Help with SVT purchase

[nun67]

Hello, New here , this site is great. I am looking to buy a used SVT . The two I am looking at are a 1974 -75 SVT or a 1980's SVTII ( SVT2 ) (Not Pro) . I used to own a SVT II and loved it but I bought it new never had any problems . Both amps could be considered old now ,would one design be more reliable . The only experience I have with SVT's are with the SVTII , does the 74 SVT sound much different or should I consider a newer all tube model ?
Thanks

 

[JimmyM]

both are amazing and sound about the same to me, but the 74 has two channels and looks cooler than the 2 nonpro. would be quite happy with either, but if i had the choice, i'd take the 74.

 

[Alex1984]

You can take the '74 and send me the info on the II non-pro!

The VR tone is very nice and having 2 channels is certainly a plus, but the II non-pro had more grind early on the volume knob and suited my taste a tad more.

 

[Rockmusician]

I would go for the 74-75.

 

[Tim1]

Alex is right, my 2nonpro definitely got the grind much earlier on the volume scale. And it is a wonderfully smooth, useable grind too. My VR is closer to the 74 and stays clean much louder. Both great amps.

 

[Unrepresented]

In terms of reliability, I'd err towards the one made of metal and easily housed inside a rack over the one that's made of wood and would require a much more expensive road case to house.

But then again, I own an SVT-II, so that's my bias.

 

[anderbass]

I've owned/gigged both those amps for quite awhile now. I had both my 72 SVT and early-90's SVT-II fully serviced when I bought them used, and each is equipped with GE power tubes. My 72 blueline seems to have a bit more of (what I call) a woody tone but that might just be the different preamp tubes. Besides that I cant tell much difference tone or feel wise, they both have about the same level of clean headroom and each sounds great when pushed beyond that.

My amp tech told me quite a few SVT-II models did have some fairly minor issues with plug connections inside. Ampeg even issued an update/instructions back in the day for repairing a common problem with blowing a diode component inside. I'd imagine most all functioning SVT-II's have already had these repairs done by now. You'll find more info about that in my (and my amp tech timv) posts in this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-svt-ii-appreciation-thread-303286/

I can tell you a 73/74 SVT probably has about $200 to $500 more in value than a SVT-II in similar condition would. And also that my amp tech/buddy commented the SVT-II is much more difficult to take apart and work on than a vintage SVT.

But both of mine are awesome and have worked flawlessly for quite a few years now: