Been looking into spending some dough on the blue line amp. Only question is, which one should I get... the vintage, or the reissue? Kinda confused, and can't see or find anything to really compare the two. Weight does not matter to me, just want the sound.. I have an opportunity to buy a vintage blue line, and i'm wondering if it is worth it.. Thanks!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
AMPEG Vintage Blue Line VS. Blue Line VR
- Thread starter musicman1
- Start date
"Blue line" is a three-year-old marketing term that means nothing in terms of performance or circuitry in a vintage Ampeg. If you're interested in how the VR compares to vintage SVT's a search of posts will reveal mixed results. The one I tried did not come anywhere close to sounding like an old SVT, but others have had different experiences. I suggest you play the amp you're interested in. If you like its sound, buy it.
HI
I'm interested in to know more details. Please, can you be more specific. What was soundwise the biggest difference? I guess the VR doesn't have the mojo of the original SVT?
Have you seen inside the amp? (components, PCB quality etc.) Does anyone have pics insde the SVT VR amp?
Thanks.
I commented on it here, but I wasn't very detailed, so I'll go into specifics with your questions.
The VR I played had no punch and was very muddy in the low end while having a thin overall sound. It also did not have near the volume I expect out of an SVT. There was no feeling of 'horses under the hood' like you get with an SVT. On the in store demo, the amp would get loud, but it was very distorted and weak sounding. I thought halfway about tweaking the bias to see if it would improve, but thought better of it. The amp was also a good bit lighter than it should have been. AFAIK it's still at GC Nashville if any other Nashville TB'ers want to give a second opinion.
...to put it mildly
No, but they did move the bias controls to the back.
The VR I played had no punch and was very muddy in the low end while having a thin overall sound. It also did not have near the volume I expect out of an SVT. There was no feeling of 'horses under the hood' like you get with an SVT. On the in store demo, the amp would get loud, but it was very distorted and weak sounding. I thought halfway about tweaking the bias to see if it would improve, but thought better of it. The amp was also a good bit lighter than it should have been. AFAIK it's still at GC Nashville if any other Nashville TB'ers want to give a second opinion.
...to put it mildly
No, but they did move the bias controls to the back.
ALL the tubes in that amp ought to be good for another 20 years.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
this makes me think that the VR's may vary quite a bit. I have an old blue-line (1970) and a new 2007 VR that sounds exactly what an SVT should sound like. gobs of power and no distortion unless you really push it (just like the old one). i can only think that the one that PBG tried (and i value his opinion) must've had something wrong with it.
I've speculated that Loud cheaped out and used parts substitutions on later runs, specifically transformers. The weight difference is too big.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
not much that i can add except that i've owned no less than 9 vintage SVT's over the years and the new VR fully met my expectations with no surprises. Mine does have a slight manufacturing problem (slight hum) on channel two (which i never use) and i have to take it in to get it fixed (under warranty), which will take about 3-4 days. it seems that they have released a bulliten for a replacement PCB that fixes the hum issue.
oh, and mine feels just as heavy as the old one (at about 95 lbs)
I doubt that. Electrical Windings, the company that made the transformers, went out of business.
There were two vintage SVT's for sale here on TB just in the last week or so. As a matter of fact TB is where I got mine! I think the skunkworks one is still for sale. I think I'd be inclined to buy that one over a VR. And the vintage one is still cheaper and it's has a clean bill of health.
A good amount of info.. I know that the vintage is cheaper, but now, how much would you be expected to pay for one? I know the VR's are $2000, and i know it's for a brand spankin new one, and I would be the only owner, and prolly never get rid of it..... BUT, is new always the best way to go? just trying to weigh my options for a tube amp that I would be using all the time, to take the place of my SVT 4pro on stage... I'm an ampeg guy, I recorded through a blue line, and the sound was amazing.. I want that up on stage too..
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i got my VR brand new in the box last november for $1500.00 which i thought was a reasonable price for one. i can check to see if he has any more of them.
Speaking of "Bluelines"
Did all vintage bluelines have an etched panel?
I figured I'd ask while I had the experts in.
Did all vintage bluelines have an etched panel?
I figured I'd ask while I had the experts in.
I have a '73 SVT, its getting fixed at the moment... i got a VR for the convenience of having a DI out and the fact that i didn't have to use a step down transformer...
Comparing the two and having played a blue line '69 amp previously i have nothing but praise for the new VR, i did my first practice with it last thursday and my first gig last night and i was in heaven, i use it with a berg NV215 and the bottom end is incredible, no problems with power! (if you want problems with power get an SVT-4!
)
The singer from my band is notoriously bad at carrying gear (my double bass can verify this fact!) so not having to worry about the constant potential damage to my previously pristine vintage SVT, not having to carry the transformer, the DI and the modern handles which dont crush your hands coupled with the fact it just sounds so good make it a winner for me!
Comparing the two and having played a blue line '69 amp previously i have nothing but praise for the new VR, i did my first practice with it last thursday and my first gig last night and i was in heaven, i use it with a berg NV215 and the bottom end is incredible, no problems with power! (if you want problems with power get an SVT-4!
)The singer from my band is notoriously bad at carrying gear (my double bass can verify this fact!) so not having to worry about the constant potential damage to my previously pristine vintage SVT, not having to carry the transformer, the DI and the modern handles which dont crush your hands coupled with the fact it just sounds so good make it a winner for me!
