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Ampeg SVT Handwired?

Brice Blair

Brice Blair

Jul 9, 2020
8
17
#1
I own a handwired Heritage B-15 and love it. I'd like to add a new(ish) SVT to my stable but I'm interested in a handwired version. I don't really want a "vintage" amp so I'd like to find something similarly made to my B-15. I don't think this exists in new production, but I'd love to be wrong. Does anyone know if Ampeg has plans to release a handwired SVT?

I don't need opinions on whether handwired amps are worth it. I understand the nuances of handwired v/s PCB amps.

I'm also open to other similar manufacturers. The new Sunn products look interesting but I think they have a circuit board.

Thanks for your advice!
 
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#2
If you mean no PCB then SVT has never been hardwired since it's inception. The amp was designed with pcbs from the start.

If you want something in the vein of the SVT but entirely hand wired/turret board type construction you'll be hard pressed to find it, and pay a hefty price if you do.

I might suggest a DCA black mark. The preamp uses a james bass/treble but also has a passive mid design, rather than the active mid of the SVT. And the output stage is really closer to a hiwatt DR405 than an SVT.

There's the steamboat steamroller 300 which again uses a james/bax BT and separate mid for ampeg inspired tones, but I'm not sure how they're built. Haven't seen any gut shots of their amps.

Out of production because the builder passed away, but maybe also the Siegmund big boy. It had a "5 band" eq, so different from an SVT, but supposedly similarly designed for good cleans.
 
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#9
Brice Blair said:
I own a handwired Heritage B-15 and love it. I'd like to add a new(ish) SVT to my stable but I'm interested in a handwired version. I don't really want a "vintage" amp so I'd like to find something similarly made to my B-15. I don't think this exists in new production, but I'd love to be wrong. Does anyone know if Ampeg has plans to release a handwired SVT?

I don't need opinions on whether handwired amps are worth it. I understand the nuances of handwired v/s PCB amps.

I'm also open to other similar manufacturers. The new Sunn products look interesting but I think they have a circuit board.

Thanks for your advice!
Click to expand...
Since I'm open to learning, can you help us understand the nuances of a hand wired amp.
 
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#10
Brice Blair said:
I own a handwired Heritage B-15 and love it. I'd like to add a new(ish) SVT to my stable but I'm interested in a handwired version. I don't really want a "vintage" amp so I'd like to find something similarly made to my B-15. I don't think this exists in new production, but I'd love to be wrong. Does anyone know if Ampeg has plans to release a handwired SVT?

I don't need opinions on whether handwired amps are worth it. I understand the nuances of handwired v/s PCB amps.

I'm also open to other similar manufacturers. The new Sunn products look interesting but I think they have a circuit board.

Thanks for your advice!
Click to expand...
The only hardwired / turret board amp I'm aware of in recent years is the Reeves Custom 225. You might be able to find one used.
 
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#11
Max7 said:
The only hardwired / turret board amp I'm aware of in recent years is the Reeves Custom 225. You might be able to find one used.
Click to expand...
​
Reeves makes a 400 as well.

Hi-tone also makes very good Hiwatt clones...but they top out at 200W.

Morgan used to turret board MP200.

img_3167-jpg.1726147



I believe Divided By 13 may currently make two hand wired 200W bass amps: RDT200 and TBL200. The TBL 200 supposedly has some SVT tone: Divided By 13 TBL200: Review and Impressions | TalkBass.com I believe these use turret board construction similar to Hiwatts.
 
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#12
Wasnex said:
​
Reeves makes a 400 as well.

Hi-tone also makes very good Hiwatt clones...but they top out at 200W.

Morgan used to turret board MP200.

img_3167-jpg.1726147



I believe Divided By 13 may currently make two hand wired 200W bass amps: RDT200 and TBL200. The TBL 200 supposedly has some SVT tone: Divided By 13 TBL200: Review and Impressions | TalkBass.com I believe these use turret board construction similar to Hiwatts.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much for that info, i appreciate that!
 
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#13
Slevage said:
Since I'm open to learning, can you help us understand the nuances of a hand wired amp.
Click to expand...
Could be easier to mod or repair for a simpler amp, and saves money for small batch making of limited editions. PCB is more affordable, reliable, and consistent for large-scale manufacturing and more complex designs. Your B-15 belongs to the former group; the SVT is the latter.
 
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#14
Wasnex said:
​
Reeves makes a 400 as well.

Hi-tone also makes very good Hiwatt clones...but they top out at 200W.

Morgan used to turret board MP200.

img_3167-jpg.1726147



I believe Divided By 13 may currently make two hand wired 200W bass amps: RDT200 and TBL200. The TBL 200 supposedly has some SVT tone: Divided By 13 TBL200: Review and Impressions | TalkBass.com I believe these use turret board construction similar to Hiwatts.
Click to expand...
Love me some Hiwatts! But I'm interested in a PCB version that mayyyyy... cost a bit less, too.
 
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#15
Look - you can go to places in the bay area for example - like Sonic (not the fast food chain ) that will spin a PCB for you cheaper even for a limited run than someone doing the hand wire soldering for you. Also there is a difference between pure hand wired and turret board. Which is it? Frenzel amps do handwired and if you pay him enough he may spin a 6550 quartet for you or a Septet. I don't think he will do a James tone stack for you - just a variation of the Fender TMB, never mind the mid selector. My guitar amp he made is sweet sounding.

upload_2023-12-19_20-34-52.png


Anyway Mr. Fryette puts this on his amps and I have one.

upload_2023-12-19_20-29-37.png
 
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#17
From my experience in building guitar amps (retired EE) to put it simply, the SVT preamp section is just too damn complex to build hand wired. Layout and lead dress matter, PC board designers have taken all this into consideration. You're very unlikely to find anyone doing a "boutique" build of this circuit. B15s, yes - built about 20 of these myself - SVT or V4, no. The power section, maybe. Worked with a friend (a ham op with good knowledge of highpower electronics) who wanted to build one as a PA amplifier. Minor changes, used a 6SL7, two 6SN7s, six 6146Bs and a pair of VR tubes to set the proper safe voltage for the driver stage. It worked fine the first time powered up, but was a real PITA to lay out and wire, not to mention downright dangerous with 650V on exposed topcap tubes, though hams are used to dealing with naked kilovolts pumping RF. No manufacturer would ever go this route.
 
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#18
Subbed. Never knew it was a thing.
Brice Blair said:
I own a handwired Heritage B-15 and love it. I'd like to add a new(ish) SVT to my stable but I'm interested in a handwired version. I don't really want a "vintage" amp so I'd like to find something similarly made to my B-15. I don't think this exists in new production, but I'd love to be wrong. Does anyone know if Ampeg has plans to release a handwired SVT?

I don't need opinions on whether handwired amps are worth it. I understand the nuances of handwired v/s PCB amps.

I'm also open to other similar manufacturers. The new Sunn products look interesting but I think they have a circuit board.

Thanks for your advice!
Click to expand...
 
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Reactions: Patrice B

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