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Is this SVT and 8x10 cab worth taking a chance?

DATman

DATman

Jan 18, 2015
40
37
Bozeman, Montana
#1
Hi-

Hoping an SVT/Ampeg aficionado can help assess if this combo I found for sale on Craigslist is potentially worth exploring...

I'm in a funk band and finally tried an SVT with a 8x10 fridge for a gig with my '72 P bass -- and ok, I get it now, I gotta play through that from now on. I'm hooked.

So I was starting to look for that combo -- but I live in Montana where we don't see a ton of interesting gear show up, but then saw this listing:
http:// https://billings.craigslist.org/msg/6079757911.html
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You can read the description. He says 76-78 magnavox time frame on the blackline head. "Not pretty, but sounds and works great."

I emailed the guy as $1500 for both seems like a pretty solid good deal, but I have to drive 2 hours each way and I'm busy and have kids so not easy to escape. No PayPal, has to be cash, and he does say I am welcome to come over and try it first. Also, he says the cab is Ampeg, but no markings. Also, casters, not the tilt wheels, which I have not seen. Says it's been stored well, not played much since the late 80s. Replaced the tubes in '89, and the horns in the cab (which is a bit suspicious maybe).

I can afford the $1500 so would be more than worth it if it's the real deal and sounds great. If it's a knock off, but sounds great, that works too. Also, for that price, just the head seems worth it, potentially, compared to what I see on Reverb etc. Any other questions I should ask? Thanks for any insights — and thanks for not driving to MT to grab it first :)
 
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#2
DATman said:
Hi-

Hoping an SVT/Ampeg aficionado can help assess if this combo I found for sale on Craigslist is potentially worth exploring...

I'm in a funk band and finally tried an SVT with a 8x10 fridge for a gig with my '72 P bass -- and ok, I get it now, I gotta play through that from now on. I'm hooked.

So I was starting to look for that combo -- but I live in Montana where we don't see a ton of interesting gear show up, but then saw this listing:

https://billings.craigslist.org/msg/6079757911.html

You can read the description. He says 76-78 magnavox time frame on the blackline head. "Not pretty, but sounds and works great."

I emailed the guy as $1500 for both seems like a pretty solid good deal, but I have to drive 2 hours each way and I'm busy and have kids so not easy to escape. No PayPal, has to be cash, and he does say I am welcome to come over and try it first. Also, he says the cab is Ampeg, but no markings. Also, casters, not the tilt wheels, which I have not seen. Says it's been stored well, not played much since the late 80s. Replaced the tubes in '89, and the horns in the cab (which is a bit suspicious maybe).

I can afford the $1500 so would be more than worth it if it's the real deal and sounds great. If it's a knock off, but sounds great, that works too. Also, for that price, just the head seems worth it, potentially, compared to what I see on Reverb etc. Any other questions I should ask? Thanks for any insights — and thanks for not driving to MT to grab it first :)
Click to expand...

The link didn't work. I had to copy and paste to go to the CL site.
Looks like there might be a booger stuck to the front part of the link that isn't visible until you click on it.
Like an extra space or something.
 
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#9
The amp is a good one, in pretty good shape. I don't see any rust on the transformers. The electrolytic capacitors (the blue things) were changed at some point. A good sign of maintenance. Needs a cleaning.

The cab will allow you to negotiate a better deal. It looks like an Ampeg. The front baffle appears to have been painted. The front grille frame, cloth, and Ampeg badge are missing. In 1977, the cabs were rated 240W each. With a 300W amp, you have to be careful.

If the amp sounds good and you want it, make an offer. If you drive for two hours to get there, you are going to want to haul it home. The seller will know that and may refuse to accept anything less.

From the 1977 Service Manual:
SVT 1977.jpg
 
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#15
beans-on-toast said:
The amp is a good one, in pretty good shape. I don't see any rust on the transformers. The electrolytic capacitors (the blue things) were changed at some point. A good sign of maintenance. Needs a cleaning.

The cab will allow you to negotiate a better deal. It looks like an Ampeg. The front baffle appears to have been painted. The front grille frame, cloth, and Ampeg badge are missing. In 1977, the cabs were rated 240W each. With a 300W amp, you have to be careful.

If the amp sounds good and you want it, make an offer. If you drive for two hours to get there, you are going to want to haul it home. The seller will know that and may refuse to accept anything less.


View attachment 1133557
Click to expand...
This is great advice, seems like a good approach. Happy to have any further insights, earliest I can make the drive would be this weekend.
 
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#17
8 10Ampeg cabs do not have any horns. That being said , I think the above post about the cones being replaced is probably accurate. Everything looks pretty legit to me. Take your bass and a speaker cable and DEFINITELY try it out. Crank it fairly hard and listen for any weird or crackling sounds. Don't push it too hard as some of those older cabs are not rated to take the full 300 watts that the head puts out. They were actually designed to be run with two speaker cabs. They will however get quite loud. Any strange sounds should be at least a negotiating point or possibly even a deal breaker so be prepared to walk if you don't think it's right. FWIW the amount asked is what I paid for my SVT rig a few years back but mine was in pristine condition so you might want to try to talk him down a bit on the price. If he won't come down and the rig sounds good , I'd say go for it. Those old rigs sound INCREDIBLE.
As to the specifics , as stated before , Jimmy m is indeed the resident Ampeg guru on TB and has a lot more experience with SVT's than I do. I'm sure he will be along in a bit as these threads are right up his ally. It might take a while as he lives in Florida and might have to wait for the alligator that chased him up that tree to leave.;)
 
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