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Found a 1976 svt

wolfkeller

wolfkeller

Supporting Member
Aug 11, 2013
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detroit
#1
Ampeg SVT Vintage 1976
Is it worth $2,000??
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Well, here it is. An original 1976 Ampeg SVT with few on-stage hours. Used with my accordion in the Polka heydays. Been re-tubed about 10 years ago, and hasn't been turned on since. 9 out of 10 cosmetics, and the power is awesome...which is why you'r ...
 
#3
All original SVT's sell for a premium. It isn't unusual for them to sell for that price because people who want one in good shape are willing to pay more. It looks like it has been well taken care of. As mentioned, it will probably need an ecap job. If you want this amp, the price is worth it. The seller might be will to accept less. Will you find a better deal if you are willing to wait? Sure but it won't be this amp.
 
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#6
I would say work him down to $1,500. Anytime you buy a used older tube amp you should figure $500+ in repairs/tube replacement. If you're in the market for a vintage SVT I would jump on this. I personally do not go for older gear. It sounds better, but also breaks more. I would honestly look at the Heritage series SVT at this price point.
 
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#8
Cap replacement in my experience isn't a matter of improving the sound of a functioning amp, it's about the caps degrading to the point where the circuit no longer functions correctly. If the amp is used semi-regularly, those electrolytics can last for decades, but if they're left on the shelf completely discharged, they degrade more quickly. Some folks change them pre-emptively, but I've generally followed the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school.

I suppose I should mention that, in principle, we're not supposed to discuss prices on these general forums - they are supposed to be the province of paid-up members on the buy/sell forums. Which is why I didn't answer the "is it worth $2000" question. But I will say that it was an eye-opener for me, as I happen to own an older, 60's vintage blue-line SVT head that definitely works (I had it cleaned up and converted back to 120V operation a year or two ago) that I never use anymore and sometimes think of selling...
 
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#10
I was more interested in passing the info on to others and not such and such rules. I have a sweet svt2, I just wondered if if was a good price. To me it seems a steal. I have to wonder if a new heritage would sound as good as this? I hear all sorts of people saying you can't beat the old stuff.
 
#11
wolfkeller said:
I have to wonder if a new heritage would sound as good as this? I hear all sorts of people saying you can't beat the old stuff.
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There was certainly a time in the 80s and 90s when the newer Ampeg gear, even the nominal "SVT" models, sounded pretty poor compared to the original designs. I've heard that they've done a more careful reproduction with the SVT-CLs, but have never A/B'ed one with a vintage head.
 
#13
You can [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] if they've been stored properly. You bring the amp up slowly on a variac while watching the leakage current to the filter caps. You can do this in-circuit, but not if you don't work on amps (before we have the usual warnings).
 
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#15
Sid Fang said:
There was certainly a time in the 80s and 90s when the newer Ampeg gear, even the nominal "SVT" models, sounded pretty poor compared to the original designs. I've heard that they've done a more careful reproduction with the SVT-CLs, but have never A/B'ed one with a vintage head.
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I would have to completely disagree with that, Sid. I've played every kind of SVT on the road with my band, including the Japanese ones from the early 80's that are claimed to be inferior. I don't believe they are, and in fact, I believe that any working SVT sounds basically like any other. Might allow for some slight differences, but most of that is because of tubes and different replacement parts used for repairs rather than inferior quality. At least that's how I see it. YMMV, but I'll take any SVT that works. And that's coming from a dude with a 69 SVT and Heritage SVT-CL ;)
 
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#16
The way I would play this is if it is in working condition, then haggle a bit but even at $2k I think you are getting a great amp. If its not in working condition, then haggle him the price of a maintenance call. I would count on retubing it anyway, so I wouldn't build that in.

These old SVTs are MAGIC. I said it before and I will say it again. I adore my 1972.
 
#17
JimmyM said:
I would have to completely disagree with that, Sid. I've played every kind of SVT on the road with my band, including the Japanese ones from the early 80's that are claimed to be inferior. I don't believe they are, and in fact, I believe that any working SVT sounds basically like any other. Might allow for some slight differences, but most of that is because of tubes and different replacement parts used for repairs rather than inferior quality. At least that's how I see it. YMMV, but I'll take any SVT that works. And that's coming from a dude with a 69 SVT and Heritage SVT-CL ;)
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I have a SVT CL I think I picked it up new in 08 anyway it doesn't sound nearly as good as the early seventy something I record with or the Heritage or VR's I've stacked it up against. Then again I could be greeting crazy with the cheese whiz, damn gain knob.:facepalm:
 
#18
10cc said:
I have a SVT CL I think I picked it up new in 08 anyway it doesn't sound nearly as good as the early seventy something I record with or the Heritage or VR's I've stacked it up against. Then again I could be greeting crazy with the cheese whiz, damn gain knob.:facepalm:
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LOL! Yeah, to make the CL sound more like vintage Ampegs with only one knob, you should crank the master all the way up and use gain to control your volume.

However, there are some at Ampeg who do feel that older ones sound a little better, though I'm not really one of them. The thing they recommend to do is replace the stock output transformer with a Heyboer. It's not real expensive (I paid less than $200 for one last year for my Heritage SVT-CL...order it directly from them and don't go through a middleman), and though Hodgy at Ampeg installed mine, it doesn't seem too difficult to install since it attaches with molex plugs and a couple bolts.
 
#20
JimmyM said:
LOL! Yeah, to make the CL sound more like vintage Ampegs with only one knob, you should crank the master all the way up and use gain to control your volume.

However, there are some at Ampeg who do feel that older ones sound a little better, though I'm not really one of them. The thing they recommend to do is replace the stock output transformer with a Heyboer. It's not real expensive (I paid less than $200 for one last year for my Heritage SVT-CL...order it directly from them and don't go through a middleman), and though Hodgy at Ampeg installed mine, it doesn't seem too difficult to install since it attaches with molex plugs and a couple bolts.
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Thanks! I'm gonna look into that. Don't get me wrong it sounds great I love it!
 

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