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Ampeg SVT-II appreciation thread

I fired up my II the other day after about a year of pause and 10 minutes into rehearsal the volume dropped significantly with audible distortion. Then the volume came back and distortion went away. It went on and off like this couple of times, then I turned the amp off. Also, EQ was not as efficient as I remember it to be, or maybe I’m imagining things. There is also a loud pop when putting the amp from “on” to “standby”.

My initial thought was a bad preamp tube but also capacitors are old, they weren’t replaced when I had the amp checked when I bought it.

Today I did some basic preamp tube rolling but the amp didn’t exhibit any problems with stock tubes except two extremely short volume drops and I was very limited with time so it’s hard to say. Can anyone help? Any advice is appreciated.
I think you're on the right track...tube(s) or cap(s). If tube swapping doesn't fix it, best to take it into the shop.
 
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Send/return jacks.
Plug a cable from send to return.

I didn't try this yet but I did plug in return from another preamp which worked so at least power section is fine. You're saying the send jack itself could be causing all this?

Can someone explain to me preamp tube positions from this picture? I'm guessing v1 is the bottom left one.

p1010018-jpg.1218654
 
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I didn't try this yet but I did plug in return from another preamp which worked so at least power section is fine. You're saying the send jack itself could be causing all this?
Its the return jack that typically causes the problem, they have a shunt that can become dirty/tarnished over time. That shunt in the return jack is what makes the connection between your amps preamp section & poweramp section, when your not patching any outboard effects into the send/receive jacks.

When you simply plug a guitar cord in-between the send & return jacks; this cord ends up serving the same function as that shunt normally would. My SVT-II developed this problem, I just left a short (angled guitar pedal) cord plugged in between the send & return jacks for serveral years.

Its easy, give it a try. If this instantly corrects your problem, just explain the situation to your amp tech the next time he services your amp. Then he'll either clean or replace your return jack.
 
Hi.I've mentioned my setup previously(svt 2 np,svr 215 cab) and now im looking at expanding with a second cabinet.The svr 215 is 2x15 isobaric(opposite) firing and rated 4 ohms.Im looking at stacking a second cab on top (with svt 2 in the middle inside the svr built in 4 rack space.I would appreciate any inputs on what cabinet configuration (ampeg) might go best on top of the svr.(2x10,2x12,4x10,1x15..etc)..Price is not a factor..i play mostly classic rock,blues,jazz,funk & punk.My main axe is a Hamer Cruise bass(4 string) with a 2Tech bridge with semour 1/4 pounder j pickups.Any input appreciated.
 
Hi.I've mentioned my setup previously(svt 2 np,svr 215 cab) and now im looking at expanding with a second cabinet.The svr 215 is 2x15 isobaric(opposite) firing and rated 4 ohms.Im looking at stacking a second cab on top (with svt 2 in the middle inside the svr built in 4 rack space.I would appreciate any inputs on what cabinet configuration (ampeg) might go best on top of the svr.(2x10,2x12,4x10,1x15..etc)..Price is not a factor..i play mostly classic rock,blues,jazz,funk & punk.My main axe is a Hamer Cruise bass(4 string) with a 2Tech bridge with semour 1/4 pounder j pickups.Any input appreciated.

Whatever you do, I'd be sure it's a 4-ohm cabinet and that you switch the output on the amp to 2-ohm.

That being said, I could see maybe a 410HLF. That would be one MASSIVE rig... on many fronts.
 
I fired up my II the other day after about a year of pause and 10 minutes into rehearsal the volume dropped significantly with audible distortion. Then the volume came back and distortion went away. It went on and off like this couple of times, then I turned the amp off. Also, EQ was not as efficient as I remember it to be, or maybe I’m imagining things. There is also a loud pop when putting the amp from “on” to “standby”.

My initial thought was a bad preamp tube but also capacitors are old, they weren’t replaced when I had the amp checked when I bought it.

Today I did some basic preamp tube rolling but the amp didn’t exhibit any problems with stock tubes except two extremely short volume drops and I was very limited with time so it’s hard to say. Can anyone help? Any advice is appreciated.

Perfect timing... my 2 pro seemed to develop this same issue, a drop in volume during practice/ show and then back to normal along with audio distortion as you described. Need to bring it to a tech just haven’t had time. The drop in volume also seemed to affect the DI signal as our sound guy noticed the difference as well.
 
Hi.I've mentioned my setup previously(svt 2 np,svr 215 cab) and now im looking at expanding with a second cabinet.The svr 215 is 2x15 isobaric(opposite) firing and rated 4 ohms.Im looking at stacking a second cab on top (with svt 2 in the middle inside the svr built in 4 rack space.I would appreciate any inputs on what cabinet configuration (ampeg) might go best on top of the svr.(2x10,2x12,4x10,1x15..etc)..Price is not a factor..i play mostly classic rock,blues,jazz,funk & punk.My main axe is a Hamer Cruise bass(4 string) with a 2Tech bridge with semour 1/4 pounder j pickups.Any input appreciated.
Whatever you do make sure the floor it sits upon is sturdy as F. You could easily create a 300lb rig.
 
I didn't try this yet but I did plug in return from another preamp which worked so at least power section is fine. You're saying the send jack itself could be causing all this?

Can someone explain to me preamp tube positions from this picture? I'm guessing v1 is the bottom left one.

p1010018-jpg.1218654
99% of the time v1 is closest to the input socket. So, yes bottom left.
 
Question:

So mine starts making a crazy spaceship sound (like oscillation) every once in a while. If I switch the standby and back to run, it sounds normal again.

Is this the effects-loop jack issue? A cold solder joint somewhere in the amp?

I wouldn’t think it’s a tube issue, given that the standby-to-run switch makes it go away. I don’t think that would somehow make a failing tube happy again.

Thanks!
Sean
 

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