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Ampeg SVT VR & SVT Heritage

#3
I think you might find answers with a quick search, as there's lot's of info on these 2 amps here. But, bottom line, they're 2 very different SVT's, with the Heritage packing a hefty pricetag, and otherwise being an SVT-CL, and the VR is a modern take on the original SVT's.
 
#6
Tube said:
is no difference between Ampeg SVT-VR USA and VR Vietnam?
Click to expand...
parts are different, yes. the transformers were american made in the us versions, but the transformer company wanted to stop making them so they would have had to switch to fireign transformers anyway. soundwise, no difference that i can tell.
 
#8
The early Vietnam VRs used parts left over from USA manufacture and still labeled SLM - me, I have compared my early Vietnam VR with Korean and USA and like Jimmy cannot hear a difference. I suspect that the improvement some notice in the Heritage CL over the standard is from the better quality valves used in the Heritage. One of these days I will upgrade the tubes in my VR...
 
#10
I think most, if not all, of the VRs are made offshores now, Korea probably. The design of the Heritage is pretty much the CL, which is different from the VR. The VR or the SVT II non-pro are probably gonna be closer to the vintage SVTs than the CL. Honestly though, with the price tags on these, you might as well try to hunt for a real vintage SVT.
 
#11
The VRs were originally made in the USA, when Loud took over production shifted to Vietnam and then more recently to Korea. There were some quality control issues with the early Loud models, but if you got a good one you got a good one. There are many TB'ers who are very happy with their VRs, although I would have to say that if vintage Ampegs appeared on the New Zealand market at all I would probably have gone for one of these instead. That said, I am very happy with my Vietnam VR which has never failed me.
 
#13
Tube, you are opening a can of worms here and the thread is likely to be closed down by the moderators if it heads in this direction. Suffice to say that any problems seem to have been sorted out now and that the VR is a great head. It has been said that the final run of VRs made in the USA had QC issues as the workers were made aware that they were to lose their jobs. I suggest that you use the search engine on Talkbass and draw your own conclusions. Me, I am more than happy with my Vietnam VR - it has been thrashed and thrown around and never missed a beat.
 
#14
After some research on the Ampeg SVT-VR U.S.A. I noticed that three models were constructed:
SLM is the first, was later bought by Loud Technologies, and then it Loud
moved all in Asia.

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#16
They were originally. SLM was in St. Louis, they began producing the SVT-VR. SLM was purchased by Loud and production transitioned over to asia eventually, so there were some Loud USA units (these are the one's that tend to have a higher variability in quality as far as I've heard). Finally, production in asia stabilized and Loud has been putting out quality product since then.

The SVT-Heritage is an attempt by Loud to bring the "Made In USA" ampeg. They are a limited edition version of the SVT-CL with upgraded circuit components and come stock with higher-quality tubes.

IMO, if you want it to sound like a "vintage" SVT, the SVT-VR is the way to go, whether it was made in the US or Vietnam.
 
#18
Tim1 said:
Tube, you are opening a can of worms here and the thread is likely to be closed down by the moderators if it heads in this direction. Suffice to say that any problems seem to have been sorted out now and that the VR is a great head. It has been said that the final run of VRs made in the USA had QC issues as the workers were made aware that they were to lose their jobs. I suggest that you use the search engine on Talkbass and draw your own conclusions. Me, I am more than happy with my Vietnam VR - it has been thrashed and thrown around and never missed a beat.
Click to expand...

They close threads if people ask if a company's products have had problems? Really? Isn't that why these forums exist? So bass players can help other bass players through their experience. I love the Ampeg sound. If someone is spending 1500- 2 grand on a head, they have every right to know the track record of that product.
 
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