Ampeg SVT (old school) amp help - 60s/70s

[cymbop]

@sleepy_monkey fwiw the Ampeg Book would date your beauty in the '76-79 range due to the rounded corners on the front graphics.

Over the last 20 years I have only owned three amps for practicing and gigging. And they're all '72-75 Ampegs. When you buy one of these things you have to plan on some bench time and be prepared for some tube purchases -- but once your tech gives it a clean bill of health, you shouldn't be surprised to see ten years of happy use before you need service again.

I'd reckon there must be a tech in Asheville who's The Guy. But if not, Michael Clark of Clark Amplification down here in Greenville has serviced all three of my amps and they are all kicking strong. He knows what he's doing.

If you have the scratch to get this thing up and running, I promise it'll make you smile for many years to come.

 

[JimmyM]

Got it. Any that you would recommend that won’t break the bank? I see what is on the Fliptops site and a few others. Again, this isn’t going to be a gigged setup….basement rig…lol.

Probably your bog standard JJs.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

@sleepy_monkey fwiw the Ampeg Book would date your beauty in the '76-79 range due to the rounded corners on the front graphics.

Over the last 20 years I have only owned three amps for practicing and gigging. And they're all '72-75 Ampegs. When you buy one of these things you have to plan on some bench time and be prepared for some tube purchases -- but once your tech gives it a clean bill of health, you shouldn't be surprised to see ten years of happy use before you need service again.

I'd reckon there must be a tech in Asheville who's The Guy. But if not, Michael Clark of Clark Amplification down here in Greenville has serviced all three of my amps and they are all kicking strong. He knows what he's doing.

If you have the scratch to get this thing up and running, I promise it'll make you smile for many years to come.


View attachment 7223712

Thanks for the info. I’ve reached out to give techs in Asheville…have t heard back, but I’ll start to call this week. I’ll check out Clark Amplification as well. Appreciate the guidance.

 

[jmpiwonka]

Anyone want me to send them the power section so they can document this adventure?? ;-)

You mean the whole amplifier?
I have a genius tech local and a spare set of power tubes haha.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

You mean the whole amplifier?
I have a genius tech local and a spare set of power tubes haha.

Haha! Well, I would want it back. ;-)

 

[jmpiwonka]

Ahh. You’re wondering if a tech from here will go through it.
I thought you meant you didn’t want to put the money in it and were gonna move it along.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

@sleepy_monkey fwiw the Ampeg Book would date your beauty in the '76-79 range due to the rounded corners on the front graphics.

Over the last 20 years I have only owned three amps for practicing and gigging. And they're all '72-75 Ampegs. When you buy one of these things you have to plan on some bench time and be prepared for some tube purchases -- but once your tech gives it a clean bill of health, you shouldn't be surprised to see ten years of happy use before you need service again.

I'd reckon there must be a tech in Asheville who's The Guy. But if not, Michael Clark of Clark Amplification down here in Greenville has serviced all three of my amps and they are all kicking strong. He knows what he's doing.

If you have the scratch to get this thing up and running, I promise it'll make you smile for many years to come.


View attachment 7223712

I emailed him via his site and he is in Idaho now it looks like. He said he could definitely fix it, but shipping the whole head might be $$$$$.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I emailed him via his site and he is in Idaho now it looks like. He said he could definitely fix it, but shipping the whole thing might be $$$$$.

Just ship the head. You can get the cab repaired anywhere.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Just ship the head. You can get the cab repaired anywhere.

Definitely not shipping a cab…haha. I might ship the head if I can’t find anyone semi-local.

 

[cymbop]

he is in Idaho now it looks like

Oooooof! Looks like I need a new Amp Guy.

There's got to be one in Asheville, though.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Oooooof! Looks like I need a new Amp Guy.

There's got to be one in Asheville, though.

I sent one tech some pics and he basically said there is a whole lot going on and if the transformers are dead then it would be a paperweight. He has a lot of warranty work he is doing right now so wouldn’t be able to dive into it though.

 

[timv]

That is a 76-79 like someone else said. Wish you lived closer to AZ, I would go through that. Definitely going to cost you a good amount because everything needs to be looked at. My 1970 that I got about 20 years ago now needed similar work. Good luck. I wish shipping was affordable. Definitely do not send just the power section to someone, not sure the condition of the preamp.

 

[cymbop]

@sleepy_monkey my bandmate (also an Old Tube Amp Guy) says his go-to for repairs in Asheville is Heyday Music.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

@sleepy_monkey my bandmate (also an Old Tube Amp Guy) says his go-to for repairs in Asheville is Heyday Music.

I messaged them Saturday and they emailed back today. I spoke to a tech earlier on the phone. He said he can fix it, but will it make sense $$.

Does anyone have a set of used tubes they don’t need that I could use for testing purposes? I don’t want to buy a new set of tubes just to find out there are other issues. I just need a set for the tech to run it up to power. Then once it ‘works’ I’ll hit a new set.

 

[jmpiwonka]

I messaged them Saturday and they emailed back today. I spoke to a tech earlier on the phone. He said he can fix it, but will it make sense $$.

Does anyone have a set of used tubes they don’t need that I could use for testing purposes? I don’t want to buy a new set of tubes just to find out there are other issues. I just need a set for the tech to run it up to power. Then once it ‘works’ I’ll hit a new set.

I think someone stated previously in this thread a tech could power it up without tubes to check voltage in various points to troubleshoot.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

I think someone stated previously in this thread a tech could power it up without tubes to check voltage in various points to troubleshoot.

Yes, that is true…but to fully test I believe they will need to put tubes in it to ensure all things are corrected.

 

[timv]

Yeah, a tech should be able to check for major issues that would make you stop putting $ into it without tubes. Or, just a pair. I would think most shops have some beater tubes laying around for testing....

 

[Wasnex]

Does anyone have a set of used tubes they don’t need that I could use for testing purposes?

The tech does not need tubes to troubleshoot at this point. Once the power supply is sorted, additional testing and troubleshooting can be performed with only a pair of output tubes. It's likely that a tech who regularly works on this type of amp will have a stash of worn tubes.

Hopefully the small signal tubes are good. Required:
4 12DW7--3 in channel 1, 1 in the power amp (phase inverter)
1 12AX7--channel 2
1 6C4--mixes channel 1 and 2
2 12BH7--driver tubes for power amp

 

[Wasnex]

If you want a vintage SVT, I think there is a good chance you will come out ahead buying an amp that is already sorted.

This sort of project makes sense for someone who can do the work the themself, as the parts alone could cost more than the amp is worth in working condition.

 

[timv]

sleepy shared more photos with me and this amp looks like it has not been touched accept those blown resistors. All the other tubes are there and are original GE/USA made ones so most likely are still OK.
No other components show visual damage.