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Importing Ampeg to Aus

R

Renny Gade

Nov 1, 2006
19
0
#1
Hi, I posted in the bass forum about importing Fenders, getting an answer to that but I have a question about importing Ampeg to Australia from the US, so I thought I'd make a topic in this section about it. Regarding voltages, I know that American electronics run at 110v but here in Australia we use 240v, does this mean I would have to buy an Amp locally? Or do Ampegs have the ability to select the right voltage internally/automatically? :hmm:

Thanks
 
#2
hi there. i bought my svt Vr here in australia. i dont' think that they have voltage selection switches on them. a friend of mine imported an older ( vintage) SVT into Aus from US and took it to a tech to get all the relevant voltage conversions. but there was quite a lot of problems with it. it has never really been truly right- i'm not sure if this is somehow due to the age of the head tho. I believe it needed to be retubed also ( not sure if that was part of the conversion). so overall it was an expensive and lengthy process. also the old (and new SVTs) are incredibly heavy so i'd imagine freight would not be cheap either. a solid state head may be easier. possibly buying a voltage converting transformer may be a cheaper way to go?
 
#3
All reasonably recent SVT units are dual voltage. They can be re-wired for 230/240.

Since tehre are two power transformers and a fan, it is necessary to know what you are doing.... Both transformers have to be re-connected, and the 120V fan must be connected across one set of filament transformer taps to maintain 120V.

The vintage US ones are not commonly re-wirable, although some exist.

However, anything you import may or may not have all the correct markings etc for "C-tick" compliance. It is more-or-less paperwork, as all units are the same, really, but government agencies LIVE for paperwork. It may be an offense against the law if you import units not carrying sufficient proof of compliance. It is that way in the EU.
 
#5
punkbassistfc said:
You can do it with the newer svt's, but they cost alot of money to get over, and about $350 for the conversion. I would say have a look at how much it will cost you all together for an amp without a warranty.
Click to expand...

If anyone pays $350 for the conversion, they have been scammed bigtime.

The conversion involves opening the unit up, and changing the positions of about 10 wires, all of which are push-on connections.

In other words, it can be done with a screwdriver in about 10 min time.

No parts are required.
 
#7
Jerrold Tiers said:
If anyone pays $350 for the conversion, they have been scammed bigtime.

The conversion involves opening the unit up, and changing the positions of about 10 wires, all of which are push-on connections.

In other words, it can be done with a screwdriver in about 10 min time.

No parts are required.
Click to expand...

Can this be done with an svt 4 pro? I have wanted one of these for ages?
 
#12
Renny Gade said:
Hi, I posted in the bass forum about importing Fenders, getting an answer to that but I have a question about importing Ampeg to Australia from the US, so I thought I'd make a topic in this section about it. Regarding voltages, I know that American electronics run at 110v but here in Australia we use 240v, does this mean I would have to buy an Amp locally? Or do Ampegs have the ability to select the right voltage internally/automatically? :hmm:

Thanks
Click to expand...

http://www.basscentre.com.au/index....8800250-4712&parentContent=1122957391234-8397
 
#16
Yes, the SVT4PRO can be easily converted by switching some wires around.

Just about any of the newer (post 1995) SLM era SVT named units can be easily changed to either 100V (Japan), 120V (US/Canada), 230V (EU), or 240V (Aus).

I say "just about" because I may have missed one.

Now, What Loud will do on new units, I don't know. The universal voltage ability was a feature of the St Louis designed amps. Now that they will be designed elsewhere (presumably in china, or possibly by hired consultants), I don't know what they will do.

It is somewhat cheaper to make domestic US units only accept 120V (for transformer-type power supplies). So if they decide to go for low cost of manufacture, they may do that.
 
#17
Jerrold Tiers said:
Yes, the SVT4PRO can be easily converted by switching some wires around.

Just about any of the newer (post 1995) SLM era SVT named units can be easily changed to either 100V (Japan), 120V (US/Canada), 230V (EU), or 240V (Aus).

I say "just about" because I may have missed one.

Now, What Loud will do on new units, I don't know. The universal voltage ability was a feature of the St Louis designed amps. Now that they will be designed elsewhere (presumably in china, or possibly by hired consultants), I don't know what they will do.

It is somewhat cheaper to make domestic US units only accept 120V (for transformer-type power supplies). So if they decide to go for low cost of manufacture, they may do that.
Click to expand...

Has the whole production moved abroad? Even the svt's?
 

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