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Maintaining a vintage Ampeg SVTI

S

Seth Winkler

Guest
Oct 28, 2014
10
1
49
#1
I recently purchsed a 73 Ampeg Blackline. I am very new to this sort of quality valve amp.

Please can I get advise on how to take care of the amphead. I would appreciate as much info as possible. Including the best way to switch it on and off and what is the ideal working enviroment.

And is there anything I should avoid doing?

Luckily, it won't move much.
 
#2
I dont own a SVT, but having gigged a V4B for a while, they dont need much in the way of care.

First thing would be to get the amp to a good technician to see if there are in fact any issues.

If there arent any issues, just make sure you have the cab plugged into the head, if there is an ohm switch on the head, that it is in the correct position for your cab, and flip the power switch. Wait a couple minutes for the head to warm up, flip the standby, bring up your volume to taste and have fun!!

congrats!
 
#3
Lots of good information that applies to your amp in the Blueline Club

When powering up, first make sure that the speaker cabinet is connected. You can damage your amp if you turn it on without the cabinet connected. Then set the standby switch to the on position, power up the amp, wait 30 seconds, turn standby off. Turn the power off when powering off.

As a reference for how to use the amp, download the user's manual for the SVT VR from Ampeg.
 
#4
To add to Beans-on-toast's (and others) good advice: Keep it dry and away from extremes of moisture, heat, or cold. Let it acclimatize to room temperature before even going to stand-by. Let it cool before taking it outdoors in cold weather. Never run it un-grounded. Don't let others move it. Don't drop it. Transport it with some shock protection if it is in a trailer. Don't drive with it on the seat of a car. Don't pack it into a vehicle so that if you have a collision, it can hit you, because it WILL kill you. Find a well-trusted tech who really knows SVTs. Carry a spare of some kind. Remember the power of prayer. :whistle:
 
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#5
If it hasn't been used for years, don't start it up 'cold'...take it to a tech to start it up on a variac. If it has been started but hasn't visited a tech in at least a decade, start your ownership right by having a tech go through it preemptively. Be less concerned about tubes and more concerned for 40+ year old capacitors and such.
 
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#17
The first thing I do with ANY new amp is check it over visually with a lighted magnified glass looking for burned resistors, bulging capacitors.

Then I always check the bias on the power tubes in the amp itself and check each tube for signs of running too hot (burn marks anywhere on the plates or glass).

Make sure no jacks or pots seem loose or scratchy or noisy.

CHECK the power cord....at least make sure it looks okay visually, no signs of splits or cracks!
 

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