true for the heads but not for the cabs, and it's also true for pretty much every modern amp regardless of where it's assembled. But there are other things you get with the Heritage SVT's...better cosmetics (much better with the 50th...those etched front plates are EXPENSIVE to build compared to silk screening), better tubes and tube retainers, better QC with the tubes, better speakers...things like that. And in the case of the Heritage 50th, a newly designed second channel you can't get anywhere else without extensive modding that would make a VR cost just as much as the 50th, if not more. I think they're worth it.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

It's basically true for the heads but not for the cabs, and it's also true for pretty much every modern amp regardless of where it's assembled. But there are other things you get with the Heritage SVT's...better cosmetics (much better with the 50th...those etched front plates are EXPENSIVE to build compared to silk screening), better tubes and tube retainers, better QC with the tubes, better speakers...things like that. And in the case of the Heritage 50th, a newly designed second channel you can't get anywhere else without extensive modding that would make a VR cost just as much as the 50th, if not more. I think they're worth it.

See, this is a big part of why I want the 50th--the two channels.

The extras, you know, better QC, components, build quality, those for me are bonuses to the sound I'll get with the amp. They're quality of life improvements, to use a term from my videogame side, and I'm all about QOL improvements.

And like I mentioned previously, I'm more concerned about tone and reliability first. If it doesn't sound right to me, it doesn't make a bit of difference if the amp was made on Mars. I also don't care where the parts come from or are cobbled together. If the tone and reliability aren't there, what difference does it make if the parts are top-shelf or Chinese knock offs? You're still stuck having to fix it and all the costs that come with that.

However, the Heritage line seems to be about better quality all around, and better manufacturing, which is why they can and do charge a premium for the gear. I'm OK with paying that premium because the results so far, from what I've gleaned from heritage series owners, is that the price of admission for Heritage gear is worth it.

 

[JimmyM]

See, this is a big part of why I want the 50th--the two channels.

The extras, you know, better QC, components, build quality, those for me are bonuses to the sound I'll get with the amp. They're quality of life improvements, to use a term from my videogame side, and I'm all about QOL improvements.

And like I mentioned previously, I'm more concerned about tone and reliability first. If it doesn't sound right to me, it doesn't make a bit of difference if the amp was made on Mars. I also don't care where the parts come from or are cobbled together. If the tone and reliability aren't there, what difference does it make if the parts are top-shelf or Chinese knock offs? You're still stuck having to fix it and all the costs that come with that.

However, the Heritage line seems to be about better quality all around, and better manufacturing, which is why they can and do charge a premium for the gear. I'm OK with paying that premium because the results so far, from what I've gleaned from heritage series owners, is that the price of admission for Heritage gear is worth it.

I'm certainly way happier with mine than I would have been had I got a Classic version, especially the cab. The Classic 810e is a fine sounding cab, but the H810e sounds almost identical to the early flatback cab with CTS speakers (I have one of them, too), and that's the standard by which I judge all 810's.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

I'm certainly way happier with mine than I would have been had I got a Classic version, especially the cab. The Classic 810e is a fine sounding cab, but the H810e sounds almost identical to the early flatback cab with CTS speakers (I have one of them, too), and that's the standard by which I judge all 810's.

That's also what I've seen regarding the Heritage line--the gear sounds more vintage-y whereas the Classic versions have a more "modern" sound (at least compared to the Heritage line).

I wish I had the space and back for a Fridge (I had six spine surgeries between 2015 and 2017, and can't lift that behemoth), so I'm just going to pair my SVT 50th with an SVT-212AV cab.

I think you mentioned the SVT-212AV cab, now that I think of it.

 

[JimmyM]

That's also what I've seen regarding the Heritage line--the gear sounds more vintage-y whereas the Classic versions have a more "modern" sound (at least compared to the Heritage line).

I wish I had the space and back for a Fridge (I had six spine surgeries between 2015 and 2017, and can't lift that behemoth), so I'm just going to pair my SVT 50th with an SVT-212AV cab.

I think you mentioned the SVT-212AV cab, now that I think of it.

Ya, I'd say that's the cab to get if you don't want to lug an 810. Wouldn't take an SVT and dime it through the 212av, but for clean to light power tube distortion, it's a killer little cab.

Don't know that I'd call the Classic 810e "modern," though But usually I distinguish modern from vintage by the tweeter. In other words, 60 year old tones vs 40 year old tones

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

Ya, I'd say that's the cab to get if you don't want to lug an 810. Wouldn't take an SVT and dime it through the 212av, but for clean to light power tube distortion, it's a killer little cab.

Don't know that I'd call the Classic 810e "modern," though But usually I distinguish modern from vintage by the tweeter. In other words, 60 year old tones vs 40 year old tones

Hey, from some of the gripes I've seen regarding the 50th SVT, 40 year old tones are modern!

As for the 212AV, I think it will work for most gigs out where I live in central Virginia. Most of the venues I've checked out, I wound't need to blows the doors off anything, not that there is space to even set up a Fridge. And if it comes to it, I could always mic it or DI if those options are available.

If it really came down to it, I'd get the Fridge and make it work, but it's certainly not my go-to option by a long country mile.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

That's also what I've seen regarding the Heritage line--the gear sounds more vintage-y whereas the Classic versions have a more "modern" sound (at least compared to the Heritage line.

I'm glad you brought up the sound differences, Tyler.

When I tried that SVT-VR locally, I even asked the store's resident Ampeg guy if he could hear any tonal difference between the SVT-VR and the SVT-CL. (I've owned an SVT-CL in the past, so I was kind of testing him.) His opinion was the SVT-VR stayed a bit clearer at gig volume compared to the standard SVT-CL, which I was happy to hear. And it seemed to be true when I cranked it up a bit in the store. I'm definitely wanting the sound of a vintage SVT, for sure.

I am going to go with an 810E when I can finally afford the entire setup. And JimmyM has praised the Heritage 810E cabinet for it's incredible tone, many times.

So, I'm back to putting the 50th Anniversary SVT at the top of my wish list, and I'm going to order the Heritage 810E with the grill cloth to match the front panel of the 50th Anniversary head. Hopefully there will still be a new one available when I have to money to spend.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Hey, from some of the gripes I've seen regarding the 50th SVT, 40 year old tones are modern!

As for the 212AV, I think it will work for most gigs out where I live in central Virginia. Most of the venues I've checked out, I wound't need to blows the doors off anything, not that there is space to even set up a Fridge. And if it comes to it, I could always mic it or DI if those options are available.

If it really came down to it, I'd get the Fridge and make it work, but it's certainly not my go-to option by a long country mile.

Heck, you're in central Virginia? I may have driven past close to the town you live in today! I'm a long haul truck driver, and I picked up a load out of Chesapeake, and went through Virginia on I-64 afterwards!

You live in a really beautiful state!

 

[JimmyM]

I'm glad you brought up the sound differences, Tyler.

When I tried that SVT-VR locally, I even asked the store's resident Ampeg guy if he could hear any tonal difference between the SVT-VR and the SVT-CL. (I've owned an SVT-CL in the past, so I was kind of testing him.) His opinion was the SVT-VR stayed a bit clearer at gig volume compared to the standard SVT-CL, which I was happy to hear. And it seemed to be true when I cranked it up a bit in the store. I'm definitely wanting the sound of a vintage SVT, for sure.

I am going to go with an 810E when I can finally afford the entire setup. And JimmyM has praised the Heritage 810E cabinet for it's incredible tone, many times.

So, I'm back to putting the 50th Anniversary SVT at the top of my wish list, and I'm going to order the Heritage 810E with the grill cloth to match the front panel of the 50th Anniversary head. Hopefully there will still be a new one available when I have to money to spend.

They will make sure of it.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

Heck, you're in central Virginia? I may have driven past close to the town you live in today! I'm a long haul truck driver, and I picked up a load out of Chesapeake, and went through Virginia on I-64 afterwards!

You live in a really beautiful state!

Yeah, I love it out here. I'm in Fredericksburg, and while it lacks some of the things DC or Richmond has, I'm close enough to both to have access to them without all the drama of living in either city.

Also got some badass music stores in the general area, so that makes for a great excuse to get out of town for a day and try things out.

Be safe out there on the road!

 

[jeff62]

I know it will never happen but I’d be all in if this format was offered in a 150-200 watt model that weighed no more than 50lbs. As much as I loved my Heritage SVT, it was too much to lug and too much for almost every venue I’ve played because the sound I prefer is one in which I can push the power tubes a bit.

 

[seamonkey]

Looks like YGG might have more information coming soon:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It would be interesting to see if they have any artist playing the pre-production models.

 

[seamonkey]

According to live event - They are shipping now in the US and other countries.

New in merchandise will be ThunderWear!

 

[seamonkey]

Nothing else new coming from Ampeg: Dino "... 2, 3, 5, years down the road ..."