Tell me about the ampeg SVT MTI era

[wolfkeller]

Hey all. Ivexbeen using ampegs fro many years. Currently I run an svp cl preamp into the power section of an svt 4,so same as an svp 1600 poweamp.

I have owned and used modern svt cl, svt II non pro, Svt 2 pro as well as the svt 4 pro.

For some reason, I've been interested in checking out the mti era svt, (80s). Alot of my favorite recordings were done with it.

Speaking from your experience, does it sound noticeably different from any of the others?

My favorite was the SVT II. It got too problematic so I went with my current set up, which is great.
Thanks for any input on this.

 

[Wasnex]

The MTI was basically the last mass produced SVT from the first generation of amps. Some say it sounds a bit different than earlier SVTs. I have seen this attributed to the Japanese transformers. Another possibility: During the MTI era, SVTs were switched from running 12DW7 to 12AX7. The change involves replacing a few components and then installing 12AX7s in place of the 12DW7s.

There were various minor components changes over different production runs of SVTs. So some players have a preference in regards to which generation they prefer

After Ampeg was sold back to the US, SLM did a special product run called skunk SVTs in 1987. Officially there were 500 skunks, but a few supposedly made it out of the factory without the commemorative plaques on the back grill. This special run was the last of the 1st gen SVTs.

The MTI and skunks are both called HD SVTs. AFAIK the skunks used some left over MTI parts and SLM also fabricated new parts from US vendors. Cosmetically the MTIs and Skunks are almost identical. There is one obvious thing you can look for. If you look at the side of the head case, the front edge goes straight up on the MTIs. On skunks, the edge angles back parallel to the control panel. There are some additional minor changes to various electronic components. Both use the same HD filter capacitor scheme though, which is different from the pre MTI SVTs.

I bought a brand new MTI in the early 80s. From what I remember it sounded like an SVT, but may have been a little looser and woolier down low. Hard to say without doing a side my side comparison with the same cab.

I currently own a skunk and a 69 that is running the original output tube type (6146 rather than 6550). To my ears the skunk pretty much nails the iconic sound most people associate with the SVT. The 69 is a bit bigger and bloomier...and also has noticeably more clean headroom. I can't say if the difference in tone is due to the different tubes are perhaps it reflects how variance in component values. IMHO neither sounds better than the other. I would say they excel in different ways.

So is an MTI worth having? IMHO yes, but I would not expect it to sound massively different than most other first gen SVTs. Keep in mind, two SVTs from the same production run could sound slightly different.

IMHO do a demo if you can.

 

[wolfkeller]

The MTI was basically the last mass produced SVT from the first generation of amps. Some say it sounds a bit different than earlier SVTs. I have seen this attributed to the Japanese transformers. Another possibility: During the MTI era, SVTs were switched from running 12DW7 to 12AX7. The change involves replacing a few components and then installing 12AX7s in place of the 12DW7s.

There were various minor components changes over different production runs of SVTs. So some players have a preference in regards to which generation they prefer

After Ampeg was sold back to the US, SLM did a special product run called skunk SVTs in 1987. Officially there were 500 skunks, but a few supposedly made it out of the factory without the commemorative plaques on the back grill. This special run was the last of the 1st gen SVTs.

The MTI and skunks are both called HD SVTs. AFAIK the skunks used some left over MTI parts and SLM also fabricated new parts from US vendors. Cosmetically the MTIs and Skunks are almost identical. There is one obvious thing you can look for. If you look at the side of the head case, the front edge goes straight up on the MTIs. On skunks, the edge angles back parallel to the control panel. There are some additional minor changes to various electronic components. Both use the same HD filter capacitor scheme though, which is different from the pre MTI SVTs.

I bought a brand new MTI in the early 80s. From what I remember it sounded like an SVT, but may have been a little looser and woolier down low. Hard to say without doing a side my side comparison with the same cab.

I currently own a skunk and a 69 that is running the original output tube type (6146 rather than 6550). To my ears the skunk pretty much nails the iconic sound most people associate with the SVT. The 69 is a bit bigger and bloomier...and also has noticeably more clean headroom. I can't say if the difference in tone is due to the different tubes are perhaps it reflects how variance in component values. IMHO neither sounds better than the other. I would say they excel in different ways.

So is an MTI worth having? IMHO yes, but I would not expect it to sound massively different than most other first gen SVTs. Keep in mind, two SVTs from the same production run could sound slightly different.

IMHO do a demo if you can.

Thank you, appreciate the info

 

[feterpatch]

Hey all. Ivexbeen using ampegs fro many years. Currently I run an svp cl preamp into the power section of an svt 4,so same as an svp 1600 poweamp.

I have owned and used modern svt cl, svt II non pro, Svt 2 pro as well as the svt 4 pro.

For some reason, I've been interested in checking out the mti era svt, (80s). Alot of my favorite recordings were done with it.

Speaking from your experience, does it sound noticeably different from any of the others?

My favorite was the SVT II. It got too problematic so I went with my current set up, which is great.
Thanks for any input on this. View attachment 7441345

Lifetime SVT user here. I toured for several years with 2 MTI a long time ago. I can't really say how they compare with other versions because for me, I'd need to do a side by side. I can tell you they had great SVT tone, were very reliable (only replaced power tubes once each) over about 1100 shows with the accompanying in\out of truck\venue stress. Always got great compliments from sound techs and bass players alike. That said, it never hurts to have a tech go over it before you buy.

 

[wolfkeller]

Lifetime SVT user here. I toured for several years with 2 MTI a long time ago. I can't really say how they compare with other versions because for me, I'd need to do a side by side. I can tell you they had great SVT tone, were very reliable (only replaced power tubes once each) over about 1100 shows with the accompanying in\out of truck\venue stress. Always got great compliments from sound techs and bass players alike. That said, it never hurts to have a tech go over it before you buy.

Thanks!

 

[hasbeen]

The MTI was basically the last mass produced SVT from the first generation of amps. Some say it sounds a bit different than earlier SVTs. I have seen this attributed to the Japanese transformers. Another possibility: During the MTI era, SVTs were switched from running 12DW7 to 12AX7. The change involves replacing a few components and then installing 12AX7s in place of the 12DW7s.

There were various minor components changes over different production runs of SVTs. So some players have a preference in regards to which generation they prefer

After Ampeg was sold back to the US, SLM did a special product run called skunk SVTs in 1987. Officially there were 500 skunks, but a few supposedly made it out of the factory without the commemorative plaques on the back grill. This special run was the last of the 1st gen SVTs.

The MTI and skunks are both called HD SVTs. AFAIK the skunks used some left over MTI parts and SLM also fabricated new parts from US vendors. Cosmetically the MTIs and Skunks are almost identical. There is one obvious thing you can look for. If you look at the side of the head case, the front edge goes straight up on the MTIs. On skunks, the edge angles back parallel to the control panel. There are some additional minor changes to various electronic components. Both use the same HD filter capacitor scheme though, which is different from the pre MTI SVTs.

I bought a brand new MTI in the early 80s. From what I remember it sounded like an SVT, but may have been a little looser and woolier down low. Hard to say without doing a side my side comparison with the same cab.

I currently own a skunk and a 69 that is running the original output tube type (6146 rather than 6550). To my ears the skunk pretty much nails the iconic sound most people associate with the SVT. The 69 is a bit bigger and bloomier...and also has noticeably more clean headroom. I can't say if the difference in tone is due to the different tubes are perhaps it reflects how variance in component values. IMHO neither sounds better than the other. I would say they excel in different ways.

So is an MTI worth having? IMHO yes, but I would not expect it to sound massively different than most other first gen SVTs. Keep in mind, two SVTs from the same production run could sound slightly different.

IMHO do a demo if you can.

Great info in your post....thank you.

 

[Old Fart]

I have an early MTI, believed to be the 12th amp manufactured as MTI. It looks just like the pic. Ampeg had parts left over from the "Magnavox" era to use up before changing to 12AX7 circuitry. My MTI has 12DW7 tubes and American iron. It might as well be a 70s "Magnavox" unit. With the 810e 'fridge' it is the best-sounding amp I have ever heard.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Hey all. Ivexbeen using ampegs fro many years. Currently I run an svp cl preamp into the power section of an svt 4,so same as an svp 1600 poweamp.

I have owned and used modern svt cl, svt II non pro, Svt 2 pro as well as the svt 4 pro.

For some reason, I've been interested in checking out the mti era svt, (80s). Alot of my favorite recordings were done with it.

Speaking from your experience, does it sound noticeably different from any of the others?

My favorite was the SVT II. It got too problematic so I went with my current set up, which is great.
Thanks for any input on this. View attachment 7441345

Well, all I can tell you is that in the 70's we all drooled at the sound coming out of those beasts. So superior in depth and warmth to the solid state amps of that period. They filled the room. Not sure how useful they were outdoors though, perhaps a bit underpowered for that venue, without PA support?

 

[JimmyM]

I've been supplied MTI SVT's on fly gigs, aa well as every other kind except Yamaha models (I don't do fly gigs anymore), and I don't think they're better or worse than any others. I find that they're all about the same except for the Yamaha Heritage 50th, which has a different design for channel 2.

 

[txhawaii]

The MTI was basically the last mass produced SVT from the first generation of amps. Some say it sounds a bit different than earlier SVTs. I have seen this attributed to the Japanese transformers. Another possibility: During the MTI era, SVTs were switched from running 12DW7 to 12AX7. The change involves replacing a few components and then installing 12AX7s in place of the 12DW7s.

There were various minor components changes over different production runs of SVTs. So some players have a preference in regards to which generation they prefer

After Ampeg was sold back to the US, SLM did a special product run called skunk SVTs in 1987. Officially there were 500 skunks, but a few supposedly made it out of the factory without the commemorative plaques on the back grill. This special run was the last of the 1st gen SVTs.

The MTI and skunks are both called HD SVTs. AFAIK the skunks used some left over MTI parts and SLM also fabricated new parts from US vendors. Cosmetically the MTIs and Skunks are almost identical. There is one obvious thing you can look for. If you look at the side of the head case, the front edge goes straight up on the MTIs. On skunks, the edge angles back parallel to the control panel. There are some additional minor changes to various electronic components. Both use the same HD filter capacitor scheme though, which is different from the pre MTI SVTs.

I bought a brand new MTI in the early 80s. From what I remember it sounded like an SVT, but may have been a little looser and woolier down low. Hard to say without doing a side my side comparison with the same cab.

I currently own a skunk and a 69 that is running the original output tube type (6146 rather than 6550). To my ears the skunk pretty much nails the iconic sound most people associate with the SVT. The 69 is a bit bigger and bloomier...and also has noticeably more clean headroom. I can't say if the difference in tone is due to the different tubes are perhaps it reflects how variance in component values. IMHO neither sounds better than the other. I would say they excel in different ways.

So is an MTI worth having? IMHO yes, but I would not expect it to sound massively different than most other first gen SVTs. Keep in mind, two SVTs from the same production run could sound slightly different.

IMHO do a demo if you can.

so MTI was a Japanese company?

 

[Vanni]

I had one for years, it was a great sounding SVT, I also compared to a '70s SVT and it sounded the same.
It seemed it had a little bit more gain/volume if you setup all the pots in the same place, but it could be a case of tube life, or difference between the two units.
I sold it because I bought an SVT-II non pro, and it sounded the same as the '70s SVT and the MTI, and I could make more money selling the MTI

 

[Wasnex]

so MTI was a Japanese company?

I don't think so.

The full name is Music Technologies Inc.

There are various online references that essentially say: While MTI was American, they utilized Japanese manufacturing expertise for their product lines.

 

[ocoaibass]

Amazingly, my friend and I have stumbled upon a steal of a deal on one. Long story short we got it with 6550C-wing tubes in it & clear, quality cap replacement job. If you remember that episode of Atlanta where they go around town trading things to eventually get what they want, we did that.

And now our mouths are hanging open at this thing.

Played a Jazz bass through it for a NYHC type hardcore band. Sick. Played an active Jazz V for a 90's heavy nugaze type band. Unbelievable.

What I noticed over and over was how it seemed to compress everything across the range of my bass into the mix clearly and fully. Never too loud whether I'm banging or booming. Able to hold back and control volume with my right hand in a way I haven't ever experienced at huge volumes. Beyond thrilled to be using this thing. Taking it apart this weekend to see what's what and cleaning it. Probably not gonna mess with too much considering it's 45 years old (like me) and sounds amazing. What ain't broke…

 

[ocoaibass]