Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I’m actually selling my 1973 SVT and 810. I believe this is the best vintage SVT one could hope to find. Still has many original USA pre-amp tubes. A 12AX7 conversion was done so they can be used in place of hard to find 12DW7 tubes, but the small tubes in the bottom chassis are still vintage original. Now, the power tubes! These 6550’s look to be the original Magnavox branded Tung-Sol’s and recent testing show them still strong. I’m told these Tung-Sols from back then are some of the best 6550’s you could ever get. It’s still getting a strong 300 clean watts. A convenient mod to move the standby switch to the front where the now unnecessary polarity switch was, was also done.

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Original transformers and so on.

I don’t actually think it will ever sell around here, so I plan on keeping it covered in my garage, and will power it up, get it warm and play through it a bit, at least once a month.

I’m only selling it because I know at this point I’ll never use it other than if I kept it at my studio, where it would get used up to twice a week, but at this point I know it’s in great condition and I can sell it knowing I’m selling a good, clean and perfectly functioning vintage amp. If I left it at the studio and it continues to be used, it will eventually need servicing again, and my tech no longer wants to work on SVT’s. He’s in his early’70’s and they are just too heavy.

BTW. That is a stellar and clean setup. How old is the fridge? If you still have it a year from now, and will part with it separately, I can probably take it off your hands.

 

[Count Bassie]

Yep. And many other cabs. My SVT is fine through the sealed Berg NV 610 and the ported Mesa Subway 410. They are two different cabs, with different tonal characteristics. But an SVT through either one sounds incredible.

And that's it right there. The sounds that you won't really get anywhere else. I hear every note clear and full, it pushes like a pet baby rhino, and the rest is like trying to describe the taste of milk.
That's the balk-factor for selling it.

 

[MCF]

And that's it right there. The sounds that you won't really get anywhere else. I hear every note clear and full, it pushes like a pet baby rhino, and the rest is like trying to describe the taste of milk.
That's the balk-factor for selling it.

Yep. And this magic tone is the combination of T-bird+ pickups and an SVT through a fridge. It is perfect IMO.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

They custom make a Subway 412 for touring pros. In the Powerhouse staggered configuration. Convince them and open your wallet. Probably 4k minimum. But oh my god.

There was a time I inquired about getting a custom powerhouse 412. But I was in college and couldn’t quite justify it.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Some don’t understand this in my bedroom. Including my wife.
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I can dig it

 

[Blazer]

I bought myself this what COULD qualify as a Non-Reverse number.

A modified, Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar. It's heaps of fun and more versatile than people give these credit for.

 

[Stealth57]

Yep. And many other cabs. My SVT is fine through the sealed Berg NV 610 and the ported Mesa Subway 410. They are two different cabs, with different tonal characteristics. But an SVT through either one sounds incredible.

I still have that 1540he that I am sure your SVT would love. A mere 250# combination.

 

[BklynKen]

Here's a little example riff with the Carvin. I'm 99% sure the single coil pickups in here are Carvin's J99, which are ceramic. The Thunderbird is my #1, but I'm having a renewed love affair with the Carvin. It's 7.2 lbs., balances perfectly, has my favorite neck, and actually sounds better than I remember. I'm digging these D'Addario ProSteels. Mid scooping seems to suit single coils. I'm excited to bring it to band practice tomorrow. It's over 10 years since I played it with a band or gigged it.

 

[BklynKen]

Last time I gigged it.

 

[MCF]

I still have that 1540he that I am sure your SVT would love. A mere 250# combination.

I know. I need the dimensions. You can help load it into the Subie. I think it’ll barely fit. Not sure what help I’ll have from there.

 

[Stealth57]

I know. I need the dimensions. You can help load it into the Subie. I think it’ll barely fit. Not sure what help I’ll have from there.

49” h x 26” w x 15.5” d

 

[dagrev]

Meanwhile at Chez Veronica.......

That half is going to have to come down.

Oh my. Hopefully it's not headed towards the house or anything important.

 

[Ringhammer]

How old is the fridge?

I am reasonably sure it’s a late ‘80’s. I’m the second owner, I got it around ‘94. I’m still acquainted with the original owner that bought it new from Manor Music, in Pacifica.

Here’s more pics and information:

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[MCF]

49” h x 26” w x 15.5” d

I’ll check in the AM. But it’ll likely fit.

 

[Ringhammer]

I have a fantastic amp for that 1540. It is a split cab, right, can run top and bottom separately at 8 ohms each?

SVT5Pro, 1100watts bi-ampable. I’m currently running into an SVT48E (4x8” drivers) and an SVT212AV. Running the crossover at roughly 250hz, and balancing a bit more to the low cab(212). Has a really nice overdrive channel and subtle octaver built in. Channel switch, combine, octave and mute on a 4 button foot switch. Pretty fun, but will be selling it soon.

Got a new experiment I’m gonna try with bi-amping that involves these two cabinets I mentioned, an Ampeg V2 that has been modified to use 6550’s by adding an additional transformer for the (filament, heater, screens??? I don’t remember exactly what….) and an Ampeg V4BH (AV model) with all new tubes. Pictures and impressions to follow in a couple weeks.

 

[GonePlaid]

Here's a little example riff with the Carvin. I'm 99% sure the single coil pickups in here are Carvin's J99, which are ceramic. The Thunderbird is my #1, but I'm having a renewed love affair with the Carvin. It's 7.2 lbs., balances perfectly, has my favorite neck, and actually sounds better than I remember. I'm digging these D'Addario ProSteels. Mid scooping seems to suit single coils. I'm excited to bring it to band practice tomorrow. It's over 10 years since I played it with a band or gigged it.

Well, that was short and sweet.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I still consider keeping the SVT head, and there's a Hartke HD115 a friend will let go for pretty cheap...

my SVT refuses to leave the living room…

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I have a fantastic amp for that 1540. It is a split cab, right, can run top and bottom separately at 8 ohms each?

SVT5Pro, 1100watts bi-ampable. I’m currently running into an SVT48E (4x8” drivers) and an SVT212AV. Running the crossover at roughly 250hz, and balancing a bit more to the low cab(212). Has a really nice overdrive channel and subtle octaver built in. Channel switch, combine, octave and mute on a 4 button foot switch. Pretty fun, but will be selling it soon.

Got a new experiment I’m gonna try with bi-amping that involves these two cabinets I mentioned, an Ampeg V2 that has been modified to use 6550’s by adding an additional transformer for the (filament, heater, screens??? I don’t remember exactly what….) and an Ampeg V4BH (AV model) with all new tubes. Pictures and impressions to follow in a couple weeks.

an Ashdown Klystron is an absolute monster biamped through that box...

 

[Ringhammer]

my SVT refuses to leave the living room…
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My very first all tube amp was one of those SVT-II non-pro. I love the head box/rack case. Wish I would have had one of those. After I bought the ‘73, I ended up letting the II go, sold it with a III non-pro I had, sold the pair for $850 .

 

[Stealth57]

I have a fantastic amp for that 1540. It is a split cab, right, can run top and bottom separately at 8 ohms each?

SVT5Pro, 1100watts bi-ampable. I’m currently running into an SVT48E (4x8” drivers) and an SVT212AV. Running the crossover at roughly 250hz, and balancing a bit more to the low cab(212). Has a really nice overdrive channel and subtle octaver built in. Channel switch, combine, octave and mute on a 4 button foot switch. Pretty fun, but will be selling it soon.

Got a new experiment I’m gonna try with bi-amping that involves these two cabinets I mentioned, an Ampeg V2 that has been modified to use 6550’s by adding an additional transformer for the (filament, heater, screens??? I don’t remember exactly what….) and an Ampeg V4BH (AV model) with all new tubes. Pictures and impressions to follow in a couple weeks.

Yes, can be split. It’s the same cab Chuck has in his garage.