Issues with the Ampeg Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT

[denton57]

So does anyone have a tube layout as to which preamp tube does what? I know it's a bunch of ax7's, just curious which is the first pre of channel 2, etc. I've only had experience with 70's versions, and I have mine scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I have a pretty good stash of RCA, etc ax7's, 5751's, at7's that I'd like to roll into those first preamp locations.

Also, I think I read that they are accessible from the front?

 

[Wasnex]

So does anyone have a tube layout as to which preamp tube does what? I know it's a bunch of ax7's, just curious which is the first pre of channel 2, etc. I've only had experience with 70's versions, and I have mine scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I have a pretty good stash of RCA, etc ax7's, 5751's, at7's that I'd like to roll into those first preamp locations.

Also, I think I read that they are accessible from the front?

AFAIK the tube types are 12AX7 and 12AU7.

I have not seen a schematic of the 50th AV, but I suspect the signal path is probably the same as the SVT VR. I traced the signal path for Channel 1 of the VR here: Ampeg SVT VR need tech advice

If you want to confirm my work, the Chan 1 SVT VR preamp schematic is page 4 at this link: Ampeg SVT-VR Schematic Binder (bustedgear.com) Channel 2 is on page 5. V4A combines channel 1 and channel 2.

 

[Mastermold]

I had similar issues as the OP had with his first 50th Anniversary SVT head....loose parts! When I unpacked my first 50th Anniversary SVT head I knew I had problems on my hands. A couple of flat washers were laying underneath the head in the shipping box. All of the screws that hold the amp chassis inside the cabinetry were in their proper place, but most of those screws were loose. Also, as I gently turned the amp upside down to inspect those screws, I heard the sound of something metallic (another washer or two?) tumble inside the head. I never plugged the amp in, it went directly back to where I purchased it from.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #2 with the credit from amp #1. That amp got speared by a forklift during its shipping transit to me. Needless to say, that one went back, too, without ever being plugged in.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #3 with the credit from amp #2. That amp never made it to me.....lost in transit at first, but eventually made it back to the retailer.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #4 with the credit from amp #3. This time, I went to the retailer during a business trip to a.) inspect the amp, plug it in, and play it, and b.) bring the amp home myself.

Amp #4 has been incredible. In hindsight, I can say that I'm glad that I persevered. Good luck to the OP in your journey to find a 50th Anniversary SVT amp that meets your expectations.....I think it will be totally worth it to you in the end.

Sounds like the good folks at FedEx or UPS or whomever were playing awful rough with the packaging.

 

[Music Man Dan]

Holy cow!!! I know this will work out somehow, like I said there are bigger issues in the world. Hearing Music Man Dan's story, as crazy as that sounds (and I am so glad it ended well for you) Im feeling like this will be resolved good. Amp sounds so kick ass it's unreal. If King Kong's potatoes was an amp, it would be this amp.

Sometimes it's good to know that you're not alone. My advice is to hang in there and get this sorted out to the best of your satisfaction. It will be worth it. Sounds like you've already had a taste of the goodness that this amp can provide. Just curious..... what are you using for a speaker cabinet?

 

[denton57]

I received mine today and it works flawlessly so far. I did open the back and reposition the wires coming out of the preamp area as the yellow wire and the group of white wires were resting on power tubes. I used electrical tape and taped them up against the preamp sheet metal. Not sure if that's going to hold permanently or what, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have lasted long resting on a 6550.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I received mine today and it works flawlessly so far. I did open the back and reposition the wires coming out of the preamp area as the yellow wire and the group of white wires were resting on power tubes. I used electrical tape and taped them up against the preamp sheet metal. Not sure if that's going to hold permanently or what, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have lasted long resting on a 6550.

That tape is going to make a sticky mess when the adhesive eventually melts from the heat. It better to use cable ties and a cable guide to gently pull the wires away.

 

[denton57]

Thanks Beans. I've got ties, but I've never seen a guide like that. They got those at Lowe's? or Home Depot?

 

[TTA]

I had similar issues as the OP had with his first 50th Anniversary SVT head....loose parts! When I unpacked my first 50th Anniversary SVT head I knew I had problems on my hands. A couple of flat washers were laying underneath the head in the shipping box. All of the screws that hold the amp chassis inside the cabinetry were in their proper place, but most of those screws were loose. Also, as I gently turned the amp upside down to inspect those screws, I heard the sound of something metallic (another washer or two?) tumble inside the head. I never plugged the amp in, it went directly back to where I purchased it from.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #2 with the credit from amp #1. That amp got speared by a forklift during its shipping transit to me. Needless to say, that one went back, too, without ever being plugged in.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #3 with the credit from amp #2. That amp never made it to me.....lost in transit at first, but eventually made it back to the retailer.

I took a gamble and purchased amp #4 with the credit from amp #3. This time, I went to the retailer during a business trip to a.) inspect the amp, plug it in, and play it, and b.) bring the amp home myself.

Amp #4 has been incredible. In hindsight, I can say that I'm glad that I persevered. Good luck to the OP in your journey to find a 50th Anniversary SVT amp that meets your expectations.....I think it will be totally worth it to you in the end.

That is just crazy!!! But shipping something the weight of an svt has to come with risks if not done right.

If wires were touching a tube… or screws were all loose… i would really struggle to not run away fast and just get one of the china units. If we find those kinds of issues… what else lies in waiting?

 

[Wasnex]

Thanks Beans. I've got ties, but I've never seen a guide like that. They got those at Lowe's? or Home Depot?

Ace has several bases similar to this on their website:

Gardner Bender 1 in. L Black Cable Tie Mounting Base 5 pk - Ace Hardware

I bought a package of this type from my local Ace:

 

[Music Man Dan]

That is just crazy!!! But shipping something the weight of an svt has to come with risks if not done right.

If wires were touching a tube… or screws were all loose… i would really struggle to not run away fast and just get one of the china units. If we find those kinds of issues… what else lies in waiting?

Shipping an SVT isn't something I'd ever do again. The shipping process could have been the culprit of the first SVT that I received with the loose screws and washers. Then there was amp #2......and amp #3.....

 

[TTA]

Shipping an SVT isn't something I'd ever do again. The shipping process could have been the culprit of the first SVT that I received with the loose screws and washers. Then there was amp #2......and amp #3.....

yeah… not sure what shops use… but i cant say i would trust a typical courier.

 

[rodl2005]

And I had an early 90s SVTII sent from Florida to me here in Tasmania. It took 5 days, and once I swapped the 120v to 240v it was good to go.
Accidents happen, and shoddy handling happens too, sadly.

Hope you get yours sorted. It should be a great amp

 

[denton57]

My amp is working well and sounds great. My shipment only was a 3 hour 1 day transit though. I worked for FedEx air for over 10 years and delivered a million boxes probably. I can say a 100 block of a box is a PITA and would be handled just like you'd think it would when it's moved by a single driver off the truck and on to a dolly or carried. It's a risk shipping anything, but heavy stuff is not what a driver wants to deal with. I am thankful mine arrived safely.

My only complaint is the wiring not being secured better. Easy fix, but I can't imagine they all are like that? I can't imagine firing it up and playing for a bit with those wires resting on tubes. I know to do a visual check after owning a couple dozen tube amps, but could have been a bad situation for anyone who just fired it up and played away.

That said, fit and finish looks nice. No hum or weird sounds from the JJ pre's, jumping channels is cool, and everything works. Bias lights are green and balance light is on. I'm happy, and I have a warranty

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks Beans. I've got ties, but I've never seen a guide like that. They got those at Lowe's? or Home Depot?

I would think so or something similar. I buy things like that from mouser or digikey.

 

[Old Fart]

I am glad Dove understands the benefits of achieving success here. I am sorry for the troubles and I hope this ends soon. As I say, my SVT is the best bass amp head I have ever used. By a wide margin.

 

[thedovewarlord]

To all the folks that replied and chimed in, thank you for the support and answers. Im still in process but looks like I am getting a replacement, which is #3

Sometimes it's good to know that you're not alone. My advice is to hang in there and get this sorted out to the best of your satisfaction. It will be worth it. Sounds like you've already had a taste of the goodness that this amp can provide. Just curious..... what are you using for a speaker cabinet?

True words of wisdom there, Music Man Dan. I always loved (still do) my GK700RB and my MB200, but there's something really inspiring about the responsiveness or feel, not to mention the tone, which BTW on this amp is great. I dial in both channels and jump them, then use each channel's volume to blend and get different tones... loving it.

I have two cabs actually, an old SWR Golliath (II I think) with 4x10's, which was 8 Ohms originally but I rewired it to 2 Ohms before the amp arrived (it was checked) -- I wired to a series-parallel configuration. It sounds good real good as I practice to beats, tunes, solo. My big rig cab is an Aguilar DB412. I have yet to fire up the amp in that but I imagine bliss/destructo-mayhem/goodness on that cab. Cant believe I havent tried it yet, but I have been very busy.

I am glad Dove understands the benefits of achieving success here. I am sorry for the troubles and I hope this ends soon. As I say, my SVT is the best bass amp head I have ever used. By a wide margin.

very kind of you and thank you for the positive vibes.

 

[Music Man Dan]

My big rig cab is an Aguilar DB412. I have yet to fire up the amp in that but I imagine bliss/destructo-mayhem/goodness on that cab.

I think you'll love what a 4x12 cabinet brings to the table. Is it a sealed cabinet? If you don't have a sealed cabinet in your collection then you're missing out on a whole new flavor of awesomeness with your new SVT head. Remember.....this is TalkBass and we are here to send you down the road of temptation.

 

[Music Man Dan]

I worked for FedEx air for over 10 years and delivered a million boxes probably. I can say a 100 block of a box is a PITA and would be handled just like you'd think it would when it's moved by a single driver off the truck and on to a dolly or carried. It's a risk shipping anything, but heavy stuff is not what a driver wants to deal with.

And I was once the guy (but never "that guy") that transferred shipments between FedEx trucks. I did a 6-month stint at FedEx Ground once upon a time. I can tell you first-hand that a 100lb box of anything doesn't get treated gently, no matter how many "fragile" stickers are on it.

 

[denton57]

And also keep in mind that there's one driver on those final delivery trucks. Even though policy was one person has to be able to handle 75 lbs by themselves and 150 lbs with two people, there's never 2 people there to help get it off the truck. The driver also is probably tripping over boxes trying to get to your box, is in a huge hurry, and wants that 100 lb amp or 140 lb cab off their truck ASAP. There's no manager watching over them, so really no accountability other than the box making it to the door.

What you would normally want to do is do a pickup at the local location and avoid that final delivery truck. I tried but MF had some kind of block on it.

 

[thedovewarlord]

PS --

I think you'll love what a 4x12 cabinet brings to the table. Is it a sealed cabinet? If you don't have a sealed cabinet in your collection then you're missing out on a whole new flavor of awesomeness with your new SVT head. Remember.....this is TalkBass and we are here to send you down the road of temptation.

I like my SWR 410 but the Aguilar DB412 is freaking awesome, with my GK700RB it's not even fair to compare. The Aggy is closed but has a rear port, can you explain how does that affect what the SVT can do?

All those shipping stories are pretty scary, but seemingly expected... like what goes on in a kitchen at the restaurant, you almost don't want to know.