Cracking the newer LOUD/Ampeg serial number code

[JimmyM]

I have finally cracked the dating code for LOUD Ampeg stuff made since 2008! The 12th digit from the left is a letter corresponding to the year it was made, very similar to how SLM did it...A = 2008, B = 2009, etc.

How did I do it? Simple...I asked Ryan Cassady and he told us! He also posted this handy-dandy graphic image on Facebook:

Ampeg's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

Sometimes you just have to be sneaky and ask

 

[FrenchAK]

I propose to you: the "Year 2034 Problem." Y2K34.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

And here I thought you were going to take credit...

 

[JimmyM]

I propose to you: the "Year 2034 Problem." Y2K34.

Moot point. The world will end in 2012. So get your Riley Martin symbol ASAP, because that is your ticket to passage on the Biiavian mothership to our new planet.

 

[thumbs&fingers]

Nice riley martin symbol reference!

 

[Red Planet]

Resurrecting this,
so its safe to say the following up til now?


5th digit from left:

H=1995

I=1996

J=1997

K=1998

L=1999

M=2000 Darker Drivers

N=2001

O=2002

P=2003

Q=2004

R=2005

S=2006 SLM stopped using OSB. Stopped using Darker Drivers.

T=2007 USA/SLM production stopped in March. April? production moved to Vietnam.


12th +/- digit from left:

A=2008 June production moved from Vietnam to South Korea.

B=2009

C=2010

D=2011

E=2012

F=2013

G=2014

 

[JimmyM]

Yes, but Hodgy explained further not too long ago that different products have different first few digits and that will cause the digit for the year to float away from the 12th digit position a little.

 

[Skinhorse]

Is it standard to have a 'U' after the SVTCL?

 

[JimmyM]

I've seen the U before, but while I think it means "universal" power transformer that can be wired for any country's electricicals, I'm not 100% sure.

EDIT: OK, I'm now 100% sure I was wrong

 

[hodgy]

Is it standard to have a 'U' after the SVTCL?

The 'U' is for U.K. 240 VAC!

 

[jokerone]

I've seen the U before, but while I think it means "universal" power transformer that can be wired for any country's electricicals, I'm not 100% sure.

EDIT: OK, I'm now 100% sure I was wrong

Ferguson? that's a lovely neighborhood.
I'm going to have to venture over there sometime and check it out. I don't know if they still make them there or not?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Tell people that CLU stands for Command and Launch Unit. Much better than Constant Linear Unit which would be more suitable for an instrumentation amp.

 

[Red Planet]

Yes, but Hodgy explained further not too long ago that different products have different first few digits and that will cause the digit for the year to float away from the 12th digit position a little.

I have a brand new SVT610HLF cab, there is a G the 10th digit over. I'm assuming this is delineating 2014? The 12th over is clearly a zero. Also it's a 15 digit number.

 

[David Jayne]

The 'U' is for U.K. 240 VAC!

Geeze, couldn't they have added the '.K.' to make it clear? Guess it wasn't in the budget.

 

[Red Planet]

So my buddy has an 8X10E that has a 5th digit of T. According to the serial number it was made in February of 2007 which makes it USA made and built from real Plywood correct?

 

[JimmyM]

I have a brand new SVT610HLF cab, there is a G the 10th digit over. I'm assuming this is delineating 2014? The 12th over is clearly a zero. Also it's a 15 digit number.

Sounds about right.

 

[JimmyM]

So my buddy has an 8X10E that has a 5th digit of T. According to the serial number it was made in February of 2007 which makes it USA made and built from real Plywood correct?

Plywood is correct, but I'm not sure at what point they moved. Should say if it was Chinese or Vietnamese on it if not from USA, though.

 

[Red Planet]

Plywood is correct, but I'm not sure at what point they moved. Should say if it was Chinese or Vietnamese on it if not from USA, though.

It clearly states MADE IN USA on it. According to what I found the last USA product was made in March.

And when did they stop using the dark speakers?

 

[JimmyM]

That I can't pinpoint to an actual month.

 

[Red Planet]

Also when did production move from Korea to China or should I say when did production begin in China?