Finally took the plunge - 1970 SVT

[mepex]

I'm been messing with the idea of getting an old SVT for a while, been playing GKs mostly, and a 1970 SVT with 6146s came up, and I pounced. Sounds great, and everything works. I got a heck of a lot of information by searching here through old threads, so thanks everyone!

My question is about cosmetic restoration... I'm not super into the old-timey, torn up vintage look, but I don't want to seriously hurt the resale value or commit heresy by putting on new tolex or new cloth or whatever. What do you think? Don't try to hide the age, or spiff it up?

 

[Selta]

If you want and have the dough, just buy a brand new headbox from fliptops and drop the guts into it. Then if you ever resell it you have the choice (or can sell with both or whatever).

 

[TheDialog]

I took my '78 from this:

To this:

Fliptops provided new headbox, knobs, face plate, logo and driver tubes cover.

 

[johnk_10]

i wouldn't mess with the original head box since it looks great the way it is, and is more valuable original.
just find one original knob for it (the ampeg RI's aren't exactly the same)

congrats. she's a beaut.

 

[johnk_10]

the new ampeg reissue knobs are similar, but slightly different. here's a pic of them side by side:

it's hard to tell from your pic if the 6 of your's are stock or not, but i would assume that they are.

 

[mepex]

Thanks everyone. Turns out the new knob isn't a d-shaft, so I'm going to have to replace the whole pot. Oh well. Pretty sure the other knobs are original. After I fix that, I'll think about getting a new headbox, which is a great idea. I didn't surf around fliptops long enough to see those. Helluva job with yours, TheDialog.

 

[johnk_10]

by getting a new headbox from fliptops you'll be saving the orig from further damage, so i think it's a good idea, especially if you don't have or get an ATA case (or at least a padded cover for it).

my three (top to bottom: '07 SVT-VR, '75 SVT, '69 SVT):

 

[TheDialog]

Thanks everyone. Turns out the new knob isn't a d-shaft, so I'm going to have to replace the whole pot. Oh well. Pretty sure the other knobs are original. After I fix that, I'll think about getting a new headbox, which is a great idea. I didn't surf around fliptops long enough to see those. Helluva job with yours, TheDialog.

Thanks! Don't replace the whole pot if it's original. PM me, I can send you an original replacement.

 

[JimmyM]

ya, that's crazy to replace a pot because of the knob. just get a different knob.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Schweet amp, guy.

 

[mepex]

The pot (and knob) look much newer than the others, so I'm guessing one of the previous owners had a problem with it, and and replaced the whole pot himself without bothering to match it. It's not a d-shaft pot , so I can't get an original (or original looking) replacement knob. For $15 worth of parts, this will give me an excuse to open it up and poke around a little. And I'll make sure I discharge the caps before I mess around.

 

[johnk_10]

i think that one of these would work fine:
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[mepex]

Yep, just ordered, with a knob. I'll let you know how it all turns out. And johnk, I hope you have that picture of your SVTs as your computer desktop. Better than a pic of the Grand Canyon.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Great looking amp.

 

[WINGS012345]

The Box looks nice. Why not just re-tolex it. Fliptops sells that. replace the chrome corners and handle. Cloth if it stained. Faceplate looks decent. I look at these things like muscle cars. Restoring while keeping the engine original will increase the value.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I see Naproxen in your future...

 

[coreyfyfe]

Yep, just ordered, with a knob. I'll let you know how it all turns out. And johnk, I hope you have that picture of your SVTs as your computer desktop. Better than a pic of the Grand Canyon.

I love gut shots. I have this one as my background at work, focused in on the center:

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[TheDialog]

I love gut shots. I have this one as my background at work, focused in on the center:

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I have a few for you:

 

[sedan_dad]

...............a 1970 SVT with 6146s .........................?

There is a few of us with 6146's. That should be a club. I'll bet it won't get too big.

 

[gbazinet]

There is a few of us with 6146's. That should be a club. I'll bet it won't get too big.

Do it.