It also has built in anti theft protection! nobody would steal the knock off at a gig. This could be the ultimate touring rig. LOL.
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Ampeg SVT Classic that looks like this?
- Thread starter Hawk256
- Start date
Specs are weird too: 200 Watt amp - 4x12" cab
The cab doesn't seem to be big enough for 4x12" drivers, I don't know any 200 W SVT head, and don't think it make any sense to have 4x12" for only 200 W (a SVT 212 cab handles 600 W)
Looks like a bad Asian attempt to copy an SVT. I remember seeing amps like this when I lived in Korea in the 1970s, looking somewhat like Fenders or Marshalls but not close enough to really fool anybody. With the sealed back of the head, it's almost certainly solid state.
At least it comes with a kabel
At least it comes with a kabel
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I'm quite familiar with the Ampeg Classic Series. This looks absolutely fake. Still could be a decent sounding amp, but it isn't an actual Ampeg SVT Classic. @JimmyM would probably know.
Also, see post number 10, click the link and enlarge the photos. This is a cheap copy.
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I have heard rumors of fake amps but this is the first one I have actually seen advertised
NOTHING on that amplifier is correct. I mean, nothing. It very much has a "80's pawn shop knock-off" vibe
I suspect stuff like this exists because of draconian tariffs in Indonesia. It would be interesting to see what the import duty on a real SVT would be but I bet the real deal would cost like $15,000 US there.
We lived in Taiwan (my dad was in the service) from the late 60's to early 70's and they had crazy high tariffs on importing cars and appliances.
As a result they had these local agents (called "chop men") who would show up and pre-buy all your stuff, cars, appliances, window mounted air conditioners, to be picked up and paid for when you left at the end of your tour.
Both parties would sign a contract, fixing the pricing and this was called "chopping".
Cars in particular were in demand by their merchant and professional class and as such they would pay crazy high prices for used American cars. (they drive on the right side of the road there, so their cars are LHD).
In the case of my dad's car, it was a six year old Rambler (but a nice one, top of the line model) when we left, he had paid $4,000 for it in 1965, and he chopped it for $4,000. Back in the states, even in the mint condition it was in that car would have sold for maybe $1,000 tops.
Well during the time we were there, the Taiwanese government started cracking down on this practice (since the chop men were brokers buying "used items" they were not taxed very much) and instituted high taxes on the chopping market. In particular they were very steep on cars.
I think my dad's $4,000 car was going to turn into an $8,000 car because of the taxes.
So the chop guys came by the house and asked my dad (very respectfully mind you) if he would renegotiate a lower price). My dad did and in the end I think he took $3,600 USD which was getting to drive the car for five years for $400.
It was crazy when they came to pay for the stuff in cash, as NT (New Taiwan dollars) were 40 to one US Dollar. So they had this huge briefcase full of NT, and it was like some kinda drug deal from a movie LOL.
So yeah crazy high tariffs result in locally made knockoff products; or lots of other issues that I won't go into here.
Crazy how they didn't even try to ape the actual amp, I don't know if they figured it was not worth trying too hard to copy the amp or making it that different might help them not get sued. I doubt Ampeg would get far with a lawsuit there.
Analogeezer
We lived in Taiwan (my dad was in the service) from the late 60's to early 70's and they had crazy high tariffs on importing cars and appliances.
As a result they had these local agents (called "chop men") who would show up and pre-buy all your stuff, cars, appliances, window mounted air conditioners, to be picked up and paid for when you left at the end of your tour.
Both parties would sign a contract, fixing the pricing and this was called "chopping".
Cars in particular were in demand by their merchant and professional class and as such they would pay crazy high prices for used American cars. (they drive on the right side of the road there, so their cars are LHD).
In the case of my dad's car, it was a six year old Rambler (but a nice one, top of the line model) when we left, he had paid $4,000 for it in 1965, and he chopped it for $4,000. Back in the states, even in the mint condition it was in that car would have sold for maybe $1,000 tops.
Well during the time we were there, the Taiwanese government started cracking down on this practice (since the chop men were brokers buying "used items" they were not taxed very much) and instituted high taxes on the chopping market. In particular they were very steep on cars.
I think my dad's $4,000 car was going to turn into an $8,000 car because of the taxes.
So the chop guys came by the house and asked my dad (very respectfully mind you) if he would renegotiate a lower price). My dad did and in the end I think he took $3,600 USD which was getting to drive the car for five years for $400.
It was crazy when they came to pay for the stuff in cash, as NT (New Taiwan dollars) were 40 to one US Dollar. So they had this huge briefcase full of NT, and it was like some kinda drug deal from a movie LOL.
So yeah crazy high tariffs result in locally made knockoff products; or lots of other issues that I won't go into here.
Crazy how they didn't even try to ape the actual amp, I don't know if they figured it was not worth trying too hard to copy the amp or making it that different might help them not get sued. I doubt Ampeg would get far with a lawsuit there.
Analogeezer
You are correct about import tariffs in Indonesia. Basic items start at 30% and go up to 300% for certain items from the US. If you see someone on a Harley in Indonesia, you know they are ridiculously rich. I'm not sure about taxes on other countries goods and not sure how much that would play in Ampeg ripoffs since they are made in China now anyway. I guess there may be some licensing agreements that could affect "legal" imports as well but I really have no idea.
I've had both Vietnam and China SVTs as provided backline amps. I owned several USA SVTs. They all just sound like an SVT. I owned a Vietnam SVT6 Pro. It was a ridiculously good amp. Wish I hadn't traded it.
On the official Ampeg logo the vertical strokes are all the same width.
On the knockoff logo the vertical strokes are inconsistent, especially the letters 'p' and 'q':
Conclusion: This is clearly an Ampeq.
