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Ampeg SVT-CL chassis repairable?

fatillac

fatillac

Dec 18, 2007
103
49
Winnipeg, Manitoba
#1
First off I am in the market for a svt-cl and have been looking for a used, made in USA head for about 3 months now. I am not that worried if it is made in USA, Vietnam, or Antarctica, just as long as it works.

I am having a really hard time finding anything used in my area (winnipeg,manitoba,canada).

In Canada a new Vietnamese CL sells for $1900 + tax.
My local music store ordered me in a used CL, made in USA, from another store in their chain and it finally arrived today so I went to check it out. Oh, they want $1200 and it comes with a 3 month warranty.

The unit was brought in sight unseen by the salesperson or myself.

I arrive at the store with credit card clenched in my sweaty little hand to look at my new baby. We open up the shipping box and put the amp on the table. Quite a few nicks in the tolex, some road rash, all the knobs are there, nothing I am worried about.

The problem is the whole wood portion of the "chassis" is loose and wobbly.If you hold the sides of the amp and push it back and forth there is about 1/2" of play. It appears that the glue/screws have come apart where the plywood meets. The metal screen on the back of the amp is not attached and some screws have pulled out.

I actually LOLed in the store, and told the guy "$1200 is a wee bit high for this condition"

He agreed.

So none the less I plugged in and gave her a test drive, with a Mesa 410 and a EBMM Sterling and I honestly could not get the poop eating grin off my face for about 5 minutes.

I played the amp almost dimed for about 5 minutes then shut her down, it works perfect and sounds like heaven. I noticed that the tubes were all Groove Tubes (didn't get the model) so that is a plus (retubed).

So, my question is, what would you do?

A) Run like hell

B) Should I offer them $600? fix it and buy some tolex?

Is the wood portion of the chassis easily repairable?

Does the ampeg chassis come apart at the seams where I could get to it with some proper glue and screws?



Any input is much appreciated!

Cheers :bassist:
 
#3
You could look into a replacement head box and see if they're willing to come down on the price to cover the cost. I know www.fliptops.net makes replacement head boxes for all the vintage amps, but they might be able to make you one for an SVT-CL if you ask them. They've done custom stuff for me to replace parts for my odd-ball 70s ampeg cab, so I know as long as they have the correct dimensions they're likely to do it.

Jerrold you would know better than I, but it shouldn't be much of a problem to move the head into a new box and bolt it in as long as it's made to proper specs.
 
#4
If they will take $600 do it in a heart beat.
Take the chaisis out of the cabinet and bring the cabinet to a small cabinet shop or decent carpenter. It's a simple wood box that could either have a new bottom (or sides or whatever) fabricated or possibly just repaired.
 
#5
Jim C said:
If they will take $600 do it in a heart beat.
Take the chaisis out of the cabinet and bring the cabinet to a small cabinet shop or decent carpenter. It's a simple wood box that could either have a new bottom (or sides or whatever) fabricated or possibly just repaired.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Who cares about the wood at that price?
 
#6
Hi.

Like said, if they take $600, buy it. In a heartbeat.

One thing to inspect though.

Look very closely to the transformer mounting legs and the chassis surface around the legs. If You see any bending or dents, the amp may have been dropped.

A dropped tube amp is almost always bad news. I have "repaired" quite a few, and there's constant problems until the transformers get replaced. Often not feasible. Brand spanking new power tubes are also usually a bad sign (if they are new in Your case), as power tubes take quite a bit of a hit if the head is dropped, and are usually replaced.

Regards
Sam
 
#7
Dunno if I agree about dropping etc.......

I have seen an SVT that came off a truck on the highway..... and ended up in the ditch. When washed off and the cabinet damage dealt with, it worked for years as far as I know, and may still be working. And various others that I have seen/fixed/etc that had the "mounting feet" stretched by whatever.... and were still working fine.

There's no particular magic failure of that type..... I'd be more worried about all the solder joints than the transformers......
 
#8
Whoops, forgot to post an update...

They wouldn't budge enough on the busted CL..$1100

But they did budge on a brand new SVT-VR
They knocked off $400 off the sticker price and they gave me $900 trade in for my SVT4-PRO.

The VR is made in Vietnam, but at least the 5 year warranty is reassuring
Sounds like heaven matched with my 610HLF

Goodbye amp GAS!
 

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