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Buying a used SVT-CL...

#41
The bias lights are good for roughing out the bias in a set of tubes, and to be honest, I will likely save myself a trip to the tech and just use them when I need to change tubes in my upcoming Heritage SVT-CL. But to get the bias perfectly set, it's better to use the bias controls that the tech uses rather than the lights.
 
#42
4StringShooter said:
2 things :

It IS made in china, NOT St Louis

Test ALL ground wires going to Powertubes. ALL of mine were bad in a BRAND NEW SVT.

I sold mine. I think they're SEVERLY over rated junk.
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Well, im not a fanatic and think them to be a little overrated, its more a matter of tone preference. I think its highly improbable but not impossible for that piece of ELECTRICAL equipment to leave the factory with a problem that bad. Not calling you a liar, but you got the whole lemon grove. To the op, def have a tech go over it, should be done with every brand. SVT is beloved by legions, i hope you enjoy yours!
 
#44
The whole made in China thing is so tired already. This SVT either sounds good and is reliable, or its not. There's plenty of American made products that have failed. I don't understand why someone who wants to bash something can't give informative information. As far as the power tubes, you'd not need to swap them. You could swap the pre amp tubes if you want, as they could be a little tired. Good luck and all the best with your soon to be new amp!
 
#45
blubass said:
The whole made in China thing is so tired already. This SVT either sounds good and is reliable, or its not. There's plenty of American made products that have failed. I don't understand why someone who wants to bash something can't give informative information. As far as the power tubes, you'd not need to swap them. You could swap the pre amp tubes if you want, as they could be a little tired. Good luck and all the best with your soon to be new amp!
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Not going to get into the specifics, but let's just say I know 4StringShooter from outside TB, too, and I'm not the least bit surprised ;)
 
#47
Hey, I'm new to this site and in need of some help. I have an Ampeg SVT-CL. It is about two years old and I have never actually replaced the tubes, and I bought it brand new. Now, one of the power tubes is blown and I have a gig on Saturday. The replacement tubes will not be here until next week. Is it feasible to perform with one faulty tube for a set of about an hours length? Thanks in advance for any help!
 
#48
Winding_Wheel said:
Hey, I'm new to this site and in need of some help. I have an Ampeg SVT-CL. It is about two years old and I have never actually replaced the tubes, and I bought it brand new. Now, one of the power tubes is blown and I have a gig on Saturday. The replacement tubes will not be here until next week. Is it feasible to perform with one faulty tube for a set of about an hours length? Thanks in advance for any help!
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My advice is don't use the amp ..... if the tube blew/flashed out, it could of took out one of the resistors on the circuit that is related to that tube, the issue is, your running a balanced set of tubes, and if you run it, you might take out more tubes due to the unbalanced load, granted the resistor should take the tube out of the circuit but, now it is the time to use your back-up amp and you really need to get the amp looked at by someone who knows that amp
 
#49
I had an SVT Classic & 810 bought brand new back in 1994 for around $900 store cost from a good friend. Anyways I thought it sounded great as good to my ears as the SVT2 non pro I had, probably better because of the 810 it was going through as opposed to the 610 for the latter. I do remeber the amp going a bit wacky once at a gig of course. The lights on front started flashing & the volume was swelling, it made it through the set, wish i knew what the tech did, might have just been the bias which can be adjusted without a meter with the lights around back. I never thought it sounded too loose or lacked anything, really a great sounding amp, wish I still had it.
 

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