joegarcia Posted March 30, 2010 Posted March 30, 2010 So, the holy grail of bass amps has just fallen into my lap (ouch). An Ampeg '69 SVT. I got it off a friend of a friend who has fallen into hard times and can't afford to replace the power transformer. Going to be sending it up to John Wood in Nottingham for a transformer rewind and a general check over. It has NOS GE 6146B's in and is quite a sight, pics tomorrow when theres some light. Quite excited. Reckon my rig will just be this and my V4 into the two Aggie GS412's. Quote
EskimoBassist Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Surely, with an amp like that in your arsenal, your rig could kill small animals? Seriously though, that sounds amazing, I'd love to see pictures/hear sound clips. Feel even a little bit guilty for taking this from the unfortunate friend of a friend? Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='EskimoBassist' post='791421' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:27 AM']Feel even a little bit guilty for taking this from the unfortunate friend of a friend?[/quote] Absolutely. It's not the first or last time he'll sell off gear for quick cash though. He hasn't had it working for ages as he hasn't been able to afford fixing it up. I think he'd rather it was lovingly restored and was being used which is fair enough. He still has plenty more awesome amps too though. Pics coming tomorrow hopefully. Quote
SS73 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Nice one, I have a 1970 SVT arriving in a few days and I can't sleep. Looking forward to some pic's. Quote
Mr. Foxen Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='EskimoBassist' post='791421' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:27 AM']Surely, with an amp like that in your arsenal, your rig could kill small animals?[/quote] Hopefully. Got some trouble with them at the moment. Quote
Shaggy Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Hell of a find Joe! Did you move the SVT-2 on then? And how big is your band's PA you need a rig like that? Quote
Mr. Foxen Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='Shaggy' post='791620' date='Mar 31 2010, 10:19 AM']And how small is your wang you need a rig like that?[/quote] Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Shaggy' post='791620' date='Mar 31 2010, 10:19 AM']Hell of a find Joe! Did you move the SVT-2 on then? And how big is your band's PA you need a rig like that?[/quote] PA? We're not a function or pub band! I don't really think [i]need[/i] is the right word. Yea, sold the SVT-2 last week, took a bit of a hit on it (sort of) but pleased to have moved it on as it wasn't really me. This SVT probably isn't either really but we'll see. Off to take some pics. Edited March 31, 2010 by joegarcia Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [attachment=46097:P1010337.JPG] As you can see the front grill isn't original but I have a friend with a correct replacement. [attachment=46098:P1010341.JPG] Note the large whole where the power transformer should be. It's on my kitchen table at the moment. Also, the lovely sextet of NOS GE 6146B's. Quote
SS73 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Superb, Chrome chassis too. Will you add a 240v winding to the new transformer, as I think these were only 110 with no other spurs. Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='SS73' post='791872' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:35 PM']Superb, Chrome chassis too. Will you add a 240v winding to the new transformer, as I think these were only 110 with no other spurs.[/quote] Yup, getting it rewired for 240v. More gut shots to come... Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [attachment=46099:P1010342.JPG] [attachment=46100:P1010345.JPG] [attachment=46103:P1010346.JPG] [attachment=46104:P1010347.JPG] Preamps valves are a mix of RCA, Mullard and Sylvania. Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 Can anyone offer any guidance on dating it? What does the chrome chassis indicate? I guess it's a '69 or a '70 but would be nice if someone in the know could confirm it. The serial is 005165. Quote
umph Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 i hope your taking that in for a full service, that looks like its going to need a lot more work than just a transformer rewind. Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='umph' post='791937' date='Mar 31 2010, 02:18 PM']i hope your taking that in for a full service, that looks like its going to need a lot more work than just a transformer rewind.[/quote] I am but why do you say that? Quote
SS73 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='joegarcia' post='791893' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:52 PM']Can anyone offer any guidance on dating it? What does the chrome chassis indicate? I guess it's a '69 or a '70 but would be nice if someone in the know could confirm it. The serial is 005165.[/quote] Woh, that is seriously early, try this for dating, www.unofficialampeg.com/dating.html Looking like its an early 70 or a late 69. Slide out the main chassis and on the bias pot's are dates, mine read xxxxx-1270 = dec 1970. Quote
throwoff Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='joegarcia' post='791889' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:50 PM'][attachment=46099:P1010342.JPG] [attachment=46100:P1010345.JPG] [attachment=46103:P1010346.JPG] [attachment=46104:P1010347.JPG] Preamps valves are a mix of RCA, Mullard and Sylvania.[/quote] My God man, I have a semi. You are a lucky lucky man Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='umph' post='791937' date='Mar 31 2010, 02:18 PM']i hope your taking that in for a full service, that looks like its going to need a lot more work than just a transformer rewind.[/quote] That's a pretty annoying thing to say without an explanation. Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 Going by these gut shots I fear you might be right though. [attachment=46118:P1010350.JPG] [attachment=46119:P1010354.JPG] [attachment=46120:P1010357.JPG] Quote
Mr. Foxen Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='joegarcia' post='792075' date='Mar 31 2010, 04:01 PM']That's a pretty annoying thing to say without an explanation.[/quote] 40 year old amp that's been treated badly enough to kill the power transformer and is grotty is good enough reason. Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='SS73' post='791988' date='Mar 31 2010, 02:50 PM']Woh, that is seriously early, try this for dating, www.unofficialampeg.com/dating.html Looking like its an early 70 or a late 69. Slide out the main chassis and on the bias pot's are dates, mine read xxxxx-1270 = dec 1970.[/quote] Mine ends in 1270 too. Is that a strange coincidence or is that not the date? Quote
joegarcia Posted March 31, 2010 Author Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='792114' date='Mar 31 2010, 04:30 PM']40 year old amp that's been treated badly enough to kill the power transformer and is grotty is good enough reason.[/quote] Sure, maybe enough reason for a service but to assume it needs lots of work is a bit presumptuous I hope. Just put the power transformer back in for shipping, gonna take the valves out and wrap them up separately too. [attachment=46133:P1010360.JPG] Quote
SS73 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) [quote name='joegarcia' post='792116' date='Mar 31 2010, 04:32 PM']Mine ends in 1270 too. Is that a strange coincidence or is that not the date?[/quote] Ok that is strange, as mine is a whole load away from yours in chassis number, its 102xxx. Hmm I think a bit of research. Edited May 3, 2010 by SS73 Quote
SS73 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Ok, got it, mine has two sets of numbers 24101270 and 1377049, the later is the one we are after, 137= Chicago made, 70= year, 49= 49th week. Hang on that is Dec 70!! Quote
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