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I just scored a Ampeg SVT-VR

Rob L

Rob L

Supporting Member
Oct 29, 2006
512
284
Chilly ND
#1
After many years of playing SWR and since about 1991 I have not had a tube power bass head. I recently made the move to get back to all tube power with a SVT-VR, overseas model. It's been a very long time and all I can say is wow, thunderous! It is taking me a bit to get used to it as it is completely a different animal to what I have been playing.

I am truely amazed at the power and volume. The midrange punch is incredible. I do like how it breaks up, gets dirty at some real volume. I love the simplicity of it. It doesn't have all the loops, blends, tone knobs, egs and I don't have a rack of stuff running with it. Not that there's anything wrong with that stuff and the options but it's just nice to plug and play this amp. I have been playing it with mostly my P-basses and I am getting happier daily.

The only thing I'm not sure of is, I do notice the amp does have a bit of a hum to it. It hums as soon as I kick it off standby and the volume nor anything else affects the hum. It's not a loud hum but a lowend mellow hum. I'm not sure if this is normal but I don't mind as I am very happy with the head, just curious about it.

I am now hooked on tube power again and just wanted to share my excitement. Just what I need, more gas!!!:D
 
#6
P basses get pretty hummy if you are useing alot of volume and gain. i had to redo my P-basses ground before because it was shocking my hands. you should double check that. it only takes 10 mins to replace so it is sorta a "beter safe then sorry" type thing
 
#7
Emergancy Exit said:
P basses get pretty hummy if you are useing alot of volume and gain. i had to redo my P-basses ground before because it was shocking my hands. you should double check that. it only takes 10 mins to replace so it is sorta a "beter safe then sorry" type thing
Click to expand...

That would be nice if it was my p-bass having a ground issue. A good thing to check as it could have been the culprit but the amp has the hum with or without a bass plugged into the input.

When I plug a line into the power amp in, the hum is gone. Maybe a bad preamp tube?

I've just got done emailing Ampeg so we'll see if they respond.
 
#8
Rob L said:
That would be nice if it was my p-bass having a ground issue. A good thing to check as it could have been the culprit but the amp has the hum with or without a bass plugged into the input.

When I plug a line into the power amp in, the hum is gone. Maybe a bad preamp tube?

I've just got done emailing Ampeg so we'll see if they respond.
Click to expand...

Could be a bad solder joint between the preamp and poweramp?

I'm no expert, but maybe it's that.
I've heard of people putting a cable in the fx loop just to test that theory.
 
#10
The hum is indeed probably a circuit board issue. Apparently there were defective boards from the overseas manufacturer, and there is a trace that is sometimes a problem.

My spies tell me that the (ex) project engineer found it recently (on Loud's dime) and there is a fix for it, which can be either replacement, or wiring around a certain trace on the board.
 
#11
Jerrold Tiers said:
The hum is indeed probably a circuit board issue. Apparently there were defective boards from the overseas manufacturer, and there is a trace that is sometimes a problem.

My spies tell me that the (ex) project engineer found it recently (on Loud's dime) and there is a fix for it, which can be either replacement, or wiring around a certain trace on the board.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply and I will mention it when I get it taken in to get checked out.

Ampeg support emailed me back and asked me to take it to a warranty center to have them take a look. In the email they mentioned it might be a tube issue and the warranty center would swap out tubes. They also mentioned a grounding issue might be at fault. I guess I will take it to one as soon as I get a chance. The closest one is 180 miles but it's worth having them look at it.

It's a great sounding amp and very pleased with it. I'll follow up as soon as they fix or find out something with it.
 
#16
It is off to the tech in the morning. He had me open the front end and find out if any of the tubes under the front chassis is the culprit. I found the one that is very noisy, picking up sound when tapped with a pencil, a 12AU7. He had me switch with any of the 2 ones in the back. When switched out each one is noisy only when put up front. I now have to bring it to him as he has to have his way with it to find out what the deal is with it.

Thanks to all replies and the help,
Rob
 
#18
I just got a SVT-VR in the mail new yesterday and it has the same hum problem. Guess I'll have to call Ampeg to get a service appointment as well.

One thing I can say so far about the amp is that it is loud, loud, loud. I noticed there's not much volume until I get to about 3, but I'm scared to go much above 4 as it's so loud I don't want to blow my cabs!
 

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