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My 1969 Ampeg SVT-810 Restoration Complete

phatbass1

phatbass1

May 5, 2010
80
36
67
Raleigh, North Carolina
#1
So I just finished the ground up restoration of my 1969 Ampeg SVT-810. (See the attached before and after pics)

Thanks to everyone who offered me advice here on talkbass as I went through the project. It really helped me out!

Anyway I think it came out GREAT! I would post more pics but as far as I can see we are only allowed to attach (2) pics per post and a limited number of total pics...waht a drag. I wanted to add these pics to my previous thread but it wouldn't let me...I hope the guys following my old thread can see these pics.

So I played it at practice last night and it ROCKED.

Thanks again everyone
 

Attachments

  • Ampeg SVT 810 Project (Deconstruction) 001.jpg
    Ampeg SVT 810 Project (Deconstruction) 001.jpg
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  • Completed 1969 Ampeg SVT-810 Restoration 002.jpg
    Completed 1969 Ampeg SVT-810 Restoration 002.jpg
    26.3 KB · Views: 1,354
#4
Alex1984 said:
Can I get a detailed BOM (Bill of Materials) for the rebuild? :D
Click to expand...

Sure,
I ordered the following items from Fliptops.com:
(1) new grill cover $105.00
(1) new Ampeg logo plate $13.50
(1) new SVT-810 caster rack $97.00
(8) new chrome corners $20.00
(3) yards of vintage correct tolex $54.00
(12) new feet cups $54.00

I ordered (3) replacement side handles on line $21.00
I ordered the skid rail material on line $10.00

The rest was just many hours of hard work (Tolex glue from Home Depot) Total restoration investment Aprox $500.00 including buying the old cab on Craigslist for $80.00
 
#12
Alex1984 said:
Did the grill come with grill cloth already?

How did you make do with only 3 yards of tolex?

Adding skid rails? Now there's a thought.
Click to expand...

3 Yards of tolex was just right...the guy at fliptops knew what I needed to order. The grill cloth came installed on the grill frame...I did put skid rails on (see pics) coundn't get the skid rails from fliptops so I took the advice someone on talkbass gave me (website supplier) and got them there $10.00. I put skid rails on even though the original 1969 SVT-810 did not have them...they look/work great
 
#17
Thanks David,

It was really satisfying to get it done and have it turn out so well. I'm starting to look for my next project cabinet now...maybe a SVT-410HLF. I put a ad on craigslist in my local area looking for old/beat up cab's at a low price, we will see what happens. I will be sure to post a new thread once I get started again.

Bill
 
#18
phatbass1 said:
Give it a try...Tolex installation is really not that bad. Planning and measuring is the key. Ask for advice on TB and you will get the help you need...thats what I did.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately I'm a visual learner and need to really watch someone do it start to finish. My problem isn't so much the layout and the cutting, I get all that. My problem is with the glue. I saw a video once where it almost looked like the tolex should lay on like contact paper, or a big sticker. When I've tried it, it just slides right off or curls up and doesn't adhere. In the meantime- I'm trying to hold it down and doing nothing more than getting glue all over everything making a big old mess lol
 
#20
stiles72 said:
My problem is with the glue. I saw a video once where it almost looked like the tolex should lay on like contact paper, or a big sticker. When I've tried it, it just slides right off or curls up and doesn't adhere. In the meantime- I'm trying to hold it down and doing nothing more than getting glue all over everything making a big old mess lol
Click to expand...

It depends on the type of glue that you use.

A popular approach is to use contact cement. You apply it to both surfaces and let it dry. When the surfaces come into contact they bond. There is no slipping. I used to use the old yellow contact cement but in recent years I've been using water based contact cement that I get from any hardware store. It does a great job and is non toxic.

In the past I've done tweed amps with a white glue. You need to tape or staple the tweed fabric in place till the glue dries. Otherwise you can get what you described.

I've also used hide glue. This is a viscous sticky glue that is applied hot. You have a short working time. When you stick the tolex down, it stays in place but you can pull it up if you need to reposition the vinyl. When it cools off the glue hardens and you need to reheat it with an iron, which is a delicate task, to rework it. This is what Ampeg and a lot of other manufacturers used in the past. It is also the traditional glue that acoustic instrument makers have used.
 

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