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Ampeg SVT-II appreciation thread

#741
Love this thread!

A selfish question: I'm interested of these, and there's a II Pro (as opposed to 2 Pro) on eBay right now. If any of you happen to be familiar with my tone and/or approach, would you likely suggest that I hold out for a II (non-Pro)? Any advice would be appreciated.

JMJ
 
#742
jmjbassplayer said:
Love this thread!

A selfish question: I'm interested of these, and there's a II Pro (as opposed to 2 Pro) on eBay right now. If any of you happen to be familiar with my tone and/or approach, would you likely suggest that I hold out for a II (non-Pro)? Any advice would be appreciated.

JMJ
Click to expand...

The difference b/w the pro/non-pro is that the pro has a gain and master (like the classic) and the non-pro doesn't have the gain (like the VR). The non-pro was supposed to be the same SVT head but in a rack mount version. Some claim they can hear the difference b/w a regular SVT and a non-pro but I can't. It's only a visual thing. :)
 
#743
^ the preamp tubes are slightly different in a vintage svt vs. the II non pro so i wouldn't be surprised if there is a difference in sound. plus caps will be different and you never know if a vintage head is in proper working order.

JMJ the II-pro is the same as the currently available 2pro heads from what i understand. just different chassis.
 
#744
Good info, thanks gentlemen.

I'm not really into the sound of the current 2pro. I guess for me, it's the convenience of a rack mount chassis for the SVT-II along with a little more sculpting with that EQ. Otherwise, I'd probably just use one of my vintage heads.

Well, I guess I'll start leisurely hunting for one. If anyone has any leads, that would certainly be appreciated as well.

Best,
JMJ
 
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#747
IMG_0491.jpg


It just recently got back from the tech with a clean bill of health.
 
#750
Anyone have a source of the Ferrite beads and nylon spacers?

94A001-01 Ferrite Bead
85-061-01 Nylon Spacer

I see that this amp does not have the beads and still has the resistors.

Just did the update to replace the R23 resistor with a jumper. Wanted to perform the rest...
 
#751
This sweet baby is on its way to me from Portland. I cant wait. I've had multiple classics over the years I loved but the EQ section wasnt enough so I played the 4pro which I also love. This should be the best of both worlds & I will be putting tung sol KT120's in her at some point. Might even upgrade to a Mercury Magnetics output trany.
 

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#754
tbird36go said:
This sweet baby is on its way to me from Portland. I cant wait. I've had multiple classics over the years I loved but the EQ section wasnt enough so I played the 4pro which I also love. This should be the best of both worlds & I will be putting tung sol KT120's in her at some point. Might even upgrade to a Mercury Magnetics output trany.
Click to expand...

Looks just like mine - congrats!! One of the sweetest amps ever made.

Curious: why change out the trannie? And, if you were to do so, why a Mercury? I have put them in a few guitar amps that came with mediocre stock OTs, but never even thought about it for a bass amp. Maybe I am missing out on something.
 
#755
I bought an old used 90s classic a while back that had a Mercury trany in it. Sounded alot more alive & 3D than the stock classic I had at the time even with the same tubes. Most SVT push an average of 210-250 watts not 300. I want to run the hole 300 watts without problems & thats where the new trany comes in. Its also a drop in replacement. Mercury says... The newest family of transformer designs from Mercury. APS transformers are built and specifically optimized for today's amps and today's tubes. Due to power, modern tube production, design and chassis "real estate" limitations, not all modern amps can be modified or upgraded to handle the full-on affects of our Axiom, ToneClone, Radiospares or Partridge transformers. APS transformers correct many of the design limitations of the stock transformers to give you the most your amp can offer. APS transformers make your amp more reliable and better sounding. If you depend on your modern amps for a living, then you need the peace of mind APS transformers will give you. Transformers made to take the punishment of being on the road and keeping your amp running... We shal see I guess because after the head gets here its off to the Amp Doc for a checkup. From the pics it looks like it may have the original tubes in it.
 
#756
tbird36go said:
I bought an old used 90s classic a while back that had a Mercury trany in it. Sounded alot more alive & 3D than the stock classic I had at the time even with the same tubes. Most SVT push an average of 210-250 watts not 300. I want to run the hole 300 watts without problems & thats where the new trany comes in.
Click to expand...

A good running SVT will have the capability to put out 300w. 210-250 would raise concerns whether the amp is actually operating properly to begin with. If the power tubes and power supply are up to standards, then it definitely should put out 300 watts of clean signal --regardless of Mercury's ad copy.
 
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#757
Average plate dissipation rating of 6550s is 35W, KT88s is 42W, KT90s are 50W & KT120s are 60W. I'm no math magician but it seems to me if you run 6 6550s in a SVT you would push about 210+ Watts or you could drop in KT88s for 252+ watts so on & so on. I wana run KT120s at 360+ watts & this is where the new tranny comes in. I sent an email to Mercury so i'll se what they have to say about it. I know tubes give a little more power in the push/pull they do but not a ton more. I could be totaly wrong about all this but I spend alot of time reading specs with my OCDisum. A guy at Watford Valves in Hertfordshire, England swears by the KT120s & runs them in his SVT. I don't know if hes done any mods to it but Im gona find out.
 
#758
Dave M said:
A good running SVT will have the capability to put out 300w. 210-250 would raise concerns whether the amp is actually operating properly to begin with. If the power tubes and power supply are up to standards, then it definitely should put out 300 watts of clean signal --regardless of Mercury's ad copy.
Click to expand...
Totally agreed.
 
#760
Dave M said:
A good running SVT will have the capability to put out 300w. 210-250 would raise concerns whether the amp is actually operating properly to begin with. If the power tubes and power supply are up to standards, then it definitely should put out 300 watts of clean signal --regardless of Mercury's ad copy.
Click to expand...

Mercury Magnetics never said anything about SVT power output being low, I said that but if I'm wrong I apologise.
 

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