My newly aquired 70's Ampeg SVT!!!!!

[martinmcfly]

And how many people can say they own an SVT owned and restored by Billy Zoom? Not many, I reckon.

Billy's Office/Shop is right next to my Luthier/setup guy, Steve Soest in Orange. Hey Billy, remember The Mechanics and their guitarist (my good friend) Dennis Catron? They're singer was that crazy guy Scott Hoglin. Link Removed We all used to go to that big warehouse in Santa Fe Springs to watch all the local Punk Bands.

 

[Seans]

What a great thread, brilliant.

 

[the blast]

Well, I finally received the 1x15 cabinet from Fliptops.net yesterday & from the limited play time I had last night, it sounds REALLY excellent! It seems VERY well built & I was pleasantly surprised by how light weight it is, probably around 50lbs I'm guessing. I'd recommend his cabinets in a heart beat. Took a little time to receive it but I'm really glad I went for it. I think it & this head are an absolute knock out together. I could only turn the volume up to about 9'oclock but still, it just felt right. Amazing how much natural compression there is with this head. I think I'll not be using my Maxon compressor pedal live any longer, at least when I take this setup out. I may change my mind once I really put the combination through its paces. I'll see.

My only complaint with the head is the loudness of the fan. The great John K helped me source a new one so once installed, I hope for it to be a little quieter. At least in a studio environment it won't really matter as I'll just put the head in the control room.

Here's a picture of them together:

 

[JMac- Wiskerface Designs]

WOW! Great looking cab. I'd love to have one to go with the ole V4.

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, the old fans can be noisy. Never bothered me unless they clack or ping, though. The last thing I can ever hear in an amp is the fan. Great looking cab!

 

[the blast]

Yeah, thanks guys!

As for the fan Jimmy, I do a lot of low volume recording at home so that is really my only issue. I'll figure something out if a newer fan doesn't make it any better. Maybe make a long speaker cable & sit the head across the room behind the couch in my personal studio (I don't have a separate control room). It will still be able to breathe as the couch is about three feel away from a wall. Other than that it is quite as a mouse, except for when the volume is up. I can't even imagine how loud it is capable of being with the volume at say, 2 'o'clock.

 

[JOE EDO]

Nice! Is that Fliptops cab the sealed or vented 1x15?

 

[soulman969]

It was 1979 and I'd been playing bass for three years. My amp was a 50-watt 1965 Fender Bassman with 2x12". When I heard a local bass player's SVT (just like yours) with his 8x10" cabinet, I knew I'd brought a knife to a gun fight. Congratulations and great score.

You too huh? I'm very old school and to me there isn't a better bass amp. I'd own one tomorrow if I never had to move it, LOL.

 

[WalWarrior]

I love my setup. It's one of the Rigs I use, and It sounds Killer! Take care all - D

 

[johnk_10]

been using my '07 VR with my 4x12 V4 cab on gigs lately and right now i can't seem to convince myself to usde anything else. it's going with me to the gig this friday (we're playing in a corporate hangar at an airport).

 

[B-string]

I'll say it again John....you have too many toys! What is that in the back right?

 

[johnk_10]

it's a really cool and pretty darn rare '66 gretsch fury. it has a stereo output power amp in the lower chassis (2x12 jensens). it's really a nice sounding guitar amp.

 

[B-string]

it's a really cool and pretty darn rare '66 gretsch fury. it has a stereo output power amp in the lower chassis (2x12 jensens). it's really a nice sounding guitar amp.

That is sweet looking (well from the guts point of veiw), it looked to be stereo or dual tube power amps so I just HAD to ask!

 

[walterw]

Amazing how much natural compression there is with this head. I think I'll not be using my Maxon compressor pedal live any longer, at least when I take this setup out. I may change my mind once I really put the combination through its paces. I'll see.

f**k a buncha compressor pedals, you got a real SVT!

 

[johnk_10]

yep. no comps necessary. they're also really 'touch sensitve' head and follow the response of your playing. IME, they are exceptionally hard to beat.

 

[the blast]

I REALLY love this thing! Went to reherarsal tonight & played through my little B200 combo & I could hardly handle it. While they do sound good for the money, I'll NEVER use it again unless totally necessary. I can see why some thought I may have been trolling from a previous post I made when I was trying to decide what to get. I just didnt realize the extent of the difference. I've used SVT CL with 8x10 before & always like them but this is def more my speed.

As far as if if is vented or sealed, it's vented I think. Don't acually think the 1x15 comes sealed. It's got s vent along the bottom front behind the grill.

John, very nice photo. I really like the look of these old/reissue heads, especially when the cab matches.