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Ampeg SVT 7 Pro - the known "cutting out" issue

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scatbass

scatbass

Feb 4, 2009
115
10
Atlanta, GA
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#1
So I picked up an SVT 7. Used (craigslist). Revision A00. Apparently there are known issues with the power amp section cutting out.

Last weekend when I gigged it, there were no issues - it sounded great. Last night, however, it started cutting out near the end of the first set...and it only appeared to get worse.

For the technical questions, I'm running it into an 8 ohm Carvin 4x10 that I've been using for YEARS with no issue. The gain I drive pretty good (probably around 3:00), the master was probably about 11:00...so I don't see it being a "driving it too hard" issue.

Being that I bought it used, I have only a few options that I can see, and am seeking opinions.

Option 1 - I can turn around and resell it knowing that it has issues (possibly what the previous owner did). I'm not comfortable doing this.

Option 2 - I can call Ampeg and sweet talk them. Not sure what could come from this - advise welcomed.

Option 3 - I can bring it to a repair shop (there's a decent one here in Atlanta) and pay for them to do their magic. Even then, there may be no guarantees that it gets resolved and I'd really rather not dump more money into it.

All advice, opinions, and expertise welcomed!!

Thanks guys (and gals)...
 
#3
scatbass said:
So I picked up an SVT 7. Used (craigslist). Revision A00. Apparently there are known issues with the power amp section cutting out.
Click to expand...

Oops. I think conventional wisdom is to be wary of rev. A....

scatbass said:
Option 1 - I can turn around and resell it knowing that it has issues (possibly what the previous owner did). I'm not comfortable doing this.
Click to expand...

That's between you and your conscience. As a believer in and witness to Karma, I have found that payback is often far nastier than the original offense. If you sell it on TB knowing it's faulty....I don't even want to think about that...


scatbass said:
Option 2 - I can call Ampeg and sweet talk them. Not sure what could come from this - advise welcomed.

Option 3 - I can bring it to a repair shop (there's a decent one here in Atlanta) and pay for them to do their magic. Even then, there may be no guarantees that it gets resolved and I'd really rather not dump more money into it.
Click to expand...

You can try option 2, then 3. It's probably cheaper to fix it than be stuck with something faulty. I have a rev C of this amp and it has been flawless and sounds great!

Good Luck!
 
#9
I would talk to Ampeg first to see what they can do for you. If that fails (I'm going off of memory here, I could be wrong) you can get the new board without the problems for around $300.
It sucks to sink more money into something, but at least you wouldn't have just thrown away what you paid for it at first, and you should have a reliable amp afterwords.
 
#12
KsPiNeSh said:
Agreed - my Rev A has performed flawlessly for over a year now. If it's freaking out without any input, that certainly seems to indicate a bigger problem.
Click to expand...

Yep - this is why I note that this occurs even under ZERO load. With all the knobs all the way down, and no input signal running through it - the issue still occurs. The presence of a speaker or not also has no effect (thereby negating the "are you running too low an ohmage" question).

I'll call Ampeg on Monday and see what they recommend.
 
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#14
If it's only been a week or two since you bought the amp, can you get in touch with the CL seller and try to work something out, like going halves on the repair? Seems like a long shot since he was probably dishonest and sold you an amp he knew had issues, but you'd have nothing to lose by asking. Good luck, Bob
 
#15
I think that I would send it back to Loud and let them sort it out. You may pay a bit for shipping but you never know. Perhaps you might get lucky and they'll fix it for cost. There was another thread recently with identical circumstances as your own. Loud ended up sending out a replacement board at no cost.
 
#16
How about this answer.

Sell the amp and Vow never to buy Ampeg stuff again. I hate when you spend your hard earned dough on crap gear. I have that happened to me before that is why I will never buy Gallien Kruger stuff. I had two amps blow on me and after research it was a Manufacturing defect.. I have spent in the neighborhood of 100+ thousand dollars in gear over the last 20 years and Gallien Kruger will never see one dime
 
#19
sweetwillyp said:
How about this answer.

Sell the amp and Vow never to buy Ampeg stuff again. I hate when you spend your hard earned dough on crap gear. I have that happened to me before that is why I will never buy Gallien Kruger stuff. I had two amps blow on me and after research it was a Manufacturing defect.. I have spent in the neighborhood of 100+ thousand dollars in gear over the last 20 years and Gallien Kruger will never see one dime
Click to expand...
I'm sure you say that because you're perfect and have never made a mistake ;)
 
#20
sweetwillyp said:
How about this answer.

Sell the amp and Vow never to buy Ampeg stuff again. I hate when you spend your hard earned dough on crap gear. I have that happened to me before that is why I will never buy Gallien Kruger stuff. I had two amps blow on me and after research it was a Manufacturing defect.. I have spent in the neighborhood of 100+ thousand dollars in gear over the last 20 years and Gallien Kruger will never see one dime
Click to expand...

No point punishing yourself for something that's not your fault. As you can see - design flaws and defects are not particular to GK, Ampeg, or any other brand. They happen; and if you deal with it right - the amp maker gets to learn something about why it happened, fix the amp, correct the design, and the world is a better place.

@ the OP: Contacting Ampeg is a no brainer. At the very least they can tell you why it's happening and give advice on the best possible way to fix it. Also I agree with bobcruz. Contact the seller and tell him the amp is a dud.
 
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