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The SVTs of all flavors used output transformers from a company in Chicago called 'Electrical Windings", who were the supplier for the original SVT. That lasted until Electrical Windings were absorbed into another company, who then continued to supply them until recently.
E-W made a number of other specialty transformers for the Ampeg line as well as the SVT transformers. In many cases, they had the original production documents still, and could re-produce the same unit essentially precisely. In fact, early on, the engineer who had designed the original SVT transformer was still there, and able to assure the parts were the same.
Similarly, the faceplate extrusions were from another Chicago company called "Lightning Metals", another original supplier.
In as many cases as possible, the original suppliers were identified from documentation, and used if the parts could be obtained from them. So in a way, the 500 were a more true "re-issue" than even the VR.
E-W made a number of other specialty transformers for the Ampeg line as well as the SVT transformers. In many cases, they had the original production documents still, and could re-produce the same unit essentially precisely. In fact, early on, the engineer who had designed the original SVT transformer was still there, and able to assure the parts were the same.
Similarly, the faceplate extrusions were from another Chicago company called "Lightning Metals", another original supplier.
In as many cases as possible, the original suppliers were identified from documentation, and used if the parts could be obtained from them. So in a way, the 500 were a more true "re-issue" than even the VR.
Hey Dave, thanks for the offer!! I'm gonna take you up on it and develop a list of questions for you that include, what the heck the deal was with Everett's 'girlfriend arrangement'.
BTW, I got sidetracked last night and didn't get to check out how ugly your were in the pic...
PSS, I see that the advertisements showed the SVTII in tolex cases, do you know if they are still manufactured somewhere? It would be nice to have those Tolex rack cases for the other rackmountable Pro products.
Jimbob
Hey Jimbob
They made those racks only for a few years, they were, like you mentioned, they had the SVT-II in mind when we made them. But we also have a few other rack bassamps as well, so they were not specifically for the SVT-II, but they were the only units that were pictured with them I believe.
The SVT-II by the way is a great amp, I like it much better than the SVT-2pro, it sounds more like the original SVT than the Classic or the 2pro.
There was also a SVT-IIP, it was a single rack space rack pre amp that was basically the preamp out of the SVT-II.
It sounded very much like a SVT-HD. I didn't think much about it at the time, but I wished I would have gotten one of those, as well as the SVT-II, but Im a solid state guy & didn't want to carry one of those things around.
Hey Dave, them glasses are now back in style....
...you were hip and didn't know it
Once again, you guys are an incredable resource and continue to really appreciate all the knowledge/reading... .
Question:
Do you guys know or remember if ya'll did any 'tracking' on where all the SVT-HD's were shipped to the respective retailers/dealers? I mean, if we all knew that, for instance, there were 100 sent to certain parts of the region, those of us interested in finding one could narrow our search.
Jimmyjobob
...you were hip and didn't know it
Once again, you guys are an incredable resource and continue to really appreciate all the knowledge/reading... .
Question:
Do you guys know or remember if ya'll did any 'tracking' on where all the SVT-HD's were shipped to the respective retailers/dealers? I mean, if we all knew that, for instance, there were 100 sent to certain parts of the region, those of us interested in finding one could narrow our search.
Jimmyjobob
Hey Dave, them glasses are now back in style....
...you were hip and didn't know it
Once again, you guys are an incredable resource and continue to really appreciate all the knowledge/reading... .
Question:
Do you guys know or remember if ya'll did any 'tracking' on where all the SVT-HD's were shipped to the respective retailers/dealers? I mean, if we all knew that, for instance, there were 100 sent to certain parts of the region, those of us interested in finding one could narrow our search.
Jimmyjobob
Well Jimbob, that's a pretty good question, & the answer is yes...however, finding the time to search the database going back 20 years will be time consuming to say the least. Let me see what I can find.
Thanks for the response.
So when you say, "all flavors" your referring to the original, Magnavox, SLM, MTI, Classic, but not the VR?
Vic
The first round of VR's from Vietnam had Electrical Windings TF's but they have now sourced out locally made transformers. I wonder if TF mods are going to become the rage with new VR's. But couldn't they make the TF's in Vietnam identical to the Electrical Windings TF's?
Probably not..............
The old EW transformers were "stick-wound", paper insulation between layers, varnish-dipped. Old-school construction.
When you send something like that over to china to be made, they pretty much automatically "fix" all the "problems" with the construction, to make it "compatible" with "modern" construction methods. (plastic bobbin, plastic tape or no layer insulation, etc)
Whenever you "fix" an older design, you run the risk of changing it in subtle ways. Or not so subtle....
The last versions I am aware of were "getting closer" to "right", but weren't quite there.
I am not completely sure, and need to check, but the last few years were after the E-W plant closed, and the purchaser was making the transformers. I am not sure exactly where the source for the first VR transformers was. I probably can find out.
It may make no difference..... If it sounds as good as an MP-3 (lossy, distorted and error-filled) version of a "real" recording, that may be good enough these days...... :rolleyes"
I'm chuckling first thing in the morning! Thanks.
It's as if the late Prof. Irwin Cory is up there in charge of all things audio. Your a man after my own heart.
Vic
Holy Crap! My dearest apologies to the all knowing Prof. I guess it's time to crawl out from under my rock.
JM Thanks
Vic
There is some great input and information in this thread! Worthy of reviving I think 
I just picked up one of these heads last night, and I should be getting it next week. It's number 123 out of the 500. I'm a little confused on what I'll be getting... Does this unit have the old type transformers with the paper insulation hand dipped construction, or was that only in the first 50?
It needs a little TLC from what I could tell, like maybe new knobs and a front screen, and missing logo.
If anyone has more input on these, please share. Pump me up, as this will be my first all tube head. I can't wait!
Thanks.
I just picked up one of these heads last night, and I should be getting it next week. It's number 123 out of the 500. I'm a little confused on what I'll be getting... Does this unit have the old type transformers with the paper insulation hand dipped construction, or was that only in the first 50?
It needs a little TLC from what I could tell, like maybe new knobs and a front screen, and missing logo.
If anyone has more input on these, please share. Pump me up, as this will be my first all tube head. I can't wait!
Thanks.
There is some great input and information in this thread! Worthy of reviving I think
I just picked up one of these heads last night, and I should be getting it next week. It's number 123 out of the 500. I'm a little confused on what I'll be getting... Does this unit have the old type transformers with the paper insulation hand dipped construction, or was that only in the first 50?
It needs a little TLC from what I could tell, like maybe new knobs and a front screen, and missing logo.
If anyone has more input on these, please share. Pump me up, as this will be my first all tube head. I can't wait!
Thanks.
HA! I was bidding against you! Good score! Looked like it needs the new front grill cloth & logo, might even need the front board from the pics. The knobs were mismatched too. Check with fliptops and or the experts and see what the Skunkworks should have. Also I noticed on the back, it looked as if there should have been another panel along the bottom where hte speaker jacks etc... run. On the old ones there was a seperate label plate - but not sure on these.
Sorry about that Styles... I feel bad man. You've helped me so much lately too!
I noticed the knobs too. There is another one on eBay (mint) that I'm using as reference to see what the part looked like originally. Not sure what you mean about the backplate. I'll go look here in a second.
Thanks again.
Congrats Groover on a nice score dude!!!!!
Let us know how it worx out and tone and such....!!!!
Oh btw, any pics?
jimbob
Let us know how it worx out and tone and such....!!!!
Oh btw, any pics?
jimbob
Here are some pics as-is from the auction: I'll have to do a little "clean-up" on it - It would be cool to know the story on it.
...Groover, you're sure it's a HD right? I just noticed on the back there was no small metal plate with the production number, etc. etc..(?)
Jimbob
Jimbob
