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Thinking about getting an SVT

Right_Butterscotch64

Right_Butterscotch64

Oct 18, 2012
1,763
442
#1
So I've been wanting an SVT CL for as long as I've ever had GAS.

I see one locally for 500$, but the catch is it doesn't produce the best sound and they think its the tubes.

I can easily fork that kind of cash over, but if it is the tubes, that is probably another 200$.

My mind is telling me if its too good to be true, it is.

Thoughts?
 
#5
SunnBass said:
Could also be the transformer(s).
Click to expand...
Not impossible, but I doubt it. Those transformers are darn rugged, and I know a couple of techs around here who have told me they've never replaced a dead SVT transformer in the years they've been doing repairs.

My feeling is if you get into the $900-1000 range between buying it and repairs you may have to make, you're still doing pretty good. And it could just be a single tube that's out and not the whole lot. OTOH, it might need all new tubes, and it might need new capacitors. But that would still put you in the $500 range for repairs, and make the overall price in the $1000 range. A little high to be called a great deal but not unreasonable.

Honestly, I'd probably take a chance on it if I were in the market.
 
#7
That sounds like power tubes gone astray, so you would likely be looking at retubing the power section at least. But if it's still producing sound, the trannies are fine.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
That sounds like power tubes gone astray, so you would likely be looking at retubing the power section at least. But if it's still producing sound, the trannies are fine.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats what I was thinking too. It definitely "works", just not 100% perfect. As far as retubing the power section, I was thinking it would be around 200$? More or less?

EDIT: my bad, he says the STANDBY light turns from green to red.
 
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#14
Judging from a quick Google search, that also signals a power tube problem. One thing I found suggested a screen resistor or two may have popped (they use resistors to act as fuses for the power tubes). But I would think that would shut the sound down completely if a screen resistor pops, no? I'm not a tech, so I'll ask the techs on here if that's the case.
 
#16
The great thing about tube amps is that repair is much easier than solid state - and usually very obvious.
The bad thing... well, chiropractor bills.
I've had it in my head to get a tube head now and again - I'd be looking at an Aggy, based on the rigs I've heard live.
I used a full SVT rig (backline gear) at a show a while back - it worked well enough, but it seemed a bit... lifeless to me. Could be the way it was set up, could be that it was abused backline gear.
 
#18
All amps need to be maintained.

Tubes are like car tires, they wear out as they are used and, when they are old and tired they need to be replaced. It isn't just the cost of the tubes that you should be looking at. Factor in the cost of a visit to a tech into the price. The amp should be given a general service that includes cleaning the pots, all jacks, tube socket terminals, checking the electrolytic capacitors, replacing the tubes if necessary, and setting the bias. This is normal. The same list would apply to a transistor amp except for replacing the transistors.

So you are looking at more than an extra $200 to do it properly. In the short term, you can certainly get by with just the tube change and rebias and then see how it does.
 
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