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Ampeg SVT-6 Pro - new in a shop?

A

andereocci

Sep 4, 2019
15
4
#1
Hi everybody!
I am new to the forum, this is my first thread, but I am following talkbass since I started playing bass, a few years ago, nice to meet everyone!

I own an SVT-7 paired with a PN 410. Since lately it stops making sounds for few instant while I am playing, then is goes back without pops, but I am sick, (and reading other threads it seems like a common issue even for recent ones like mine), I decided to move forward.

I found in a local shop an Ampeg SVT-6 PRO new, never sold. it seems quite strange to me, however, the price seems appropriate (1200$), but considering is got discontinued years ago, I am kinda skeptic.

Serial number is # CGPK18004427, that doesn't match with any chart I found online...

please let me know your thoughts...would you go for it?
 

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#3
Whenever buying a long discontinued model, it's a good idea to verify with the manufacturer (not the dealer) that the manufacturer's warranty still applies. Most manufacturers limit the warranty under these conditions.
 
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#5
Thanks for the tips, I called Ampeg and they told me SVT-6 has been discontinued in 2009, therefore, no warranty and parts hard to find. Also the serial number doesn't match with their records. I will skip this head, is not even discounted.

I love my svt-7 sound, but have it's reliability.
The customer care knew about the issue, saying is recurring.

I am open to consider other amp, but I would like to stay in the 800-1200w...
Suggestion? The Markbass LM tube 800 seems nice too...but us it reliable?

Thanks all!
 
#7
andereocci said:
Thanks for the tips, I called Ampeg and they told me SVT-6 has been discontinued in 2009, therefore, no warranty and parts hard to find.

Thanks all!
Click to expand...

This is not uncommon (as a generality, not just with Ampeg of course), which is why I suggest verifying these kinds of scenarios with the manufacturer. Sometimes a dealer will unknowingly (or worse IMO knowingly) misrepresent the warranty status and give incorrect information which then comes back to become very "inconvenient" and expensive down the road.
 
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#8
These are rad amps but, you can find them for good prices from time to time. I think the seller is taking advantage of the fact these amps are getting hard to find, with later models built in Korea. Looks like this is a US model, so that could have an impact on the price.

I wouldn't let a discontinued status sway you from exploring this awesome amp. Very few companies offer lifetime warranties on products of a broad range. SB12's, B15's, B25's, and most of the original V series have been discontinued. These are still good buys if problematic issues are narrowed down to common parts. (caps, filters, tubes, pots, etc.)
 
#9
I have a 6pro.
I picked one up used after I used one in a backline (Sony Blue Line stage at SXSW in 2012). I liked it in the backline enough that when I found one locally, I grabbed it. Mine is one of the Asian made versions (Korea? Vietnam?). It has worked fine the handful of times I have used it live, but it has a hellaciously loud fan that kicks in after about 10 min of use. Sounds Ampeggy, tons of power (1100w @ 4ohms) but the fan (and its weight) kind of keeps it in "rehearsal space amp" status for me.
 
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#11
andereocci said:
Wow....is it the svt 6 that noisy? I didn't notice when I tried it...

Anyway @Raw N Low did you recognize the serial number? Neither Ampeg can go back to when and where it was made...

Thanks
Click to expand...

I didn't really notice it in the pictures in the original post. Ampeg serial numbers are posted to sticker with a barcode and model name. That particular serial number looks odd...

The sticker should be placed right about the fan vents on the right side, and not between the DI and FX loop. I'd send that picture to Ampeg to confirm but, my gut feeling tells me it's suspect.
 
#14
Ryan L. said:
That serial number looks like someone made it with a label maker. Doesn’t look factory to me at all.
Click to expand...
I agree, combined with Ampeg's reply I think there's a lot more to this story that the OP doesn't need to discover...
 
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#16
There are 2 on reverb right now, cheapest being $350 with $50 shipping and it's got a ding in the chassis and missing a knob, seller says it works perfect.
The other is in a rack case for around $650
No affiliation just popped on reverb to compare prices.
That's a lot of money for something that's been discontinued. $1,200 can buy you some killer new amps darkglass, Mesa, Aguilar and the gk legacy amp
 
#17
_One//Man//Mutiny_ said:
There are 2 on reverb right now, cheapest being $350 with $50 shipping and it's got a ding in the chassis and missing a knob, seller says it works perfect.
The other is in a rack case for around $650
No affiliation just popped on reverb to compare prices.
That's a lot of money for something that's been discontinued. $1,200 can buy you some killer new amps darkglass, Mesa, Aguilar and the gk legacy amp
Click to expand...
And none of them sound anything like the ampegs svt line.
 
#18
Used one of these at my church in our Christian metal band, pushing four Hartke cabs, at 2 ohms (and it's not rated for that :eek:). When I discovered that I found a solution to correct the impedance.

Very powerful, nice headroom, but I felt like I had to push too many buttons and twist too many knobs to get the sound we needed. At an outdoor concert a few years ago the power section blew due to bad generator power. Thankfully the preamp/DI continued to work and we finished the show.

After the repair, it wasn't the same, i.e. nowhere near the power it had before. It was replaced with a Mesa 400.

IMO it was a solid amp, never gave us trouble (did we replace an input tube or two? Possibly, can't remember...) so if you like the sound then go for it. But not that one, and not at that price.

Raz
 
#20
At this point I won't purchased this SVT-6 for sure. Thanks for all your suggestions.

I forgot to mention I am based in Italy, and if the SVT-6s are rare in the US, here are much more rare!

Anyway I will send the SVT-7 to repair, and try the Mesa D800+ that I never had the chance to try (here in Italy Mesa are pretty rare to find in stores).

It is however a little disappointing how the Ampeg-Yamaha Customer care replied to me yesterday "yes we know the SVT-7 have that issue, but nothing has changed after the last review in 2014".
How can you keep manufacturing the same way and retailing at $800 something knowing that a relevate issue such as these cut offs can occur so often. bah...

At this point I just want something reliable, and try to avoid warranties and CC as much as possible...
 

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