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Possible vintage SVT issues

I

Ivansson

Feb 13, 2012
9
0
#1
I think I'm about to buy a '76 SVT, but most of the people I talk to say they'd never bring one of those to a gig without also bringing a spare head as well. Any reason to listen to these people? How do you vintage SVT users do?
 
#3
I gig a 74 SVT regularly. When I'm playing with my cover band where we are the only band on for the whole night I bring a backup head, but would do so regardless of what amp I was using. On my original gigs no, I never bring a backup. I had my amp recapped and put in fresh tubes where necessary when I got it, so it's now running strong and I have zero concerns. If you know how to use and maintain a tube amp, it shouldn't be a problem.
 
#4
If you don't have much experience with vintage tube gear, I'd recommend getting it checked out by a good tube amp tech. When I say "good", I mean somebody who has a lot of experience working for professional musicians.

All tube amps, vintage and modern, require some degree of care and feeding beyond what a solid state amp will need. They run hotter and tubes are expendable so you should expect a little more wear and tear on these amps.

An experienced tech will be familiar with the model, familiar with any known problems the model is likely to have and, most imortantly, will understand the need for reliability in a piece of gigging equipment. Any good, experienced tech will already know their way around an SVT and will know how to get it working, reliable and gig-ready. After that, your SVT should be just as reliable as any other tube amp.

Within those parameters, I see no reason to bring a spare head to a gig when using an SVT - any more than you would need to bring one for any other amp.

Typically, I just bring a DI as a backup. I don't like going direct at a gig, but in the unlikely event that a head poops out, it'll get me through the gig in one piece and I don't have to drag another head around with me. I suppose with little 3-lb, class D amps everywhere now, bringing a spare isn't such a hassle, though.
 
#7
Ivansson said:
I think I'm about to buy a '76 SVT, but most of the people I talk to say they'd never bring one of those to a gig without also bringing a spare head as well. Any reason to listen to these people? How do you vintage SVT users do?
Click to expand...


who exactly are these people? are they speaking from experience? Do a search, there are not many threads on here about SVTs crapping out during shows.
 
#8
Ivansson said:
I think I'm about to buy a '76 SVT, but most of the people I talk to say they'd never bring one of those to a gig without also bringing a spare head as well. Any reason to listen to these people? How do you vintage SVT users do?
Click to expand...

IMO, nope. there's no 'reason to listen to those people'. that's complete hogwash. anyone that says that was using an SVT that wasn't serviced properly and/or running to spec. i've used them for decades and never had one fail on a gig.
 
#9
It is a good rule of thumb to bring a backup of some sort for any primary amp - tube, hybrid, or solid state. You can bring a second head or an outboard DI, or whatever. I don't think tube hear is much more prone to failure than other gear, but maybe a little, but if you want to work as a pro, you should be prepared for emergency.
 
#11
I've bought 4 or 5 vintage SVTs over the years and they always get a check up from a veteran amp technician before they go on stage.

The tech has typically replaced weak tubes and sometimes old capacitors. Once he says the amp is OK it usually runs for 6 - 10 years or more without needing another service.
 
#13
gbazinet said:
The mob has spoken! Go buy the amp and post photos of it here right now!
Click to expand...

The mob has indeed spoken! I actually think I'm going for it. I was actually going to pick up a new Fender Super Bassman, on which I got 40% off (Swedish) list price, but if I know myself I'd probably just be kicking myself afterwards for not getting the holy grail...

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what happens!
 
#19
agreatheight said:
It is a good rule of thumb to bring a backup of some sort for any primary amp - tube, hybrid, or solid state. You can bring a second head or an outboard DI, or whatever. I don't think a tube head is much more prone to failure than other gear, but maybe a little, but if you want to work as a pro, you should be prepared for emergency.
Click to expand...

+1

I always bring a backup. It has stood in for a guitarist's amp, and for a PA power amp. The show must go on. :cool:
 

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